Is anyone able to get Unlisted Apps approved? We have summited and been waiting over 4 weeks

App Store Distribution & Marketing App Store Connect
spbnz OP
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Following the process here: https://developer.apple.com/support/unlisted-app-distribution/

We submitted our app for review early Feb via the request form and have had no response. We have emailed asking for status updates and been told they cannot track the progress.

We have attempted to get callbacks to resolve this issue and they don't even call us.

Is there anyway to get actual support from someone who knows what they are doing? Has anyone actually got an unlisted app onto the store?

Answered by spbnz in 709082022

OK. So we got there in the end. The process they document to get an unlisted app listed is not right. We had to make a copy of our existing app that is distributed via ABM and change is icon and package name.

The correct steps to follow are

  1. Submit your app for review (pending developer release). Put in the notes that it is to be an unlisted app
  2. Submit the unlisted app request by filling out the form
  3. Get the app passing review for everything but rejections quoting guideline 3.2 (Our app actually got full approval without the unlisted app status which it shouldn't)
  4. If you get the app past review do not deploy until you get an email saying it has been approved as an unlisted app.

5) Release your app

Replies  14
Boosts 1
Views  18k
Participants  25
jon_doyle OP

I am experiencing a similar issue but have not had any issues with response times. My app was approved for unlisted distribution and reflects the update in the Pricing and Availability section. When I submit the app for approval, I continue to get a 3.2 rejection - recommending "Custom app distribution" via Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. Since this is a new distribution method and based on the responses, I'm not sure if the review team is aware of this update. Different situation but same fundamental problem - I will provide an update if I am able to find a way out of this loop.
spbnz OP

Thanks jon_doyle. Hopefully you can get yours through. We have just gone back to square 1 submitting it all again. Hopefully we will get a response this time around.
spbnz OP

Our app has somehow been approved for public distribution (it really shouldn't be). So we are waiting for it to get the unlisted distribution so it can be reflected in the pricing and availability section before we release.
spbnz OP
Accepted Answer

OK. So we got there in the end. The process they document to get an unlisted app listed is not right. We had to make a copy of our existing app that is distributed via ABM and change is icon and package name.

The correct steps to follow are

  1. Submit your app for review (pending developer release). Put in the notes that it is to be an unlisted app
  2. Submit the unlisted app request by filling out the form
  3. Get the app passing review for everything but rejections quoting guideline 3.2 (Our app actually got full approval without the unlisted app status which it shouldn't)
  4. If you get the app past review do not deploy until you get an email saying it has been approved as an unlisted app.

5) Release your app
dteo_appetiser OP

Going to https://developer.apple.com/contact/request/unlisted-app/ gives me the following

Sorry, you cannot view this page. The Apple ID you signed in with does not have permission to view this page. If you’re currently a member of the Apple Developer Program, you or your Account Holder may need to update your account by agreeing to the latest license agreement in order to access this page. To view your current membership status and benefits, visit your account.

Any help appreciated.
grantmoyle OP

Thank you for this post.

How long did it take to get a response to your unlisted app form submission?

We seem to be in the loop of waiting for that response without any indication whether or not they have even received it.

We have resubmitted our app twice and have found that we have been rejected again quoting 3.2 guideline. We have submitted the unlisted app request and are waiting for a response.
nashihu OP

My app got approved for unlisted app request after 6 days
Angelo GoApp OP

this process is totally confusing for Apple itself: noone knows exactly how it works, how long will it take and there is no tracking about it. Also, the form is buggy and silly.

some requests simply never get answered and you will never get a feedback about it.
BHEL OP

Is there any way to check the status of request submitted for unlisted app?
flutter_dev01 OP

As I said in the comments it took me about 2 days since requesting Unlisted App distribution. Process was Submit an already rejected App -> Immediately submit Unlisted App form -> App rejected by 3.2 guideline -> Wait untill Unlisted App got approved (for me 2 days) -> Unlisted App Got Approved -> Resubmit App (with note indicating your app has been approved for Unlisted App). Hope this helps
Ohmaar OP

I got my app approved for unlisted distribution, but my distribution was set to Private (which seemed to make the most sense). They said it needed to be resubmitted with Public distribution.

So I resubmitted with Public distribution. And then my app was rejected for unlisted distribution BECAUSE it was marked for public distribution.

I replied to the rejection pointing out that they were sending me in circles.

They rejected my app AGAIN, but this time said "We need additional time to evaluate your submission."

That was a week ago. Sigh!
AnithaRani OP

I submitted my App for the unlisted distribution, and got the approval in the APP Store, but I didn't get any mail regarding the response of the unlisted request. Should I go ahead and publish my app or I should wait for the response mail? What if I publish my app without waiting for the unlisted request response?
hmsdev OP

@omglucky Did you get some reply from them. I am also waiting for almost a week on unlisted app distribution request.
Vaibhav-Spoton OP

I got the unlisted distribution approved and then my app was also approved in a period of few weeks. But when I tried to access the app from the defined region, I wasn't able to access it, and after raising the ticket for it they took another few weeks to respond that my app is not an unlisted app instead it's a custom app and can be accessed only by specific user, but I have mentioned none ?

They took multiple weeks to approve my app in some other category, where no one can access the app !!