App Review

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Understand the technical and content review process for submitting apps to the App Store.

App Review Documentation

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Acceptable location purpose strings
Does anyone have recent experience of what App Review consider acceptable for location purpose strings these days? My map apps simply display a blue spot on the map showing your current location when you turn on the app's location button. That data doesn't leave the app; I'm not selling it to anyone, or doing anything nefarious. For years, I've had concise location purpose strings such as "Your location will be shown on the map". Now, App Review seem to find that inadequate. They say: "One or more purpose strings in the app do not sufficiently explain the use of protected resources. Purpose strings must clearly and completely describe the app's use of data and, in most cases, provide an example of how the data will be used. Next steps: Update the ... location purpose string to explain how the app will use the requested information and provide an example of how the data will be used. " I've just look at what Apple Maps uses as its purpose string, and it's just "Your location is used to show your position on the map, get directions, estimate travel times, and improve search results." I'm only doing the first of those things, so surely "Your location is used to show your position on the map" would get approved, right? Wrong! I have similar issues with the photos purpose string.
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Jun ’24
Add for Review not working
I am using an older Adobe product (Director) with extensions that my programmer created to allow us to continue creating IPA's, successfully! Well, for the most part ;-) We added a new app Product (and ID), got many successful Transporter uploads of builds, had all requirement ready. But when we click on Add for Review, we are told that we need a 1024x1024 PNG icon image for marketing. We have tried many different ways now to include such an image. However, we still get that error! BUT...Transporter tells us they were successful uploads and TestFlight is showing the build as Ready to Submit! Anyone else stuck at this juncture?
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IOS : App rejected for violating location new Guidelines
Guideline 2.1 - Performance - App Completeness Your app did not load its contents and the activity indicator spun indefinitely when we tapped "Don't Allow" when prompted for permission to use current location. If location information is required, it is necessary to display a notification or alert indicating this requirement. Next Steps To resolve this issue, please revise your app to either enable functionality when a user opts out of providing location information or include an alert that this information is required. Resources For more information on Location Services, please review the section, "Determining Whether Location Services are Available" in the Location and Maps Programming Guide. For a networking overview, review About Networking. Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed We’re looking forward to reviewing your app, but we were unable to sign in with the following demo account credentials you provided in App Store Connect: User name: 8015965494 Password: 8015965494 To avoid delays in App Review, it is essential to provide the App Review team with access to your app's full features and functionality with every submission. Next Steps Please provide the username and password for a valid demo account on the App Review page of App Store Connect that provides full access to your app's features and functionality or include a demonstration mode that shows all of the features and functionality available in your app. Note that we cannot use a demo video showing your app in use to continue the review. Resources Watch a video from App Review with tips for preventing common rejections. Learn how to share information with App Review when submitting your app for review. Guideline 5.1.1 - Legal - Privacy - Data Collection and Storage The app encourages or directs users to allow the app to access the location. Specifically, the app directs the user to grant permission in the following way(s): A custom message appears before the permission request, and to proceed users press a "Configure Location Access" button. Use words like "Continue" or "Next" on the button instead. Permission requests give users control of their personal information. It is important to respect their decision about how their data is used. Next Steps To resolve this issue, please revise the permission request process in the app to not display messages before the permission request with inappropriate words on buttons. If necessary, you may provide more information about why you are requesting permission before the request appears. If the user is trying to use a feature in the app that won't function without access to the location, you may include a notification to inform the user and provide a link to the Settings app.
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Unsupported SDK or Xcode version (XCode 15.4 running on MacOS 15)
Hello! So I updated my mac to 15.0 Sequoia Developer Beta and couldn't run Xcode 15.4 because of the Mac version mismatch, so I installed Xcode 16 beta and archived my app, but of course I cannot publish it to App Store because Apple doesn't let you do it with beta soft. So, I downloaded Xcode 15.4 (current latest stable build) and managed to run it following this fix: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/69994916/how-can-i-run-older-xcode-version-on-new-macos-version But, now when I create a new archive and submit it for review I am getting: ITMS-90111: Unsupported SDK or Xcode version - App submissions must use the latest Xcode and SDK Release Candidates (RC). For details on currently supported versions, visit: https://developer.apple.com/news/releases. I tried deleting derived data and build folders, building new archives, but to no avail. Has anybody encountered this before?
