Hello everyone, I’m looking for some clarification and advice regarding an unexpected App Review rejection under Guideline 4.1 – Copycats. My app has been live on the App Store since May 2024, and during that time, it has maintained the same core flow, structure, UI, and feature set. There have been no major redesigns or attempts to imitate any other app. Recently, I submitted a new version (v3.2) with only minor changes related to ad logic implementation (no UI/UX changes, no branding changes, no metadata changes). However, this update was rejected with the following reason: “This app or its metadata appears to be misrepresenting itself as another popular app or game…” This has left me quite confused for a few reasons: The app has been approved and publicly available for nearly 2 years There were no significant design or branding changes in this submission The rejection seems unrelated to the actual changes made in this version My questions: Has anyone experienced a situation where an app was flagged as a copycat after being live for a long time? Is it possible that Apple updated their internal policies or comparisons, causing older apps to be re-evaluated? Could this be triggered by similar metadata (keywords, screenshots, descriptions) rather than the app itself? What would be the best way to respond in App Store Connect Resolution Center in this case? I fully respect Apple’s guidelines and have no intention of copying or misleading users. I’d really appreciate any insights or suggestions on how to resolve this properly. Thank you!

When launching an app, AppStore Connect has some very specific requirements to the media (screenshots) used for the store listing. Right now the primary screenshots requires a 6.5 inch size. This is fine, of course, but why doesnt it list which iphones has this size, so I dont have to google my way to this answer? Its such a small thing, but would help so much

20 days passed since I released the app. According to Trends it has 30+ installs and 10 In-App purchases. When will I finally get analytics? Can't wait to see it, because I'm actively promoting my app and I wish to know the marketing performance. All that I see now in App Store Connect is this message: Other apps have no signs of this issue, I assume that the analytics is missing because the app is new. The question is "when"? :)

Hello My app got rejected with the message "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." In short, my app is a vpn app built entirely by me. In Russia almost all vpn protocols are blocked: wireguard, openvpn etc. And the only protocol they could not block was vless. It was hard to implement it, i spent like 3 weeks on it writing my own package on flutter. The app first was uploaded to android and shared through testflight with some of my friends. And everyone switched to my app, because it works perfect for their needs: accessing instagram, twitter etc. Those apps are blocked here. So on my first attempt publishing i got 2 errors: Vpn should be published on the account that is organization Spam rejection I registered a company and switched from individual account to a company. I also changed the ui of the app (although i agree most vpns share the same concept design). I got rejected again with only "Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam". I appealed with a question why was it it rejected, explaining that the app was built by me, and of course, i use some libraries. I got the same roboting response. After that i added some features: Built in private browser Network connection speed Today submitted the new version hoping it would pass, but yet again got "Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam". I'm really frustrated, because i spent 3 months developing the app. I understand there are dozens of vpns. But vpn is not exactly the simple feature app. Some are bad, some are good, and some doesn't work at all. My app doesn't have any ads and paid subscriptions. I also renamed my app to "Incognito - Browser, VPN". But can't get pass. Would like to get some advices. Please help P.S. Sorry for my bad grammar

Hey everyone, I’m completely stuck and hoping someone here (or an Apple rep) can help, because Developer Support is just sending me the exact same template replies at this point. I submitted a standard version update for my app (Hadiyyati - Luxury Gifts) back on February 7th. It has now been over 45 days, and the status is still permanently frozen on "Waiting for Review." Here is the loop I am stuck in: I've had an Expedited Review requested and approved 3 separate times. Support gives me a case number, says they contacted the App Review Board, and tells me to wait. Weeks pass, nothing happens, and when I follow up, I get: "At this time, your app review is proceeding normally, and there is no further action you need to take." 45 days for a store update is not "proceeding normally." I strongly suspect my submission (ID: aeadea76-8fb4-437c-9c04-60171b909f3e) is bugged, corrupted, or locked in a "ghost state" on the App Store Connect backend. Has anyone dealt with a completely frozen submission like this? Is there a specific magic word or channel to get Tier 2 tech support to actually check the server status without me rejecting the build and starting all over? Any advice is hugely appreciated!

