Top Tips To Avoid App Store Rejection

After spending considerable resources to develop an app, no one wants to experience app store rejection. The app store application and review process can sometimes be murky, but many common issues cause apps to get rejected. If you’re familiar with the design, content, and tech requirements from the outset, it’ll help to demystify the process and ensure your app succeeds.

On that note, we recommend the following top tips to avoid app store rejection, which apply to both Apple and Google app store evaluations:

• Follow submission guidelines from the start.
• Consider common reasons for app store rejection and deploy fixes first.
• Address app content, accracy, and value issues at the outset.

For further details, read on.

Avoiding App Store Rejection From the Start

The review after submitting your app is crucial. Apple’s guiding principles for acceptance are safety, performance, business, design, and legal considerations. Similarly, Google evaluates apps based on content, monetization, security, and other criteria.

Both Apple and Google provide step-by-step guides on submitting an app. Take advantage of this information to help ensure your success the first time.

• Apple Developer: Submit Your iOS Apps to the App Store
• Google Play Console: Release With Confidence

Furthermore, if you have any questions regarding the likelihood that your iOS app will be approved, you should consult the official Google Developer Policy Center to ensure compliance with requirements for the Google Play Store. 

Preventing Common Issues

Whether it’s Apple or Google, common issues occur during the review process. Most of these are technical fixes, avoidable through testing your app and following the guidelines for your store listings.

Before you submit your app, ensure you undergo rigorous testing using quality assurance best practices.

• Crashes & Bugs—The stores are designed to provide users with apps that work seamlessly with their devices‘ capabilities without bugs. If your app crashes while the reviewer tests it, it will not get a pass.
• Broken Links or Placeholder Content—Make sure all links in your app are functional, and finalize all of your content before you launch.
• User Interface Issues—Find and address UI issues to make sure your app looks and works great on every supported device.
• Lack of Testing—Before you submit your app, ensure you undergo rigorous testing using quality assurance best practices.
• Incomplete Information—Ensure you provide complete information in your store listings. 

Addressing Other Reasons for App Store Rejection

The more complicated reasons for rejections involve app content, accuracy, and value. There are reasons to develop an app on your own, but one benefit to working with an established app developer is expertise in this submission process. At InspiringApps, we think about these requirements from the beginning of our app development process to help ensure smooth acceptance.

Objectionable Content & User-Generated Content

Objectionable content can sometimes be challenging to define. It aligns with former Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s quote, “I know it when I see it.” Yet, both Apple and Google are responsible for protecting their users from precisely that.

Apple has developed a reputation for being much Apple’s refusal to accept a ProtonVPN update based on objectionable content in Proton’s submitted description.

Along these same lines, user-generated content can quickly become objectionable. To avoid being rejected or removed, Apple requires apps with user-generated content to contain the following:

• A method for filtering objectionable material.
• A mechanism to report offensive content.
• The ability to block abusive users.
• Published contact information for users to reach app owners.

And while more relaxed than Apple, Google still offers its list of user-generated content that together include many of the requirements Apple has listed.

Inaccurate or Misleading Descriptions

It’s essential to proofread your app’s description to ensure the description doesn’t claim false statements that could mislead users. Inaccurate descriptions can include everything from undocumented features. 

To avoid rejection because the app doesn’t work as advertised, ensure the description is as exact and reliable as possible. Be explicit in stating what the app’s function is and avoid exaggeration. The less room for error, the less likely an app can be considered misleading to users.

Not Enough Lasting Value

The best way to ensure an app isn’t rejected based on value is to bring something new and exciting to the store. Apple or Google may not approve it if your app doesn’t offer new functionality or if it has only a niche market. When creating your app, review the apps in your category and consider how you can provide an even better user experience.

After App Store Acceptance

As the adage goes, it’s the journey, not the destination. After app store acceptance, you must still travel the app marketing road. Everything on the app store product page has the potential to grab new users and increase downloads, from the name to the preview and ratings and reviews.

For additional information to help you on your app development journey, please see:

• How to Create a Great App Store Landing Page—First impressions mean everything and your product page is just that for your app. This blog reveals the four top items to focus on to create a great product page experience for Apple and Google apps.
• Managing User Feedback—It’s no secret that higher ratings attract more users. This resource provides tips on managing user feedback with Apple and Google’s frameworks for requesting ratings and reviews in your app.
• InspiringApps: A Business Perspective on Building Mobile Apps—How do you evaluate ideas and turn the best ones into genuinely successful apps? This eBook describes an app development project’s business, marketing, and technical considerations.