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Jun ’24
xCode - ITMS-90111: Unsupported SDK or Xcode version
When I try to upload an app to the AppStore, I receive following feedback: I had Xcode 16 with visionOS installed. Because of the feedback, I switched back to Xcode 15.3 with visionOs 1.0. I archived it again and tried to upload the app again. But I still receive the same feedback. I also tried https://stackoverflow.com/questions/56518791/app-store-refuses-my-update-after-installing-xcode-11-beta-with-keeping-xcode-10/56623421#56623421, but it seems that there is no such property for visionOS in the info.plist I do not have any further ideas...
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Jun ’24
Where to answer the app distribution questions during an app review
I got the feedback from app review that I need to clarify a few things about my add distribution. Here is the what apple told me to do. Where do I put the answers for these questions at? Also, let's say I pick unlisted app as the category, where do I put this information? Here is what Apple asking me to do We’re looking forward to continuing our review, but we need more information about your business model and your users to help you find the best distribution option for your app. Next Steps Please review the following questions and provide as much detailed information as you can for each question. Is your app restricted to users who are part of a single company? This may include users of the company's partners, employees, and contractors. Is your app designed for use by a limited or specific group of companies? If yes, which companies use this app? If not, can any company become a client and utilize this app? What features in the app, if any, are intended for use by the general public? How do users obtain an account? Is there any paid content in the app and if so who pays for it? For example, do users pay for opening an account or using certain features in the app? Resources Learn more about app distribution options on Apple Developer.
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Almost two weeks of "Waiting for Review" with no real updates
A regular update to our game have been in review for almost two weeks. These updates normally take a day or less. Is this a general problem or just our game? We have iOS users complaining about the lack of new content. They are comparing to their friends on other platforms. Other platforms now have almost 3 weeks worth of updates that iOS have not gotten. iOS users are slowly losing faith and there is nothing we can do. When can we expect for review times to return to normal?
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IAP subscriptions for multiple logins
Good Afternoon Apple .... I am developing a takeway app, which allows business owners to register their takeway, then allow customers and staff, and allow their staff access to the account they have created. I would use IAP subscription to allow tiered monthly access, ie $10 for 1 user, $20 for 2, etc. I have a server back-end which would be used to record the IAP subscription to allow the extra staff to log in via web or android. The complication comes in with the case of a 'serial entrepreneur'. I use the model of '1 company, 1 email'. so, my entrepreneur registers 2 accounts, for 2 separate take-aways. Company A has 1 user, company B has 2 users. In this scenario, I would want the entrepreneur to log into company A, purchase a 1-user mobthly subscription, switch to company B, and then purchase a 2-user supscription. the subscriptions would therefore be separate. The registration would use my own login mechanism, so the entrepreneur would be using the same apple Id on the same iPhone. i wish to avoid the scenario 'entrepreneur registers company B, purchases a 2-user monthly subscription, then registers company A, and automatically gets another 2 users. Whilst I could likely code this to work, my questino is whether the app store would accept it ? the guidelines don't really seem to elaborate on this scenario. if necessary i could make the entrepreneur purchas a 3-user monthly subscription that is shared across his 2 logins, but I would like to avoid this if possible. regards, Phil
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What are some other actionable items I can do, so that I can get through "Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam" app update rejection?
I have an app which is in the app store since 2022. It is an app with combined features of note taking, todo list and calendar. My most recent app update is rejected with the following message. Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps. Next Steps Since we do not accept spam apps on the App Store, we encourage you to review your app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality. Resources Some factors that contribute to a spam rejection may include: Submitting an app with the same source code or assets as other apps already submitted to the App Store Creating and submitting multiple similar apps using a repackaged app template Purchasing an app template with problematic code from a third party Submitting several similar apps across multiple accounts Learn more about our requirements to prevent spam in App Review Guideline 4.3(a). Support Reply to this message in your preferred language if you need assistance. If you need additional support, use the Contact Us module. Consult with fellow developers and Apple engineers on the Apple Developer Forums. Help improve the review process or identify a need for clarity in our policies by suggesting guideline changes. I reply the reviewer with the following message. Hi, I am writing to appeal the rejection of my app, ***. I would like to emphasize the unique aspects of *** that distinguish it from other apps in the market: Integrated Functionality: Unlike most apps that are standalone note-taking, to-do, or calendar apps, *** uniquely combines all three functions into a single