Hey fellow developers,
I’ve been trying to get my organization’s app approved for Unlisted App Distribution, but Apple keeps rejecting it with the same response. Hoping to get some insights from those who have successfully navigated this process!
Background:
Our app is meant for internal staff, external partners, and vendors. Most users use personal (unmanaged) devices, so Apple Business Manager (ABM) is not an option for us.
We don’t have an ABM or ASM Organization ID, and requiring users to enroll in ABM isn’t feasible.
We initially applied for public distribution with an unlisted request, but Apple keeps rejecting it.
Apple’s Rejection Message:
"We found in our review that your app is intended to be used by a specific business or organization, including partners, clients, or employees, but you've selected public distribution in App Store Connect. Since the App Store is intended for apps with a public audience, we recommend reviewing other distribution options available through your Apple Developer Program Account."
What We’ve Done So Far:
✔️ Submitted a request for Unlisted App Distribution – Still waiting on approval.
✔️ Changed release mode to manual – So we can only release once Apple approves unlisted distribution.
✔️ Explained why private distribution isn’t an option – Since once an app is approved as private, it cannot switch back to public/unlisted, per Apple’s distribution guidelines.
Challenges:
🚨 Apple keeps rejecting the app without acknowledging our Unlisted App Request.
🚨 No clear guidance on how to convince them that unlisted is the correct distribution method.
🚨 Can't use private distribution because we would be locked into it permanently.
Looking for Advice!
Has anyone successfully gotten Apple to approve an Unlisted App Request for a similar use case?
Any tips on wording the justification better to avoid repeated rejections?
Would it help to request a call with Apple App Review to clarify the issue?
Would appreciate any insights or similar experiences! 🚀
