I previously written here, and some advices were to appeal to rejection sending them message describing uniqueness of the app. Nothing is working. In short, i have a vpn app (of course by design shares some concept with other apps that are in the app store). But since the rejection i have completely changed the ui, added built in browser, p2p messenger so users could interact with each other without any interference. The app is completely free with no ads. I thought this is it, there's no way it would reject this time, but... i get a notification with rejection repeating the same old message. I'm extremely frustrated and don't know what to do. Tried changing the logo of the app, the name to "Incognito - Messenger, VPN", app store screenshots. I've already appealed with screenshots describing unique features that other vpn apps don't have, but the message just repeats from app review team. Submission ID: 1a49ee0b-c4e2-4a36-8372-e4d3b9a8b13f Does anybody have an advice what i can do?

unable to add for review the items below are required to start the review process: new apps and app updates must be built with the latest public (gm) versions of xcode, and the ios, macos, watchos, and tvos sdks. apps built with

Hi there, I submitted my app for review a month ago, but I haven’t received any updates yet. Is this a typical timeline for Apple reviews? Are there any alternative communication channels with Apple, such as chat or phone calls, besides the review and support email, as these methods seem ineffective? Thanks for your assistance.

I created an app and submitted to app store for review and got a rejection with "4.3(a) - Design - Spam". This one was created for brand new, and I didn't find any similar apps in App store. I searched in this forum but am not sure if it is because I used flutter to build my app? How could I get a bit more specific detail why it got rejected? Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam We noticed your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps. Next Steps Since we do not accept spam apps on the App Store, we encourage you to review your app concept and submit a unique app with distinct content and functionality.

In December 2022 we published an app. Since then, we published countless updates, never had any problem with the app. We have hundreds of new users daily, got far more than 100k downloads in total, have paying/subscribed users. The beginning of December 2024 in app update that shoudl fix a crucial bug, we suddenly received this rejection: _"Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam: We continue to notice that your app shares a similar binary, metadata, and/or concept as apps submitted to the App Store by other developers, with only minor differences. Submitting similar or repackaged apps is a form of spam that creates clutter and makes it difficult for users to discover new apps."_ What makes it even worse is: In our latest update that we published is a very crucial bug. Literally just days after we noticed this bug we fixed it and sent another version for review. Since then the rejections happened. I do not understand why Apple, out of nowhere, suddenly, prevents us to update/fix our application. It caused us to work more than 10+ hours per day during the christmas holidays. We made so many changes to our app, rebranded our entire app, improved UI/UX, added unique features, languages, and so on to our app. But whatever we send for review simply gets rejected again, and again with the same reason. What is happening? Why would they even prevent an app that has a 100k+ downloads, paying/subscribed users, was released two years ago, etc. from updating? We have responsibilities towards our users (especially paying users!) It is incredibly frustrating and demotivating to have an incognito person (who knows who the app reviewer is?!) above you and your product and to literally decide over YOUR faith. We already sent it to appeal but no reply at all. As we write this, we already have lost thousands of dollars in the past few weeks. Not only have we lost so much money, but we have worked 80+ hours to fix this problem, simply to get the same old rejection without real explanation. Did I already mention that we published the app in December 2022? We have no control over that someone copies our product our our features. Why would they punish us? Why was it totally fine to publish the app and to have 20+ (or even far more) updates published without any problem, but when we try to fix a crucial bug, suddenly we get rejected like this? After spending such a long time to add unique features, updating the app, and so on, to simply get rejected again, after we tried so hard to solve this problem, we get rejected just with the same reason. I asked them: What do you exactly want us to change? No answer. Just the same copy and paste reply. It is incredibly frustrating. I am even thinking to take legal actions. They are literally preventing us to update our product. We are the ones who get emails every single day from customers. We have a huge monetary loss as well. I feel so disappointed and angry at the same time.

