10 reasons why apple rejects apps from the app store

10 Reasons Why Apple Rejects Apps From The App Store

ContentsIntroduction........................................................................1

An overview of reasons why Apple rejects apps...........2 Reason #1: Insufficient information provided.............4

Reason #2: Presence of bugs and crashes..................5

Reason #3: Substandard user interface.......................6

Reason #4: Non-relevant content.................................7

Reason #5: Inappropriate naming of the App............8

Reason #6: Non-compliant legal requirements..........9

Reason #7: Unauthorised mention of competitors....10

Reason #8: Non-compliant to privacy policies..........11

Reason #9: Inappropriate rating of the app..............12

Reason #10: Violation of Intellectual Property Rights. 14

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

1

Every application store has certain criteria on the basis of which they approve or reject apps that want to be listed on their app store. Apple is known to employ slightly more stringent norms as compared to its other counterparts as far as approving apps is concerned.

Before you develop your app, it’s important to become familiar with the technical, content, and design criteria that is required by Apple as part of the review process of all apps. In this ebook we’ve highlighted 10 most common issues that cause apps to get rejected to help you better prepare your apps before submitting them for review.

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16%

12%

6%

4%

3%3%

3%

3%

3%

3%

44%

AN OVERVIEW OF REASONS WHY APPLE REJECTS APPS

Total Percent of App Rejections

56%Top 10 Reasons

44%Other Reasons (<3% each)


More information needed

Guideline 2.2: Apps that exhibit bugs will be rejected

Guideline 10.6: Apple and our customers place a high value on simple, refined, creative, well thought through interfaces. They take more work but are worth it. Apple sets a high bar. If your user interface is complex or less than very good, it may be rejected

Guideline 3.3: Apps with names, descriptions, screenshots, or previews not relevant to the content and functionality of the App will be rejected

Guideline 2.1: Apps that crash will be rejected

Guideline 3.4: App names in iTunes Connect and as displayed on a device should be similar, so as not to cause confusion

Guideline 22.2: Apps that contain false, fraudulent or misleading representations or use names or icons similar to other Apps will be rejected

Guideline 3.1: Apps or metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected

Guideline 17.2: Apps that require users to share personal information, such as email address and date of birth, in order to function will be rejected

Guideline 3.8: Developers are responsible for assigning appropriate ratings to their Apps. Inappropriate ratings may be changed/deleted by Apple

16%

12%

6%

4%

3%

3%

3%

3%

3%

3%


Reason#1:

INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION PROVIDED

According to Apple, 16% of all App Store rejections are for “more information needed.” Apple requires developers to be able to fully explain their apps or fill in missing bits of information and context. For instance, if a feature requires a sign-in registration, provide Apple with valid demo registration credentials so the reviewer can see what is behind the sign-in page. Other items under the list include providing up-to-date contact information.

This reason is highly ambiguous and the best way to resolve this is to provide as much information as possible when you submit your application to iTunes.

HOW TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE?


Reason#2:

PRESENCE OF BUGS AND CRASHES

12% of the apps are rejected by Apple because they crash and have bugs. You should submit your app for review only when it is complete and ready to be published. Apple suggests that developers should make sure to thoroughly test the app on devices and fix all bugs before submitting.

This reason of rejection is classified under the Section 2.2 of Apple Developer Guidelines that stats - “Apps that exhibit bugs will be rejected.”

It is obvious that Apple will directly reject your application if it crashes during testing. Hence, you should test your app thoroughly before you submit it. While you test it, ensure you test it across multiple devices, different OS versions and also under varying network conditions. You could probably write unit test code for your regression testing.



Reason#3:

SUBSTANDARD USER INTERFACE

Guideline 10.6 of Apple Developer Guidelines outlines that Apple and its customers place a high value on simple, refined, creative, well thought through interfaces. They take more work but are worth it. Apple sets a high bar. If your user interface is complex or less than very good, it may be rejected. Apps that look similar to Apps bundled on iOS or Watch OS devices, including the App Store, iTunes Store, and iBooks Store, will be rejected.

Another thing to note here is that apps that alter the functions of standard switches, such as the Volume Up/Down and Ring/Silent switches, will be rejected.

Apps must comply with all terms and conditions explained in the applicable Apple Human Interface Guidelines:

- iOS Human Interface Guidelines- OS X Human Interface Guidelines- Apple TV Human Interface Guidelines- Apple Watch Human Interface Guidelines



Reason#4:

NON-RELEVANT CONTENT

4% of the apps submitted to Apple are rejected because they do not have relevance when compared to the content or functionality offered. Guideline 3.3 of the Apple Developer Guidelines states that apps with names, descriptions, screenshots, or previews not relevant to the content and functionality of the App will be rejected.

These also include functionality based issues like - Apps that recommend that users restart their iOS device prior to installation or launch may be rejected.

Make sure you use relevant and licensed content when you describe or explain your app in detail. This includes screenshots, music, etc. that go in the description and explanation.