app. Extensive Calendar Features: *** includes a comprehensive calendar feature covering holidays in 250 countries and 3,680 states and provinces, a rare and valuable feature. Chinese Lunar Calendar: Our app includes a Chinese Lunar Calendar, which is highly appreciated in the Taiwanese market, adding a culturally specific feature not commonly found in other apps. Organizational Tools: *** allows unlimited tabs and colors for organizing notes, surpassing many competitors who offer limited color options. Flexible Viewing and Sorting Modes: Users can choose from four viewing modes (Grid, Compact Grid, List, Compact List) and five sorting modes (Modified Time, Created Time, Alphabet, Color, Check, Reminder), enhancing the user experience by providing flexibility and customization. No Character Limit: Our design supports notes of any length without character limitations, unlike many apps that impose restrictions. Organized To-Do Lists: Completed to-do items are automatically moved to the bottom, keeping the list clean and organized, a feature that sets us apart from other apps. Rich Attachments: *** supports unlimited picture attachments, drawing attachments, and voice recordings for notes, offering more versatility than many other apps. Advanced Security: *** offers 3 different kinds of password lock mechanisms to protect note privacy, ensuring users have multiple options for securing their information. Powerful Reminders: Our app includes highly customizable reminders that can repeat daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, making it easy for users to stay on top of their tasks and appointments. Due to the character limits of this form, I cannot list all the unique features of ***. Please refer to our product description for a comprehensive overview. We are proud of our 5k user reviews with an average rating of 4.8, reflecting user satisfaction with ***'s unique features. Here's are some of the recent reviews. (United states only. Please kindly contact me to obtain full list of the reviews) by ??? – Jun 14, 2024 omg i cannot explain how much i love *** like unlike the boring notes app this one is actually fun to use and rlly easy and i rlly like the fonts, color, to do list, calandar that can remind you like every day, week, month, and year like omg?!?!? i love *** and this app is going in like my "I 💖U" folder like tysm for making *** idk what i would do without it like omg tysm i cant explain in words how much i love it💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 by ??? – May 12, 2024 I love it sooo much I give it a 5 because there is a password so no one can look by ??? – Apr 30, 2024 Perfect app. All in one by ??? – Mar 26, 2024 I just downloaded this app a few days ago and I love it!! 😃 Up til recently I ALWAYS used paper sticky notes that I would have on my desk - and the reason why is because I could see everything all at once at all times; it’s very convenient - but it also produces clutter and anxiety because every subject is all in one place. *** fixed that!! 😀 With tabs and the list or grid view mode, I can have more organization of subjects and still see almost everything all at once! I love it! 🤩 suggestion I would really love to have more format options for the text! 🙂 Like a button to indent, and be able to have sub notes with points, dashes, or numbers. It makes everything look more tidy and neat. Thank you for this wonderful app! 😆 I am available at 123-456-789 to discuss further and provide additional detail. Thank you. Till to date, I haven't received reply from the reviewer. May I know, what are some other actionable items I can do, so that I can get through "Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam" app update rejection? Thank you so much!
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4.3
Hello, Thank you for your efforts to follow our guidelines. There are still some issues that need your attention. If you have any questions, we are here to help. Reply to this message in App Store Connect and let us know. Review Environment Submission ID: 10286862-58d0-4abf-a767-24b885a8a25c Review date: June 17, 2024 Version reviewed: 1.0.0 Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps. Next Steps Since we do not accept spam apps on the App Store, we encourage you to review your app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality. Resources Some factors that contribute to a spam rejection may include: Submitting an app with the same source code or assets as other apps already submitted to the App Store Creating and submitting multiple similar apps using a repackaged app template Purchasing an app template with problematic code from a third party Submitting several similar apps across multiple accounts Learn more about our requirements to prevent spam in App Review Guideline 4.3(a). Support Reply to this message in your preferred language if you need assistance. If you need additional support, use the Contact Us module. Consult with fellow developers and Apple engineers on the Apple Developer Forums. Help improve the review process or identify a need for clarity in our policies by suggesting guideline changes.
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How to white-label app for app store publish
Hello, I have built a mobile application specifically designed for managing employees within an open-source ERP system. I have enabled an in-app purchase option so users can upgrade their version and access additional features. We are now receiving interest from many clients who want to white-label this app and customize it with features tailored to their business needs. Since we cannot incorporate all features into a standard app due to the unique requirements of each business, what is the best way to upload a white-labeled app to the App Store and customize it according to client specifications? I attempted to upload a white-labeled app but it was rejected with the error "4.3.0 design spam." I am unsure how to address this issue. Thank you.