My app is already in production, and there are purchases. But people from Europe cannot download it because I need to pass DSA compliance. The DSA regulation status has been “in review” for about a month already. What do I need to do?

Hello, My app has been stuck in the App Store review process for approximately one month, with no progress or updates provided during this time. I have sent around 20 emails and also submitted an expedite request due to the critical nature of the issue. Unfortunately, I have not received any response to any of my inquiries. This situation has reached a critical point. Since my app is not functioning properly, I have lost all of my subscribed users, causing both financial loss and damage to my reputation. Based on my previous experience, review times are usually much shorter, so this delay appears highly unusual. I would greatly appreciate your assistance in clarifying the following: Why has my app not been reviewed yet? Why have my emails not received any response? Is there anything further I can do to expedite the review process? I kindly ask for this issue to be investigated and resolved as soon as possible. I am ready to provide any additional information if needed. App Apple ID: Apple ID：6758458093 I need a response now, please. Don't tell me to send an email because I'm not getting any replies. I just want a review to be conducted. Thank you in advance for your support. Best regards,

Hi, My app status is currently “Ready for Distribution”, but it still hasn’t appeared on the App Store and I’m not sure what is blocking the release. In App Store Connect, I have already completed: • Agreements, Tax, and Banking (all active) • Pricing and Availability (countries selected) • Automatic release is enabled However: • My Digital Services Act (DSA) status is still “In Review” • I am also in the process of changing my account from Individual to Organization At this point, I’m not sure if the delay is caused by DSA review, account type change, or something else. Has anyone experienced a similar situation? Is there anything else I should check or complete to make sure the app goes live? Apple ID: 6760753842 Thank you.

Recently we are seeing 502 errors on the receipt validating API, documented here: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/appstorereceipts/verify-receipt 502 Bad Gateway: "<html><EOL><EOL><head><title>502 Bad Gateway</title></head><EOL><EOL><body><EOL><EOL><center><h1>502 Bad Gateway</h1></center><EOL><EOL><hr><center>Apple</center><EOL><EOL></body><EOL><EOL></html><EOL><EOL>" Here are logs of the occurrences: ・2026/03/20 17:03:21 - 17:04:41：10 cases ・2026/03/22 01:44:33：1 case ・2026/03/22 15:03:02：1 case ・2026/03/24 17:05:08 - 17:20:53：62 cases ・2026/03/25 06:34:56 - 06:37:21：18 cases Has anyone else seen problems like these recently? We are planning to move to the newer (non-deprecated) APIs, but are expecting that to take "a minute".

Region: Türkiye Hello, My Digital Services Act verification has been in review for an extended period of time, and I am unable to proceed. I have submitted my official residence document obtained via e-Government (QR-verified). However, in Türkiye, these documents are only issued in Turkish and cannot be provided in English. To assist with the review, I also included a manual English translation of the document, while keeping the original file unchanged. Despite this, my submission remains in review without any feedback or request for additional information. Has anyone experienced a similar issue with address verification in Türkiye? Is there any specific format or document that Apple accepts in this case? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hello. My app is here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-path-ai-coaching/id6759060774 We got approved and went into "Ready for Distribution" status on Friday at 6pm PT. It's now Monday at 8pm PT, so 74h later. However, when I share the direct link with friends, about 60-70% of them say that the app comes up saying "This app is currently not available in your country or region" They are in the US app store, and the app is available in all countries other than China (mainland) We have some major promptions scheduled for Wednesday that are very hard to move, so this is rather urgent for our team. Any possible solution that solves this would be amazingly appreciated!

I've followed the setup process to get Apple Hosted Background Assets configured for my project. (https://developer.apple.com/documentation/backgroundassets/downloading-apple-hosted-asset-packs) But when I build and run the app I get the following error... BackgroundAssets/AssetPackManager.swift:174: Fatal error: The process lacks a team ID. I've checked the Signing->Team for both targets and they both have my Team associated. Any help or advice would be appreciated...

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.