Make sure all URLs, such as support and privacy policy URLs, submitted are fully functional.



Reason#5:


INAPPROPRIATE NAMING OF THE APP

While uploading your App on the App Store be extra cautious in naming the app. Ensure that the name of the app while uploading on iTunes Connect is same as that on the end user side.

The app name listed in the App Store should be same as the app name when it gets installed in the device. It avoids any confusion to the users in identifying the app. Guideline 3.4 of the Apple Developer Guidelines mentions that “app names in iTunes Connect and as displayed on a device should be similar, so as not to cause confusion”. 4% of the apps get rejected due to inappropriate naming of the app.

IMPROPERNAMINGOF APP


Reason#6:


NON-COMPLIANT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Take a closer look at the App Store and official Apple apps like iTunes and make sure your designs are different and unique from the entire Apple family to be a part of the family.

Apple requires apps to be unique with their names, icons or interface and discourages imitation of any other apps. Guideline 22.2 of the Apple Developer Guidelines states that “apps that contain false, fraudulent or misleading representations or use names or icons similar to other Apps will be rejected.” 5% of the apps that seek permission are dismissed because they appear confusingly similar to an existing Apple product.


Reason#7:


UNAUTHORISED MENTION OF COMPETITORS

Remove all the instances of any of the Apple’s direct competition. It’s that simple.

Any reference to a rival platform will be rejected by Apple. For example, if you use terms like Samsung, Lenovo etc. it would reject your app. Apple is very particular about this point to the extent that even if you simply upload a screenshot showing an Android device, it would banish your app. Here’s the exact Guideline 3.1, “Apps or metadata that mentions the name of any other mobile platform will be rejected.”


Reason#8:


NON-COMPLIANT TO PRIVACY POLICIES

App developers should enumerate the reason why is it important for them to seek personal information from users and how will it be helpful in providing their service. All these details should be distinctly mentioned in the app privacy policy so that users know how their personal information is being used before they give away their details.

Apps cannot transmit data about a user without obtaining the user's prior permission and providing the user with access to information about how and where the data will be used.

Apps that include account registration or access a user’s existing account must include a privacy policy or they will be rejected.


Reason#9:

INAPPROPRIATE RATING OF THE APP

Apple requires you to rate your own app genuinely against some pre-defined parameters (based on the domain your app falls into). As per the Guideline 3.8 of the Apple Developer Guidelines, “the Developers are responsible for assigning appropriate ratings to their Apps. Inappropriate ratings may be changed/deleted by Apple.” In an instance, a game developer had to fill out the following form for the rating of his app:

App Rating Detail form for gaming apps



Try to be as realistic as possible while rating your app on the pre-defined parameters. For a double check, you can revise your ratings in iTunes Connect, Manage Your Applications. View the details of the appropriate app, then edit the Version Information to access the Ratings tab and select the settings. If your iTunes Connect Application State is Rejected, a new binary will be required. Make the desired metadata changes when you upload the new binary.

If your iTunes Connect Application State is Metadata Rejected, we do NOT require a new binary. In iTunes Connect > Manage Your Applications, select your app and click View Details.

- Click Edit in the Metadata section- Revise the desired metadata values- Click "Save" at the bottom of the screen- Once you click Save, you will see the "Submit NewMetadata" button in the top right. Click "Submit New Metadata"

The app got rejected in the App Store and the reason was cited as, “We found that the rating you selected for your app was not consistent with the content of your app, as required by the App Store Review Guidelines. Since your app includes content or features that pertain to guns or gun-related activities, your ratings must reflect a "Frequent/Intense" setting for "Realistic Violence" in iTunes Connect.”


Reason#10:

VIOLATION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Guideline 8 of the Apple Developer Guidelines outlines the Content and Intellectual Property Rights accepted by Apple to get accepted in the App Store.

- Apps that suggest or infer that Apple is a source or supplier of the App, or that Apple endorses any particular representation regarding quality or functionality will be rejected.

- Apps that appear confusingly similar to an existing Apple product, interface, or advertising theme will be rejected.

- Apps that misspell Apple product names in their App name (i.e., GPS for Iphone, iTunz) will be rejected.

- Apps that include the ability to download music or video content from third party sources (e.g. YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo, etc) without explicit authorization from those sources will be rejected.



We hope reading this ebook has inspired you to develop and launch flawless apps that would be readily accepted

by the App Store. Being unique in your approach and adhering to these essential guidelines is all that you

have to do to get your apps listed in the iOS App Store.

These are some of the minor things that can be taken care of with a little more attention to detail. Keep your designs and interface unique, do not misspell Apple product names in your App name, avoid giving permissions to users to download music or video content from 3rd party apps.

That’s all folks! Here you go with the 10 Reasons Why Apple Rejects Apps From The App Store.

Thanks for reading!

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10 reasons why apple rejects apps from the app store

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