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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Preventing Copycat and Impersonation Rejections
In this post, we'll share tips to help you submit apps that deliver original ideas to your users. When working on your app, focus on creating interesting, unique experiences that aren't already available. Apps that actively try to copy other apps won't pass review, and accounts that repeatedly submit copycat apps or attempt to impersonate a service will be closed. The rules that prevent copycat and impersonator apps from being distributed on the App Store are described in App Review Guideline 4.1: 4.1 Copycats (a) Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the App Store harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers. (b) Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program.(c) You cannot use another developer’s icon, brand, or product name in your app’s icon or name, without approval from the developer. These requirements help make the App Store both a safe place for people to discover apps and a platform for all developers to be successful. Best Practices Here are three best practices that will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1: 1. Submit apps with unique content and features. People want apps that provide unique experiences. Find areas that aren't currently being served and build compelling apps for those audiences. Do: Create apps that provide a new experience or a unique spin on an existing concept. Design original, delightful interfaces that elegantly meet your user's needs. Don't: Don’t imitate the features and functionality of other apps. Don’t copy the look and feel of other apps, such as using an identical user interface design. 2. Make sure App Store metadata only contains relevant information and content you either own or have permission to use. The metadata provided in App Store Connect is used to populate your app's product page on the App Store. People rely on this metadata to learn about your app and what it has to offer. Leveraging the popularity of another brand or app, either by including irrelevant references or protected content, is misleading and won't help your app succeed. Do: Use engaging, descriptive language to describe your unique app. Create original content that best represents your app, such as screenshots showing the actual app in use. Don't: Don't use protected material you do not have the necessary permission to use, such as app icons that are similar to icons of a popular app. Don’t include irrelevant references, such as popular app names or trademarked terms, in any metadata fields. 3. Provide information that is authentic and verifiable. People want to know the developers behind their favorite apps are who they say they are. It's important to continually review and provide up-to-date information, including the developer or company name listed on your Apple Developer Program account, the Support URL listed on your app's product page, and other helpful information. This will enable your users to contact you when they need help and it will also hinder people who may try to impersonate you, your app, or your service. Do: Make sure all information, resources, and documentation related to your account and apps are current and accurate. Don't: Don’t provide inaccurate information or resources, such as directing people to outdated support pages. Don’t provide fraudulent documentation. Accounts that submit fraudulent documentation will be removed from the Apple Developer Program. Support Incorporating these best practices into your app's development will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1. If you need additional assistance, consider taking advantage of one of the following support options available from App Review: If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. Request an App Review Appointment to discuss the results of our review. Appointments are subject to availability, and take place during local business hours in your region on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you believe your app follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. Resources Learn about foundational design principles from Apple designers and the developer community. Learn how to create engaging App Store product pages. Note that apps that violate intellectual property rights are subject to removal through the App Store Content Dispute process. If you believe an app on the App Store violates your intellectual property rights, you can submit a claim.
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3.2k
Nov ’25
Tips from App Review
Here are some tips from App Review for a smooth review experience. We’ve split them into two categories: Before You Submit and After You Submit. We’ve also made an easy-to-follow Submission Guide you can save and reference at any point on your App Store journey. Before You Submit Tips Enable a complete review. Make sure you’ve provided demo accounts or implemented an account demonstration mode before you submit. We’ll need to review the entire app experience, both with and without an account. Provide up-to-date demo account login credentials in the App Review Information section on the app version page in App Store Connect. If your app has multiple account types (such as admin and general users), use the Notes field to provide additional demo account credentials for each account type. If your app requires an authentication code in addition to the login credentials, provide the code in advance in the Notes field. Otherwise, a call may be required to complete the review. Apps that handle sensitive user information, or operate in highly regulated industries, can implement demonstration modes that exhibit full features and functionality while using demonstration data. Use the Notes field in App Store Connect to provide information to App Review. The App Review Information section of App Store Connect includes a Notes field. Provide any information that could be relevant to your submission’s review: Submitting a new app? Tell us about your app's concept, business model, and if your app is designed to only operate in certain locations. Submitting an update? Tell us about what’s changed and where to locate significant new content or features. Connecting to hardware? Attach a video, not a screen recording, that shows both the hardware and the app running on a physical Apple device as they pair and interact. Test your app on physical devices before submitting for review. Use TestFlight to distribute your app for beta testing. App Review evaluates apps the way your users will use them: installed on real devices and connected to networks with real-world conditions. Make sure your pre-submission testing includes running the app on each device platform where it could be used. Users expect the app to function on all the devices where it’s available. TestFlight will help you do quality assurance and beta testing on real devices. Share your beta app with internal testers on your Apple Developer Program account or to external users via an email invite or public link. Configure In-App Purchases for review in the sandbox environment. App Review assesses In-App Purchases in the same sandbox environment Apple provides for testing them. The sandbox lets us use real product data and server-to-server transactions, without incurring any financial charges. Take these steps to prepare your In-App Purchases for review: Accept the Paid Applications Agreement in App Store Connect. Submit the In-App Purchases in App Store Connect that you’d like reviewed. Follow the steps in TN3186: Troubleshooting In-App Purchases availability in the sandbox if your app fails to display your In-App Purchases. Note: In-App Purchases don’t need prior approval from App Review to function in review. Join a Meet with Apple event if you need assistance before you submit for review. Request an App Review appointment through Meet with Apple to chat with an App Review expert about how to prepare for review, ask questions about specific guidelines, and discuss other topics related to the review process. Appointments are subject to availability during your local business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After You Submit Tips Contact App Review if you need assistance with an ongoing submission. If your submission doesn’t pass review and you have questions, contact App Review directly by clicking Reply to App Review in App Store Connect. You’ll receive a reply from a review specialist who’s familiar with your app. You can also use the Reply to App Review message window to request a call with an Apple representative. Include your preferred time and language for the call and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requests. Use the Bug Fix Submissions process to quickly deliver bug fixes and resolve other issues on the next submission. If an update includes bug fixes and is rejected, you will be given the option to resolve the issues on your next submission, as long as there are no legal or safety concerns. App Review will let you know if your submission is eligible by including this note at the top of the rejection message: Bug Fix Submissions The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update. To accept this offer, simply reply to the rejection message in App Store Connect and let App Review know you’ll resolve the issues on the next submission. Share ideas with Apple about how to improve or clarify the App Review Guidelines by submitting guideline feedback. Just as the App Store is always changing and improving to keep up with the needs of customers, the App Review Guidelines may be revised to provide new and updated guidance. If you have ideas for improving or clarifying our requirements you can suggest guideline changes. If your submission was rejected but you believe it follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. If your submission didn’t pass review but you have reason to believe it follows the App Review Guidelines, you can submit an appeal to the App Review Board. You can also file an appeal if you think we misunderstood your app or the review was unfair. The App Review Board will contact you as soon as they complete their investigation.
