App Review

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App review is the process of evaluating apps and app updates submitted to the App Store to ensure they are reliable, perform as expected, and follow Apple guidelines.

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Handling ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest
An ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest rejection email looks as follows: ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest- Your app includes "<path/to/SDK>", which includes , an SDK that was identified in the documentation as a privacy-impacting third-party SDK. Starting February 12, 2025, if a new app includes a privacy-impacting SDK, or an app update adds a new privacy-impacting SDK, the SDK must include a privacy manifest file. Please contact the provider of the SDK that includes this file to get an updated SDK version with a privacy manifest. For more details about this policy, including a list of SDKs that are required to include signatures and manifests, visit: https://developer.apple.com/support/third-party-SDK-requirements. Glossary ITMS-91061: Missing privacy manifest: An email that includes the name and path of privacy-impacting SDK(s) with no privacy manifest files in your app bundle. For more information, see https://developer.apple.com/support/third-party-SDK-requirements. : The specified privacy-impacting SDK that doesn't include a privacy manifest file. If you are the developer of the rejected app, gather the name of the SDK from the email you received from Apple, then contact the SDK's provider for an updated version that includes a valid privacy manifest. After receiving an updated version of the SDK, verify the SDK includes a valid privacy manifest file at the expected location. For more information, see Adding a privacy manifest to your app or third-party SDK. If your app includes a privacy manifest file, make sure the file only describes the privacy practices of your app. Do not add the privacy practices of the SDK to your app's privacy manifest. If the email lists multiple SDKs, repeat the above process for all of them. If you are the developer of an SDK listed in the email, publish an updated version of your SDK that includes a privacy manifest file with valid keys and values. Every privacy-impacting SDK must contain a privacy manifest file that only describes its privacy practices. To learn how to add a valid privacy manifest to your SDK, see the Additional resources section below. Additional resources Privacy manifest files Describing data use in privacy manifests Describing use of required reason API Adding a privacy manifest to your app or third-party SDK TN3182: Adding privacy tracking keys to your privacy manifest TN3183: Adding required reason API entries to your privacy manifest TN3184: Adding data collection details to your privacy manifest TN3181: Debugging an invalid privacy manifest
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6.3k
Mar ’25
Preventing Copycat and Impersonation Rejections
In this post, we'll share tips to help you submit apps that deliver original ideas to your users. When working on your app, focus on creating interesting, unique experiences that aren't already available. Apps that actively try to copy other apps won't pass review, and accounts that repeatedly submit copycat apps or attempt to impersonate a service will be closed. The rules that prevent copycat and impersonator apps from being distributed on the App Store are described in App Review Guideline 4.1: 4.1 Copycats (a) Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the App Store harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers. (b) Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program.(c) You cannot use another developer’s icon, brand, or product name in your app’s icon or name, without approval from the developer. These requirements help make the App Store both a safe place for people to discover apps and a platform for all developers to be successful. Best Practices Here are three best practices that will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1: 1. Submit apps with unique content and features. People want apps that provide unique experiences. Find areas that aren't currently being served and build compelling apps for those audiences. Do: Create apps that provide a new experience or a unique spin on an existing concept. Design original, delightful interfaces that elegantly meet your user's needs. Don't: Don’t imitate the features and functionality of other apps. Don’t copy the look and feel of other apps, such as using an identical user interface design. 2. Make sure App Store metadata only contains relevant information and content you either own or have permission to use. The metadata provided in App Store Connect is used to populate your app's product page on the App Store. People rely on this metadata to learn about your app and what it has to offer. Leveraging the popularity of another brand or app, either by including irrelevant references or protected content, is misleading and won't help your app succeed. Do: Use engaging, descriptive language to describe your unique app. Create original content that best represents your app, such as screenshots showing the actual app in use. Don't: Don't use protected material you do not have the necessary permission to use, such as app icons that are similar to icons of a popular app. Don’t include irrelevant references, such as popular app names or trademarked terms, in any metadata fields. 3. Provide information that is authentic and verifiable. People want to know the developers behind their favorite apps are who they say they are. It's important to continually review and provide up-to-date information, including the developer or company name listed on your Apple Developer Program account, the Support URL listed on your app's product page, and other helpful information. This will enable your users to contact you when they need help and it will also hinder people who may try to impersonate you, your app, or your service. Do: Make sure all information, resources, and documentation related to your account and apps are current and accurate. Don't: Don’t provide inaccurate information or resources, such as directing people to outdated support pages. Don’t provide fraudulent documentation. Accounts that submit fraudulent documentation will be removed from the Apple Developer Program. Support Incorporating these best practices into your app's development will help you submit apps that follow App Review Guideline 4.1. If you need additional assistance, consider taking advantage of one of the following support options available from App Review: If your submission has been rejected, reply to the message from App Review in App Store Connect and request clarification. Request an App Review Appointment to discuss the results of our review. Appointments are subject to availability, and take place during local business hours in your region on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you believe your app follows the App Review Guidelines, consider submitting an appeal to the App Review Board. Resources Learn about foundational design principles from Apple designers and the developer community. Learn how to create engaging App Store product pages. Note that apps that violate intellectual property rights are subject to removal through the App Store Content Dispute process. If you believe an app on the App Store violates your intellectual property rights, you can submit a claim.
