Forums/iOS Apps Help and Discussions/App Store Info

Common reasons for Apple rejection

AppMakr Support
posted this on February 03, 2010 08:32 am

  • Apps that crash will be rejected
  • Apps that exhibit bugs will be rejected
  • Apps that do not perform as advertised by the developer will be rejected
  • Apps that include undocumented or hidden features inconsistent with the description of the app

will be rejected

  • Apps that use non-public APIs will be rejected
  • Apps that read or write data outside its designated container area will be rejected
  • Apps that download code in any way or form will be rejected
  • Apps that install or launch other executable code will be rejected
  • Apps that are "beta", "demo", "trial", or "test" versions will be rejected
  • iPhone apps must also run on iPad without modification, at iPhone resolution, and at 2X iPhone

3GS resolution

  • Apps that duplicate apps already in the App Store may be rejected, particularly if there are many

of them

  • Apps that are not very useful or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected
  • Apps that are primarily marketing materials or advertisements will be rejected
  • Apps that are intended to provide trick or fake functionality that are not clearly marked as such

will be rejected

  • Apps larger than 20MB in size will not download over cellular networks (this is automatically

prohibited by the App Store)

  • Multitasking apps may only use background services for their intended purposes: VoIP, audio

playback, location, task completion, local notifications, etc

  • Apps that browse the web must use the iOS WebKit framework and WebKit Javascript
  • Apps that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol or illegal substances, or encourage

minors to consume alcohol or smoke cigarettes, will be rejected

  • Apps that provide incorrect diagnostic or other inaccurate device data will be rejected
  • Developers "spamming" the App Store with many versions of similar apps will be removed from

the iOS Developer Program

 

Comments latest first

User photo
Tabitha Potts

Hi, I'm also having this problem: 

"We've completed the review of your app, but cannot post this version to the App Store because it did not comply with the App Store Review Guidelines, as detailed below:

  • 4.4: Location data can only be used when directly relevant to the features and services provided by the app to the user or to support approved advertising uses
I was using the SMS push feature. Do we need to turn this off? 
Many thanks, Tabitha 
June 14, 2011 03:09 am.
User photo
Brandon Schmittling

Leiser, why might an app built with AppMakr using a confirmed Distribution Provisioning Profile (cert) be rejected? I keep getting: "Invalid Signature - Make sure you have signed your application with a distribution certificate, not an ad hoc certificate or a development certificate"

Is the "com.pointabout" app ID more prone to rejection? Or could this actually be a cert problem even if AppMakr detects none?

March 15, 2011 11:05 pm.
User photo
Omran Isso

Hello,

I got this ( Apps that are primarily marketing materials or advertisements will be rejected)

What I should to do in this case.

Thanks

Omran

March 05, 2011 03:16 pm.
User photo
Steve Diddle

Maybe AppMakr should consider another way of letting the user know that they are sending location information in feedback messages - because this method is not intuitive.  Ever since that pin symbol showed up in the builds I thought it was a broken button to turn location sending off and on.  That's after I realized that it had anything to do with location.  I've been waiting for AppMaker to fix the "bug" that made the button not work (ie toggle off/on with a tap). 

In my opinion, it shouldn't be an all or nothing decision for the user - If users turn off location services for the app at the system level then all GEOrss feeds are "broken" for them with the message "Location services are required - Location Services are required for this tab to work.  Please go into your settings and turn location services on."  I'm sure many users would like the passive use of their location to render extra value when viewing GEOrss feeds, and would like the choice of sending (or not sending) their exact location when sending feedback messages through the app.  This is just poor design - please reconsider other options.  Thank you for listening.

August 25, 2010 05:16 pm.
User photo
Leiser

It seems that Apple is not aware that our Post Message feature has a pin symbol located in the header which indicates that this feature sends location information when a message is posted.

postmessagephoto.png

Therefore, we suggest that you include the following statement in your app description when including GeoRSS and/or Post Message features in your app.  Including the below statement will make Apple aware that you actually are using location features and not just collecting analytic data:

This app contains location features.  To prohibit this app from collecting location information, select "Don't Allow" when the ""INSERT YOUR APP NAME HERE"" Would Like to Use Your Current Location" message pops up.

August 25, 2010 01:43 pm.
User photo
aaron g.

My app was rejected with the following note:

 

"Hello Aaron,


Thank you for submitting [redacted] to the App Store.

We've reviewed your application, but cannot post this version to the App Store because it does not have location features but is requesting location information from the user. We have included some additional details below to help explain the issue, and hope you’ll consider revising and resubmitting your application.

Applications using Core Location information must provide user benefit and cannot be enabled solely to collect analytic data or to allow mobile advertisers to deliver targeted advertisements based on the user's location.

If you have any questions about this response, or would like to discuss it further, please feel free to reply to this email. We look forward to reviewing your revised app.

Best Regards,

App Review Team
iPhone Developer Program"

August 17, 2010 10:03 am.
User photo
Green Map System

ours was for asking for donations.

July 21, 2010 01:24 pm.