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5.9k
Dec ’25
Support your app on compatible devices
Apple platforms make it easy to distribute your app to a variety of compatible devices, so it’s important to maximize your app experience on each platform you support. Here are some tips from App Review to help you understand how device compatibility impacts your app’s distribution — and how to make sure your apps shine on every platform they’re on. Understand device compatibility There are many ways an app built for one Apple device can run on other Apple devices: Apps designed for iPhone can run on iPad devices in compatibility mode if there are no dependencies on iPhone device capabilities. Compatible iPhone and iPad apps can run unmodified on Macs with Apple Silicon. Compatible iPhone and iPad apps can run unmodified on Apple Vision Pro. Xcode provides options to configure settings for apps on multiple platforms. You can specify which platforms your app’s target supports in the Supported Destination field. However, it’s important to note: People may still be able to run your app on a device even if you remove it or don't include it as a Supported Destination in Xcode. For example, as long as an app designed for iPhone doesn’t depend on a capability that’s only available on iPhone, it can be downloaded from the App Store onto iPad. Adding or removing iPad as a Supported Destination in Xcode won’t change that app’s availability on iPad. To view examples of cases where it's appropriate to restrict availability, see Restrict device distribution below. Follow compatibility best practices 1. Plan and test for compatibility modes so your app works on every device where it can be downloaded. Do: Use Xcode simulators to verify basic functionality across different device types. Leverage TestFlight with external testers who have access to a wide range of Apple devices. Don't: Don’t submit for review without testing your app’s behavior in compatibility modes. Don’t assume removing a supported destination in Xcode prevents distribution to that device type. 2. Build adaptive interfaces that work across device variations. Do: Build interfaces that respond to different screen sizes and orientations. Adapt features based on available hardware, providing alternatives for a consistent experience. Don't: Don’t design rigid interfaces that assume only one type of device or input method. Don’t let your app crash or become unusable when optional hardware is unavailable. Restrict device distribution Wherever possible, it’s best to make your app available on multiple platforms to increase its reach and provide people with a consistent experience across devices. But there are cases where it does makes sense to restrict an app’s availability. For example: iPhone apps that rely on iPhone-specific hardware won’t function as expected on iPad. Use the UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities key in the information property list file to specify hardware dependencies. Note: Apps should only use the UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities key for genuine hardware dependencies, not to indicate distribution preferences. Navigation- or camera-based apps are not well suited for visionOS. Learn more about managing availability of iPhone and iPad apps on Apple Vision Pro. Apps that rely heavily on touch inputs that can’t be replicated on a keyboard are not well suited for macOS. Learn more about restricting distribution to Apple Silicon devices. Learn more about how to configure multiplatform apps in Xcode. Support If you need more assistance, explore these support options: If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. Request an App Review appointment through Meet with Apple. Appointments are available during local business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you believe your app follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board.
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Feb ’26
[Bug] Cannot link In-App Purchases / Subscriptions to App Version in App Store Connect
Summary I am unable to link my In-App Purchases and Subscriptions to my app version in App Store Connect. The "In-App Purchases and Subscriptions" section described in Apple's documentation is not visible on my version preparation page, making it impossible to associate IAPs with my build before submission. Steps to Reproduce Open App Store Connect → My Apps → [App Name] Navigate to the app version in "Prepare for Submission" state Scroll through the entire version page The "In-App Purchases and Subscriptions" section is not present anywhere on the page Expected Behavior According to Apple's documentation and the note shown on the Subscriptions page itself: ▎ "Your first subscription must be submitted with a new app version. Create your subscription, then select it in the 'In-App Purchases or Subscriptions' section of the app's version page before submitting the version for review." The section should be visible and allow me to select my configured subscriptions. Actual Behavior The section does not appear on the version page at all. My subscriptions (monthly, yearly, lifetime) are all in "Ready to Submit" state and correctly configured, but there is no way to link them to the build. Account & Contracts Status All prerequisites are in place: All contracts (Paid Apps Agreement) are signed and active — nothing pending under "Business" / "Agreements, Tax, and Banking" Banking and tax information is fully set up No open items or warnings under the Business section in App Store Connect Despite all account requirements being fulfilled, the IAP linking section remains absent from the version page. Impact This is blocking my app from being approved. Apple's reviewer rejected my submission with Guideline 2.1(a) stating the subscription screen showed no available plans. The reviewer cannot see the IAPs because they were never linked to the version — which I cannot do due to this missing UI section. Environment App Store Connect via browser (Safari + Chrome, both tested) App status: "Prepare for Submission" IAP status: All three products "Ready to Submit" First-time submission (new app, never been approved before) Workaround None found. This appears to be a UI bug in the current version of App Store Connect. Has anyone else encountered this? Is there a way to link IAPs to a build via the API or any other workaround?
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In-App Purchases “Waiting for Review” but not available during App Review (subscriptions unavailable)
Hi everyone, I’m stuck in the App Review process with In-App Purchases (subscriptions) and would really appreciate some guidance. Situation: I have an app with subscriptions (Premium Monthly and Premium Yearly) Both subscriptions are in “Waiting for Review” status I submitted a new app version for review Issue: The app was rejected with: “subscriptions were unavailable at time of review” Before that, I also received a rejection saying the reviewer could not locate the In-App Purchases. What’s confusing: Subscriptions are not yet approved (still “Waiting for Review”) In the current app version page, I do not see the “In-App Purchases” section at all, so I cannot confirm whether they are attached to this build The app correctly loads products via StoreKit, but returns empty when products are not available Questions: Do subscriptions need to be approved before they can be used during app review? Should I reject the current version and resubmit while manually attaching the subscriptions? Is it expected that the “In-App Purchases” section is missing from the version page in this case? Has anyone experienced this “subscriptions unavailable” issue while IAPs are still “Waiting for Review”? I feel like I’m stuck in a loop where: The app needs IAP to pass review But IAP are not available yet during review Any advice on the correct process would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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"Unable to Add for Review" - MRDP Error
Hello, since yesterday I've been seeing this error that prevents me from submitting my app for review: "To submit new apps or avoid potential payment blocks, add compliance information for Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms (MRDP)." Despite the cryptic information, I've already found the "Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms" Compliance documents in the Business section of my account and I've already declared multiple times that no, none of my apps provide personal services in any country or region. And despite that, I still see the damn error. What gives? Is it the same issue I see other users reporting about this DAC7 error? I'm based in the UK. The app is meant to be released in the anglosphere territories of UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. I've managed to submit one version for review but I hadn't linked "In-App Purchases and Subscription" in the review page of the distribution tab, so I had to make a new build to add that and re-submit. This is how I got stuck. Any feedback appreciated. Thanks!
