Hi everyone, We’re looking for advice regarding an App Store review rejection and would really appreciate insights from developers with similar experience.
Our app is a retro game emulator platform. It provides emulator functionality only (e.g. NES / GB / GBA emulation) and does NOT include, bundle, or download any game ROMs.
Key points about our app design:
❌ No ROMs are bundled or distributed
❌ No in-app ROM downloads
✅ Users can only import their own ROM files that they legally own (e.g. personal backups)
✅ No copyrighted game names, box art, screenshots, or branding are used
✅ The app is positioned as a general-purpose emulator tool, similar to a media player that plays user-provided files
However, during review we received the following rejection:
The app appears to contain copyrighted video game files. Apps and their content should not infringe upon the rights of another party…
We’re confused about what might have triggered this decision and would appreciate guidance on:
On what basis Apple may conclude that the app “contains” copyrighted game files?
Could this be related to:
App screenshots or preview videos?
Default demo flows or UI text?
The emulator functionality itself?
What changes are typically required to pass review, such as:
Adding stronger legal disclaimers
Requiring user confirmation that imported ROMs are legally owned
Removing any potentially misleading UI wording
Explicitly clarifying ROM ownership responsibility
We’ve noticed that similar emulator apps already exist on the App Store, so we’re trying to understand:
Whether there is a clear compliance path
What modifications have worked for other developers in similar cases
Thanks a lot in advance for any advice or shared experience 🙏 Happy to provide more details if needed.
