Almost one month with no substantive response from App Review, is this normal?

Question

Created 9h

Replies 3

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Participants 2

I am posting this because I genuinely do not know what else to do.

My company is based in Nigeria, and we submitted our app, MyCove, for App Store review. The app was rejected under Guideline 5.6.

We responded to the rejection and explained the application, its purpose, its users, and how the functionality works. We also provided the information and access required for Apple to review the app.

We have since:

Communicated with the App Review team through App Store Connect
Raised support cases regarding the rejection
Requested clarification about the specific reason for the rejection
Escalated the matter
Submitted an appeal to the App Review Board
Followed up repeatedly

And yet, almost one month later, we still have not received a substantive answer to our questions or a meaningful update on the appeal.

This is not simply a delay in getting an app reviewed.

This is a business that has been unable to move forward for almost a month because we cannot even get a clear answer about what Apple believes is wrong with the application or what we need to do to resolve it.

Apple's own documentation states that 90% of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours, and Apple's App Review FAQ states that Resolution Center messages are generally answered within 24 hours. Apple also states that developers can appeal when they believe an app was misunderstood or that they were treated unfairly during review.

So my question is:

If this were a company based in the United States, would the same situation be considered acceptable, almost one month without a substantive response to an App Review dispute or appeal?

I am not asking for preferential treatment because we are a Nigerian company.

I am asking whether Nigerian developers and companies receive the same level of responsiveness and due process during App Review as developers and companies in the United States and other major markets.

If the answer is yes, then I would genuinely like to understand what is happening with our case, because almost a month without a substantive response does not appear consistent with Apple's published App Review communication timelines.

I am not looking for someone to approve the app without review.

I want Apple to tell us clearly what the problem is, what evidence led to the rejection, and what we need to do to resolve it.

Case references:

102953967427

Has anyone else experienced an App Review appeal or rejection being left without a substantive response for this long? And, if so, how was it eventually resolved?

Answer 1

Etresoft OP

4h

The app was rejected under Guideline 5.6.

For those that haven't memorized those paragraph numbers, that's "Developer Code of Conduct".

If this were a company based in the United States, would the same situation be considered acceptable, almost one month without a substantive response to an App Review dispute or appeal?

There are many similar reports here in the forum. I don't see any indication of any focus on any particular country. In fact, I've seen a number of developers go to extra effort to setup a shell company in the US. It doesn't seem to help.

If the answer is yes, then I would genuinely like to understand what is happening with our case, because almost a month without a substantive response does not appear consistent with Apple's published App Review communication timelines.

Those guidelines specifically said, and you quoted, 90%. That means someone's got to be the 10%.

What you're describing is very consistent with other similar reports about "Developer code of conduct" rejections.

I want Apple to tell us clearly what the problem is, what evidence led to the rejection, and what we need to do to resolve it.

I have not seen a single instance where someone in your situation reported that Apple provided this information.

Answer 2

Owlswift_ OP

3h

@Etresoft That's actually my bigger concern. From all the similar 5.6 cases you've seen, have you seen any that were eventually resolved?

Because if Apple can reject a legitimate business under 5.6, provide no clear explanation of what triggered it, and then leave the appeal unanswered for weeks, what is the developer supposed to do? Abandon the business because Apple won't approve the app or explain what needs to be fixed?

Answer 3

Etresoft OP

8m

From all the similar 5.6 cases you've seen, have you seen any that were eventually resolved?

The only similarity is the "Developer code of conduct" violation. I'm sure each individual situation is unique.

But unfortunately, I don't recall any post regarding this guideline where there was a positive followup. I've seen many cases of individual apps being rejected on other grounds, where I thought the rejection was legitimate, but they ultimately followed up saying the app was approved.

Because if Apple can reject a legitimate business

No one is claiming your business isn't legitimate. Apple's a private company. They don't have to do business with anyone they don't want to, for whatever reason. Apple can, and will, reject apps without any stated violation of any guideline.

provide no clear explanation of what triggered it, and then leave the appeal unanswered for weeks

Unfortunately, that's typical. Again, Apple has no obligation to explain why they don't want to do business. I do this myself sometimes. When I see someone that's going to be a real problem, I just issue a quick refund and I'm done with it. I never explain why. That would be a real mess. Just cut my losses and move on. I don't fault Apple for having a similar policy.

Abandon the business because Apple won't approve the app or explain what needs to be fixed?

I'm afraid you'll have to do that review on your own. Please don't post any more details here in the forum. That usually reveals personal details that shouldn't be disclosed in public.

The "Developer code of conduct" is usually a developer account termination action. Yet you're talking about it in terms of a simple app rejection. And you've also only waited a month. Typically these issues take longer than that.

You might want to try a "Meet with Apple" session and get some clarification regarding whether this is a simple app rejection or if your entire developer account is at risk. Obviously, if you have more app rejections, then your developer account would be at risk. In the guidelines, there is a remediation process for a 5.6 violation. But I'm absolutely certain it will take longer than a month, even if successful. And to clarify, the app itself is dead. Give that up. You need to be fighting for your developer account instead.