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In-App Purchase dialog not appearing during App Review but works on physical device
Hi everyone, My app has been rejected twice under Guideline 2.1(b) - App Completeness because the reviewer says the In-App Purchase does not trigger a purchase flow when tapping the purchase button. However, I have tested it on a physical iPhone (iOS 18.6.2) and the StoreKit purchase dialog appears and completes successfully. I have confirmed: Paid Apps Agreement is active In-App Purchase product (non-consumable) is configured correctly Sandbox test account works fine Purchase flow works on physical device with screen recording as proof The reviewer tested on iPad Air 11-inch (M3) with iPadOS 26.4. My app uses Flutter with the in_app_purchase package (v3.2.0). The purchase implementation: Calls InAppPurchase.instance.isAvailable() Queries product details with queryProductDetails() Calls buyNonConsumable() when user taps purchase button I found and fixed a potential null reference issue in the purchase completer that could cause the purchase to fail silently, but I'm not sure if this was the exact cause since I cannot reproduce the issue. Has anyone experienced a similar situation where IAP works on device but fails during App Review? Any suggestions on what might be different in the review environment? Thank you.
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Stuck in "Waiting for Review" for 9 days (v1.0.3 Update)
Hi everyone, I am experiencing an unusual delay with my app update. I submitted version 1.0.3 of my app, "MarketNow", on March 12, 2026, but it has been stuck in the "Waiting for Review" status for 9 days now. Typically, updates are reviewed within 24–48 hours, so this 9-day wait is quite concerning. I have already sent a formal inquiry through App Store Connect but haven't received a specific update yet. Is anyone else seeing long wait times for updates this week? Could this be related to a backlog before the April SDK deadline, or is there a known issue with the Finance category review queue? Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!
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Strange Reviewer Behaviour & Feedback
Hi there! I'm trying to get my first app released. It's been 40 rejections for over 2 months. And there is a TV show which I am hoping to go on, but I can't without the app being released. Some of the issue has been my newbieness to Apple admittedly but things have become bizaare this week particularly. Each review is a drip feed of one or two problems rather than a full review of all problems in one go - surely this has a cost associated which Apple is bearing unnecesarily? In the last week, all rejection reasons could have been stated months ago. The problem is that it appears that a bot is testing the app not a human. For instance a reviewer flagged that a "Continue" button is not pressable. When in reality I added an intentional delay of 120ms for app stability, the reviewer didn't or couldn't try to tap the button "twice". Separate example: twice reviewers have brought up my sign in button has not worked (04/01 & 03/16) - and twice I have explained that non subscribers are not allowed to sign in - the reviewer even sent me the toast screenshot with a message telling the user they are not allowed to sign in - proving that its not a bug and it was intentional. I don't know if this is a bot or a language barrier problem? Another rejection reason (03/31) because the Community Forum was not clear in the screenshot I provided, but I also provided login details for the forum, which were ignored and the app rejected for that alone. One of my recent reviews was very shocking (03/31): """ Will user interact with other users in Community feature of your app? Please also provide steps to access the Chatbots feature. """ I don't understand why I should be asked if people will be interacting in my community forum - thats the entire point of a forum. 2.The chatbots are on the dashboard of my app, there is only one dashboard in my app, everything on my app is in one place, so the reviewer didn't even look for the feature. This is just a tiny selection of the type of comments I have been getting and I'm hoping I can release my app soon so I can go on this show, I have done 4 expedited review requests and nothing has progressed in a week.
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The application has been under review and has been waiting for more than a month.
I have submitted my application for one month, but it is still awaiting review. So I resubmitted it for review. I am the owner of this application and I also requested an expedited review. I also consulted Apple and contacted them several times through the "Contact Us" option, but the reply always said that it would take some time. Therefore, we can only seek help from the review staff here. Application ID: 675550806
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Appeal pending for 2 weeks
Hello, I submitted my app for review and it was rejected under Guideline 4.2. I believe the rejection was a misunderstanding of my app's functionality, so I filed an appeal through the Resolution Center explaining why I believe my app meets the minimum functionality requirements. It's been passed almost two weeks since I filed the appeal but I've received no response or update on the status. My app is directly tied to an event launching next week, and without a resolution, I will miss the launch window entirely. I'd greatly appreciate any visibility into where my appeal stands, or any guidance on what steps I can take to move this forward. Thank you for your time.
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Why are the Apple App Reviewers making false claims in the review and what can I do to overcome this?!
My app has the phrase GPT in it as it is an app that runs private open source offline AI models (for free) on the iPhone. The app is called LiberaGPT. I have released my first version without issue and it was distributed to the Mainland China store. I made some small updates including accessibility features etc and released my next version. The reviewer is now accusing my app of using OpenAI's ChatGPT even though they can see the source code and my app is entirely offline using local AI inference rather than cloud inference. It is now a back and forth of me explaining over and over that my app is nothing to do with ChatGPT that GPT is a term used in the field of AI to describe certain types of LLM's and is nothing to do with 'ChatGPT' which is a brand. It is like saying you can't say 'AI' because of 'OpenAI' this makes no sense. I am literally at my witts end as I've poured so much time and energy into developing this app and it is now available on the app store but they won't let me update it and are essentially gaslighting me by saying that the term GPT cannot be used because it belongs to ChatGPT when it doesn't. There are numerous apps (including my previous version which ironically is live in the store that contain GPT in the app name without issue. GPT stands for 'Generative Pre-trained Transformer' and is a description of a technology not a brand. Is there anything I can do? No matter how many times I clarify, provide evidence, try to explain my position, they keep just copy and pasting the same response over and over that my app cannot be published in mainland China as OpenAI's ChatGPT is banned there and that my app is using OpenAI's ChatGPT in the software WHICH IT ISNT!!! THERE IS NO CLOUD DATA CONNECTION. Any help would be greatly appreciated, hopefully I don't pull all my hair out. Thanks, Stephen
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No response and stuck in waiting for review
Hello, app name: raw films app id: 6761117809 I need some help or guidance. I submitted my app on 25 of March and it got rejected due to guideline 2.1b, the reviewer couldn’t locate the button to unlock the premium filters with in-app purchase. I provided them screenshots and exact steps to locate the filters on 26 of March, and no response since then. I resubmitted the app on 30th of March, but still no response in App Store Connect messages, I requested help from support via email, but again no response. :( Can anyone help me with an advice? Thank you..
