First iOS app in "Waiting for Review" for 13 days (build 67) - Android already live, requesting guidance

Question

Created 3d

Replies 2

Boosts 0

Participants 1

Hello,

I am an independent developer, and my app "Old Ways: Maps & Terrain" (iOS version 1.0.0, build 67) has been in "Waiting for Review" since I submitted it on October 13, 2026 - 13 days as of today. App Store Connect shows no messages from App Review, no rejection and no request for information, and the status has not changed since submission.

The Android version of Old Ways is already published and available to users, so iOS is the only platform still blocked. This is the first iOS submission of the app. The delay directly affects our iOS launch and the plans of a one-person studio that cannot release, market or monetize the app on iOS until review begins.

I understand that review times vary and I respect the work of the App Review team. However, 13 days with no activity at all is far longer than the typical review time for most submissions, and it looks like an anomaly rather than a normal queue.

I would appreciate specific guidance on three questions.

Question 1: Is there a known reason why a first submission can remain in "Waiting for Review" this long (for example an additional verification step, or a routing or queue issue)?

Question 2: Is any action required from my side, or should I leave the current submission untouched so I do not lose my place in the queue?

Question 3: What is the recommended official escalation path beyond an App Review Status Inquiry and an expedited review request?

I am filing a status inquiry with Developer Support in parallel and will update this thread with the outcome, which may help other developers in the same situation. If an Apple team member can check whether the submission is correctly queued, I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

Answered by OldWaysDeveloper in 913096022

Final update, October 29: the app has been approved and is now available on the App Store.

Timeline: I submitted it on October 13 and it stayed in "Waiting for Review" for 16 days, until the review started on October 29. About 11 minutes later the status changed to "Ready for Distribution". There were no rejections, no messages and no requests for more information from App Review at any point.

For anyone in the same situation: I did not cancel or resubmit the build, and I only contacted Developer Support through the App Review Status form. A support advisor replied and escalated the case, and the review started the next day. I cannot say for certain what moved it, but leaving the submission untouched worked out for us.

Many thanks to Apple Developer Support for the help and the escalation, and thank you to everyone in the community who read this thread. Marking this as solved.

Answer 1 · 1d

OldWaysDeveloper OP

1d

Update, October 28: the wait is now 15 days.

Apple Developer Support has replied and confirmed that the app is still "Waiting for Review", and that reviews are currently delayed because of higher than normal volume. They did not give a specific reason or an estimate for our submission, and App Store Connect still shows the same status as on October 13 with no messages or requests for information from App Review, so the review does not appear to have started.

I have asked Support to check that our specific submission is correctly queued and, if they cannot see the reason for the delay, to forward the case to the App Review team.

Is anyone else seeing the same situation recently? And can an Apple team member share any further recommendations, for example whether there is anything a developer should do in the meantime, or whether it is best to leave the submission untouched? Thank you.

Answer 2 · 4h

OldWaysDeveloper OP

4h

Accepted Answer

Final update, October 29: the app has been approved and is now available on the App Store.

Timeline: I submitted it on October 13 and it stayed in "Waiting for Review" for 16 days, until the review started on October 29. About 11 minutes later the status changed to "Ready for Distribution". There were no rejections, no messages and no requests for more information from App Review at any point.

For anyone in the same situation: I did not cancel or resubmit the build, and I only contacted Developer Support through the App Review Status form. A support advisor replied and escalated the case, and the review started the next day. I cannot say for certain what moved it, but leaving the submission untouched worked out for us.

Many thanks to Apple Developer Support for the help and the escalation, and thank you to everyone in the community who read this thread. Marking this as solved.