I’ve invested heavily in developing my app, but marketing and ASO remain challenging. Despite experimenting with different keywords and tools, my rankings haven’t improved much. Is this just a matter of time?

Hello everyone, I am the developer of a small app studio that has been creating and publishing apps on the App Store since 2017. Our main app recently reached the Top 5 in the Lifestyle category, serving thousands of paying subscribers and gaining around 15,000 new downloads per day until it was suddenly removed from the App Store along with our other apps. On October 11, 2025, I received a Pending Account Termination Notice for my main developer account. A few months earlier, on August 15, 2025, another account registered under my name had also received a pending termination related to Guideline 4.3(b) for a duplicate binary submission. That app was never live on the App Store. Once I realized the issue, I rejected the binary myself and stopped all activity on that account. I believe both accounts became linked because the same Apple ID and bank information were briefly used during setup. This may have caused Apple to associate the two accounts. Both accounts are fully verified legal entities. Since then, I have: Removed the shared Apple ID and banking details Set up internal review steps to prevent duplicate submissions Stopped all submissions from the secondary account Offered to close the secondary account and continue only under the main account I have already submitted a combined appeal through the official channel, explaining everything clearly. It has been several days, and I have not yet received an update. I am sharing this here to provide more context in case the App Review team or moderators can help bring attention to the appeal. There was never any intent to mislead or evade review. This was an honest mistake, and everything has now been fully corrected. Our users continue to reach out daily asking when the app will be available again, and we are eager to resolve this as soon as possible. Can anyone from the community or Apple’s team please confirm if appeals like this are reviewed in order and how long the process usually takes? I am happy to provide any additional details or documentation needed. Thank you for taking the time to read this and for maintaining such high standards on the App Store.

In a prior review, App Store Review rejected our app, due to not having loan terms/rates. The lowest APR already was displaying then we added in the months, but they continue to state that the loan terms specifically doesn't meet all of the requirements listed in Guideline 3.2.2(ix). Specifically the loan terms are not included in the app. To clarify, please explain in details how to locate the terms in the app. Anyone else have this issue?

My app has been stuck in "In Review" for a long time. To meet our release date and quickly fix a bug, I requested an Expedited Review for the first time. However, nothing changed—no rejection, no reply, and no reviewer login/installation. The app is still "In Review." Does anyone know why this is happening? Thanks.

Apple told me to contact the developer, as they said that they only process payments. On October 6, 2025, I purchased SD, Standard Definition, Episode 1 of The Real Housewives of Potomac for $1.99 [as usual], but when I went to purchase SD Episode 2, it is $2.99. Will upcoming episodes also be $2.99 for Standard Definition episodes? I have been checking for several days, thinking the price issue will be resolved, but SD episode 2 is still $2.99. I haven’t checked other shows for purchases of episodes. Is this price going to be updated, corrected for SD, particularly, for the show mentioned above, to $1.99?

Once, the App Store empowered indie creators - small teams could launch great apps and find users easily. But in 2025, that era feels long gone, with algorithms, big players, and pay-to-win discoverability reshaping everything. Is there still a real chance for indie iOS developers today, or has Apple’s evolving ecosystem made independent success nearly impossible?

I recently had my app approved and automatically enabled on the App Store. Upon downloading the app, as any user could, the subscription page couldn't load purchase options. As a subscription is required for any interaction, it rendered my app broke,. so I have removed from sale. Looking in App Store Connect, I see that the subscriptions are 'In Review' and the localization is 'Waiting for Review', and have been for the last few days. I have waited to see if it resolves itself, then contacted Developer Support with no reply yet. Is this normal? Or do I have to start all over again and resubmit everything?

Hey everyone, I’ve noticed a big drop in my keyword rankings lately, and it seems linked to Apple’s recent ASO update that’s been trending on Twitter. Has anyone figured out what changed? It looks like app titles may now have less impact on rankings.

My apps stuck on review stage. Reason of it is Guideline 2.3.2 - Performance - Accurate Metadata We noticed that your promotional image to be displayed on the App Store does not sufficiently represent the associated promoted in-app purchase. Specifically, we found the following issue with your promotional image: – Your promotional image is the same as your app’s icon. The problem is i can't change this image. My subscription is still in 'in review' stage and I don't have option like delete image or change image. I replied to the review explaining that I cannot change it as long as the subscription is under review, but I haven’t received any meaningful reply, except that I need to change promotion image to be eligible for further review(which i cant do because i haven't option to change this image). Has anyone had such a problem before?