We recently received feedback under Guideline 4.3(b) suggesting our app duplicates functionality found in other apps in this category. However, our app is fundamentally not a dating app. It is a conversation facilitator designed to foster meaningful connections for friendships, networking, and shared interests. While romantic connections may occur naturally, they are not the primary focus. Thus, we are seeking insights on this key question: How do developers effectively demonstrate feature differentiation to reviewers? We want to clearly show how our app’s functionality uniquely addresses user needs and provides value beyond existing solutions. Our Core Features: Our app introduces distinct features that differentiate it from traditional apps in this space: Paths: Psychology-based prompts embedded in chats encourage users to explore meaningful topics like values and aspirations. These prompts are dynamically triggered to keep conversations engaging and productive. Aura: A rewards system that incentivizes thoughtful, high-quality engagement by awarding points for meaningful conversations, which can unlock additional features. Spark Matches: Real-time, themed events pair users for structured, 15-minute conversations on topics like technology or travel. Curated prompts ensure the focus is on shared interests, not romance. Flame Matches: AI-personalized matches adapt to user conversations, connecting individuals based on compatibility. Chats begin anonymously, focusing on personalities rather than appearances, and are designed for platonic, professional, or friendship connections. Market Analysis: Our app addresses key gaps in the connection space: No apps embed conversation prompts directly into chats; nor do they trigger them regularly or dynamically, to foster deeper discussions over a sustained period. No apps have rewards systems designed to specifically incentivize meaningful engagement. No apps have matchmaking systems that adapt dynamically based on users’ past conversations. No apps support the combination of real-time, one-on-one themed conversations with curated prompts. Traction: As an incorporated business with over a year of experience, we have helped thousands of users build platonic, professional, and interest-based connections. For example, users in relationships join our events to find new friends, and professionals use Spark Matches to discuss shared interests like technology. Consistent feedback highlights our prompts and structured events as refreshing alternatives to superficial, appearance-driven platforms. Our rapidly growing user base has validated the demand for these features, and we would like to bring this experience natively to them via a mobile app on the App Store. Additional Context: While some basic chat functionality may overlap with existing platforms, our focus is on facilitating meaningful conversations and incentivizing a thoughtful conversation culture that represents a novel approach validated by user research and feedback. We welcome advice from developers who have successfully highlighted their app’s uniqueness when facing similar review challenges. Thank you in advance! :)

@APPLE TEAM WHAT WRONG WITH YOUR WORKER??? I STILL WAITING FOR REVIEW FOR A VERY IMPORTANT BUG IN MY APP...WHY IT TAKES SO LONG?

Hello, We’re experiencing an issue in our app where a subset of users are being logged out automatically without any apparent reason. This is impacting both iOS 16 and iOS 17 users (though it’s hard to confirm if it’s platform-specific). Here’s a breakdown of the situation: Symptoms Some users report being logged out of the app randomly, even after remaining active. The issue doesn’t seem to affect all users—just a specific subset. Users are prompted to log in again, and once they do, the app behaves as expected until the issue recurs.

Hi everyone, I recently submitted the first version of my app to the App Store. The app provides a categorized list of GTA 5 cheat codes, allows users to save their favorites, works completely offline, and has plans for future feature enhancements. You can check out a quick demo here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6nSV-YmGzlw Unfortunately, my app was rejected under guideline 4.2.2. Apple stated: We noticed that your app only includes links, images, or content aggregated from the Internet with limited or no native functionality. Although this content may be curated from the web specifically for your users, since it does not sufficiently differ from a web browsing experience, it is not appropriate for the App Store. When I asked for clarification, they responded with: Regarding 4.2.2, we recommend evaluating your suggestions against the App Review Guidelines, as well as the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, and the Human Interface Guidelines. Additionally, if you are considering implementing any of the following functionality, we recommend reviewing all associated reference material and other resources available on Apple Developer for any additional requirements. I’m struggling to understand what specific changes Apple is expecting here. Does this mean my app needs more interactive or unique native features? I’m already considering adding features like custom search, user notes, and dynamic filtering, but I’m unsure if that’s enough to satisfy their requirements. Should I continue investing time in improving the app for the Apple ecosystem, or is this project inherently unsuitable for the App Store? Any advice or insights on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

My app get rejected by reason 5.2.1 Intellectual Property. But what i upload were practice tablature which is created by my own. And these tablature only contains few music notes or chords. What evidence do i need to provide?

Hi there, I sent my review to Apple on December 11th, and it’s been almost two weeks since then. I understand that the holiday season can cause delays, but I’m wondering if this is an unusually long wait. Is it possible that my ticket got stuck in the system? If so, how can I expedite the process and get a response as soon as possible? Thanks for your attention to this matter.

I have a random video chat app is on other stores and the web already live. I am trying to publish my app on app store too. They are rejecting my builds on by another without considering my notes on app review text chat section. Now they are saying 2 reason to reject my app . 1 - App is not suitable on app store (which is a new reject reason ). They are saying chat roulette kind of apps not suitable for app store while they are tons of app live on app store like azar, monkey even there are apps named with random video chat app. They want me to remove randomness from the app :) 2- They are saying app is not completed. Because there is a circular spinning saying " looking for a new match " . I said too many times that they are the only users on the app right now and if they want a match they should be use 2 devices, if dont want to do that than let me know on the chat section of the app review when you gonna do the test about it and i can join for you to match. Otherwise i cannot wait on my phone all day for a reviewer gonna test my app. Also review times are absouletly insane my app was waiting for review like 2 days . Than they are doing the same thing over and over again. Please help me about this issue.

