App Review Help
App Review Maintaining a safe and trusted store App Store Improvements
App Store Improvements
To help the App Store remain a safe and trusted place to discover and download apps, Apple has an ongoing evaluation process that removes apps that no longer function as intended, don't follow current review guidelines, or are outdated.
Benefits of this process
Since 2016, App Store Improvements has delivered real benefits for users and developers, including:
- Discoverability. Removing outdated apps helps people find the right apps more easily and improves discoverability for active developers.
- Security and privacy. We continually update Apple hardware and software to help developers enhance performance, security, and privacy. Keeping your apps up to date helps safeguard user security.
- User experience. Keeping apps up to date to align with modern screen sizes, SDKs, APIs, and additional features ensures users can have a great experience with any app they get from the App Store.
What to expect
Apps in all categories on the App Store are evaluated to make sure they function as expected, follow current App Review Guidelines, and are up to date:
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If your app has an issue, App Review will contact you to request the changes needed to keep your app available on the App Store.
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Developers who have apps that haven't been updated within the last three years and fail to meet a minimal download threshold — meaning the app has not been downloaded at all or extremely few times during a rolling 12-month period — will receive a message from App Review in App Store Connect notifying them that their app has been identified for possible removal from the App Store.
How long do I have to make changes?
If your app has been identified for removal because it hasn't been updated in three years and doesn't meet the download threshold, you'll be asked to submit an update within 90 days. If you're unable to make the changes within this time frame, your app will be removed from the App Store until you submit an update and it's approved. There's no time limit in which a developer can submit an app after it has been removed from the App Store for this process, as long as the developer still has an active membership in the Apple Developer Program. Please note that apps that crash on launch will be removed immediately.
Apple always wants to help developers get and keep quality software on the App Store. That's why developers can appeal app removals.
If my app is removed, will my app's name become available for other developers to use?
No. When apps are removed from the App Store, they aren't deleted from your account. Your app name will continue to be associated with your app.
If my app is removed, will current users be able to access it?
Yes. Your app will remain fully functional for current users. They will not experience any service interruptions and can continue to make in-app purchases. However, we recommend that you update your app as soon as possible to reinstate it on the App Store and ensure that it remains functional and engaging for both new and existing customers.