App Rejected for Being "Too Similar to LaunchPad" - Seeking Specific Guidance on Differentiation

My Mac app, an application launcher, has been rejected under Guideline 5.2.5 for being "too similar to LaunchPad, which creates a misleading association with Apple."

After requesting specific feedback on what needs to change, I received only a generic response directing me to read the guidelines without any actionable details about which features or design elements are problematic.

App Review has seen your screenshots and actually run your app. How would we be better able to judge it than those people who've actually run it?

I've observed several other app launchers on the Mac App Store that appear to share more similarities with LaunchPad than mine does (e.g., identical pagination, similar grid layouts, similar visual design).

I know! I just bought a new one recently published by the developers of one of my other favourite apps.

Has anyone else faced this type of rejection for app launchers or similar utility apps?

While I haven't personally experienced this, I've seen many, many posts virtually identical to yours from almost the first day these forums opened.

What specific changes did you make that satisfied App Review?

In the past, I've found App Review to be a good final check from a fresh set of eyes. People often complain that App Review doesn't understand how their app works. But I think that's what makes App Review valuable. They act much more like end users than the person who developed the app itself. If App Review is confused, then end users would likely be confused too.

Are there particular visual elements or features that App Review considers "off limits" for this category?

No one here in the forums knows the internal guidelines of App Review.

Should I consider filing a formal appeal, or is there a better path forward?

I think there's a better path forward. Since Tahoe, the market's flooded with LaunchPad clones. And that's the Mac market, which was minuscule and unprofitable in the first place. Just release your app for free on your own web site. Take what you learned from building it and make something new and unique.

Are there any Apple engineers who might be able to provide insight into how to differentiate from built-in macOS apps while still solving the same user problem?

Are there? Certainly such people exist. But they don't answer questions in these forums. The few Apple engineers who participate in these forums only answer technical questions. When the topic is App Review, they always qualify their answers that they don't work for App Review and restrict themselves to technical issues.

I'm not trying to clone LaunchPad

Oh, come on!

Some people saw the writing on the wall and started developing their LaunchPad clones in June. Now you're finally ready to release but some manager in App Review has decided that they have enough LaunchPad clones now. It's a pretty brutal industry, eh?

That's why I recommended you publish your app for free on your own website. If you attempt to charge money outside of the App Store, you'll get a really good lesson in how brutal the industry is. App Store developers are totally coddled by Apple.

Don't throw good time and money after bad. Sometimes the best return on investment is a valuable lesson for next time.

I already released LaunchGrid for free on my website (https://launch-grid.app) - you seem to be under the impression I'm trying to sell it? I am simply wanting to release the app on the App Store for anyone who prefers to download their apps there.

I just wanted to understand the app review process, you're suggesting that the app reviewers have decided there are enough Launchpad clones? Seems unlikely given the 1000s of the duplicate apps across all categories.

When I say I'm not trying to clone Launchpad, I mean to say I'm trying to offer the same functionality but with additional features. Not just a cut and paste version of Apples.

Anyway, thanks for the advice…

Note: wasn’t trying to spam reply… was getting errors so added response here.

you seem to be under the impression I'm trying to sell it?

Well, yeah. I have to work for a living. I assume many other people do too. If not, why bother?

you're suggesting that the app reviewers have decided there are enough Launchpad clones?

Sorry, I didn't make my self clear. I'm a not an employee of Apple, Inc. Nor am I affiliated with Apple in any way other than through the Developer program. I do not claim to speak for Apple in any way. I have zero knowledge of internal App Review processes beyond my own experience several years ago, and a then a few weeks ago. I'm just a dude spouting off his opinions on the internet.

When I say I'm not trying to clone Launchpad, I mean to say I'm trying to offer the same functionality but with additional features. Not just a cut and paste version of Apples.

But you posted a link to your website right there. It looks identical to Apple's LaunchPad.

App Review is doing you favour here. Apple's LaunchPad was never very good. Had a 3rd party developer submitted that design to the App Store before Apple included it in the operating system, it probably would've been rejected for both bugs and lack of functionality. Tahoe's new version is even worse. It breaks both LaunchPad and the Spotlight interface.

Apple benefits from platform control and end user inertia. 3rd party developer have neither. We have to do better than Apple to succeed.

Yes, there are 1000s of duplicate apps in the App Store. What's the point in being duplicate # 1001? Build something unique instead.

I appreciate you clarifying you're not affiliated with Apple - that was pretty obvious, but that does make the lengthy lecture about what App Review is "doing me a favour" with a bit strange, given you've admitted you have no insight into their processes.

You've also managed to argue both that Launchpad is terrible (and Tahoe's version is even worse), and that I shouldn't bother building something better. Well I'm using mine daily and find it to work quite well, so I thought other people might as well.

"It looks identical to Apple's LaunchPad" - yes, it's a grid of app icons. That's what an app launcher looks like. By that logic, every calculator app infringes on Calculator.app. I've added several new features not offered by Launchpad or Spotlight.

My original question was a straightforward one: have people encountered IP issues during review for apps that improve on native functionality? I wasn't asking whether strangers on the internet think my app has commercial merit.

If you've got experience with that specific question, happy to hear it. Otherwise, I think we're done here.

the lengthy lecture about what App Review is "doing me a favour" with a bit strange

After your initial greeting, you said, and I quote, "I'm seeking advice". And then, at closing, you doubled-down on that with, "Any advice, experiences, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated."

You've also managed to argue both that Launchpad is terrible (and Tahoe's version is even worse), and that I shouldn't bother building something better.

You're mischaracterizing my statement. I suggested that you shouldn't build something that looks like LaunchPad, and apparently App Review agrees with me.

That's what an app launcher looks like.

As I said in my first reply, I recently purchased a nice app launcher from one of my favourite developers. It looks nothing like LaunchPad. That fact was part of the appeal.

My original question was a straightforward one: have people encountered IP issues during review for apps that improve on native functionality?

You posted a numbered list of 5 specific questions, followed by an explicit request for "advice, experiences, or suggestions". I answered each of those questions and provided advice and suggestions based on my own experiences.

Good luck with your app launcher!

Thank you for your post. We recommend that you sign up for a session with App Review during the weekly Meet with Apple event. Sign in with your Developer ID and select "Request a one-on-one App Review consultation". A member of the App Review team will help you with your questions regarding the review process and the App Review Guidelines.