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App rejected by Apple: read the reason and fix it
An app rejected by Apple isn't the end of your project: you fix the issue raised, resubmit, and your account isn't penalized. The message cites a rule, but rarely the exact cause. To find it, reproduce what the reviewer saw, on the device named in the message. To help, the Apple Review Kit collects my fixed rejections: the real messages I got on my apps, what the reviewer saw and the fix I sent.
By Mehdi Azizi · Reviewed on
What you'll learn
- Common rejections, explained
- Feature the reviewer can't reach (2.1), data and permissions (5.1.1), non-compliant visuals (2.3.2), badly timed rating request (5.6.3): what each rule targets in practice.
- Prevention before submitting
- Before you submit, the checklist and review skills help you rule out the most common rejection reasons.
- Fix or reply
- You learn when to fix and resubmit, and when a reply to the reviewer explaining how your app works is enough.
- Your rejection, read with the kit
- You find the rule cited in Apple's message, what it asks for, and an example fix and reply, taken from my own rejections.
Step by step
- Step 1
You read Apple's message in full, with the attached screenshots when there are any.
- Step 2
You reproduce what the reviewer saw, on the type of device named in the message.
- Step 3
You fix the app, the listing, or both.
- Step 4
You resubmit with a note explaining what changed.
My Apple rejections, rule by rule
I got these rejections on my own apps.Every time, the cited rule didn't say where the problem was.
| Cited rule | Apple's reason | The real cause | The fix | App status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guideline 2.1: Performance, App CompletenessRead the case | The reviewer couldn't finish onboarding on iPad, in compatibility mode. | The welcome demo was impossible to win on a small iPhone. | Demo recalibrated for every size, fallback button to continue, resubmitted the same day. | Approved, then released |
| Guideline 5.6.3: Developer Code of ConductRead the case | The app asked for a rating before the user had experienced anything. | The rating request showed up on the very first screens. | Request moved after a first win. | Approved, then released |
| Guideline 5.1.1: Legal, PrivacyRead the case | The online privacy policy didn't describe everything the app collects. | The updated policy wasn't published on the website yet. | Full policy published, English summary added, review notes updated. | Fixed and resubmitted to Apple |
| Guideline 5.1.1: Legal, PrivacyRead the case | A button pushed users to accept camera access before the system prompt. | The button said "Allow", which Apple rejects before the official prompt. | Button renamed "Continue" in all 8 of the app's languages. | Approved, then released |
| Guideline 2.3.2: Accurate MetadataRead the case | The subscriptions' promotional images weren't compliant. | The app icon was reused as the promotional image. | Images removed from both subscriptions, submission recreated. | Approved, then released |
Why learn with me
I've had real rejections on my own apps. A welcome demo the reviewer couldn't get past on iPad, where the iPhone app runs in compatibility mode (2.1). A rating request placed at the start of onboarding (5.6.3). An outdated online privacy policy, and a custom button shown before the camera permission prompt (5.1.1). A subscription image that reused the icon (2.3.2). Each time, the cited rule didn't tell the whole story, and that's the reading I pass on to you.
Read the TradaZen story, from building it to Apple's rejections and launch.
Start with the free guides
FAQ
Is a rejection a big deal?
No, it's common. You fix the issue and resubmit. Your account isn't penalized for it.
How long until I can resubmit?
It depends on the fix. A listing is quick to fix, a feature takes more work. After that, the new review time is up to Apple.
Does the kit help if my app is already rejected?
Yes. You find the rule cited in Apple's message, what it asks for, and an example fix and reply. The kit doesn't review your submission for you: it's all written down. To go through it together, One hour with me, a one-hour video call with screen sharing, on your app or your Claude project, for €100, booked separately. It costs €29, and it's included in the iOS Kit. The Apple Review Kit is available. Instant download after payment.
Can you appeal an Apple rejection?
Yes. You can reply to the reviewer in App Store Connect to explain your app. If you think the rule was misapplied, you can also appeal to the App Review Board: one appeal per rejected submission, with specific reasons.
What about the rest of my app?
The Apple Review Kit is included in the iOS Kit, with the starter code from my apps and the full path: paywall and subscriptions, screenshots, listing in 30 languages.
Can you guarantee my app will pass?
No. Apple has the final say. The kit helps you understand the reason and fix it, not get around the rules.
Apple Review Kit
Everything I check before sending an app to Apple, and two skills that do the review with Claude Code. €29.