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Nov ’25
Multiple IAP products at different price points for same content — compliant with guidelines?
I'm building an app that sells non-consumable in-app purchases. I want to implement a partner/referral discount system using the following approach: Create multiple IAP products in App Store Connect for the same content at different price points (e.g. full price at €10, 10% off at €9, 20% off at €8) When a user enters a partner or referral code in the app, my backend validates the code and returns which product to present The user then completes the purchase through the standard StoreKit IAP flow — Apple processes the transaction normally at the discounted price No purchase is unlocked without going through Apple IAP. No external payment system is involved. The only difference from a standard purchase is which product SKU is shown based on a backend-validated code. My questions: Is this approach compliant with App Store guidelines? Is there any guideline that requires developers to use Apple's native Offer Codes system instead of this approach for discounted purchases? Any guidance would be appreciated before we invest in building this out.
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New App with Subscription Review
We are launching a new app with a subscription in-app purchase (IAP). The Status of the IAP is "Waiting for Review". We want to submit the app to app for review, but the section to select an IAP with the app is not appearing. According to online sources, if we submit a new app for review, without selecting the IAP that goes with it, then the app may be released in the App Store without users being able to purchase the IAP. This actually happened to us years ago and I can't remember how we got around it, but it was painful. It seems strange that Apple would allow this problem to persist for years. Why not just hire an intern to fix it? Maybe because they are too busy running around in circles at the new spaceship headquarters. Regardless, our IAP has been sitting in "Waiting for Review" status for a while now and I'm concerned it may never be approved. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Escalation Request – Extended “Waiting for Review” Status
Hello, I would like to request an escalation regarding my app review status. My app (Apple ID: 6758756966) was submitted for review on February 24 and has been in “Waiting for Review” status for an extended period, with no progress so far. I have contacted Apple Developer Support multiple times (Case IDs: 102840237455, 102840079647, 102846664998, 102841727941) starting from March 9, but unfortunately, I have not received any response to any of these requests. I have also submitted three expedited review requests, but none of them have been acknowledged. Could you please: • confirm whether the submission is still active in the queue • check if there are any issues preventing it from moving forward • and assist in escalating the review if possible If any additional information is required from my side, I am ready to provide it immediately. Thank you very much for your time and support.
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App stuck in “Waiting for Review” for 10+ days (Case ID: 102845134369)
App Review App Store Connect Hi everyone, My iOS app has been stuck in “Waiting for Review” for over 10 days, and I’m starting to worry there might be an issue with my submission or account. Here are the key timeline details (GMT+7): Feb 3, 2026 – Submitted app → entered Waiting for Review Feb 5, 2026 – App went In Review and was later Rejected by Apple Feb 5 – Mar 2, 2026 – I made fixes and resubmitted Then on Mar 2, 2026: Submitted again → Waiting for Review On Mar 8, 2026: I made several quick re-submissions (Developer Rejected → Ready for Review → Waiting for Review multiple times within minutes) Since then: Mar 8, 2026 → Today (Mar 18, 2026) Status has remained “Waiting for Review” with no progress I have already contacted Apple Developer Support: Case ID: 102845134369 However, I haven’t received any meaningful update yet. My concerns: My app was previously reviewed (reached In Review and got feedback), so it doesn’t seem like a completely new or blocked app. The app itself is relatively simple (no sensitive content, no unusual permissions). I did perform multiple rapid re-submissions on Mar 8 — I’m not sure if that might have affected the review queue. My questions: Could multiple rapid “Developer Rejected → Resubmitted” actions cause my app to be deprioritized or delayed in the review queue? Is it normal for an app to stay in “Waiting for Review” for 10+ days without any status change? Should I: Keep waiting, or Cancel and resubmit again, or Submit a new build version? Is there any way to verify if my app/account has been flagged or requires additional information that is not shown in App Store Connect? I understand that review times can vary, but this feels longer than usual, especially since there has been no transition to In Review. If anyone (or Apple staff) has experienced something similar or has advice on how to proceed, I would really appreciate your guidance. Thank you very much.
