Browse App Store Rejections
Every documented rejection, organized by App Review Guideline section. Each page explains why apps get rejected and how to fix it.
Guideline 1: Safety
- Guideline 1.1 - Safety: Objectionable Content in App Marketing
- Guideline 1.1.1 - Safety: Defamatory or Discriminatory Content
- Guideline 1.1.2 - Safety: Realistic Violence or Encouragement of Violence
- Guideline 1.1.3 - Safety: Weapons and Firearms Content
- Guideline 1.1.4 - Safety: Sexual or Pornographic Content
- Guideline 1.1.6 - Safety: False Information or Fake Features
- Guideline 1.1.7 - Safety: Exploiting Recent Events or Tragedies
- Guideline 1.2 - Safety: UGC App Used Primarily for Objectionable Content
- Guideline 1.2 - Safety: User-Generated Content Missing Required Features
- Guideline 1.2.1 - Safety: Creator Platform Missing Age Restriction
- Guideline 1.3 - Safety: Kids Category Missing Parental Gates
- Guideline 1.3 - Safety: Kids Category Third-Party SDK Violations
- Guideline 1.4.1 - Safety: Drug Dosage Calculator Without Approved Entity
- Guideline 1.4.1 - Safety: Medical App Accuracy Claims
- Guideline 1.4.3 - Safety: Substance Promotion or Sales Facilitation
- Guideline 1.5 - Safety: Missing or Broken Developer Contact Information
- Guideline 1.6 - Safety: Insecure Data Handling
Guideline 2: Performance
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: App Crashes During Review
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: App Requires External Hardware Not Provided for Review
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: Crashes on Launch
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: Demo Account Not Working
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: IAP Products Not Found in Binary
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: Missing App Icon
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: Missing Launch Screen
- Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness: Placeholder Content Still Present
- Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed: Invalid Demo Account Credentials
- Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed - New App Submission
- Guideline 2.1 - Performance - App Completeness: In-App Purchase Error on Continue Button
- Guideline 2.1(b) - Performance - App Completeness: In-App Purchase Products Not Submitted for Review
- Guideline 2.2 - Beta Testing: TestFlight-Quality App Submitted to App Store
- Guideline 2.3.1 - Accurate Metadata: Hidden Features Not Disclosed
- Guideline 2.3.1 - Accurate Metadata: Insufficient Review Notes for Major Update
- Guideline 2.3.2 - Accurate Metadata: In-App Purchases Not Clearly Indicated
- Guideline 2.3.3 - Accurate Metadata: iPhone Screenshots Used for iPad
- Guideline 2.3.3 - Accurate Metadata: Screenshots Don't Show App in Use
- Guideline 2.3.6 - Accurate Metadata: Incorrect Age Rating
- Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: App Name Exceeds 30 Characters
- Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: App Subtitle Contains Keyword Spam
- Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: Keyword Stuffing in Description or Metadata
- Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: Misleading App Description
- Guideline 2.3.7 - Accurate Metadata: Price References in App Name or Metadata
- Guideline 2.3.8 - Accurate Metadata: Mature Content in App Store Screenshots
- Guideline 2.3.10 - Accurate Metadata: References to Other Mobile Platforms
- Guideline 2.3.12 - Accurate Metadata: Major Feature Shipped as 'Bug Fixes' Update
- Guideline 2.4.1 - Hardware Compatibility: iPhone App Does Not Run on iPad
- Guideline 2.4.2 - Hardware Compatibility: Excessive Battery Drain or Crypto Mining
- Guideline 2.5.1 - Software Requirements: Using Private or Undocumented APIs
- Guideline 2.5.2 - Software Requirements: Code Injection or Hot-Patching
- Guideline 2.5.4 - Software Requirements: Declaring Unused Background Modes
- Guideline 2.5.5 - Software Requirements: App Fails on IPv6-Only Networks
- Guideline 2.5.6 - Software Requirements: Non-WebKit Browser Engine Without Entitlement
- Guideline 2.5.9 - Software Requirements: Overriding Standard System UI Controls
- Guideline 2.5.14 - Software Requirements: Screen Recording Without Clear User Consent
- Guideline 2.5.18 - Software Requirements: Ads in Widgets, Extensions, or App Clips
Guideline 3: Business
- Guideline 3.0 - Business: Irrationally High Pricing
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: Expiring Virtual Currency
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: External Link for Digital Content in Reader App Without Entitlement
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: License Key or Serial Number Unlocks
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: Loot Boxes Without Disclosed Odds
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: Missing Restore Purchases Button
