Brand new to app development and marketing and preparing to launch my app on both the App Store and Google Play Store soon I understand ASO is a strong approach for organic growth and would appreciate any tools services or practical advice on how to do ASO efficiently and effectively

On January 1, 2026, we received a notice regarding the potential removal of our app with a 30-day resolution deadline. We treated this matter with immediate urgency and submitted an appeal on the same day. However, two weeks have passed without any feedback or clarification. As we have not yet received specific details regarding the violation, we are unable to identify the exact cause or take the necessary corrective actions. With only two weeks remaining in the compliance window, it is critical for us to understand the issue promptly to resolve it before the deadline. Could you please provide an update on the status of our appeal? We are fully committed to complying with App Store policies. If there are any additional materials required or proactive steps we should take while waiting, please let us know.

Hi everyone, We’re looking for advice regarding an App Store review rejection and would really appreciate insights from developers with similar experience. Our app is a retro game emulator platform. It provides emulator functionality only (e.g. NES / GB / GBA emulation) and does NOT include, bundle, or download any game ROMs. Key points about our app design: ❌ No ROMs are bundled or distributed ❌ No in-app ROM downloads ✅ Users can only import their own ROM files that they legally own (e.g. personal backups) ✅ No copyrighted game names, box art, screenshots, or branding are used ✅ The app is positioned as a general-purpose emulator tool, similar to a media player that plays user-provided files However, during review we received the following rejection: The app appears to contain copyrighted video game files. Apps and their content should not infringe upon the rights of another party… We’re confused about what might have triggered this decision and would appreciate guidance on: On what basis Apple may conclude that the app “contains” copyrighted game files? Could this be related to: App screenshots or preview videos? Default demo flows or UI text? The emulator functionality itself? What changes are typically required to pass review, such as: Adding stronger legal disclaimers Requiring user confirmation that imported ROMs are legally owned Removing any potentially misleading UI wording Explicitly clarifying ROM ownership responsibility We’ve noticed that similar emulator apps already exist on the App Store, so we’re trying to understand: Whether there is a clear compliance path What modifications have worked for other developers in similar cases Thanks a lot in advance for any advice or shared experience 🙏 Happy to provide more details if needed.

My app is being rejected again and again because the reviewer keeps saying that there is a bug with the app, the get OTP button did not work. They are using Ipad Air. Now the issue is that I have tested my app again and again on every device possible and I am able to login perfectly every time. I am using firebase phone authentication to login. I don't know what to do ?

I have two apps stuck in "Waiting for Review" status: App 1: Submitted Dec 20, 2024 (still waiting) App 2: Submitted Jan 12, 2025 (still waiting) I've requested expedited reviews but haven't heard back. I know the holidays can cause delays, but it's been over 3 weeks for the first app. Has anyone else experienced similar delays? If anyone from Apple's review team sees this, could you check on these submissions? Happy to provide more details if needed. Thanks guys

I’m attempting to resubmit my app after a few unsuccessful review submissions (first time dealing with this process). Previously, when I resubmitted (the last two times), the “In-App Purchases and Subscriptions” section was available on the version page, and I could select the appropriate IAPs and subscriptions prior to submitting for review. However, on the resubmission attempt, this section is no longer visible anywhere on the version page! I’ve tried several troubleshooting steps, but it still won’t appear. Current status: All IAPs/subscriptions: Waiting for Review App version status: 1.0 Prepare for Submission It has been suggested that I "deleting all my subscriptions and [do] them over again..."; however, this workaround is completely unacceptable! While it may work for unreleased apps, it would be catastrophic for production apps. If this UI bug occurred during a subsequent update, deleting IAPs would permanently invalidate the original product IDs—which cannot be reused. This would break all existing customer purchases! Does anyone know how to get around this?????

Hi Forum I am working on an ios app with a companion watchos app. The watchos app was made in 2018, it uses watchkit and has a watchkit app target and a watchkit app extension target. When I started working on it, the app was already published and running. More importantly, the watch app was installing on the users watch automatically, when the app was installed on their phones. I came in and made some changes, updated some things and added some smaller features. After uploading to testflight and testing the app there, we sent it for review and updated the app. This updated app, introduced the issue that when users now downloaded the app, the watch app seems to be missing. For me, downloading this new version on either testflight or app store works fine, but whenever my boss or a new user does it, the watch app is missing. I have tried to go back to the older version of the app I started with, but this doesn't seem to change anything. My coworker tried to do do the same thing, uploading the old version, but with a new version number and everything works like normal. He suggested the reason was that he uses xcode 16, while I use xcode 26 and the updated xcode has some slightly different settings, which can mess it up. Does anybody know about this or have the same problem? And is it correct that it can be the way settings are handled in xcode 26 compared to 16?