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iOS App Stuck in 'Waiting for Review' for Over 7 Business Days — Expedited Review Submitted, No Progress
Hi, I submitted my iOS app for review on Wednesday, March 4th (around 4 PM UTC+8), and it has been stuck in "Waiting for Review" for over 7 business days with no progress. I have already submitted an Expedited Review request 2 days ago, but the status remains unchanged. I understand review times can vary, but this extended wait with no movement or communication is making it difficult to plan our launch timeline. Has anyone experienced a similar delay recently? Is there anything else I can do at this point? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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App stuck in review for over 6 weeks – no response from App Review
Hello, I’m posting here because I’m experiencing a very unusual issue with the App Store review process and haven’t been able to resolve it through normal support channels. Our app has been waiting in App Review for over 6 weeks, which is far beyond the normal review timeframe. During this period, I contacted Apple Developer Support multiple times and even submitted an expedited review request, but the situation has not progressed. Some of my inquiries have unfortunately received no response, and the app remains stuck in review without any explanation. This delay is now causing serious operational and financial impact for our small development business. We had updates and marketing plans scheduled around this release, but the prolonged review status is preventing us from moving forward. I fully understand that review times can vary, but a 6+ week delay without any status update or communication seems highly abnormal. If any Apple staff or experienced developers have encountered a similar situation, I would greatly appreciate any guidance on how to resolve this or escalate it properly. Thank you for any help or advice.
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App stuck in “Waiting for Review” for 10+ days (Case ID: 102845134369)
App Review App Store Connect Hi everyone, My iOS app has been stuck in “Waiting for Review” for over 10 days, and I’m starting to worry there might be an issue with my submission or account. Here are the key timeline details (GMT+7): Feb 3, 2026 – Submitted app → entered Waiting for Review Feb 5, 2026 – App went In Review and was later Rejected by Apple Feb 5 – Mar 2, 2026 – I made fixes and resubmitted Then on Mar 2, 2026: Submitted again → Waiting for Review On Mar 8, 2026: I made several quick re-submissions (Developer Rejected → Ready for Review → Waiting for Review multiple times within minutes) Since then: Mar 8, 2026 → Today (Mar 18, 2026) Status has remained “Waiting for Review” with no progress I have already contacted Apple Developer Support: Case ID: 102845134369 However, I haven’t received any meaningful update yet. My concerns: My app was previously reviewed (reached In Review and got feedback), so it doesn’t seem like a completely new or blocked app. The app itself is relatively simple (no sensitive content, no unusual permissions). I did perform multiple rapid re-submissions on Mar 8 — I’m not sure if that might have affected the review queue. My questions: Could multiple rapid “Developer Rejected → Resubmitted” actions cause my app to be deprioritized or delayed in the review queue? Is it normal for an app to stay in “Waiting for Review” for 10+ days without any status change? Should I: Keep waiting, or Cancel and resubmit again, or Submit a new build version? Is there any way to verify if my app/account has been flagged or requires additional information that is not shown in App Store Connect? I understand that review times can vary, but this feels longer than usual, especially since there has been no transition to In Review. If anyone (or Apple staff) has experienced something similar or has advice on how to proceed, I would really appreciate your guidance. Thank you very much.
