Free · Apple's rules checked 9 November 2026
App Store rejection fixes by guideline
Apple's message names a guideline, not a cause. Find the guideline number, or a phrase from the message, and open its fix page: Apple's words, what they mean, what caused it in our own rejections, and what to check first. Every page here is free.
- Match the most exact number first. 2.1(b) is more specific than 2.1; the letter or numeral in brackets is a sub-rule.
- Two guidelines in one message are two problems. Open both pages and fix both. Apple: “Don't resubmit until you've resolved every issue identified by App Review.”
By guideline number
| Guideline | What it usually means | Fix page |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | People can make or share content, AI chat and AI images included, with no filter, report or block. | User content and AI chat moderation |
| 2.1, Information Needed | Apple needs something to finish the review, often a demo account that signs in. | Information Needed and the demo account |
| 2.1(a) | The app didn't open, stayed on a blank or logo screen, or crashed, often on iPad. | App did not load, blank screen or crash |
| 2.1(a) | Buttons overlap or fall off the screen on iPad. | Buttons overlap or cut off on iPad |
| 2.1(b) | The reviewer got an error when buying. | Purchase error during review |
| 2.1(b) | Your subscriptions or purchases never went to Apple with the app. | In-app purchases not submitted with the app |
| 2.3, 2.3.3, 2.3.7 | Screenshots or listing text show prices or free, or don't show the app in use. | Prices or “free” in screenshots and listing |
| 2.3.6, or the app can't be added for review | The age rating questions are unanswered or don't match the app. | Age rating questions and “socialMedia” |
| 2.5.2 | The app downloads or runs code that changes what it does. | Apps that download or run code |
| 3.1.1 | Digital extras are paid for outside Apple's in-app purchase, or a link sends people to pay elsewhere. | Digital extras sold without in-app purchase |
| 3.1.2 | Price, length, Terms of Use or privacy links are missing around a subscription. | Subscription info, Terms of Use and privacy links |
| 4.1, 4.2.6, 4.3 | A copycat, a template app or a crowded category. | Spam, copycats and template apps |
| 4.2 | Too little in the app, or mostly a website inside one. | Minimum functionality, or a website in an app |
| 4.8 | A Google or other social login with no equal, more private option beside it. | Login services and Sign in with Apple |
| 5.1.1(i) | The privacy policy link is missing or doesn't open. | Privacy policy link missing or not opening |
| 5.1.1(ii), 5.1.1(iv) | A permission pop-up gives a vague reason, or a screen before it pushes people to allow. | Permission pop-ups, purpose strings and privacy labels |
| 5.1.1(v) | People can create an account but can't delete it, or must sign up when they shouldn't need to. | No way to delete an account in the app |
| 5.1.2(i) | Personal data goes to a third-party AI without clear permission. | Personal data sent to a third-party AI |
| 5.1.1 or 5.1.2, about App Privacy | Your App Privacy answers or the privacy manifest don't match what the app collects. | Permission pop-ups, purpose strings and privacy labels |
By the words in Apple's message
No number you recognize, or one that fits several rows? Search the message for these words. They come from Apple's messages to us, its guidelines and its help pages.
| Words to look for | Fix page |
|---|---|
| “did not load”, “blank screen”, “crashed on launch” | App did not load, blank screen or crash |
| Apple's screenshot shows buttons on top of each other | Buttons overlap or cut off on iPad |
| “an error appeared when we tried to purchase” | Purchase error during review |
| “have not been submitted for review” | In-app purchases not submitted with the app |
| “Information Needed”, “demo account” | Information Needed and the demo account |
| “you must use in-app purchase”, “external links”, “purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase” | Digital extras sold without in-app purchase |
| “Terms of Use (EULA)” | Subscription info, Terms of Use and privacy links |
| “privacy policy” | Privacy policy link missing or not opening |
| “purpose string”, “permission request”, “Continue”, “Next” | Permission pop-ups, purpose strings and privacy labels |
| “App Privacy”, “privacy manifest”, “required reason API” | Permission pop-ups, purpose strings and privacy labels |
| “account deletion”, “deactivate or disable an account” | No way to delete an account in the app |
| “free or discounted”, “price reference” | Prices or “free” in screenshots and listing |
| “Minimum Functionality”, “repackaged website” | Minimum functionality, or a website in an app |
| “Spam”, “Copycats”, “widely available” | Spam, copycats and template apps |
| “third-party AI” | Personal data sent to a third-party AI |
| “age rating”, “socialMedia” | Age rating questions and “socialMedia” |
| “login service”, “Sign in with Apple” | Login services and Sign in with Apple |
| “objectionable”, “block abusive users” | User content and AI chat moderation |
| “execute code” | Apps that download or run code |
Not on the list?
- Read the message twice, slowly. Its Next Steps part says what Apple wants. Then read your guideline in Apple's App Review Guidelines.
- Check the status. Developer Rejected means you removed the app from review yourself; Invalid Binary means the build failed an automatic check.
- Ask Apple one specific question in a reply, rather than guessing. Apple says resubmitting with unresolved issues “results in the same outcome”.