Mobile App: App Store Rejections and How to Fix Them

Guide Purpose

Rejections are normal, especially on a first submission. Most are not a problem with the app itself. Usually the reviewer needs more information. Find the rejection below, follow the steps, and resubmit.

Table of Contents

➡️ Feel free to click on any link to dive deeper into what's being mentioned.

1. Apple: Guideline 2.1, Information Needed
2. Apple: Guideline 3.1.1, Payments
3. Apple: Guideline 1.2, User-Generated Content
4. Apple and Google: Store Listing Claims

Apple: Guideline 2.1, Information Needed

Apple sends a message titled "Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed - New App Submission", with a numbered list of questions. Apple wants more detail about your app.

What to do:

1. Record a short screen recording on your iPhone (Control Center, then Screen Recording). Start from a fresh app launch, sign in with your demo account, open a course, play a video, and show your profile. Keep it in one take, about 1 to 2 minutes.
2. Reply to the reviewer in App Store Connect using the template below, and attach the recording.
3. Paste the same answers into App Review Information, then Notes, on your version page and save. This stops the same rejection next time.
4. Resubmit.

Reply template: copy the text below and replace everything in brackets.

Hello,

Thank you for the review. Please find the requested information below.

1. Screen recording
A screen recording from a physical [iPhone model] running iOS [version] is attached.

2. Devices tested
[iPhone model], iOS [version]

3. App functions and audience
[App name] is the mobile app for the [program name] membership. Existing members sign in to watch their training videos. The audience is [who your members are].

4. Access instructions
Sign in with the demo account provided in App Review Information. All features are available after signing in.

5. External services
The app connects to our membership platform for sign-in and content delivery.

6. Regional differences
None. The app is the same in every region.

7. Regulated industry and third-party content
The app is not in a regulated industry. All content is owned by [your business name].

Thank you,
[Your name]

Apple: Guideline 3.1.1, Payments

The reviewer says your app unlocks content without using in-app purchase, or links to an outside purchase. Your app is for existing members only, and Apple and Google do not allow the app to sell anything, including paid sign-ups, upgrades, or extra products.

What to do:

1. Check your Hub for any checkout or purchase links. Look for buttons like "Buy", "Join", "Upgrade", "Book", or anything that leads to a payment page.
2. Remove those links from the mobile view of your Hub.
3. Check your store listing too. Don't mention prices or where to buy.
4. Reply with the text below and resubmit.

Reply template:

The app does not offer any purchase, subscription, or upgrade, and contains no button, link, or call to action directing users to an outside purchase method. Memberships are purchased and managed on the web.

The app gives existing members access to video training they have already purchased. This is consistent with Guideline 3.1.3(a): "Apps may allow a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video)."

Apple: Guideline 1.2, User-Generated Content

The reviewer says your app has user posts but no way to report, block, or moderate them. Your Hub already has these tools, and the reviewer didn't find them.

What to do:

1. Reply with the text below and resubmit.
2. If your community is turned off, reply instead that the app does not include user-generated content.

Reply template:

The app meets each requirement in Guideline 1.2. Content is moderated by the hub's moderators. Every post and member has a Report and a Block option, available from the menu on any post. Contact information is available in the app.

Apple and Google: Store Listing Claims

Google sends "Violation of Metadata policy" and Apple cites Guideline 2.3, Accurate Metadata, when your store description includes claims the store can't verify. Both stores require you to remove them.

What to do:

1. Check your whole listing: title, subtitle, short description, and full description. The reviewer may quote one line, but they review all of it.
2. Remove or reword phrases like the ones below.
3. Save your changes and resubmit.

• Instead of "Join thousands of members", say "Join members".
• Instead of "Proven strategies", say "Our strategies".
• Instead of "The #1 / best / top program", describe what the program does.
• Instead of "Guaranteed results", describe what members get.
• Instead of prices or "only $X", leave prices out.

Avoid Rejections Before You Submit

• Fill in App Review Information, then Notes, with the 2.1 answers above
• Make sure your demo account works. Sign in with it yourself first
• Remove all checkout and purchase links from the mobile view of your Hub
• Remove claims like "thousands", "proven", "#1", and prices from your store listing

Congratulations! 👏 You now know what the most common Apple and Google rejections mean, how to fix them, and what to reply to the reviewer.