Getting on the App Store
Apple rejected my app. What now?
By Huruy Kidanemariam, who shipped Beles and EBT Finder to the App Store. Updated .
The short answer
Read Apple's exact message, work out whether they want a change or just missed something, then fix it and resubmit with a short note. Most rejections are fixable in days.
Step by step
- Open the message in App Store Connect. It names the rule and often includes screenshots of what the reviewer saw.
- Decide: does Apple want a change, or did the reviewer miss something? If they missed it, reply with clear steps or a short screen recording.
- If it needs a change, make it, upload a new build with a higher build number, and resubmit.
- Add a short note for the reviewer saying what changed and where to find it.
- Only appeal if you're sure Apple got it wrong. It's slower and rarely the first move.
The rejections AI-built apps get most
"It's just a website", missing Sign in with Apple, no way to delete an account, the reviewer couldn't sign in or the app crashed, and charging through Stripe. They often arrive together, so fix the next one before Apple asks.
What not to do
Don't resubmit the same build without a change or an explanation, hoping for a different reviewer. Don't hide features or switch things off during review; that's how developer accounts get closed. And don't argue: a calm, specific note works better.
What I ran into
Apple rejected EBT Finder because the reviewer couldn't create an account. The bug was on my server, not in the app. I fixed it the same day, tested sign-up on a real iPhone with the same build, and replied to Apple with what went wrong. It was approved without a new build.
Questions
- How long does App Review take?
- Usually a day or two per submission. The fixing is what takes time.
- Will a rejection hurt my developer account?
- No. Rejections are normal. What hurts is hiding things from the reviewer or resubmitting again and again without changes or an explanation.