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Request for Clearer App Review Feedback and Faster Review
Hello Apple Developer Forums team, I would like to ask for help with my app review (App ID: 6755685130). I first submitted my app on February 14, 2026, and it has been almost 50 days. However, I still have not received clear feedback on what needs to be fixed. If there are issues with my app, I sincerely ask the review team not to provide only general guideline references. I still cannot tell which page, feature, or user flow is causing the problem. If possible, I would really appreciate screenshots, screen recordings, or a written description of the specific issue so I can make the right changes. I also want to clarify that this app is not AI-generated. It is a carefully planned app built with real effort using multiple native Swift frameworks. Thank you very much for your time and help.
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Escalation Request – Extended “Waiting for Review” Status
Hello, I would like to request an escalation regarding my app review status. My app (Apple ID: 6758756966) was submitted for review on February 24 and has been in “Waiting for Review” status for an extended period, with no progress so far. I have contacted Apple Developer Support multiple times (Case IDs: 102840237455, 102840079647, 102846664998, 102841727941) starting from March 9, but unfortunately, I have not received any response to any of these requests. I have also submitted three expedited review requests, but none of them have been acknowledged. Could you please: • confirm whether the submission is still active in the queue • check if there are any issues preventing it from moving forward • and assist in escalating the review if possible If any additional information is required from my side, I am ready to provide it immediately. Thank you very much for your time and support.
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MRDP blocking app review
Hello, I am trying to submit my first app as an Indi developer to the apple App Store for the first time, my submission was rejected because of missing metadata for IAP subscription which has now been resolved. I would like my app to be reviewed again, but when I try to do that it gives me an error of "Unable to Add for Review The items below are required to start the review process: To submit new apps or avoid potential payment blocks, add compliance information for Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms (MRDP). Learn More" I check in Business -> Compliance and MRDP is already showing as active. Please can anyone help?
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4.3(b) Appeal Pending for 23 Days - No Visibility in Resolution Center
Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice or shared experiences regarding a prolonged App Review Board appeal process. I submitted my app earlier this month. On March 3rd, it was rejected under guideline 4.3(b) Spam. On the exact same day (March 3rd), I submitted a detailed appeal to the App Review Board. In my appeal, I provided clear documentation and explanations to prove that the app is not a generic template. I specifically highlighted our proprietary algorithm that calculates a unique total daily energy percentage for users, which distinctly separates it from standard, saturated apps in the market. The issue: It has now been 23 days since I submitted the appeal, and I have not received any response from the Board. My main concern is the lack of visibility. Since appeals to the Board do not appear in the Resolution Center UI, I have no way of knowing if my ticket is actually actively open, in a queue, or if it has been lost due to a system glitch. I recently tried reaching out to general support to verify the ticket's status, but I only received an automated generic response stating that if I have already appealed, I should just wait. My questions for the community: Has anyone else experienced wait times exceeding 3 weeks for a 4.3(b) appeal recently? Is there any workaround to simply verify that an internal appeal ticket is genuinely open and hasn't fallen through the cracks? Any insights or advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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App Review stuck for weeks on individual account, expedite requests ignored, multiple apps affected
Hello everyone, I am trying to understand whether this is a normal delay or if there may be an account-level review issue affecting my submissions. I am an individual developer. I submitted my first app for review on March 14, 2026. It remained without a meaningful response until March 31, 2026. During this time, I sent three expedite review requests, but none of them helped. Because nothing moved, I withdrew the previous submission and uploaded a third build for the same app. However, the app is still stuck in review flow. At the same time, I submitted my second app on March 22, 2026. I also requested an expedite review for that app, but it is still in Waiting for Review as well. So currently: • App 1 was first submitted on March 14, 2026 • Multiple expedite requests were sent • The original submission was withdrawn and a new build was submitted • App 2 was submitted on March 22, 2026 • Both apps have been heavily delayed • One is still in review flow, and the other is still Waiting for Review I would like to ask: 1. Has anyone experienced this kind of delay on an individual account, especially with multiple apps at the same time? 2. Could this indicate an account-level issue, manual queue hold, or some kind of hidden review flag? 3. Is there any effective way to escalate this beyond normal expedite requests? 4. Would contacting App Review again help, or is there another correct channel for this situation? 5. If I withdraw and resubmit again, is there any chance that it makes the delay worse? I am not asking for special treatment. I am only trying to understand what may be causing such an unusual delay and what the most effective next step is. Any insight from developers who faced a similar situation would be very helpful. Thank you.
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App Review response and wait time
Hello, I have been waiting for a response for 7 days now, I have resubmitted my app (photo editing app) for review. First my app was declined due to guideline 2.1(b), stating that they cannot find a filter with a lock button to test the in app-purchase. I have sent a screenshot for the reviewers and exact steps how to find those filters, this was last Thursday and still haven't received a response. I also sent a support request on Monday (30th of March), but still no response. Can you please help me with an advice? Thank you in advance.
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I have submitted my app and it has been waiting for review.
