Hi, I have a completely new release of my app coming out with a new tech stack. I noticed that only 1% of my users were on iPad so the new app was not created to be 'compatible' with iPad including how it looks on iPad. Can I release this new version of the app only for iPhone? Or because it was previously available for iPad I have to release for iPad as well? Really appreciate any support/guidance on this. Thank you!

We have submitted our app as both iPhone and iPad compatible - we want to remove iPad, but can't find how to do that in the App Store Connect console - any ideas? Thanks in advance Kjell

Dear App Review Team, Our app – Apple ID 6756967338, has been stuck in the “In Review” status for over 10 days (Jan, 19 at 1:33 PM). Normally, reviews begin within a few days, but in our case, it seems unusually delayed. Could you please clarify: • Is there a specific reason for this hold? • Is any action required from our side? • When can we expect the review to finish? Thank you very much for your time and assistance.

Hello everyone, I’m currently enrolling as an Organization from Albania and I’ve been stuck on the "Enrolling" status for 8 business days now. I have my D-U-N-S number sorted and everything was submitted. I sent an email last week to the support but I haven't heard back yet. I’ve already sent another support message 2 days ago but no reply so far. I’m curious to hear from others who have enrolled recently (especially in 2026): How long did your organization verification take? Did you receive a verification phone call, or was it just approved via email? For those in the Balkans/Europe, did you have to provide extra local business registry documents (like the QKB extract) manually? I’m trying to time my launch with my Google Play release, so I’m a bit anxious about the "black hole" of waiting. Any experiences or "nudge" tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

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?

Transaction can not finish in OS26.2 TestFlight

I had a Watch-only app on the AppStore, and decided to add an iOS companion app now. Technically this was very easy, adding just an according target to my project. TestFlight tests where successful, IAPs remained valid for the whole setup etc., watch app could remain standalone as well -- so everything looked "Go" for release. But now customers that already previously downloaded the watch app just see "Purchased" in the AppStore for the app, and they neither automatically get the iOS companion through the update process, nor can they force a download (as there is no cloud icon to explicitly do so -- just the greyed-out "Purchased" button). The watch app updates automatically to the new version, but it seems impossible to initiate the iOS app download. The initial download of the watch-only app also doesn't show up in their list of purchases/download (only on the watch AppStore app, but from there, the iOS app won't be forced to install either). Did anyone face this also and can recommend a solution that can be communicated to affected (i.e. all so far...) customers?

Hello everyone, I’m looking for some guidance regarding the App Store review process. We submitted our app Desteno (iOS version 1.0.1) for review for the fifth time on Tuesday, and as of Saturday, it has been more than four days. The app is still not live on the App Store, and we haven’t received any update, rejection, or message from the App Review team. We understand that review times can vary, but this delay after multiple submissions is a bit unclear for us. There are no pending messages or requests visible in App Store Connect. Has anyone else experienced a similar delay recently? Is there any recommended next step—such as contacting App Review through Resolution Center or waiting longer? Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. — Kartikey (Desteno)

In App Store Connect metadata I added keywords expecting App Store and Apple Watch searches to surface my app using those terms. However searching those keywords does not show my app and it only appears when I search by the app name so I am unsure what is incorrect.

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.

I’ve been working on marketing my iOS app, but it’s been quite frustrating so far. ASO hasn’t brought the results I expected, and I’m not sure what to try next. I’d like to learn more about indie app marketing beyond keyword tweaks-any blogs, courses, books, or communities you’d recommend for understanding effective strategies and improving app visibility?

I have had an App (AngelNav) available on the App Store since 2023 which was written for iOS v15.0 or later. I am working on a new version which has the same functionality, but a radically new interface as well as taking advantage of the latest features in SwiftUI. I am writing it from the bottom up for iOS26 to ensure a clean codebase to ease maintenance. As I understand it I have the following options: Issue an update to the existing app. This is easy to do but creates a problem for those users with iOS26 who prefer the old interface. In addition I can't see a way to implement bug fixes for previous versions Create a new app (AngelNavNeo). This would allow users with iOS26 who prefer the old interface to stick with it, and I can issue bug fixes on the old version. However, there is no way to share already purchased in-app purchases between versions without a server-side solution and the need for user accounts on my server (neither of which I want to do). Is my understanding is correct, and have I missed anything?

