Home / App rejections: fix guides for App Store and Google Play
RejectionsApp rejections: fix guides for App Store and Google Play
Getting app approval means passing Apple App Review or Google Play's policy checks. Most rejections come from a short list of guidelines: completeness, metadata, privacy, payments, spam and permissions. Pick your rejection below for what it means, the usual cause, the fix and what to tell the reviewer. Stuck? We fix rejections in 1–2 business days.
By the HireASO Team · Reviewed by Muneeb Rana, founder · Updated Oct 2026Apple App Store rejections
Apple app approval overviewHow Apple app approval works, what App Review checks, the guidelines that cause most rejections, and a pre-submission checklist from an iOS developer.Guideline 2.1: App CompletenessFix an App Store Guideline 2.1 rejection: crashes, placeholder content, broken links, missing demo accounts and incomplete in-app purchases.Guideline 2.3: Accurate MetadataFix an App Store Guideline 2.3 rejection: screenshots that don't show the app, keyword stuffing in the name, misleading descriptions and wrong age rating.Guideline 3.1.1: In-App PurchaseFix an App Store Guideline 3.1.1 rejection: digital goods and subscriptions must use In-App Purchase, with storefront-specific rules on external links.Guideline 4.2: Minimum FunctionalityFix an App Store Guideline 4.2 rejection: web wrappers, apps that are just a website, and apps without enough native features. How to add real value.Guideline 4.3: SpamFix an App Store Guideline 4.3 spam rejection: duplicate apps, template apps and saturated categories. What Apple means, how to differentiate.Guideline 4.8: Login ServicesFix an App Store Guideline 4.8 rejection: apps offering Google or Facebook login must also offer an equivalent privacy-focused option such as Sign in.Guideline 5.1.1: Data Collection and StorageFix an App Store Guideline 5.1.1 rejection: privacy policy, permission purpose strings, optional data, and account deletion. Causes, fixes and reply text.Guideline 5.1.1(v): Account DeletionFix an App Store 5.1.1(v) rejection: apps that let users create accounts must let them delete the account in the app. What counts and how to build it.Guideline 5.1.2: Data Use, Sharing and TrackingFix an App Store 5.1.2 rejection: App Tracking Transparency prompts, privacy labels that mention tracking, and SDKs that track without permission.
Google Play rejections
Google Play rejection overviewGoogle Play app rejected or update blocked? The policy issues behind most rejections: metadata, Data safety, permissions, target API and closed testing.Metadata policyFix a Google Play metadata policy rejection: keyword stuffing, misleading titles, ranking claims, emoji in titles and testimonials in descriptions.Data safety sectionFix a Google Play Data safety rejection: make the form match what your app and every SDK collect, share and encrypt. A developer's step-by-step guide.Permissions and sensitive APIsFix a Google Play permissions rejection: SMS, call log, background location, all files access and other sensitive permissions that need a declaration.Target API levelFix a Google Play target API level block: why updates are rejected for an old targetSdkVersion, how to check the current requirement.Closed testing requirement for new accountsCan't publish to production on Google Play? New personal developer accounts must run a closed test with at least 12 testers for 14 days. How to pass it.
Guides
How to appeal an App Store rejectionHow to appeal an App Store rejection: when to reply versus appeal, how to contact the App Review Board, what to write, and how to appeal on Google Play.App Store Review Guidelines explainedThe App Store Review Guidelines explained by section: Safety, Performance, Business, Design and Legal, with the rules that most often cause rejections.Google Play policies explainedGoogle Play's developer policies explained: restricted content, privacy and Data safety, permissions, metadata, monetization and how enforcement works.Keeping up with guideline changesHow to keep up with App Store Review Guidelines and Google Play policy changes: official sources, what to check after each update, and a simple routine.
Need it fixed
Send us the rejection and we'll diagnose it, give you the fix plan and write the reply: App Rejection Fix.
Sources
- Apple: App Review Guidelines (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Apple: App Review appeals and contact (accessed 26 October 2026)
- Google Play Developer Policy Center (accessed 26 October 2026)
FAQ
Questions
How long does App Review take?
Apple says most submissions are reviewed within 24 hours, but it varies.
Can I talk to App Review?
Yes: reply in App Store Connect, request a call, or appeal to the App Review Board.
Does a rejection hurt my account?
A single rejection doesn't. Repeated violations or spam can lead to account action.
Why was my update rejected when the last version passed?
Each submission is reviewed again, and guidelines change. Earlier approval isn't a precedent.
Can you guarantee approval?
No. We guarantee the diagnosis, fix plan and reply in 1–2 business days.
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