I have submitted my app and it has been waiting for review. I am the owner of the App and I applied for expedited review, but it didn't work. The version we submitted updated the information of the App. We consulted Apple and asked to continue waiting by using "Contact Us". I also submitted the information and they said to wait further. So we can only seek help from the reviewers here. Application ID: d6479289380
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Preventing Copycat and Impersonation Rejections
In this post, we'll share tips to help you submit apps that deliver original ideas to your users. When working on your app, focus on creating interesting, unique experiences that aren't already available. Apps that actively try to copy other apps won't pass review, and accounts that repeatedly submit copycat apps or attempt to impersonate a service will be closed. The rules that prevent copycat and impersonator apps from being distributed on the App Store are described in App Review Guideline 4.1: 4.1 Copycats (a) Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the App Store harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers. (b) Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program.(c) You cannot use another developer’s icon, brand, or product name in your app’s icon or name, without approval from the developer. These requirements help make the App Store both a safe place for people to discover apps and a platform for all developers to be successful. Best Practices Here are three best practices that will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1: 1. Submit apps with unique content and features. People want apps that provide unique experiences. Find areas that aren't currently being served and build compelling apps for those audiences. Do: Create apps that provide a new experience or a unique spin on an existing concept. Design original, delightful interfaces that elegantly meet your user's needs. Don't: Don’t imitate the features and functionality of other apps. Don’t copy the look and feel of other apps, such as using an identical user interface design. 2. Make sure App Store metadata only contains relevant information and content you either own or have permission to use. The metadata provided in App Store Connect is used to populate your app's product page on the App Store. People rely on this metadata to learn about your app and what it has to offer. Leveraging the popularity of another brand or app, either by including irrelevant references or protected content, is misleading and won't help your app succeed. Do: Use engaging, descriptive language to describe your unique app. Create original content that best represents your app, such as screenshots showing the actual app in use. Don't: Don't use protected material you do not have the necessary permission to use, such as app icons that are similar to icons of a popular app. Don’t include irrelevant references, such as popular app names or trademarked terms, in any metadata fields. 3. Provide information that is authentic and verifiable. People want to know the developers behind their favorite apps are who they say they are. It's important to continually review and provide up-to-date information, including the developer or company name listed on your Apple Developer Program account, the Support URL listed on your app's product page, and other helpful information. This will enable your users to contact you when they need help and it will also hinder people who may try to impersonate you, your app, or your service. Do: Make sure all information, resources, and documentation related to your account and apps are current and accurate. Don't: Don’t provide inaccurate information or resources, such as directing people to outdated support pages. Don’t provide fraudulent documentation. Accounts that submit fraudulent documentation will be removed from the Apple Developer Program. Support Incorporating these best practices into your app's development will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1. If you need additional assistance, consider taking advantage of one of the following support options available from App Review: If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. Request an App Review Appointment to discuss the results of our review. Appointments are subject to availability, and take place during local business hours in your region on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you believe your app follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. Resources Learn about foundational design principles from Apple designers and the developer community. Learn how to create engaging App Store product pages. Note that apps that violate intellectual property rights are subject to removal through the App Store Content Dispute process. If you believe an app on the App Store violates your intellectual property rights, you can submit a claim.
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Nov ’25
Tips from App Review
Here are some tips from App Review for a smooth review experience. We’ve split them into two categories: Before You Submit and After You Submit. We’ve also made an easy-to-follow Submission Guide you can save and reference at any point on your App Store journey. Before You Submit Tips Enable a complete review. Make sure you’ve provided demo accounts or implemented an account demonstration mode before you submit. We’ll need to review the entire app experience, both with and without an account. Provide up-to-date demo account login credentials in the App Review Information section on the app version page in App Store Connect. If your app has multiple account types (such as admin and general users), use the Notes field to provide additional demo account credentials for each account type. If your app requires an authentication code in addition to the login credentials, provide the code in advance in the Notes field. Otherwise, a call may be required to complete the review. Apps that handle sensitive user information, or operate in highly regulated industries, can implement demonstration modes that exhibit full features and functionality while using demonstration data. Use the Notes field in App Store Connect to provide information to App Review. The App Review Information section of App Store Connect includes a Notes field. Provide any information that could be relevant to your submission’s review: Submitting a new app? Tell us about your app's concept, business model, and if your app is designed to only operate in certain locations. Submitting an update? Tell us about what’s changed and where to locate significant new content or features. Connecting to hardware? Attach a video, not a screen recording, that shows both the hardware and the app running on a physical Apple device as they pair and interact. Test your app on physical devices before submitting for review. Use TestFlight to distribute your app for beta testing. App Review evaluates apps the way your users will use them: installed on real devices and connected to networks with real-world conditions. Make sure your pre-submission testing includes running the app on each device platform where it could be used. Users expect the app to function on all the devices where it’s available. TestFlight will help you do quality assurance and beta testing on real devices. Share your beta app with internal testers on your Apple Developer Program account or to external users via an email invite or public link. Configure In-App Purchases for review in the sandbox environment. App Review assesses In-App Purchases in the same sandbox environment Apple provides for testing them. The sandbox lets us use real product data and server-to-server transactions, without incurring any financial charges. Take these steps to prepare your In-App Purchases for review: Accept the Paid Applications Agreement in App Store Connect. Submit the In-App Purchases in App Store Connect that you’d like reviewed. Follow the steps in TN3186: Troubleshooting In-App Purchases availability in the sandbox if your app fails to display your In-App Purchases. Note: In-App Purchases don’t need prior approval from App Review to function in review. Join a Meet with Apple event if you need assistance before you submit for review. Request an App Review appointment through Meet with Apple to chat with an App Review expert about how to prepare for review, ask questions about specific guidelines, and discuss other topics related to the review process. Appointments are subject to availability during your local business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After You Submit Tips Contact App Review if you need assistance with an ongoing submission. If your submission doesn’t pass review and you have questions, contact App Review directly by clicking Reply to App Review in App Store Connect. You’ll receive a reply from a review specialist who’s familiar with your app. You can also use the Reply to App Review message window to request a call with an Apple representative. Include your preferred time and language for the call and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requests. Use the Bug Fix Submissions process to quickly deliver bug fixes and resolve other issues on the next submission. If an update includes bug fixes and is rejected, you will be given the option to resolve the issues on your next submission, as long as there are no legal or safety concerns. App Review will let you know if your submission is eligible by including this note at the top of the rejection message: Bug Fix Submissions The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update. To accept this offer, simply reply to the rejection message in App Store Connect and let App Review know you’ll resolve the issues on the next submission. Share ideas with Apple about how to improve or clarify the App Review Guidelines by submitting guideline feedback. Just as the App Store is always changing and improving to keep up with the needs of customers, the App Review Guidelines may be revised to provide new and updated guidance. If you have ideas for improving or clarifying our requirements you can suggest guideline changes. If your submission was rejected but you believe it follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. If your submission didn’t pass review but you have reason to believe it follows the App Review Guidelines, you can submit an appeal to the App Review Board. You can also file an appeal if you think we misunderstood your app or the review was unfair. The App Review Board will contact you as soon as they complete their investigation.
