Common rejection
Apple says my app needs Sign in with Apple
By Huruy Kidanemariam, who shipped Beles and EBT Finder to the App Store. Updated .
The short answer
If people can sign in with Google, Facebook or another social account, Apple requires an equivalent option that lets them keep their email private and doesn't track them. Sign in with Apple is the standard way to meet that.
Who it applies to
Apple's message usually says the app uses a login like Google "but does not appear to offer an equivalent login option." It applies to apps that use social login to create or sign into an account. If you only offer email and password, it doesn't apply. Apps that only work with an existing company or school account are usually exempt.
How to fix it
- Turn on the Apple option in your sign-in provider (Supabase, Firebase and Clerk all have one) using keys from your Apple Developer account.
- Add the Sign in with Apple button next to the others, the same size and just as easy to find.
- Make it work inside the iPhone app itself. The button that works on your website doesn't carry over on its own; the app needs its own setup.
- Test it on a real iPhone before you submit.
What I ran into
On Beles the web sign-in worked fine, but the iPhone app needed its own setup for Sign in with Apple. I caught it after launch and fixed it in the next update. Now I test it on a real device before every submission.
Questions
- Do I have to remove Google sign-in?
- No. Keep it. Apple just wants a private option next to it.
- I also offer email sign-up. Isn't that enough?
- Usually not. Apple doesn't count a regular email sign-up as the private option. Add Sign in with Apple next to Google, and update your screenshots to show it.
- What will Apple ask for next?
- Often account deletion. If people can create an account, they need to be able to delete it in the app.
Apple calls this Guideline 4.8, Login Services in the App Review Guidelines.