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: NFT Ownership Unlocking App Features
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: Redeem Codes for Digital Content
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase Requirement
- Guideline 3.1.1 - In-App Purchase: Using External Payment for Digital Content
- Guideline 3.1.1(a) - In-App Purchase: External Purchase Link Without Entitlement (Non-US Storefront)
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Business - Payments - Subscriptions: Missing Required Subscription Information
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Calculated Pricing More Prominent Than Billed Amount
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Free Trial Start Button Misleads as Full Free App
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Free Trial Transparency
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Misleading Auto-Renewable Subscription Pricing Presentation
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Missing Auto-Renewal Disclosure Language
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscriptions: Missing EULA or Terms of Use Link
- Guideline 3.1.2(a) - Subscriptions: No Ongoing Value Delivered
- Guideline 3.1.2(a) - Subscriptions: Removing Features Existing Subscribers Paid For
- Guideline 3.1.2(a) - Subscriptions: Scammy or Deceptive Subscription Flow
- Guideline 3.1.2(b) - Subscriptions: Users Can Accidentally Subscribe to Multiple Tiers
- Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Subscriptions: Vague Description or Missing Pricing Before Paywall
- Guideline 3.1.2(c) - Business - Payments - Subscriptions: Unclear Auto-Renewable Subscription Terms
- Guideline 3.1.3(a) - Reader Apps: Incorrectly Claiming Reader App Status
- Guideline 3.1.3(d) - Person-to-Person Services: Claiming Exception for Group Classes
- Guideline 3.1.5 - Crypto: Exchange App Without Proper Licensing
- Guideline 3.1.5 - Crypto: On-Device Cryptocurrency Mining
- Guideline 3.1.5 - Crypto: Wallet App from Individual Developer Account
- Guideline 3.1.5(iii) - App Completeness: Cryptocurrency Exchange Services Licensing Information Required
- Guideline 3.2.1(vii) - Acceptable Business Model: Tipping Where Platform Takes a Cut
- Guideline 3.2.1(viii) - Acceptable Business Model: Financial Trading App Not from Licensed Institution
- Guideline 3.2.2(i) - Unacceptable Business Model: App is a Storefront for Other Apps
- Guideline 3.2.2(iii) - Unacceptable Business Model: App Predominantly Displays Advertising
- Guideline 3.2.2(ix) - Unacceptable Business Model: Predatory Loan Terms
- Guideline 3.2.2(x) - Unacceptable Business Model: Forced Ratings Gating Functionality
Guideline 4: Design
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: App Does Not Include iOS Features
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: App Looks Like a Website
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Apple Pay Button Not Following Guidelines
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Blurry Icons or Low-Resolution Assets
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Broken Layout on iPad
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Content Clipped by Notch or Safe Area
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Crowded or Poor Layout
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Dynamic Type and Large Text Not Supported
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Excessive or Inappropriate Alerts
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Hard to Read Typography
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Insufficient Color Contrast
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: iPad Multitasking or Orientation Issues
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Non-Standard Controls or Android-Style UI
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Reduced Motion Setting Not Respected
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Sign in with Apple Button Not Following HIG
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Spelling or Grammatical Mistakes in UI
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Splash Screen Misuse or Slow Launch
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Touch Targets Too Small
- Guideline 4.0 - Design: Web Page Opens in Safari Before Returning to App
- Guideline 4.1 - Design: App Too Similar to Existing App
- Guideline 4.1 - Design: Copycats and Unauthorized Third-Party Content
- Guideline 4.1(b) - Design: App Impersonation
- Guideline 4.1(c) - Design: Unauthorized Use of Another Developer's Brand or Icon
- Guideline 4.2 - Design: Insufficient Functionality or Single-Screen App
- Guideline 4.2 - Design: Minimal Content or Features
- Guideline 4.2 - Design: Web Wrapper or Repackaged Website
- Guideline 4.2 - Design: WebView-Only App With No Native Functionality
