--- title: "Apple's Latest Top 10 Reasons for App Rejection: Does Your App Fall into One?" locale: "en" language: "en-HK" published: "2016-11-22T13:50:44+08:00" updated: "2026-03-17T23:05:04.545Z" canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/apple-s-latest-top-10-reasons-for-app-rejection-does-your-app-fall-into-one-206" --- # Apple's Latest Top 10 Reasons for App Rejection: Does Your App Fall into One? Understanding Apple's technical, content and design guidelines can reduce the risk of app rejection. This 2016 article presents the ten leading rejection reasons and other issues developers should address before submitting an app. ## In brief App completeness was the leading rejection reason in the list reported in 2016, accounting for 21%. Before submission, developers should test thoroughly, complete content and review information, ensure accurate descriptions and working links, and check UI, advertising and lasting value. Before developers begin [developing an app](), it is essential to become familiar with Apple's technical, content and design guidelines for app review. This can significantly reduce the likelihood of an app being rejected. Recently, Apple published a dedicated page listing the top ten reasons why [apps]() are rejected during review. Approximately 67% of developers were rejected for these ten reasons, with app completeness being the leading reason why [developers' apps]() were rejected. Apple listed the following top ten reasons for app rejection: 21% Performance: [App completeness]() 16% More information needed 8% Performance: Accurate metadata 4% Design: Copycats 3% Performance: Software requirements 3% Business: In-app purchases 3% Design 3% Performance: Accurate metadata 3% Performance: Accurate metadata 3% Legal: Data collection and storage Apple also listed other reasons for rejection during review.   **Crashes and bugs** Once you have completed [app development]() and are ready to release your app, submit it for review. Before submitting it, make sure you have thoroughly tested the app on a device and fixed all bugs. **Broken links** All links in an app must work. For all [apps](), a link to user support with up-to-date contact information is required. If you provide a link for an auto-renewing or free subscription, or if your app belongs to the Kids category, you must also provide a link to your privacy policy.   **Placeholder content** Complete all images and text before submitting your app for review. Any [app]() that is still under development or contains placeholder content is not yet eligible for distribution and cannot pass review.   **Missing information** In iTunes Connect's [App Review Information]() section, enter all required details. If certain features require registration, provide a valid demo account username and password. If a special configuration is needed, explain it in detail. If a feature requires an environment that is difficult to reproduce or specific hardware, be prepared to provide a demo video or the hardware. Also make sure your account information is complete and up to date. **Inaccurate descriptions** [App]() descriptions and screenshots should clearly and accurately convey what the app does. This helps users understand your app and contributes to a positive user experience.   **Misleading users** Your app must work as advertised and must not give users a misleading impression of what it does. If you promise a feature or function, you must actually deliver it to users.   **Substandard UI** Apple places a high value on clean, polished and user-friendly interfaces. Developers should plan their designs carefully and follow Apple's design guidelines and [UI Design Dos and Don’ts]() to ensure their UI meets the requirements.   **Advertising** When you submit an app for review, Apple will ask whether your app uses the [Advertising Identifier (IDFA)]() for advertising. If you state that your app uses IDFA but it has no advertising functionality or does not display ads correctly, your app may be rejected. Make sure you test the app on an iOS device to verify that it displays ads correctly. Similarly, if you state that your app does not use IDFA but it actually does, your app will be assigned the “Invalid Binary” status.   **Web clippings, content aggregators or collections of links** Your app should be engaging and useful, and make full use of the features unique to iOS. If the websites and web content within an [iOS app]() are not formatted for iOS, limited web interactions make it difficult to deliver a high-quality app.   **Submitting multiple similar apps** Submitting several essentially similar apps slows down the review process and carries a risk of rejection. Consider carefully how to combine several apps into one to speed up review and improve the experience for future users.   **Insufficient lasting value** If your app does not offer substantial functionality or content, or serves only a small niche market, it may not pass review. Before creating an app, look at other apps in its category on the App Store and consider how you could provide a better [user experience]()。 http://www.cocoachina.com/appstore/20161122/18158.html ## Frequently asked questions ### What was the leading reason for app rejection in the article? App completeness was the leading reason, accounting for 21% in the list reported in 2016. The article states that approximately 67% of developers were rejected for the ten listed reasons. ### What information should developers provide for app review? Developers should complete all required details in the App Review Information section of iTunes Connect, including valid demo account credentials where registration is required. Special configurations should be explained, and a demo video or hardware should be available for features requiring unusual environments or specific hardware. ### How can IDFA declarations lead to rejection? An app may be rejected if it is declared to use IDFA but has no advertising functionality or does not display ads correctly. If an app is declared not to use IDFA but actually does, the article says it will receive the “Invalid Binary” status. ### Can submitting several similar apps affect review? The article says that submitting several essentially similar apps slows down review and risks rejection. It suggests considering combining them into one app to speed up review and improve the user experience.