Subject: Concern Regarding App Removal and Account Termination Under Guideline 3.2(f) Dear Apple Developer Team, I recently received a notification that my application is being removed from the App Store and my developer account is being terminated under Guideline 3.2(f). Despite submitting detailed, clear, and solution-oriented appeals, I have consistently received the same automated response. My application featured unique, high-quality, and professionally crafted content, adhering to Apple’s guidelines. I believe this decision may stem from some misunderstandings. However, I have been unable to connect with anyone for further clarification, and my appeals seem to be overlooked in favor of a standard response. As a developer, I have always prioritized compliance with Apple’s policies. In fact, during previous reviews, I explicitly ensured that my app met all requirements, even consulting Apple before implementing certain features. I am concerned that this decision may not fully reflect the effort and care I’ve put into adhering to Apple’s standards. I understand the high volume of appeals Apple receives and the pressure to make swift decisions. However, I strongly believe that a thorough review of my appeal would reveal that any potential issues have already been addressed. I urge Apple to approach this situation with the professionalism and fairness that the developer community expects. Recognizing and addressing such concerns would reinforce the trust and collaboration between developers and Apple. Thank you for your time and understanding. I sincerely hope for an opportunity to resolve this issue and continue contributing to the App Store ecosystem. Best regards,

Subject: Concern Regarding App Removal and Account Termination Under Guideline 3.2(f) Dear Apple Developer Team, I recently received a notification that my application is being removed from the App Store and my developer account is being terminated under Guideline 3.2(f). Despite submitting detailed, clear, and solution-oriented appeals, I have consistently received the same automated response. My application featured unique, high-quality, and professionally crafted content, adhering to Apple’s guidelines. I believe this decision may stem from some misunderstandings. However, I have been unable to connect with anyone for further clarification, and my appeals seem to be overlooked in favor of a standard response. As a developer, I have always prioritized compliance with Apple’s policies. In fact, during previous reviews, I explicitly ensured that my app met all requirements, even consulting Apple before implementing certain features. I am concerned that this decision may not fully reflect the effort and care I’ve put into adhering to Apple’s standards. I understand the high volume of appeals Apple receives and the pressure to make swift decisions. However, I strongly believe that a thorough review of my appeal would reveal that any potential issues have already been addressed. I urge Apple to approach this situation with the professionalism and fairness that the developer community expects. Recognizing and addressing such concerns would reinforce the trust and collaboration between developers and Apple. Thank you for your time and understanding. I sincerely hope for an opportunity to resolve this issue and continue contributing to the App Store ecosystem. Best regards,

We're seeking guidance regarding our latest app review (ID: fa69f469-2043-4069-a8be-249916c564ed) which raises concerns about our location services implementation. While we have submitted an appeal to the App Review Board, we'd greatly appreciate any community insights while we await their response. Key Issues: Our app calculates Islamic prayer times and Qibla direction - both requiring location services for religious accuracy Review suggests making the app work without location, which would prevent: Calculating accurate prayer times based on location Determining Qibla direction (mandatory prayer direction towards Mecca) Current Implementation: Two-step location permission process with proper iOS system prompts ATT framework properly implemented (screenshots provided) Non-location features (Quran, etc.) accessible without location/login Clear user communication about location requirements Previous Steps Taken: Provided screenshots showing ATT implementation Demonstrated proper location permission flows Explained religious requirements for location services Made non-location features accessible without permissions Question: How have other religious/prayer apps handled similar requirements where core functionality (prayer times, direction) inherently requires location services? I've attached a screen recording demonstrating: Two-step location permission process [Video Demo] Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, especially regarding best practices for implementing essential location services while meeting App Store guidelines.

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

Hi, I am trying to connect and use the App Store Connect API so that I can download app reviews remotely. I have read the documentation and have used the API address as stated in the documentation: GET https://api.appstoreconnect.apple.com/v1/apps/{id}/customerReviews. I keep on receiving a 403 error: "errors" : [ { "id" : "fbe7b837-2023-4f60-8fa0-88b50368f4cc", "status" : "403", "code" : "FORBIDDEN_ERROR", "title" : "This request is forbidden for security reasons", "detail" : "The API key in use does not allow this request" } I am using the same keys and headers that I use to connect to obtain sales reports info, which works absolutely fine, using the below link: https://api.appstoreconnect.apple.com/v1/salesReports Is there anything extra that I need to set up before I can access the reviews or am I missing something. Thanks.

Hi, I launched and released my app in the App Store after first App build is approved. But its subscriptions are still in the status of Pending Binary Approval. So currently in my App subscription is empty. Is this normal to wail a bit? or should i do something asap. It's very strange for users to see no subscription options in a launched App I think.

My app is completely unique and i dont know why apple is giving me spam error. There is no similar app to mine and i am 100% sure of it. I brainstormed this idea myself for over a week to create such a game. And every code i have done is my own and i have not used any templates. Please help guys i am very confused why my app is getting spam rejection.

App review claimed they couldn't access the address we provided. However, after supplying this address to Google for review, it was accessible without any issues. We suggested that the review change their network environment or attempt to access the address through a browser, but this request was denied. It's been half a month, and the review of our app has made no progress.