Hi there, I’m writing this because I’m feeling incredibly frustrated and downbeat. I launched my app about two and a half weeks ago, and while it’s been a success in terms of users—with over 2k downloads and 35 five-star reviews via Reddit—it is currently invisible when searched for on the App Store (it can be found by direct link or Google search). Even when searching for the exact app name or my developer name (Robert Lothian), nothing comes up. It’s as if the app doesn't exist in your search database. To make matters worse, the app was featured in several articles, podcasts, and live streams last week. Because of this search issue, potential users who heard about the app couldn't find it. This has not only stunted my growth during a critical launch window but I fear it is causing genuine damage to my reputation as a developer. I raised a ticket last Saturday (102811242184) but haven't heard anything back, I just did a follow-up ticket just now, as it has been a week. I truly believe this is a backend synchronisation issue that just needs a quick look from the engineering team to reset the index for my App ID. Please, can someone look into this or escalate it? I’ve worked so hard on this launch, and it’s heart-wrenching to see it blocked by a technical glitch. App Name: Archivist Browser App ID: 6756570654 Best regards, Robert Lothian

Apple’s documentation indicates that iOS now supports A/B testing for app icons, but I haven’t been able to get it working. My app already includes alternate icons within the same binary, yet when I try to set up an A/B test in App Store Connect, there’s no option to change the icon-only screenshots can be updated in a new treatment.

I am using Product Page Optimization for the first time and after updating a new app version the test stopped automatically. The status shows developer has stopped with no option to restart the test even though I did not stop it.

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 want a programmatic way to monitor my app search ranking on the Apple App Store. Is there any API or external website available besides checking directly in the App Store app on iPhone?

I’ve been building iOS apps since 2011 and have worked on hundreds along the way. Recently, I started a series on App Store Optimization (ASO) to share tips, strategies, and lessons learned. In this first post, I dive into how responding to customer reviews can directly influence ASO performance and App Store ranking - covering timing, response style, and best practices to turn negative reviews into positive ones.

Even the best apps struggle to get noticed—over 5 million apps compete in stores, and most never hit 1,000 downloads. Visibility, not quality, is the real challenge. App Store Optimization (ASO) is the key to breaking through. Optimizing your app’s title, keywords, visuals, and description, combined with ongoing testing and competitor analysis, can drastically improve discoverability and downloads in 2025.

Hello App Review Team, I am writing to seek clarification regarding repeated review feedback received via App Store Connect (Resolution Center) for my app: App Name: Animal Sounds & Insects 90+ App ID: 6741077718 Team ID: 24MTF8NJ6Q Over the past two weeks, this app update has remained in review with multiple rejections referencing similar concerns, despite detailed responses and clarifications already provided in the Resolution Center. Unfortunately, I have not received follow-up responses or specific guidance there, which has prevented me from releasing even a minor update. To ensure clarity and avoid further delays, I am summarizing the key points below. Parental Gate (Guideline 1.3 – Kids Category) The review feedback indicates that the app may include links, commerce, or ad interactions without parental permission. I would like to clarify that the app implements a mandatory, non-dismissible parental gate, which is required before: Opening any external links Engaging in any form of commerce, including in-app purchases Interacting with any advertisements This parental gate cannot be bypassed or disabled and is triggered consistently across all applicable user flows. No child user can access links, purchases, or ad interactions without successfully completing the parental gate. If there is a specific screen, flow, or scenario where this behavior was interpreted differently during review, I would greatly appreciate precise details so I can verify and address it immediately. Advertising Experience (Guideline 4.0 – Design) The review also notes that users are required to view advertisements prior to using the app. I would like to clarify that the app does not require users to view advertisements before accessing its core functionality. Specifically: There are no forced ads No launch or entry interstitials No ads that block or gate access to the app’s main features Advertising within the app is passive and non-intrusive. This setup has been live for over one year, and no recent changes were introduced that would alter this behavior. Request for Guidance I fully respect and support the App Review Guidelines and am committed to complying with them. Given the repeated rejections and lack of actionable feedback so far, I kindly request: Clear and specific guidance on the exact screen, flow, or behavior being flagged Confirmation on whether the current parental gate implementation is being detected correctly during review My goal is to resolve any remaining concerns as quickly and accurately as possible so the review process can move forward. Thank you very much for your time and support. I appreciate the work of the App Review team and look forward to your guidance. Kind regards, Jiyan Aslan Developer, Animal Sounds & Insects 90+