- Guideline 4.2.1 - Design: AR App With No Real Interaction
- Guideline 4.2.2 - Design: Marketing-Only App With No Functionality
- Guideline 4.2.6 - Design: Template-Generated App Submitted by Agency
- Guideline 4.3 - Spam: Duplicate App
- Guideline 4.3(a) - Design: Spam - Same App Under Multiple Bundle IDs
- Guideline 4.3(b) - Design: Low-Quality App in Oversaturated Category
- Guideline 4.3(a) - Design - Spam: Similar Binary or Metadata
- Guideline 4.4.1 - Design: Keyboard Extension Requiring Full Access Without Justification
- Guideline 4.4.2 - Design: Safari Extension Requesting Overly Broad Website Access
- Guideline 4.5.3 - Design: Spam via Push Notifications
- Guideline 4.5.4 - Design: Push Notifications Required to Function or Used for Marketing Without Opt-In
- Guideline 4.7.1 - Design: Mini App or Game Not Following IAP or Privacy Rules
- Guideline 4.7.2 - Design: Exposing Native APIs to Hosted Content Without Apple Permission
- Guideline 4.7.4 - Design: Missing Universal Link Index for Hosted Software
- Guideline 4.7.5 - Design: Missing Age Restriction for Mature Mini Apps
- Guideline 4.8 - Design: Missing Sign in with Apple
- Guideline 4.8 - Design: Sign in with Apple Not Given Equivalent Prominence
- Guideline 4.8 - Design: Sign in with Apple Required
- Guideline 4.9 - Design: Apple Pay Branding Misuse
- Guideline 4.9 - Design: Apple Pay Recurring Payment Without Required Disclosures
- Guideline 4.10 - Design: Monetizing Built-In Device Capabilities
Guideline 5: Legal
- Guideline 5 - Legal: Remove Watermark Feature
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Data Collection and Storage: Incomplete Privacy Manifest
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Data Collection and Storage: Missing Purpose Strings
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Data Collection and Storage: Privacy Manifest Missing
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Data Collection and Storage: Privacy Nutrition Label Mismatch
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Data Collection and Storage: Privacy Policy
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Privacy: ATT Framework Without Tracking Usage Description
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Privacy: Background Location Without Proper Configuration
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Privacy: Excessive or Unused Permission Declarations
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Privacy: HealthKit Without Required Descriptions
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Privacy: Insufficient Purpose Strings
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Privacy: Missing Privacy Manifest (PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy)
- Guideline 5.1.1(i) - Privacy: Missing Privacy Policy
- Guideline 5.1.1(ii) - Privacy: Collecting Data Without User Consent
- Guideline 5.1.1(iii) - Privacy: Requesting Unnecessary Permissions
- Guideline 5.1.1(iv) - Privacy: Permission Prompt UI Encourages or Delays Access
- Guideline 5.1.1(ix) - Privacy: Individual Developer Submitting Regulated-Field App
- Guideline 5.1.1(v) - Privacy: No Account Deletion Option
- Guideline 5.1.1(v) - Privacy: Requiring Login Without Account-Based Features
- Guideline 5.1.2(i) - Privacy: Gating Functionality Based on System Permissions
- Guideline 5.1.2(i) - Privacy: Missing App Tracking Transparency Before Tracking
- Guideline 5.1.2(i) - Privacy: Sharing Data with Third Parties Without Disclosure
- Guideline 5.1.2(vi) - Privacy: Using HealthKit Data for Advertising
- Guideline 5.1.3 - Privacy: Health Research App Without Informed Consent
- Guideline 5.1.4 - Privacy: Using 'For Kids' Without Being in Kids Category
- Guideline 5.1.5 - Privacy: Requesting Location Access Without Relevant Feature
- Guideline 5.2.1 - Legal - Intellectual Property: Unauthorized FIFA Content
- Guideline 5.2.1 - Legal: Using Copyrighted Material Without Permission
- Guideline 5.2.2 - Legal: Accessing Third-Party APIs Without Authorization
- Guideline 5.2.3 - Legal: Enabling Download of Copyrighted Media
- Guideline 5.2.3 - Legal: Unauthorized Access to Third-Party Content
- Guideline 5.2.3 - Legal: Unauthorized Third-Party Content Access
- Guideline 5.2.5 - Legal: App Confusingly Similar to Apple Product
- Guideline 5.2.x - Legal: Missing Export Compliance Declaration
- Guideline 5.3.4 - Legal: Real-Money Gambling Without Required Licensing
- Guideline 5.4 - Legal: VPN App from Individual Developer
- Guideline 5.4 - Legal: VPN App Not Using NEVPNManager API
- Guideline 5.4 - Legal: VPN App Without Data Usage Declaration
- Guideline 5.6 - Legal: Manipulative In-App Purchase Offers on Cancellation
- Guideline 5.6.3 - Developer Code of Conduct: Requesting App Ratings Too Early
- Guideline 5.6.3 - Legal: Discovery Fraud — Fake Reviews and Manipulated Rankings