Glossary
Glossary term

What Is App Store Review Guidelines?

Apple's published rules governing what apps can and can't do on iOS, updated periodically, with sections covering safety, performance, business, design, and legal.

The Review Guidelines are the definitive reference for what Apple's reviewers look for. Key sections: 1.x (Safety), 2.x (Performance), 3.x (Business — including Guideline 3.1.1 on in-app purchases), 4.x (Design — including the notorious Guideline 4.2 Minimum Functionality), 5.x (Legal — including Privacy Policy requirements). Most rejections trace back to missing metadata, crashes, or failing Guideline 4.2. Reading the Guidelines once saves weeks of back-and-forth later.

Common Questions

What's the most common rejection reason?
Guideline 4.2 (Minimum Functionality) — Apple rejects apps that are 'just websites,' duplicate templates, or lack unique value. Also common: missing Privacy Policy URL and incomplete metadata.
Can I appeal a rejection?
Yes, via App Review Board. Success rate is modest; usually faster to fix the issue than appeal.

Related terms

Apple Developer ProgramApp Store ConnectApp Privacy Label

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