Reasons Why Your App Could Be Rejected by Apple

Was your app rejected by Apple?

Well, you aren’t alone. Developing and submitting an app to the iOS App Store can be an exciting and rewarding experience.

However, there are certain guidelines and criteria set by Apple that you must adhere to in order to ensure a smooth submission process.

In this blog post, we will explore the reasons why your app could be rejected by Apple and provide you with valuable insights into the resubmission process.

By understanding these factors and avoiding common mistakes, you can increase your chances of successfully launching your app on the App Store.

Therefore, with this being said, let’s get right into it:

iOS App Store Review Guidelines

Before we discuss why app rejected by Apple, let’s first discuss the basic iOS app store app review guidelines.

These are, as mentioned below:

· Safety and User-Friendliness

The first thing to save not get app rejected by Apple is, none existence of malicious code or content that could harm users. Plus, apps must be easy to use and navigate.

· Originality

Apple does not allow apps that are simply clones of other apps. Apps must offer something new and innovative.

· Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations

Apps must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including laws about privacy, intellectual property, and gambling.

· Submission in English

Lastly, your iOS app development solution should be in English language.

With this out of the way, let’s look at the criteria used apple to review apps in the section below:

Criteria of iOS App Store Review

• Functionality: Apps should be stable, perform as expected, and not have significant bugs or crashes. They should also follow Apple’s user interface and design principles.
• Privacy and Security:Developers are required to respect user privacy and safeguard user data. Apps must provide clear and accurate privacy policies, use secure coding practices, and obtain necessary user consent for data collection.
• Content:Apps must not contain offensive, discriminatory, or harmful content. They should comply with legal requirements and intellectual property rights. Apple has specific guidelines regarding user-generated content, gambling, and adult content.
• In-App Purchases: Developers are expected to use Apple’s in-app purchase system for digital content and services that are consumed within the app. Certain types of content, such as subscriptions and consumable  items, may require the use of in-app purchases.
• Advertising and Monetization:Apps should display ads responsibly and not deceive or confuse users. They should not promote illegal activities or engage in fraudulent behavior. Developers must follow Apple’s guidelines for ad networks and analytics services.

So, what happens if the when app rejected by apple? Let’s find out.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

If your app does not comply with the App Store Review Guidelines, it will be rejected.

Apple will provide you with feedback on why your app was rejected, so that you can make the necessary changes and resubmit it.

With this out of the way, let’s see why was app rejected by apple in the section below.

Reasons Why Apps Get Rejected by Apple

Are you wondering why was the app rejected by Apple or creating an iOS app developers account and preparing to submit an app?

Well, in either case, we shall take you through some of the top reason why an app is rejected by App store below:

User Interface Issues

Apple places a strong emphasis on user experience and expects apps to have intuitive, visually appealing, and well-designed interfaces.

If your app has a cluttered or confusing user interface, inconsistent design elements, or doesn’t follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, it may be rejected.

Inappropriate Content or Imagery

Apple maintains strict guidelines regarding content that is deemed inappropriate, offensive, or objectionable.

This includes explicit or pornographic material, hate speech, violence, or discrimination. If your app contains such content, it will likely be app gets rejected by apple .

Lack of Value or Unique Features

One of the top issue Apps Rejected By Apple had in recent times is, lack of value or unqiue features to offer to the user.

Apple encourages developers to create apps that offer unique value and features to users.

If your app does not provide any distinctive functionality or is considered a simple duplication of existing apps, it may be rejected for lacking innovation or not bringing anything new to the App Store.

Inaccurate Descriptions or Misleading Claims

Providing accurate and transparent information about your app is crucial.

If your app’s description contains false claims, misleading statements, or exaggerations about its features or functionality, Apple may reject it.

Non-Compliance with Legal Requirements

Apps must comply with all relevant laws and regulations in the countries where they are distributed.

Moreover, failure to adhere to legal requirements, such as data protection laws or intellectual property rights, can lead to app rejection.

Performance and Stability Issues

Apple expects apps to be stable, responsive, and perform well across various devices and iOS versions.

However, if your app crashes frequently, has significant performance issues, or consumes excessive system resources consider app rejected by apple.

Violation of Data Privacy Policies

With a strong focus on user privacy, Apple closely scrutinizes apps that collect user data.

If your app accesses sensitive user information without a valid reason or fails to provide a clear and easily accessible privacy policy, it may be rejected.

Broken Links or Placeholder Content

Ensure that all external links in your app are functional and lead to appropriate destinations.

In addition, developers should avoid using placeholder content, such as “Coming Soon” or unfinished features, as it gives the impression of an incomplete app.

So these are the top reason apps are rejected by Apple App Store. And with this out of the way.

iOS App Store Resubmission Process

Was your app rejected by Apple? don’t panic.

Apple provides a resubmission process to address any issues and improve your chances of approval. Follow these steps during the resubmission process:

· Review the Rejection Notice

Carefully read the rejection notice provided by Apple, which usually highlights the specific reasons for rejection. Understanding the feedback will help you address the issues effectively.

· Fix the Issues

Address the issues mentioned in the rejection notice by making necessary changes to your app. Be thorough in addressing all identified issues to avoid further rejections.

· Test Extensively

After making the required changes, thoroughly test your app again to ensure that all reported issues have been resolved. Test on various devices, screen sizes, and iOS versions to ensure compatibility.

· Resubmit Your App

Once you are confident that the issues have been resolved, resubmit your app for review through the Apple Developer Portal. Provide a clear explanation of the changes made and any additional information that might be relevant to the review process.

This is how you resubmit an app rejected by Apple. Moving on, let’s look at some major mistakes that you should avoid when creating an iOS app.

Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting an App to the iOS App Store

You may use the best programming language and frameworks, but if you make the mistakes that are mentioned here, the result will be, app rejected by Apple.

Therefore, let’s discuss some mistakes that you should avoid when submitting app to app store. These are, as mentioned below:

Insufficient Testing

Failing to conduct thorough testing on different devices and iOS versions can lead to unexpected bugs and crashes, resulting in rejection.

Ignoring App Store Guidelines

Neglecting to read and adhere to Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines is a common mistake. Familiarize yourself with these guidelines to ensure compliance from the initial development phase.

Incomplete Metadata

Providing incomplete or inaccurate metadata, including app descriptions, keywords, screenshots, and app previews, can negatively impact the review process.

Lack of Polished User Interface

A poorly designed user interface with inconsistent colors, confusing navigation, or non-standard controls can diminish the user experience and increase the likelihood of rejection.

Overlooking Legal and Copyright Issues

Ensure that your app does not infringe on any trademarks, copyrights, or patents. Failure to address these issues may lead to rejection or legal consequences.

Conclusion

Submitting an app to the iOS App Store involves careful adherence to guidelines and attention to detail. By understanding the basic submission guidelines, being aware of the common reasons for app rejected by Apple, following the resubmission process, and avoiding common mistakes, you can significantly increase your chances of having your app approved by Apple.  And one of the things that you should make sure is working with the right app development company.

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Yashshree Purohit

Yashshree Purohit is a Technical Content Writer for We AppIt LLC, with over 5+ years of experience in delivering excellent content for different domains. She has the dedication and passion to write dull & boring lines into eye-captivating content for the audience.

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