App Store review is no longer a mystery! By following these predictable checks and guidelines, you can ensure your app passes the reviewer's scrutiny. The key is to create an exceptional user experience that's easy to verify.

Quick Pass Checklist

Before submitting your app, walk through this checklist to fix any issues that might block a clean review:

  • Crashes: identify and fix crashes to prevent early rejections
  • Incomplete features: ensure all core features are complete and functional
  • Unclear paywalls: make it clear what users need to unlock premium content or features
  • Missing restore: implement a reliable "Restore Purchases" feature after reinstalling the app
  • Privacy policy: link your privacy policy in App Store metadata and inside the app

Step 1: Pass the "Fast Rejection" Checks

Apple's reviewers will quickly identify and reject submissions that violate these basic rules:

| Category | What Apple Expects | Docs |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Safety | No offensive, disturbing, or harmful content. | 1.1 Safety |

| Performance | App is complete and functional — no placeholder flows, broken screens, or "coming soon" core features. | 2.1 Performance |

| Business (IAP) | Digital goods/features unlock via In-App Purchase. Don't route users to external unlock mechanisms. | 3.1.1 IAP |

| Legal (Privacy) | Privacy policy is linked in App Store metadata and inside the app. | 5.1.1 Privacy |

| Legal (Account deletion) | If your app supports account creation, users can initiate account deletion inside the app. | Account deletion policy |

Actionable move: perform a "reviewer run" on a clean device or simulator to ensure your app works as expected.

Step 2: Make Your Metadata Impossible to Misunderstand

Reviewers compare your app's behavior to its screenshots and description. Ensure your metadata is accurate and testable:

  • Read: 2.3 Accurate Metadata and Product Page best practices
  • Actionable move: rewrite your App Store listing draft to highlight only verifiable claims.

Step 3: If You Have UGC, Ship Moderation First

If users can create content, Apple expects basic moderation controls:

| Filter objectionable material | Keyword filters + rate limits. For risky apps, consider pre-moderation for new accounts. |

| Report content + response process | Report action on each item + admin queue + real process to review and act. |

| Block abusive users | Block should prevent interaction and visibility (not just hide locally). |

| Published contact info | Support email or form reachable from Settings/Help inside the app. |

Actionable move: add a "Report" action to every content item and a "Block user" action to every user profile.

Step 4: Make Your Paywall Review-Proof

If your app unlocks digital content/features, Apple expects In-App Purchase:

| All digital unlocks use IAP | No external unlock methods for in-app digital functionality. |

| Restore exists and works | Restore purchases works after reinstalling the app on a clean device. |

Actionable move: add a "Restore Purchases" button where the reviewer will find it, and test its reliability.

Step 5: Make Privacy and Deletion Easy to Find

Privacy issues trigger rejections and destroy user trust:

| Privacy policy link (metadata) | Privacy policy URL is set in App Store Connect. |

| Privacy policy link (in-app) | Policy is accessible inside the app (not buried). |

| Policy is explicit | States what data is collected, how, why, and third-party handling. |

Actionable move: add "Privacy Policy" and "Delete Account" links inside Settings.

Official Sources

Bookmark these official sources for any updates:

  • App Store Review Guidelines
  • App Store Connect: manage submissions to App Review

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does App Store review usually take?

+ It varies by category and timing (holidays can slow queues), but many submissions are reviewed quickly.

  • What are the most common rejection reasons?

+ Refer to Apple's guidelines for more information

  • My app requires login. What should I provide for review?

+ Provide a demo account (and any special instructions) so reviewers can verify your app without extra setup or guessing.

By following these steps and guidelines, you'll significantly reduce the risk of rejection and ensure an exceptional user experience for your app users.