I've been trying to submit my iOS app for App Store review and keep getting a 409 error when clicking "Add for Review" in App Store Connect. The error appears in the console on appStoreVersions. Bundle ID: com.aigency.tabby Team ID: T8J2WDTJWB Everything is filled out — screenshots, description, pricing, privacy policy, build selected (Build 7, status Complete). The submission just fails silently with a red stop icon on the Save button and a 409 conflict on the API call. Called Apple Developer Support and was directed here. Is there a stuck submission on the backend that needs to be cleared? Any help appreciated.

Hi, I’m new here and trying to upload my first two apps to the App Store, but I’m getting stuck in TestFlight. I’ve tried several different ways to export my apps, both with Expo and Xcode, but it makes no difference. My apps get stuck in Ready to Submit. When I add Internal Testing (my self) I receive an email saying I can start testing the app, and I can see it in TestFlight, but when I tap on it I get the following error: Unable to install AppName. The requested app is not available or does not exist. I contacted Apple Support over a week ago, but I haven’t received any response. Any suggenstions? Thanks, Jonas

something is wrong.. but I have no clue what.. no error message.. just a red save button.. that's it... when I leave the page he deletes everything I have added before

I am trying to sign up on the App Store Connect 'Business' area where I am required to complete the EU Digital Services Agreement. Selecting this option opens a form where I am asked for name, address, email etc. when I click 'next' I get an error form pop up. I would post a screenshot if this forum allowed to do so. I can't get any help from the Apple Support folks. I'm being passed back and forth between Developer support and normal customer support. Any suggestioins?

Hello, I made a mistake and created an in-app purchase with an identifier. I then deleted it. And I then reused this identifier to create a subscription but I have a block telling me that the identifier is already used. How long does an identifier remain in memory after deletion? Or should I create a new one? It's already been 24 hours. Thank you.

Starting today, we have been seeing this error message. This is a blocker for my team and any help is appreciated Things I've investigated: Testflight Apple status page is green Our signing certificate is valid/ unexpired Provisioning profile is valid/ unexpired There are no pending Apple account agreements Doesn't seem to matter if user also is a member of my company's Apple Business Manager developer team Cellular data is turned off Date/ time is correct User was unable to install app using a personal gmail account and unregistered device User was able to use Testflight to install a third-party app outside of our corporate account Uninstalling/ reinstalling Testflight didn't help

I am seriously taken aback by the efficiency of the App Review team. Jul 8, 2022 at 2:46 PM - We submitted our app on this date. Jul 9, 2022 at 10.47 AM - Our app was rejected due to 5.1.1 Legal - Data Collection and Storage. Jul 9, 2022 at 1.02 PM - I provided detailed information in relation to our business being in a highly regulated industry. Jul 13, 2022 at 8.22 AM - App Review Team replied stating that additional time is required to review. App Review status was changed to App In Review. Jul 13, 2022 at 8.36 AM - I received the same message that the issue previously identified requires our attention. Jul 13, 2022 at 1.42 PM - I replied again that information has been provided and it was confusing to have received another same App Rejection message. I contacted the App Review Team for assistance and was assured that my app will be reviewed. Jul 14, 2022 at 9.57 AM - App Review team replied that the team will continue the review and will notify if there are any further issues. 27 Jul, 2022 at 3.10 AM - App Review team replied with the same rejection message again "The issues we previously identified still need your attention..." 27 Jul, 2022 at 4.05 AM - I replied explaining that this is the 3rd time App Review team provided the same, non-helpful message and I have provided the information right from the start. 28 Jul, 2022 at 10.27 AM - App Review team replied with the same message intent explaining the policy and requested for additional information AGAIN. 28 Jul, 2022 at 10.40 AM - I replied with FRUSTRATION, providing my detail explanation and information once again (which was already provided on the Jul 9, 2022, 1.02 PM). This app has been withheld since Jul 8. Another app of ours was approved merely after 2 days of submission with the similar additional information provided in the submission notes. The App Review team has been very UNHELPFUL by replying templated messages. I am not sure the team reads through the trail of communications. Many time and money has been wasted when we had to go back to our legal advisors. I need proper avenues to get this push through. Is this a common poor attitude and service of the App Review team? Can someone from the App Review team shed some light on this?