I am seeking guidance after experiencing what appears to be an inconsistent and unresponsive review process. My app was rejected under Guideline 4.3(b) (Spam - saturated category) and Guideline 2.1 (App Completeness - IAP not found in binary). I would like to highlight several concerns: Regarding 2.1 - IAP Issue: The rejection states that In-App Purchase products "could not be found in the submitted binary." However, a previous reviewer successfully accessed and screenshotted the exact purchase screen in an earlier review cycle. The IAP is clearly implemented and functional. This inconsistency suggests the current reviewer may not have thoroughly tested the app. Regarding 4.3(b) - Spam: I have submitted detailed appeal notes explaining the unique, differentiating features of my app that are not found in any competing applications in this category. These include: Integration with real-time external data sources (not static content) Cultural and regional elements unique to my market AI-powered contextual features beyond template-based functionality A distinctive companion feature focused on reflective dialogue rather than predictions Despite providing this documentation, I receive identical templated rejection responses with no acknowledgment of the specific points raised in my appeals. My Questions: How can I ensure that reviewers actually read and consider the detailed notes provided in appeals? If a previous reviewer could access the IAP screen, why would the current reviewer claim it doesn't exist? Apple actively features apps in this category in editorial collections. What specific criteria differentiates "approved" apps from those rejected as spam? I have invested significant development time and resources into creating something genuinely innovative, not a clone. I respectfully request that my submission receive a thorough, hands-on evaluation rather than a surface-level category-based rejection. Any guidance from Apple staff or developers who have navigated similar situations would be greatly appreciated. Most Importantly: This experience is deeply discouraging and exhausting. This process does not feel developmental or constructive that it feels like a barrier designed to wear down independent developers. The inconsistency between platforms is striking: my app was approved on Google Play without any issues, and we were expecting simultaneous production releases. Instead, I am trapped in a rejection loop here while my competitor advantage erodes daily. How can it be that one platform recognizes the legitimacy of my work while the other dismisses it with templated responses? Simply providing vague assurances and surface-level category rejections helps no one, not developers, not users, not the ecosystem. Independent developers are the backbone of app marketplace diversity. When the review process becomes this opaque and unresponsive, it doesn't protect quality that it stifles innovation and consolidates the market in favor of established players who can afford to wait indefinitely. I am not asking for special treatment. I am asking for a fair, thorough, and consistent review.

A 1.69% App Store conversion rate could be due to factors like unclear value proposition, unoptimized screenshots, or lack of strong reviews. Improving visuals, refining your app description, and gathering positive ratings can help boost installs.

I am in the middle of trying to get an app approved for beta release and the back and forth with the App Store reviewers has been incredibly frustrating and concerning. On Tuesday, I created an app record for my app but quickly realized I made it under the wrong account- I'm working for a company that has a few brands under it's umbrella, and I was under the wrong account when I created the app record. Rather than wait several days to get Apple's approval to transfer app ownership, I decided to delete that app record and create a new one under the proper account. Worst mistake of my life. Now, Apple is insisting that the new app record is spam despite my clarification that I own the other app record and that it was deleted before the new one was created. I have no choice but to believe that somebody else is using our branding and asset somewhere in the App Store that I can't see. Does anybody know how I can resolve this? It should have never taken me the whole week to make an app available on test flight and my stakeholders are not pleased, and I have no clear path towards resolution that will allow me to use the proper branding with the proper company account. App review refuse to offer any solutions, I am stuck with a brand name that I can't use because it's associated with an app I already deleted.

Guideline 2.5.1 - Performance - Software Requirements The app uses or references the following non-public or deprecated APIs: Iobmobile Classes: • __SwiftValue The use of non-public or deprecated APIs is not permitted, as they can lead to a poor user experience should these APIs change and are otherwise not supported on Apple platforms. Can anyone she some light as to what __SwiftValue even means?

I'm getting ready to submit my first app to the App Store and I have a question. I know that I can't put my own registration into the app. Then what mechanism do we use to prevent the app from being shared by copying it to someone else's machine? And I'm not using Swift if that matters.

I am trying to resubmit my app after failing a few times (first time doing this). Anyhow, when resubmitting the last 2 times, the "In-App Purchases and Subscriptions" section was always present on the version page so I could choose my IAP's and Subscriptions before submitting for review. Currently, I am trying to resubmit again, and the "In-App Purchases and Subscriptions" section is nowhere to be found and no matter what I try to do, it's just not showing up. Currently, all my IAP's and Subscriptions have a "Waiting for Review" status and my app status is "1.0 Prepare for Submission". Any ideas how I can get around this???

We submitted a build on the 26th, but it stayed in “Waiting for Review” until January 3rd. Thinking something was wrong, we withdrew it and resubmitted, but after 5 days it’s still pending. We have an important campaign in January and this delay is seriously affecting us. We also emailed support but haven’t received any reply. How can we resolve this?