My app / subscription gets rejected with the following: Guideline 2.1 - Performance - App Completeness We have returned your in-app purchase products to you as the required binary was not submitted. When you are ready to submit the binary, please resubmit the in-app purchase products with the binary. and Your first subscription must be submitted with a new app version. Create your subscription, then select it from the app’s In-App Purchases and Subscriptions section on the version page before submitting the version to App Review. Once your binary has been uploaded and your first subscription has been submitted for review, additional subscriptions can be submitted from the Subscriptions section. Learn More ...ive tried all kinds. I archive a new build, upload it, update the app information top show new build so it ties in...and still nothing works. it is incredible frustrating. Can anyone help please. Ive wasted days on this

Hi everyone, I’m currently working on a project based on the Telegram iOS open-source code. My goal is to build an unofficial Telegram client with Telegram’s permission (they have publicly allowed third-party clients under their open-source license). My app includes unique new features and UI improvements that are not present in the official Telegram app. Essentially, it’s Telegram plus additional features — built from the official source, but extended significantly. However, when I try to submit my app to the App Store, Apple rejects the build under Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam with this message: “We still noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps.” I completely understand Apple’s intent to prevent low-effort clones or spam apps. However, in my case, this is a legitimate open-source-based project with new and unique functionality. I’ve spent a lot of time designing new features and improving user experience — this is not just a rebrand. Has anyone else experienced this issue when submitting an app based on an open-source client (like Telegram)? Is there any recommended approach to help Apple differentiate my app as a distinct and valuable product? Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated! 🙏 — Additional Context: The app is based on Telegram’s open-source iOS client. The app includes new features and UI changes. It’s submitted under a different name, icon, and bundle ID. I’m happy to comply with any additional clarification Apple might need. Thanks in advance to anyone who can share insight or experiences with this kind of rejection.

We are going to support cryptocurrency swap feature in app, it just use aggregator api only, not sure if this feature is legal to publish on AppStore. I checked some related apps, all the apps have swap feature like Rabby, MetaMask, TrustWallet,... Please help to answer, thank you so much!!!

We are going to support cryptocurrency swap feature in app, not sure if this feature is legal to publish on AppStore. I checked some related apps, all the apps have swap feature like Rabby, Metamask, Phantom,... Please help to answer this one, thank you so much!!!

Beta reviews have historically taken only a few minutes. Ours has been in review for a day at this point. The Production build is already approved, but our Beta testers still don't have access. Is there anything we can do?

I’m launching my game on May 9 and have been going through Apple’s App Store course. It’s informative but also feels like a marketing push. For those who’ve tried App Store campaigns, did they actually drive results like views, conversions, or in-app purchases? Sharing your app/industry for context would be super helpful.

My iOS app currently holds a 3.5★ rating with limited reviews, and I’d like to raise it by motivating happy users to share feedback. I’m looking for ethical ways to do this without being pushy. What are the best strategies and timing for review prompts to boost ratings while keeping users satisfied?

Hi All, My app has been stuck in the “In Review” status for more than a week. I have resubmitted it, strangely it almost took no time for it to be "In Review" again in App Store Connect. Normally, reviews only take a few days, and I have submitted a much more complex app and all was good. We had a good feedback loop but now I am concerned that something may be wrong with my submission or my account entirely. Could someone from Apple please advise if there is an issue with my account or I don't know I feel like something is wrong. Thank you for your help.

Hi everyone, I’m an indie developer and recently published our first app on the App Store. It was an exciting milestone, but on April 4, 2025, after the app had been live for about 1–2 weeks and one update had been pushed, we received a notice from Apple stating that our app had been removed from the store and that our developer account is scheduled for termination within a month. Understandably, this was incredibly alarming—but we stayed calm, carefully read through the allegations, and tried to handle the situation with patience and professionalism. The reason given was: App submissions from your account have engaged in concept or feature switch schemes to evade the review process, such as dynamically populating different app content after review, submitting apps with hidden features, repeatedly submitting misleading apps, and/or submitting apps with concrete references to content that you are not authorized to provide or is otherwise not appropriate for the App Store. This was cited as a violation of Section 3.2(f) of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. We were accused of dynamically changing game content after review, but we do not have the capability to do anything like that. The game has stayed exactly as it was when submitted, and the single update we pushed included only the changes listed in the “What’s New” section. They also mentioned hidden features. While we don’t hide anything, our game does include progression-based unlocks (such as new upgrade cards or mechanics unlocked as you play). We believe this is standard for many games, and we’ve explained this in our appeal. We also addressed another possible issue—some light pop culture jokes in push notifications—which we are more than happy to remove immediately if they were deemed inappropriate. We’re not here to argue or avoid accountability. If we’ve made any mistakes, we’re more than willing to correct them. But terminating the entire account for a first-time submission, without any discussion or specific feedback, feels incredibly harsh—especially for a small team trying to break into the industry. We submitted an appeal to the App Review Board over a week ago but have not received any response or update since then. So I’m posting here in the hopes of catching someone’s attention—whether that’s Apple or anyone in the community who’s been through something similar and can advise. I know the $99 annual fee might not be a huge deal for many developers, but for someone just starting out, it represents more than money—it’s a foot in the door. I’m not looking for sympathy, just a chance to make things right, follow the rules properly, and keep building on the platform I admire. Thank you for reading, and I truly hope someone can help guide us on the next steps. Best, Veekshith Kolanupaka

