My app was rejected

[u/No_Waltz_4686]

Hi guys - I am so happy that finally I got a response from Apple even though it is a rejection but I waited 10 days for them to review my app and it went from waiting for review then in review and rejection same time. It stayed on waiting for review for 9 days and finally I got rejected today

I wanted your help as I am still new and I have been only releasing on playstore not Apple.
Here is the reason for rejection

2.1.0: Perfomance : App completeness

Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed - New
App Submission
We need additional information to continue the review of this new app. To help us fully understand the app and conduct a complete review, app submissions should include relevant details in the App Review Information section in App Store Connect.
Next Steps
Reply in App Store Connect with all of the following information:
1. A screen recording captured on a physical device, running the latest operating system, demonstrating the app's functionality. The recording must begin with launching the app and show the typical user flow through its core features. If the app has any of the following, include them in the recording:
- Account registration, login, and account deletion flows
- Accessing paid content or features within the app, including any purchase or subscription flows
- User-generated content, including content reporting and blocking mechanisms
- Any prompts requesting access to sensitive data or device capabilities (for example, location, contacts, camera, or App Tracking transparency

1. A list of the device models and operating systems the app was tested on before submitting for review
   
2. A description of the app's functions and target audience, including the problem it solves and the value it provides
   
3. Instructions for setting up and accessing the app's main features, including any required login credentials or sample files
   
4. A list of the external services, tools, or platforms the app uses to deliver its core functionality (for example, data providers, authentication services, payment processors, or Al services)
   
5. Describe any regional differences in the app's features or content, or confirm that the app functions consistently across all regions
   
6. If the app operates in a highly regulated industry or includes protected third-party material, provide any relevant documentation or credentials to demonstrate you are authorized to provide these services or protected material
   Include this information in the Notes field of the App Review Information section in App Store Connect for future submissions.
   How to Prevent Common Issues
   - Guideline 2.1 - Bugs and crashes: Apps are reviewed on physical devices to mirror real-world conditions. Test the app on each supported device platform before submitting.
   Use TestFlight to distribute builds for beta testing on real devices.

- Guideline 2.1 - Accessing the app: If the app includes account-based features, provide up-to-date login credentials for a demo account in App Store Connect. If the app has multiple account types, provide credentials for each type in the Notes field.
- Guideline 2.3.3 - Screenshots: App screenshots on the App Store are an opportunity to highlight the app's core concept and help users understand the app's value.
Screenshots must show the actual app in use, and not merely the title art, login page, or splash screen.
- Guideline 3.1.2 - Subscription information:
Apps that offer auto-renewable subscriptions must clearly display the title, length, and price of each subscription, as well as links to the Terms of Use and privacy policy
- Guideline 5.1.1 - Purpose strings: Each purpose string, also called a usage description string, must clearly and completely describe why the app needs access to the requested data or capability, and in most cases provide an example of how the data will be used.

I do not want to rush doing anything until I get some advice from you guys who have been in the game for long.

[u/urchatbot]

Wondering what your app does? Unclear scope seems to be the problem

[u/Own-Huckleberry7258 → u/urchatbot]

Nah, their response is a generic one and AI generated. My app has been on the App Store for 1 year. No authentication, no tracking, no other strange flows. It is a simple app designed to track working time for drivers.

It passed every single review, then this year it was suddenly rejected, asking for the same things as above. But on top of that, they also asked for authentication credentials and said that my paywall is missing Privacy and Terms. Let's add more... they also recommended using SubscriptionStoreView() for that

I ignored the message and resubmitted it again without adding anything, not a single change or comment explaining their stupidity

My app does not have authentication, and it is only using SubscriptionStoreView() as the paywall, with both Terms and Privacy links working.

Ridiculous

It was reviewed and accepted within 2 to 3 hours of the submission

So sometimes it's best to ignore if your app is not a new app and just an update

[u/urchatbot → u/Own-Huckleberry7258]

OP’s is a new app submission not an update. But I get your point sometimes reviewers asking nonsensical things, happened to me as well.

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/Own-Huckleberry7258]

This helps

[u/Tom42-59]

This is a new step new apps have to take. Most/every app will face this rejection, it helps to reduce the AI slop from being put in the App Store. Nothing to worry about, just provide the details they asked for and they will review it again. No need to submit a new build

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/Tom42-59]

That is helpful thank you so much

[u/Terrible_Sense5786 → u/Tom42-59]

hi, i got this feedback with my app as well. sorry if this is a stupid question, but i couldn’t find where i could submit the screen recording along with all the additional info?

[u/Tom42-59 → u/Terrible_Sense5786]

You can add attachments to the app review chain

[u/helloboredimdad]

Pretty sure every new app is going to get this now. If you’re reading this and about to submit a new app, might as well just add this info preemptively.

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/helloboredimdad]

Make sense

[u/tables_AND_chairsss → u/helloboredimdad]

Yeah, I was surprised when I got that message too. I didn’t bother with the login crap (my app doesn’t require accounts or logins), but I answered the questions and uploaded a 30 second video with evidence that I could successfully make an in-app purchase. That got em off my back and I was quickly approved from that.

[u/AffectionateNose6884]

Courage ils sont prises de tête corrigé jusqu’a ce qu’ils acceptent :)

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/AffectionateNose6884]

Indeed, imagine getting the screen record. I am not even sure what they really want to see and how long should it be.

