Repeated 4.3 Guideline Rejections After Compliance & Feature Updates

Hey everyone,

We’ve been facing an ongoing issue with 4.3 spam guideline rejections, and I wanted to see if anyone has experienced something similar or has advice.

Initially, we got rejected under 4.3, but we complied by adding unique features that helped us pass. These included: ✅ Public tracking profiles ✅ Widgets for stats ✅ Background fetch for updates ✅ No login required

After two successful updates, we pushed a third update focused on bug fixes—fixing iPad UI issues and notification improvements—but suddenly, we got rejected again for 4.3, without any clarification.

We strongly believe this is a mistake because our app has distinct features not found in any other app. We’ve reached out to Apple for clarification but haven’t received a meaningful response.

Has anyone else had a similar experience where a compliance fix worked initially, only to be rejected again later? Any advice on how to appeal this effectively?

Would appreciate any insights! Thanks.

Answered by abebabuzir in 826300022

Conclusion: The Fight for Fairness in the App Store After months of jumping through hoops, removing features, and complying with vague rejections, it’s clear that Apple’s 4.3 guideline enforcement lacks transparency and consistency. The App Store is meant to be a platform that fosters innovation, yet it often feels like an arbitrary gatekeeper deciding which apps get through and which don’t—without proper explanation or recourse.

Trust me, this app was one of one—a completely unique tool that no other competitor offers. And I don’t say that lightly. As a developer with 10 years of experience, I know what makes an app stand out, and I’ve built multiple successful ones. This wasn’t just another generic tracking app; it brought real innovation, from gender insights to bot detection and shortcut integrations—features that were built specifically to enhance the user experience.

I have repeatedly revised my app, stripping away functionalities users found valuable, only to be met with the same copy-paste rejection. Even after requesting a direct conversation multiple times, I have yet to receive a response. It’s beyond frustrating—it’s a complete failure of the review process.

This isn't just about my app. It raises a much larger concern: how many developers are forced to gut their apps or abandon them entirely due to unclear, inconsistent enforcement? Apple has the power to shape the App Store ecosystem, but with that power comes responsibility.

If Apple is serious about fostering innovation, then it must provide clear, actionable feedback instead of forcing developers into a cycle of endless revisions with no clarity. The App Store cannot continue to operate as a black box, where approvals feel like a guessing game.

I am still seeking direct communication with Apple to resolve this issue. If you are a developer who has faced similar struggles, your voice matters. The App Store should be a fair marketplace—not an unpredictable obstacle course.

Apple, it’s time to do better.

Welcome to the forum.

My advice as you once experienced a rejection, is to add a comment to the reviewer, each time you submit a new version, explaining exactly what you tell here.

App was once rejected under 4.3, but after adding unique features it was accepted . These included: ✅ Public tracking profiles ✅ Widgets for stats ✅ Background fetch for updates ✅ No login required

That will help a new reviewer to perform an better informed review taking into account that you have corrected what caused a former rejection.

Thank you for your post and appeal. We're investigating and will contact you in App Store Connect to provide further assistance. If you continue to experience issues during review, please contact us.

UPDATE:

Hey everyone,

We’ve been pushing hard to make our app stand out, and we just rolled out some crazy new features, including:

  • Apple Watch Companion App – Expanding stats to your wrist

  • AI-Powered Gender Insights – A feature no other app offers

  • Incognito Mode – For a more private experience

That’s two features no other app has, yet we’re still being rejected under 4.3 Spam, even after making major updates.

We originally passed after making compliance fixes, but now, despite these new unique features, we’re facing rejection again.

Has anyone else dealt with this? Any advice on appealing effectively?

We’ve put in serious work to make this app stand out, refining the experience, improving the UI, and ensuring it offers features no other app does. We even invested nearly $1K into the app icon and UI design to create something polished and premium.

Yet, despite all this, the review process feels inconsistent. Sometimes they sign in, sometimes they don’t, but every time, the rejection comes with little to no explanation. It’s frustrating to push major updates only to feel like the app isn’t even being fully explored before a decision is made.

Has anyone else faced this kind of review process? Any luck getting an actual dialogue with Apple about what needs to change?

Accepted Answer

Conclusion: The Fight for Fairness in the App Store After months of jumping through hoops, removing features, and complying with vague rejections, it’s clear that Apple’s 4.3 guideline enforcement lacks transparency and consistency. The App Store is meant to be a platform that fosters innovation, yet it often feels like an arbitrary gatekeeper deciding which apps get through and which don’t—without proper explanation or recourse.

Trust me, this app was one of one—a completely unique tool that no other competitor offers. And I don’t say that lightly. As a developer with 10 years of experience, I know what makes an app stand out, and I’ve built multiple successful ones. This wasn’t just another generic tracking app; it brought real innovation, from gender insights to bot detection and shortcut integrations—features that were built specifically to enhance the user experience.

I have repeatedly revised my app, stripping away functionalities users found valuable, only to be met with the same copy-paste rejection. Even after requesting a direct conversation multiple times, I have yet to receive a response. It’s beyond frustrating—it’s a complete failure of the review process.

This isn't just about my app. It raises a much larger concern: how many developers are forced to gut their apps or abandon them entirely due to unclear, inconsistent enforcement? Apple has the power to shape the App Store ecosystem, but with that power comes responsibility.

If Apple is serious about fostering innovation, then it must provide clear, actionable feedback instead of forcing developers into a cycle of endless revisions with no clarity. The App Store cannot continue to operate as a black box, where approvals feel like a guessing game.

I am still seeking direct communication with Apple to resolve this issue. If you are a developer who has faced similar struggles, your voice matters. The App Store should be a fair marketplace—not an unpredictable obstacle course.

Apple, it’s time to do better.

Repeated 4.3 Guideline Rejections After Compliance & Feature Updates
 
 
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