We have developed apps for the App Store for more than 7 years. One day, out of the blue we noticed all our apps have been removed and our account was pending termination. We really didn't know what was going on since we behaved correctly and honestly during all those years of development. After we asked for more info on why our account was in pending termination state we received this reply: Hello [redacted], We received your complaint filed on 2 October 2024 pursuant to the Regulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services (“P2B Regulation”). This correspondence serves as a response to your complaint. We thoroughly evaluated the activity associated with your Apple Developer Program membership. Our investigations confirm that your Apple Developer Program membership has been repeatedly used for dishonest and fraudulent activity in violation of Section 3.2(f) of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, which states: “You will not, directly or indirectly, commit any act intended to interfere with any of the Apple Software or Services, the intent of this Agreement, or Apple’s business practices including, but not limited to, taking actions that may hinder the performance or intended use of the App Store, Custom App Distribution, TestFlight, Xcode Cloud, Ad Hoc distribution, or the Program (e.g., submitting fraudulent reviews of Your own Application or any third party application, choosing a name for Your Application that is substantially similar to the name of a third party application in order to create consumer confusion, or squatting on application names to prevent legitimate third party use). Further, You will not engage, or encourage others to engage, in any unlawful, unfair, misleading, fraudulent, improper, or dishonest acts or business practices relating to Your Covered Products (e.g., engaging in bait-and-switch pricing, consumer misrepresentation, deceptive business practices, or unfair competition against other developers).” We found a pattern of manipulative or misleading behavior. As a result of this behavior, your Apple Developer Program membership has been flagged for termination. These behaviors can include, but are not limited to, inaccurate metadata describing your app or service, misleading app content, engaging in inauthentic ratings and reviews manipulation, providing misleading customer support responses, providing misleading responses in App Store Connect, engaging in misleading purchasing or bait and switch schemes, or other dishonest or fraudulent activity within or outside of the app. Our recent investigation and review of your developer account confirm violations of the App Review Guidelines. Specifically, we received a notice claiming that your [redacted app] allowed users to download media content without authorization from the relevant third-party sources. Our investigations confirmed this behavior which constitutes direct and egregious violations of App Review Guidelines 2.3.1 and 5.2.3. In addition, your binary submission from 1 October 2024 continued to include references to impermissible conduct under Guideline 5.2.3. Given the egregious nature of the violations, your app was removed and your Apple Developer Program account has been flagged for termination. For the sake of clarity, we have included relevant excerpts from the App Review Guidelines below for reference: 2.3.1 (a) Don’t include any hidden, dormant, or undocumented features in your app; your app’s functionality should be clear to end users and App Review. All new features, functionality, and product changes must be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section of App Store Connect (generic descriptions will be rejected) and accessible for review. Similarly, marketing your app in a misleading way, such as by promoting content or services that it does not actually offer (e.g. iOS-based virus and malware scanners) or promoting a false price, whether within or outside of the App Store, is grounds for removal of your app from the App Store or a block from installing via alternative distribution and termination of your developer account. (b) Egregious or repeated behavior is grounds for removal from the Apple Developer Program. We work hard to make the App Store a trustworthy ecosystem and expect our app developers to follow suit; if you’re dishonest, we don’t want to do business with you. 5.2.3 Audio/Video Downloading: Apps should not facilitate illegal file sharing or include the ability to save, convert, or download media from third-party sources (e.g. Apple Music, YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo, etc.) without explicit authorization from those sources. Streaming of audio/video content may also violate Terms of Use, so be sure to check before your app accesses those services. Authorization must be provided upon request. The guiding principle of the App Store is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for users and a great opportunity for all developers to be successful. We work hard to make the App Store a trustworthy ecosystem and expect our app developers to be honest with users and with us. Manipulative or misleading behavior degrades user trust in the App Store and is grounds for removal from the Apple Developer Program. [...] Sincerely, Apple We immediately checked upon the issue and noticed that the feature that Apple has been mentioning was enabled by mistake due to a technical malfunction inside our app and explained this to Apple in detail. We have also immediately submitted a new update to completely remove the code that allow the download of media content from the third party website in order to avoid an issue like this would ever happen in the future and also explained the situation to Apple, being completely transparent. Apple is currently ignoring our explanation and also the fact that we immediately addressed the issue and nothing was done in bad faith. The update we submitted should have completely fixed permanently the issue and yet we got our account terminated. An account with an app downloaded 50M times that have users worldwide and a 4.5 star rating. We never engaged in dishonest or fraudulent behavior and tried to explain this. It’s really disappointing and unfair to be falsely accused of dishonest behavior, and having no way to resolve the issue. We have been at complete disposal and all the facts reported are true and we have always been honest with our users and with Apple. We heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem having our app implemented Siri support, CarPlay support, MacOS support, Widget support and recently working also on the Apple Watch support. I really hope someone of the Apple Review Team could look into this and gave us the opportunity to fix this issue.

I’ve observed several areas in iOS where user experience could be enhanced, such as keyboard flexibility, animation speed, biometric options, cache management, background uploads, navigation reliability, and automation features. Addressing these aspects would not only improve usability but also align iOS more closely with diverse user needs across regions and use cases. What enhancements would you consider most valuable?