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App Approved And Again Subscription - "Waiting For Review"
Another Limbo with IAP. I'm genuinely baffled by this. My app " Tapix - AI Writing Keyboard " was reviewed, approved, and is currently live and downloadable on the App Store. Great except the auto-renewable subscription that I submitted at the same time is STILL sitting in "Waiting for Review." Let me spell out what this means for real users: A user finds my app on the App Store They download it They open it and hit the subscription screen Nothing works. They can't subscribe. The core functionality is locked behind a paywall that Apple hasn't approved yet. They think the app is broken They leave a 1-star review and delete it. This is an absolutely terrible first impression and there's nothing I can do about it from my side. Everything is configured correctly metadata, pricing, review screenshots, subscription group, product IDs all of it. The app was approved. The subscription just... wasn't. How is it possible that Apple approves and distributes an app but leaves the IAP that the app literally depends on in limbo? Shouldn't these be reviewed together? Why would you release an app to users in a state where its core monetization is non-functional? Every hour this sits in "Waiting for Review" is real damage and a launch that's essentially sabotaged through no fault of my own. I'm asking for any guidance on how to escalate this. This needs urgent attention. Thank you. App Name - Tapix AI Keyboard
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App Store and TestFlight External Review Stuck in "Waiting for Review" since Feb 9 (5+ Weeks)
Hello everyone, I’m reaching out to see if others are experiencing an extreme delay with the App Store review process. My app has been stuck in the "Waiting for Review" status since February 9th, 2026. What’s concerning is that this isn't just affecting the production build for the App Store, but also a separate TestFlight External Testing submission for another project. Both have seen zero movement for over 5 weeks. Details of the situation: Submission Date: February 9, 2026. Status: Stuck at "Waiting for Review" (never transitioned to "In Review"). Communication: No messages in the Resolution Center, no metadata rejections, and no requests for additional info. Attempted Fixes: I have contacted Developer Support via the "Contact Us" form twice. I received a generic "we are looking into it" response 10 days ago, but no actual progress. Account Status: All agreements (Paid Applications, etc.) are active and signed. I’ve noticed a few other threads mentioned this specific February 9th date. It feels like submissions from that window might have been "ghosted" in the queue. Questions for the community/Apple: Is there a known technical issue with the review queue from early February? For those who were stuck, did "bumping" the version number (e.g., 1.0 to 1.1) actually clear the ghosted status, or did it just put you at the back of another long line? Are there any new 2026 compliance flags (like the new AI disclosure or Privacy Manifests) that could cause a "silent hang" instead of a rejection? Any advice from fellow developers or a nudge from an Apple representative would be greatly appreciated. App ID: 6759763683 (External Testing), 6758399041 (Production Update) Case ID: 102844123144,
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App stuck in “Waiting for Review” for 3+ weeks – possible review pipeline issue?
Hello, My app "Zen Mahjong!" has been stuck in the App Review process for an unusually long time and I’m trying to understand if something might be wrong with the submission. Timeline: First submission entered “In Review” and stayed there for 6 days without a decision. I rejected that build, uploaded a new build and resubmitted on February 17. Since then the app has been in “Waiting for Review” for more than 3 weeks. Additional context: App size ~40 MB Only IAP is a “Remove Ads” purchase I already contacted Developer Support and opened an expedited review request. Support also mentioned that this delay seems unusual. Has anyone experienced something similar or could this indicate that the submission is stuck in the review pipeline? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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What steps should I follow to get started with iOS development?
Hey everyone 👋 I’m starting my journey in iOS app development coming from a Java background and I already have an app idea but want to approach things the right way so I’d love your guidance What AI tools do you recommend for coding debugging and learning Swift or SwiftUI 🤖 how do you approach app design 🎨 and where do you find UI inspiration graphics or useful resources for building apps 🚀 any tips or lessons learned would really help 🙏
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What’s the recommended approach for using (or avoiding) special characters in the App Store keyword metadata?
I am submitting an app to the App Store and want to understand the best way to handle keywords that include special characters. If a keyword has accents like coração and users may search for coracao without accents, should I include both versions or rely on Apple to match them automatically?