Title: Stuck in a loop between Guideline 2.1 and 2.2: Reviewer refuses to play for 5 minutes. Body: I am an independent developer struggling with a repetitive rejection cycle for over a month. I need advice on how to handle a clear contradiction in the review process. The Loop: Initial Rejection (2.1): Reviewer said they couldn't locate the IAP. My Action: I added a prominent "IAP Test" button on the title screen to skip gameplay. Second Rejection (2.2): A different reviewer said the "IAP Test" button is a "Beta feature" and not appropriate for production. My Action: I removed the button and implemented a "Secret Command" (Easter Egg) that enables an "Assist Mode" (extending the timer to 5 minutes) so the reviewer can easily clear the game and reach the IAP screen in about 5-6 minutes. Latest Rejection (2.1): The reviewer now says: "While we appreciate you provide an instruction... we require a quicker way to access in-app purchases without spending significant time to play games." The Current Solution: In my next submission, I am implementing a "Direct Warp" feature. Tapping the title logo 7 times will trigger a secret transition directly to the Ending Scene (IAP screen). The Contradiction & Question: Apple forbids "Test Buttons" (2.2), but now they refuse to spend even 3-5 minutes of gameplay to reach the IAP. I am forced to implement a "Warp" feature just to satisfy the reviewer's convenience. Has anyone else experienced a reviewer refusing to perform 5-6 minutes of gameplay? Is a "Secret Warp" considered a "Beta feature" under 2.2, or is it an acceptable compromise for 2.1? I want to ensure I don't get rejected for 2.2 again.

I just tried to renew my APP, and it confirmed via email that it is renewed. But, also says that it needs to be reviewed. Seems like alot of people are having this issue. I have a pilot study on Monday which requires users to use the app, so I placed an expedited review request, and the system is saying I don't have an APP in the review stage. App is no longer on the App Store. Please advise!

Hi everyone — looking for guidance from developers who’ve dealt with App Review + subscriptions. We’ve submitted our iOS app for review and have been rejected 3 times related to subscriptions / in-app purchase rules. Here’s our setup: We offer a Premium subscription that unlocks extra features in the app. We do NOT allow users to purchase/subscribe inside the iOS app. There is no IAP, no checkout, and no purchase flow in the app. Users can only subscribe outside the app (on our website). If a user already has a Premium account (subscribed on the website), they can log in on iOS and use all Premium features inside the app. To us, this appears similar to what apps like Spotify do: from the iOS app you can’t subscribe to Premium via IAP; they direct users to the website, and once subscribed externally, Premium works inside the app. We’ve shared this context with the review team, but we still haven’t gotten a clear explanation of what specifically is not allowed in our case. My questions to the community: Is this model acceptable under App Store guidelines (no in-app purchase, subscription only on the web, and premium features unlocked after login)? If it is acceptable, what is the recommended way to present this to App Review so the app gets approved? (e.g., specific wording, metadata notes, review notes, removing certain UI, etc.) If it’s not acceptable, what’s the correct approach Apple expects for a Premium subscription that unlocks digital features? Has anyone had a similar rejection and successfully resolved it — what changes or steps worked? Any advice on how to get this approved would be hugely appreciated. See below the example from Spotify app on IOS.

Hello everyone, does anyone know why the reply to app review button is gone? The reviewer says reply to this message, but I don't have the reply button as I used to. Is this a bug?

Hi, I'm constatly receiving the same answer of Apple Review about my subscriptions. Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Payments - Subscriptions We noticed that your app did not meet all the terms and conditions for auto-renewing subscriptions, as specified in Schedule 2, section 3.8(b) of the Paid Applications agreement. – A functional link to the privacy policy We were unable to find the following required item(s) in your app's metadata: – A functional link to the Terms of Use (EULA) Next Steps To resolve this issue, please add this missing information. If the above information is present, please reply to this message in App Store Connect to provide details on where to locate it. If you are using the standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA), you will need to include a link to the Terms of Use in your App Description. If you are using a custom EULA, add it in App Store Connect. Resources Learn more about offering auto-renewable subscriptions on the App Store. Review the Paid Applications agreement. I provided all the information in the paywall, the privacy policy link in app information, and EULA link in the App Description. Also I contacted apple several times and I didn't receive any answer. This is so disgusting and I should be able to realese the app by next week. If anyone can help me please contact me.

Hi there, I dont now what to do anymore and you help is more than appreciated. My app + subscriptions has been certified before 8 days on Monday, 8th but my subscriptions are not shown in the App Store. That leads to a loading spinner since 8 days in my production app! I have an email, where I see that the app + all 6 subscriptions has been approved. On the other hand I see that my subscriptions are still in review and dont see them below the app in the App Store. I was given last week on Tuesday (before 7 days) an expedite review for the subscriptions, because the Apple developer support was writing that the subscriptions are not yet certified. The expedite review has not taken place since 7 days or its not true what the Apple Developer Support is writing (subscriptions need to be reviewed). I think the subscriptions are not linked to the app and I am in a dead lock situation. I need your help, because I have fears that I receive 1 star recommendations and the developer support cannot help me since 8 days. Best regards Tino Link to the App: https://apps.apple.com/de/app/vario-one/id1605797423