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5.9k
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Dec ’25
Support your app on compatible devices
Apple platforms make it easy to distribute your app to a variety of compatible devices, so it’s important to maximize your app experience on each platform you support. Here are some tips from App Review to help you understand how device compatibility impacts your app’s distribution — and how to make sure your apps shine on every platform they’re on. Understand device compatibility There are many ways an app built for one Apple device can run on other Apple devices: Apps designed for iPhone can run on iPad devices in compatibility mode if there are no dependencies on iPhone device capabilities. Compatible iPhone and iPad apps can run unmodified on Macs with Apple Silicon. Compatible iPhone and iPad apps can run unmodified on Apple Vision Pro. Xcode provides options to configure settings for apps on multiple platforms. You can specify which platforms your app’s target supports in the Supported Destination field. However, it’s important to note: People may still be able to run your app on a device even if you remove it or don't include it as a Supported Destination in Xcode. For example, as long as an app designed for iPhone doesn’t depend on a capability that’s only available on iPhone, it can be downloaded from the App Store onto iPad. Adding or removing iPad as a Supported Destination in Xcode won’t change that app’s availability on iPad. To view examples of cases where it's appropriate to restrict availability, see Restrict device distribution below. Follow compatibility best practices 1. Plan and test for compatibility modes so your app works on every device where it can be downloaded. Do: Use Xcode simulators to verify basic functionality across different device types. Leverage TestFlight with external testers who have access to a wide range of Apple devices. Don't: Don’t submit for review without testing your app’s behavior in compatibility modes. Don’t assume removing a supported destination in Xcode prevents distribution to that device type. 2. Build adaptive interfaces that work across device variations. Do: Build interfaces that respond to different screen sizes and orientations. Adapt features based on available hardware, providing alternatives for a consistent experience. Don't: Don’t design rigid interfaces that assume only one type of device or input method. Don’t let your app crash or become unusable when optional hardware is unavailable. Restrict device distribution Wherever possible, it’s best to make your app available on multiple platforms to increase its reach and provide people with a consistent experience across devices. But there are cases where it does makes sense to restrict an app’s availability. For example: iPhone apps that rely on iPhone-specific hardware won’t function as expected on iPad. Use the UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities key in the information property list file to specify hardware dependencies. Note: Apps should only use the UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities key for genuine hardware dependencies, not to indicate distribution preferences. Navigation- or camera-based apps are not well suited for visionOS. Learn more about managing availability of iPhone and iPad apps on Apple Vision Pro. Apps that rely heavily on touch inputs that can’t be replicated on a keyboard are not well suited for macOS. Learn more about restricting distribution to Apple Silicon devices. Learn more about how to configure multiplatform apps in Xcode. Support If you need more assistance, explore these support options: If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. Request an App Review appointment through Meet with Apple. Appointments are available during local business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you believe your app follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board.
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2.3k
Activity
Feb ’26
[Bug] Cannot link In-App Purchases / Subscriptions to App Version in App Store Connect
Summary I am unable to link my In-App Purchases and Subscriptions to my app version in App Store Connect. The "In-App Purchases and Subscriptions" section described in Apple's documentation is not visible on my version preparation page, making it impossible to associate IAPs with my build before submission. Steps to Reproduce Open App Store Connect → My Apps → [App Name] Navigate to the app version in "Prepare for Submission" state Scroll through the entire version page The "In-App Purchases and Subscriptions" section is not present anywhere on the page Expected Behavior According to Apple's documentation and the note shown on the Subscriptions page itself: ▎ "Your first subscription must be submitted with a new app version. Create your subscription, then select it in the 'In-App Purchases or Subscriptions' section of the app's version page before submitting the version for review." The section should be visible and allow me to select my configured subscriptions. Actual Behavior The section does not appear on the version page at all. My subscriptions (monthly, yearly, lifetime) are all in "Ready to Submit" state and correctly configured, but there is no way to link them to the build. Account & Contracts Status All prerequisites are in place: All contracts (Paid Apps Agreement) are signed and active — nothing pending under "Business" / "Agreements, Tax, and Banking" Banking and tax information is fully set up No open items or warnings under the Business section in App Store Connect Despite all account requirements being fulfilled, the IAP linking section remains absent from the version page. Impact This is blocking my app from being approved. Apple's reviewer rejected my submission with Guideline 2.1(a) stating the subscription screen showed no available plans. The reviewer cannot see the IAPs because they were never linked to the version — which I cannot do due to this missing UI section. Environment App Store Connect via browser (Safari + Chrome, both tested) App status: "Prepare for Submission" IAP status: All three products "Ready to Submit" First-time submission (new app, never been approved before) Workaround None found. This appears to be a UI bug in the current version of App Store Connect. Has anyone else encountered this? Is there a way to link IAPs to a build via the API or any other workaround?
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179
Activity
8h
In-App Purchases “Waiting for Review” but not available during App Review (subscriptions unavailable)
Hi everyone, I’m stuck in the App Review process with In-App Purchases (subscriptions) and would really appreciate some guidance. Situation: I have an app with subscriptions (Premium Monthly and Premium Yearly) Both subscriptions are in “Waiting for Review” status I submitted a new app version for review Issue: The app was rejected with: “subscriptions were unavailable at time of review” Before that, I also received a rejection saying the reviewer could not locate the In-App Purchases. What’s confusing: Subscriptions are not yet approved (still “Waiting for Review”) In the current app version page, I do not see the “In-App Purchases” section at all, so I cannot confirm whether they are attached to this build The app correctly loads products via StoreKit, but returns empty when products are not available Questions: Do subscriptions need to be approved before they can be used during app review? Should I reject the current version and resubmit while manually attaching the subscriptions? Is it expected that the “In-App Purchases” section is missing from the version page in this case? Has anyone experienced this “subscriptions unavailable” issue while IAPs are still “Waiting for Review”? I feel like I’m stuck in a loop where: The app needs IAP to pass review But IAP are not available yet during review Any advice on the correct process would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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21
Activity
12h
"Unable to Add for Review" - MRDP Error
Hello, since yesterday I've been seeing this error that prevents me from submitting my app for review: "To submit new apps or avoid potential payment blocks, add compliance information for Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms (MRDP)." Despite the cryptic information, I've already found the "Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms" Compliance documents in the Business section of my account and I've already declared multiple times that no, none of my apps provide personal services in any country or region. And despite that, I still see the damn error. What gives? Is it the same issue I see other users reporting about this DAC7 error? I'm based in the UK. The app is meant to be released in the anglosphere territories of UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. I've managed to submit one version for review but I hadn't linked "In-App Purchases and Subscription" in the review page of the distribution tab, so I had to make a new build to add that and re-submit. This is how I got stuck. Any feedback appreciated. Thanks!