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Jun ’24
Rejected, 4.1: Copycats
Hello, After submitting my app for review, it was rejected due to the Copycats guideline: "This app or its metadata appears to be misrepresenting itself as another popular app or game already available on the App Store, from a developer's website or distribution source, or from a third-party platform." The problem is, it is an original app and I have no idea why they considered it a "copycat". After various attempts to clarify, and mentioning every reason I could think of that could have made them think its a copycat, I always get basically the same answer. In the last answer they added: "Please note resubmission without any revision will not be processed any further. We look forward to reviewing your app once the appropriate changes have been made." The app is a game called "G-Switch 4: Creator", the sequel to "G-Switch 3" (which is on the App Store). I have detailed why this sequel is a very significant improvement to the previous (level editing and sharing, and other features). I have explained that the app on other platforms is mine too, such as on Google Play, under the brand name "Serius Games", and have offered to unquestionably prove it if necessary. I mentioned a game that existed with similar gameplay and is not available now, but that was actually released after mine, so mine is the original. I have mentioned the level select interface being somewhat inspired by Mario Maker. But I always get the reply "Thank you for providing this information. Your app, G-Switch 4: Creator, still appears to be misrepresenting itself (...)" Finally, I tried submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. This was 10 days ago, I've lost hope of getting a response. Is there anything I can do?
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Jun ’24
app crashed on launch
Hello there~ I just got an app submission rejected and the reason is app crashed on launch (exhausted real time allowance of 19.74 seconds). However, I cannot reproduce the crash on my iPad 6th, iOS 17.5.1 (same OS version used by the reviewer) with app built by Xcode 15.2 and Xcode 15.4. After I reviewed the logs, I found the last method we called is CNCopyCurrentNetworkInfo, it triggered a series of method invocations , then crashed. But I cannot remove CNCopyCurrentNetworkInfo directly, since I need to get some value from NetworkInfo. So I'm not sure how to solve this issue. Please give me some advices, thanks!
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Jun ’24
Guideline 5.1.2(i) - Legal - Privacy - Data Use and Sharing
Apple is continuously replying this to my app The app appears to manipulate users into enabling tracking across different apps and websites. Specifically: The app requires users to enable tracking in order to access the app's content and functionality. Users should have control over how their personal information is used and should not be forced or manipulated into enabling tracking. Next Steps Take the following step(s) to resolve this issue: Revise the app so that users are not required to enable tracking in order to access the app's content and functionality. Resources Learn more about these requirements in guideline 5.1.2. iOS App 1.0App Version Rejection Reasons: 5.1.2 Legal: Privacy - Data Use and Sharing My login function is dependent on advertising id and advertising id can be achieved through tracking, what to do for my case? We aren’t taking advertising id for ads purpose or unlawful acts. Advertising id is solely taken to get us know that user is using same older device he used for last successful login. We need two unique identifier: keychain uuid used advertising id how to get this thing approved from Apple? I tried to reply the message and requested phone call but no response.
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Jun ’24
Guideline 2.5.1 - Performance - Software Requirements
App rejection : The app uses public APIs in an unapproved manner, which does not comply with guideline 2.5.1. Specifically, your app using configuration profiles to install icons and/or wallpapers. Since there is no accurate way of predicting how an API may be modified and what effects those modifications may have, unapproved uses of public APIs in apps is not allowed. I’m wondering if it’s true that asking users to download a configuration profile doesn’t jive with 2.5.1? How to resolve the problem and what reason ?
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Jun ’24
In-App Purchase Product ID Not Retrieved by Apple Review Team
Hi everyone, I’m encountering an issue with the in-app purchase functionality in my app during the Apple app review process, and I could use some assistance. Problem Description: I’ve implemented an in-app purchase feature for the first time in my app, offering lifetime access for 300 euros. The product is created as a non-consumable type in the Apple App Store. The purchase flow works perfectly in various environments: simulator, real device, TestFlight, and sandbox accounts. However, when the Apple app review team tests the app, they encounter an error retrieving the product ID for the in-app purchase. This issue specifically occurred on an iPhone 13 Mini running iOS 17.5. Steps to Reproduce: Implemented the in-app purchase feature. Created a non-consumable product in App Store Connect. Tested the purchase flow on: Simulator Real device TestFlight Sandbox accounts Submitted the app for review. Environment: Xcode version: 14.0 iOS version: 17.5 macOS version: Ventura 13.3 Device: iPhone 13 Mini (used by review team) What I've Tried: Verified product ID and its status in App Store Connect. I'd like to assure you that the in-app purchase feature is correctly configured in the app and App Store Connect. Tested on different devices and environments: Sandbox account TestFlight account Real devices Checked all provisioning profiles and certificates. Additional Information: Despite successfully testing in all other environments, the issue persists during the Apple app review. I've submitted the binary 3 to 4 times, but the problem remains unresolved. Apple’s provided steps for configuring in-app purchases have been followed meticulously. Has anyone else faced a similar issue, or does anyone have insights on what might be causing this discrepancy during the review process? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help!
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May ’24