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Curious about the shift from iOS developer to full time indie developer Ask Me Anything 🚀📱
Hey everyone 👋 I have 14 years of experience in iOS development, starting in my mid-teens and later working as a senior and lead developer with Fortune 50 companies. Around 1.5 years ago I began my indie journey as a side hustle, and for the past 3 months I have been building apps full time with a growing portfolio and increasing revenue 📈 I currently handle everything myself including development, ASO, and design, with marketing planned for later 🚀 I just shipped a major release last week and taking a relaxed week now, so feel free to ask anything about iOS development, indie life, ASO, monetization, or related topics 💬
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Two apps stuck in "Waiting for Review" for weeks — no response from App Review
Hello, I am reaching out here because I have two iOS apps that have been stuck in "Waiting for Review" status with no communication from the App Review team. App 1: OKIRIZO (Apple ID: 6757417197) First submitted: January 10, 2026 Current submission: February 25, 2026 Status: Waiting for Review (19+ days on current submission, over 2 months since first submission) Multiple resubmissions due to the prolonged wait App 2: TidaKitchen (Apple ID: 6759185372) Current submission: approximately March 11, 2026 Status: Waiting for Review Both are version 1.0 initial submissions for the iOS App Store. There are no messages, no rejection notices, and no feedback in App Store Connect. I have also submitted expedited review requests but have received no response. I understand that review times can vary, but waiting over two months with zero communication is significantly impacting our business. These apps serve local businesses in Okinawa, Japan, and the delays are causing real operational problems for our clients. I have seen many similar reports from other developers in February-March 2026 on these forums. If anyone from the App Review team could investigate, or if fellow developers have found a resolution, I would greatly appreciate any guidance. Thank you for your time.
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45 days of "Waiting for Review"... What to do now?
The first time that I submitted a review for my app was on February 3, 2026. It is now March 15, 2026. I am at a dead end. I have been told numerous times by Apple support to resubmit and to call back. I have a large waitlist of over 100 users that want access, and I'm only able to let my internal users test because my test flight has also not been approved. I have called Apple numerous times, being extremely respectful and explaining the situation. They then tell me to call back after 48 hours if it is not approved. I then call back and I get the exact same message. I've only had one Apple Support representative truly be honest with me and say wait a week or two because there's a backlog. I then proceeded to call back again, and was told to call back in 48 hours because they'd "expedited" it. I even had once a representative give me his personal information to send him a voicemail to his contact if it hadn't been completed. This then led to a dead end where he didn't respond, never responded to my voicemail, and simply never helped me again. That was a really weird experience because I thought I was going to get somewhere with that representative. This representative told me in particular to resubmit, which put me at the end of the "line" After being told by a different representative that that was bad information to give me. I don't know what to do at this point. I can't do any more development because I know that I've been told that resubmitting puts me at the end of the "line" And also, I'm now getting traction that I can't convert to people actually using the app. As you can see, I've attached my case history, and I'm at a complete loss for what my next move should be because there's clearly no movement, and my app is just simply not getting reviewed. What should I do now? I have attached the case history to show that support is aware of the situation but not helping anymore at this point. Any advice or if Apple sees this... what do I do?!
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App stuck in "In Review" for 8 days (12 days total review time) – should I cancel and resubmit?
Hi everyone, My app has been in the review process for a total of 12 days now, and for about 8 days the status has been stuck on “In Review” without any change. Before that, it also spent several days in “Waiting for Review.” I have already contacted support and requested an expedited review, but there has been no update so far. Has anyone experienced something similar? Would it make sense to cancel the submission and resubmit the app, or could that make things worse? Thank you.
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App review stuck on the "waiting for review"
Dear App Review Team, Our app – Apple ID 6757906986 has been stuck in the “Waiting for Review” status for over 39 days (since February 5, 2026). This seriously hinders our arrangement for broadcasting province football matches. Normally, reviews begin within a few days, but in our case, it seems unusually delayed. Could you please clarify: • Is there a specific reason for this extended hold? • Is any action required from our side? • When can we expect the review to proceed? Thank you very much for your time and assistance
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Expedited Review Granted but Apps Stuck in "Waiting for Review" for 12 Days (Case ID: 102840953234)
Hello Apple Developer Community and App Review Team, I am reaching out here because I am completely stuck and have not received a response from the standard support channels. On March 4th, I requested and was successfully granted an Expedited Review for a critical bug fix for two of my apps ("Who Wants to Be AI Professor?" and "The Fed Chair"). However, it has been 12 days and both apps are still stuck in the "Waiting for Review" status. Suspecting a system glitch or "ghosting" issue, I contacted App Store Connect support on March 10th and received Case ID: 102840953234. The automated email stated I would receive a reply within 2 business days, but that time has long passed with no response. I kindly ask if an App Review Team member or Apple Staff could look into this Case ID and check if my submissions are stuck in a technical loop. I have refrained from canceling and resubmitting to avoid further delays, but I am currently completely blocked. Any help to push these manually to the review desk would be immensely appreciated. Thank you!
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