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45
Activity
13h
In-App Purchase dialog not appearing during App Review but works on physical device
Hi everyone, My app has been rejected twice under Guideline 2.1(b) - App Completeness because the reviewer says the In-App Purchase does not trigger a purchase flow when tapping the purchase button. However, I have tested it on a physical iPhone (iOS 18.6.2) and the StoreKit purchase dialog appears and completes successfully. I have confirmed: Paid Apps Agreement is active In-App Purchase product (non-consumable) is configured correctly Sandbox test account works fine Purchase flow works on physical device with screen recording as proof The reviewer tested on iPad Air 11-inch (M3) with iPadOS 26.4. My app uses Flutter with the in_app_purchase package (v3.2.0). The purchase implementation: Calls InAppPurchase.instance.isAvailable() Queries product details with queryProductDetails() Calls buyNonConsumable() when user taps purchase button I found and fixed a potential null reference issue in the purchase completer that could cause the purchase to fail silently, but I'm not sure if this was the exact cause since I cannot reproduce the issue. Has anyone experienced a similar situation where IAP works on device but fails during App Review? Any suggestions on what might be different in the review environment? Thank you.
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50
Activity
21h
Stuck in "Waiting for Review" for 9 days (v1.0.3 Update)
Hi everyone, I am experiencing an unusual delay with my app update. I submitted version 1.0.3 of my app, "MarketNow", on March 12, 2026, but it has been stuck in the "Waiting for Review" status for 9 days now. Typically, updates are reviewed within 24–48 hours, so this 9-day wait is quite concerning. I have already sent a formal inquiry through App Store Connect but haven't received a specific update yet. Is anyone else seeing long wait times for updates this week? Could this be related to a backlog before the April SDK deadline, or is there a known issue with the Finance category review queue? Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!
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4
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108
Activity
21h
Strange Reviewer Behaviour & Feedback
Hi there! I'm trying to get my first app released. It's been 40 rejections for over 2 months. And there is a TV show which I am hoping to go on, but I can't without the app being released. Some of the issue has been my newbieness to Apple admittedly but things have become bizaare this week particularly. Each review is a drip feed of one or two problems rather than a full review of all problems in one go - surely this has a cost associated which Apple is bearing unnecesarily? In the last week, all rejection reasons could have been stated months ago. The problem is that it appears that a bot is testing the app not a human. For instance a reviewer flagged that a "Continue" button is not pressable. When in reality I added an intentional delay of 120ms for app stability, the reviewer didn't or couldn't try to tap the button "twice". Separate example: twice reviewers have brought up my sign in button has not worked (04/01 & 03/16) - and twice I have explained that non subscribers are not allowed to sign in - the reviewer even sent me the toast screenshot with a message telling the user they are not allowed to sign in - proving that its not a bug and it was intentional. I don't know if this is a bot or a language barrier problem? Another rejection reason (03/31) because the Community Forum was not clear in the screenshot I provided, but I also provided login details for the forum, which were ignored and the app rejected for that alone. One of my recent reviews was very shocking (03/31): """ Will user interact with other users in Community feature of your app? Please also provide steps to access the Chatbots feature. """ I don't understand why I should be asked if people will be interacting in my community forum - thats the entire point of a forum. 2.The chatbots are on the dashboard of my app, there is only one dashboard in my app, everything on my app is in one place, so the reviewer didn't even look for the feature. This is just a tiny selection of the type of comments I have been getting and I'm hoping I can release my app soon so I can go on this show, I have done 4 expedited review requests and nothing has progressed in a week.
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57
Activity
21h
The application has been under review and has been waiting for more than a month.
I have submitted my application for one month, but it is still awaiting review. So I resubmitted it for review. I am the owner of this application and I also requested an expedited review. I also consulted Apple and contacted them several times through the "Contact Us" option, but the reply always said that it would take some time. Therefore, we can only seek help from the review staff here. Application ID: 675550806
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Activity
22h
Appeal pending for 2 weeks
Hello, I submitted my app for review and it was rejected under Guideline 4.2. I believe the rejection was a misunderstanding of my app's functionality, so I filed an appeal through the Resolution Center explaining why I believe my app meets the minimum functionality requirements. It's been passed almost two weeks since I filed the appeal but I've received no response or update on the status. My app is directly tied to an event launching next week, and without a resolution, I will miss the launch window entirely. I'd greatly appreciate any visibility into where my appeal stands, or any guidance on what steps I can take to move this forward. Thank you for your time.
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28
Activity
22h
Why are the Apple App Reviewers making false claims in the review and what can I do to overcome this?!
My app has the phrase GPT in it as it is an app that runs private open source offline AI models (for free) on the iPhone. The app is called LiberaGPT. I have released my first version without issue and it was distributed to the Mainland China store. I made some small updates including accessibility features etc and released my next version. The reviewer is now accusing my app of using OpenAI's ChatGPT even though they can see the source code and my app is entirely offline using local AI inference rather than cloud inference. It is now a back and forth of me explaining over and over that my app is nothing to do with ChatGPT that GPT is a term used in the field of AI to describe certain types of LLM's and is nothing to do with 'ChatGPT' which is a brand. It is like saying you can't say 'AI' because of 'OpenAI' this makes no sense. I am literally at my witts end as I've poured so much time and energy into developing this app and it is now available on the app store but they won't let me update it and are essentially gaslighting me by saying that the term GPT cannot be used because it belongs to ChatGPT when it doesn't. There are numerous apps (including my previous version which ironically is live in the store that contain GPT in the app name without issue. GPT stands for 'Generative Pre-trained Transformer' and is a description of a technology not a brand. Is there anything I can do? No matter how many times I clarify, provide evidence, try to explain my position, they keep just copy and pasting the same response over and over that my app cannot be published in mainland China as OpenAI's ChatGPT is banned there and that my app is using OpenAI's ChatGPT in the software WHICH IT ISNT!!! THERE IS NO CLOUD DATA CONNECTION. Any help would be greatly appreciated, hopefully I don't pull all my hair out. Thanks, Stephen
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60
Activity
1d
No response and stuck in waiting for review
Hello, app name: raw films app id: 6761117809 I need some help or guidance. I submitted my app on 25 of March and it got rejected due to guideline 2.1b, the reviewer couldn’t locate the button to unlock the premium filters with in-app purchase. I provided them screenshots and exact steps to locate the filters on 26 of March, and no response since then. I resubmitted the app on 30th of March, but still no response in App Store Connect messages, I requested help from support via email, but again no response. :( Can anyone help me with an advice? Thank you..
