App got rejected. Now what?
Breathe. Almost every indie I know has a rejection story. It usually isn’t the end of the app.
Open App Store Connect, read the Resolution Center note slowly, and write down the guideline number. Then go fix that thing, not five other things you feel guilty about.
Issues I see a lot
- 2.1 (app completeness). A button that doesn’t work, a login they can’t get past, or placeholder copy. Give them a demo account if they need one, and actually tap through the build you submitted.
- 2.3 (accurate metadata). Screenshots for a different device, a name that oversells, or “best app ever” energy in the description. Keep the listing honest.
- 3.1.1 (in-app purchase). If people buy digital stuff in the app, it has to go through Apple’s IAP. Linking out to your own checkout for that is a classic trap.
- 4.3 (spam). Looks too much like another app, or a thin template. Hard to argue with. You need a real difference they can see in a minute.
- 5.1.1 (privacy). Collecting data you didn’t mention, or a privacy policy that doesn’t match the app. Put the policy somewhere obvious and make it true.
Nobody’s logged a guideline number yet. When they do, I’ll list the common ones here. You can still read Apple’s App Review Guidelines.
Then resubmit
Reply if you need a clarification. Otherwise ship the fix. Mention in the review notes what you changed, keep it short, and skip the essay.
How long does a resubmit take?
Often shorter than the first review, especially if you only changed what Apple asked for. It’s still a real review though. Don’t assume it’ll be instant.
Should I reply in Resolution Center or just resubmit?
If the note is confusing, ask a short, specific question. If you already know what to fix, fix it and resubmit. Long arguments rarely help.
If you want the next round (and the one after that) on the board automatically, connect the app.
Takes about 2 minutes. Then every review gets logged with Apple’s own timestamps, and you help the next person who googles this.
Not affiliated with Apple. I’m an indie, not App Review.