First iOS release stuck in “Waiting for Review” since July 21, 2026

Question

Created 19h

Replies 6

Boosts 1

Participants 3

I paid the $99 annual Apple Developer Program membership fee and submitted my first iOS game, Pippin Plaza, for App Store review on July 21, 2026 at 9:54 PM.

Apple publicly states that most app submissions are reviewed within approximately 24 to 48 hours.

It has now been nearly 12 days, and my submission is still sitting in “Waiting for Review.” It has never entered “In Review.”

There has been no request for additional information, no message from App Review, no explanation for the delay, and no indication that anyone has looked at the submission.

I understand that review times can vary and that a first release may sometimes require additional time. However, nearly 12 days without even entering review is far beyond Apple’s publicly stated review timeframe and does not appear to be a normal delay.

I contacted Apple Developer Support on July 29, 2026 through the App Review Status support category.

Case ID: 20000122288868

Despite contacting support, I have still received no reply, no explanation, and no update regarding the submission.

Developers are required to pay Apple $99 annually before they are allowed to distribute apps through the App Store. It is therefore reasonable to expect that a completed submission will at least enter the review process within a reasonable period, or that Apple will communicate when there is a significant delay.

Is this currently considered normal for first-time app submissions?

At what point should a developer conclude that a submission is stuck rather than merely delayed?

Why has there been no response from Apple Developer Support since July 29, despite the submission already being delayed far beyond the stated review timeframe?

I am not asking for special treatment, guaranteed approval, or an expedited review. I am asking for my completed submission to enter the review process, or for Apple to explain why it has remained untouched for nearly 12 days.

Answer 1

Claude31 OP

18h

Welcome to the forum.

it has remained untouched for nearly 12 days.

It may have been 'touched', but you did not get feedback.

What type of app is it ? Is it a paying app ? Or with subscription ?

If you look a little at this forum, you see that first submission (probably from a new account) presently takes much more time.

Next releases of updated version should go much faster.

As explained, reason is the overflow of AI generated apps which is overloading the review process.

Just have to be patient and take note that developers on this forum can do nothing (except lip service), as this is not a channel to review team.

Answer 2

Atmane_El_Bouazzaoui OP

17h

Thank you @Claude31 for replying.

Pippin Plaza is a free Unity game. It is not a paid app, and the submitted version has no subscriptions or in-app purchases. It is also not an automatically generated or template-reskinned app; it has been developed and tested over several months.

I understand that community members cannot directly review or expedite submissions. I posted because the first release has remained in “Waiting for Review” since July 21, while my App Review Status support case submitted on July 29—Case ID 20000122288868—has also received no reply.

You mentioned that AI-generated apps are currently overloading the review process. Is there an official Apple statement or source confirming that this is the reason for the present delays?

I am mainly trying to determine whether nearly 12 days without entering “In Review” is now considered normal for first submissions.

Answer 3

Claude31 OP

17h

I am mainly trying to determine whether nearly 12 days without entering “In Review” is now considered normal for first submissions.

For sure it is not normal but unfortunately it is not uncommon.

Answer 4

Atmane_El_Bouazzaoui OP

16h

Thank you for confirming. That is exactly my concern: the delay is not normal, even if it is unfortunately becoming more common for first submissions.

My first release was submitted on July 21 at 9:54 PM and is now approaching 12 days in “Waiting for Review.” I also opened App Review Status case 20000122288868 on July 29 and have not received a response.

I will keep the current submission unchanged and continue waiting for Apple Support. If anyone else submitted a first release between July 18 and July 21, it would be helpful to share whether it has entered review or received a decision.

Answer 5

htduck OP

12h

I'm in the same queue. So far 10 days for initial submission of my game. I admit, I used AI to help code it but it is absolutely not a package of AI slop. It is a unique concept with original artwork and assets. I'm being patient for now since it's apparent there is a huge backlog of App Store submissions.

Answer 6

Atmane_El_Bouazzaoui OP

12h

Thanks for sharing — that sounds very similar to my situation. Could you confirm the exact date and approximate time you submitted, and whether the status is still “Waiting for Review”?

Mine is also an initial game submission and has been waiting since July 21. Knowing your exact submission date would help us understand whether these delays are affecting the same submission queue.