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37
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1d
Request for Clearer App Review Feedback and Faster Review
Hello Apple Developer Forums team, I would like to ask for help with my app review (App ID: 6755685130). I first submitted my app on February 14, 2026, and it has been almost 50 days. However, I still have not received clear feedback on what needs to be fixed. If there are issues with my app, I sincerely ask the review team not to provide only general guideline references. I still cannot tell which page, feature, or user flow is causing the problem. If possible, I would really appreciate screenshots, screen recordings, or a written description of the specific issue so I can make the right changes. I also want to clarify that this app is not AI-generated. It is a carefully planned app built with real effort using multiple native Swift frameworks. Thank you very much for your time and help.
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163
Activity
1d
Escalation Request – Extended “Waiting for Review” Status
Hello, I would like to request an escalation regarding my app review status. My app (Apple ID: 6758756966) was submitted for review on February 24 and has been in “Waiting for Review” status for an extended period, with no progress so far. I have contacted Apple Developer Support multiple times (Case IDs: 102840237455, 102840079647, 102846664998, 102841727941) starting from March 9, but unfortunately, I have not received any response to any of these requests. I have also submitted three expedited review requests, but none of them have been acknowledged. Could you please: • confirm whether the submission is still active in the queue • check if there are any issues preventing it from moving forward • and assist in escalating the review if possible If any additional information is required from my side, I am ready to provide it immediately. Thank you very much for your time and support.
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3
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118
Activity
1d
MRDP blocking app review
Hello, I am trying to submit my first app as an Indi developer to the apple App Store for the first time, my submission was rejected because of missing metadata for IAP subscription which has now been resolved. I would like my app to be reviewed again, but when I try to do that it gives me an error of "Unable to Add for Review The items below are required to start the review process: To submit new apps or avoid potential payment blocks, add compliance information for Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms (MRDP). Learn More" I check in Business -> Compliance and MRDP is already showing as active. Please can anyone help?
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64
Activity
1d
4.3(b) Appeal Pending for 23 Days - No Visibility in Resolution Center
Hello everyone, I am looking for some advice or shared experiences regarding a prolonged App Review Board appeal process. I submitted my app earlier this month. On March 3rd, it was rejected under guideline 4.3(b) Spam. On the exact same day (March 3rd), I submitted a detailed appeal to the App Review Board. In my appeal, I provided clear documentation and explanations to prove that the app is not a generic template. I specifically highlighted our proprietary algorithm that calculates a unique total daily energy percentage for users, which distinctly separates it from standard, saturated apps in the market. The issue: It has now been 23 days since I submitted the appeal, and I have not received any response from the Board. My main concern is the lack of visibility. Since appeals to the Board do not appear in the Resolution Center UI, I have no way of knowing if my ticket is actually actively open, in a queue, or if it has been lost due to a system glitch. I recently tried reaching out to general support to verify the ticket's status, but I only received an automated generic response stating that if I have already appealed, I should just wait. My questions for the community: Has anyone else experienced wait times exceeding 3 weeks for a 4.3(b) appeal recently? Is there any workaround to simply verify that an internal appeal ticket is genuinely open and hasn't fallen through the cracks? Any insights or advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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6
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222
Activity
1d
App Review stuck for weeks on individual account, expedite requests ignored, multiple apps affected
Hello everyone, I am trying to understand whether this is a normal delay or if there may be an account-level review issue affecting my submissions. I am an individual developer. I submitted my first app for review on March 14, 2026. It remained without a meaningful response until March 31, 2026. During this time, I sent three expedite review requests, but none of them helped. Because nothing moved, I withdrew the previous submission and uploaded a third build for the same app. However, the app is still stuck in review flow. At the same time, I submitted my second app on March 22, 2026. I also requested an expedite review for that app, but it is still in Waiting for Review as well. So currently: • App 1 was first submitted on March 14, 2026 • Multiple expedite requests were sent • The original submission was withdrawn and a new build was submitted • App 2 was submitted on March 22, 2026 • Both apps have been heavily delayed • One is still in review flow, and the other is still Waiting for Review I would like to ask: 1. Has anyone experienced this kind of delay on an individual account, especially with multiple apps at the same time? 2. Could this indicate an account-level issue, manual queue hold, or some kind of hidden review flag? 3. Is there any effective way to escalate this beyond normal expedite requests? 4. Would contacting App Review again help, or is there another correct channel for this situation? 5. If I withdraw and resubmit again, is there any chance that it makes the delay worse? I am not asking for special treatment. I am only trying to understand what may be causing such an unusual delay and what the most effective next step is. Any insight from developers who faced a similar situation would be very helpful. Thank you.
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3
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95
Activity
1d
App Review response and wait time
Hello, I have been waiting for a response for 7 days now, I have resubmitted my app (photo editing app) for review. First my app was declined due to guideline 2.1(b), stating that they cannot find a filter with a lock button to test the in app-purchase. I have sent a screenshot for the reviewers and exact steps how to find those filters, this was last Thursday and still haven't received a response. I also sent a support request on Monday (30th of March), but still no response. Can you please help me with an advice? Thank you in advance.
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13
Activity
1d
I have submitted my app and it has been waiting for review.
I have submitted my app and it has been waiting for review. I am the owner of the App and I applied for expedited review, but it didn't work. The version we submitted updated the information of the App. We consulted Apple and asked to continue waiting by using "Contact Us". I also submitted the information and they said to wait further. So we can only seek help from the reviewers here. Application ID: d6479289380
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5
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90
Activity
1d
App Still “Waiting for Review''
Dear Sirs My app with ID 6758008521 is waiting for review since February, I'm concerned about the delay. Could you please provide an update on the review process.
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6
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253
Activity
2d
Subscription waiting for review
Hi, I am trying to get my subscription reviewed. Its sitting there as “waiting for review“ and its been nearly 1 week. I’ve tried msging and replying to the Apple review team to request the review bur so far no luck. Can I please kindly get assistance as to how I can get it reviewed? Any help will be much appreciated.
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43
Activity
2d