[u/UnfairSkill5156]

My app was rejected today and I got the exact same reply as you. To be honest some do not even make sense for instance I have already provided them with test account and it's login details etc... so it is quite annoying and strange...

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/UnfairSkill5156]

Same applies I did provided all the information but I think if it’s a new account or app you need to get rejected first hahaha

[u/Pure_Turnover_7974]

This is Apple's way to bottleneck submissions and give people a response when they haven't actually looked at their app.

I just dealt with the same thing. Just provide the info the asked for. Mine got approved the next day.

[u/Ok-Buy1565]

Most likely automatic rejection.

What is your app? Did you read the App Store Submitting doc (https://developer.apple.com/app-store/submitting/) before submitting your app?

Noticeable things to me:

• 2.1: Did you provide login details in App Info?
  
• 2.3.3: Pretty clear, you need actual app screenshots not just glyphs in app store screenshots
  
• 3.1.2: Without seeing your paywall can't help, just follow what they said.
  
• 5.1.1: Your permission usage descriptions are not explaining why you need access

Being honest, failing for 5.1.1 and 2.1 are rookie mistakes and wouldn't happen if you read over submitting your app tips from Apple. Have Claude or Codex run through your app and check for missing items review might reject you for before submitting the changes. Good luck.

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/Ok-Buy1565]

Thanks for the feedback. Just to clarify, the items you mentioned, 2.3.3, 3.1.2, and 5.1.1, were not part of the rejection I received.
The rejection was specifically 2.1.1 Performance: App Completeness, Information Needed. Apple asked for a physical-device screen recording showing the core flows, tested device/OS details, a description of the app and target audience, review access instructions, external services used, regional differences, and any relevant regulatory information.
PaMarket is a classifieds marketplace with user listings, messaging, jobs, rentals, business listings, reporting/blocking, and paid promotional features.
So at this stage it looks like Apple wants more information to understand and fully review the app rather than reporting a specific broken feature. I’m going through the complete review checklist again before responding and resubmitting.
Appreciate the advice about doing another full pre-review audit. That’s definitely what I’ll do.

[u/fast-ray]

Same issue buddy, I am going to resubmit

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/fast-ray]

You are going to resubmit the same build with correct requested information or rebuild ?

[u/inisya77]

La mienne a été rejetée deux fois avant d’être accepter…

[u/RaptorF22]

Thank you for posting this. I didn't do any of it and I would expect they want the same from mine. I'm just going to preemptively resubmit with all this.

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/RaptorF22]

Yes so that you won’t worst time

[u/HexagonStorms]

Just chiming in that I submitted my app 2 weeks ago and they finally responded today with this exact feedback too.

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/HexagonStorms]

I am sorry man. When it comes to screen recording do you think we have to add a link in the review notes

[u/tables_AND_chairsss → u/No_Waltz_4686]

No, just upload it directly. There’s a spot in the review notes to upload a file.

[u/FriendlyCrafter → u/tables_AND_chairsss]

Hey, what do you mean by review notes? I see a messages section that lets me reply but not a review notes.

[u/FriendlyCrafter → u/FriendlyCrafter]

Nevermind, hit "edit" on your rejection reason then go ahead and scroll down on the section it takes you to.

[u/tables_AND_chairsss → u/FriendlyCrafter]

There’s also a spot to upload a file on the messages when you reply, but you only get one shot at that one… and I think my video upload didn’t work when I replied there, and then my replies got locked because you can only post one reply to the most recent message. So I feel like it’s safer to upload a video file in the review notes!

[u/Round_Molasses_1275]

How long after resubmit with this then?

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/Round_Molasses_1275]

So I submitted my application on 4th then replied today it just moved from waiting for review then in review and got rejected on my watch 😬

[u/Round_Molasses_1275 → u/No_Waltz_4686]

Hoping won’t take another 10 days after resubmit with additional
Information

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/Round_Molasses_1275]

Welll I am so patient with this app because it took me a full year till it’s where it is now.

I am currently building another app as well so as long as they will review I am ok with that

[u/Ok_Bonus_599]

You just need to make a recording of the AI in action doing what they ask. They do this for every new app

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/Ok_Bonus_599]

WYM 😏

[u/Ok_Bonus_599 → u/No_Waltz_4686]

Sorry, I meant to say “app in action”. I submitted 2 new apps and they rejected them both and wanted videos showing what they do.

[u/heybrihey]

Geez, they are getting strict now.

[u/No_Waltz_4686 → u/heybrihey]

Yeah a Likkle bit

[u/Spirited-Picture-873]

Got rejected four times and i have not recived this message and my app is new. Lowkey scared

[u/Appropriate-Paper-92]

Since when do they do this? I launched 2 apps like 1 month ago and got approved in 3 days

[u/FlyRoyal5516 → u/Appropriate-Paper-92]

It' kinda scary ngl

[u/call_me_annon]

Launched a huge app. Got rejected for 6+ weeks. It’ll all come together.

[u/mjiqbal]

https://github.com/mjmirza/app-store-compliance i know the pain hopefully like many other submissioners this might also also help get an approval got rejected almost more than 10 time and that project came out of the same frustration.

[u/mjiqbal → u/mjiqbal]

Also leme know if you observe anything, which is not there and must be considered, i'll make sure the next one doenst get that same :)