Guideline explainers
App Store Review Guidelines — find your section
Source-backed explainers for the App Store Review Guidelines developers most often run into during submission and rejection recovery.
Apple guidelines
1. Safety
App Store Guideline 1.1 Explained: Objectionable Content
App Store Guideline 1.1 explained for iOS developers: Objectionable Content, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.1 Explained: Discriminatory or harmful content
App Store Guideline 1.1.1 explained for iOS developers: Discriminatory or harmful content, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.2 Explained: Graphic violence and abuse
App Store Guideline 1.1.2 explained for iOS developers: Graphic violence and abuse, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.3 Explained: Weapons and dangerous behavior
App Store Guideline 1.1.3 explained for iOS developers: Weapons and dangerous behavior, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.4 Explained: Sexual content and adult services
App Store Guideline 1.1.4 explained for iOS developers: Sexual content and adult services, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.5 Explained: Religious commentary and quotations
App Store Guideline 1.1.5 explained for iOS developers: Religious commentary and quotations, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.6 Explained: False information and prank functionality
App Store Guideline 1.1.6 explained for iOS developers: False information and prank functionality, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.1.7 Explained: Harmful use of current events
App Store Guideline 1.1.7 explained for iOS developers: Harmful use of current events, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.2 Explained: User-Generated Content
App Store Guideline 1.2 explained for iOS developers: User-Generated Content, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.2.1 Explained: Creator Content
App Store Guideline 1.2.1 explained for iOS developers: Creator Content, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.3 Explained: Kids Category
App Store Guideline 1.3 explained for iOS developers: Kids Category, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.4 Explained: Physical Harm
App Store Guideline 1.4 explained for iOS developers: Physical Harm, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Guideline 1.4.1: Medical Accuracy & Diagnosis Claims
Apple 1.4.1 flags inaccurate medical info and apps that diagnose. What reviewers look for, common rejection wording, and how to tone claims without gutting the product.
App Store Guideline 1.4.2 Explained: Drug dosage calculators
App Store Guideline 1.4.2 explained for iOS developers: Drug dosage calculators, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.4.3 Explained: Regulated substances
App Store Guideline 1.4.3 explained for iOS developers: Regulated substances, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.4.4 Explained: DUI checkpoints and reckless behavior
App Store Guideline 1.4.4 explained for iOS developers: DUI checkpoints and reckless behavior, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.4.5 Explained: Physical harm and risky challenges
App Store Guideline 1.4.5 explained for iOS developers: Physical harm and risky challenges, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.5 Explained: Developer Information
App Store Guideline 1.5 explained for iOS developers: Developer Information, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.6 Explained: Data Security
App Store Guideline 1.6 explained for iOS developers: Data Security, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 1.7 Explained: Reporting Criminal Activity
App Store Guideline 1.7 explained for iOS developers: Reporting Criminal Activity, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Apple guidelines
2. Performance
App Store Guideline 2.1: App Completeness
Understand App Store Guideline 2.1, why Apple asks for more information, and how to prepare reviewer notes, demo accounts, and test steps.
App Store Guideline 2.3: Accurate Metadata
Learn how App Store Guideline 2.3 applies to app names, descriptions, screenshots, previews, keywords, claims, and reviewer-facing metadata.
App Store Guideline 2.2 Explained: Beta Testing
App Store Guideline 2.2 explained for iOS developers: Beta Testing, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.1 Explained: Accurate Metadata requirement
App Store Guideline 2.3.1 explained for iOS developers: Accurate Metadata requirement, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.2 Explained: In-app purchase disclosure in metadata
App Store Guideline 2.3.2 explained for iOS developers: In-app purchase disclosure in metadata, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.3 Explained: Screenshots that show the app in use
App Store Guideline 2.3.3 explained for iOS developers: Screenshots that show the app in use, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.4 Explained: App preview accuracy
App Store Guideline 2.3.4 explained for iOS developers: App preview accuracy, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.5 Explained: App category selection
App Store Guideline 2.3.5 explained for iOS developers: App category selection, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.6 Explained: Age rating accuracy
App Store Guideline 2.3.6 explained for iOS developers: Age rating accuracy, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.7 Explained: App names, keywords, and metadata
App Store Guideline 2.3.7 explained for iOS developers: App names, keywords, and metadata, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.8 Explained: Age-appropriate metadata
App Store Guideline 2.3.8 explained for iOS developers: Age-appropriate metadata, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.9 Explained: Screenshot and icon rights
App Store Guideline 2.3.9 explained for iOS developers: Screenshot and icon rights, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.10 Explained: Platform-focused metadata
App Store Guideline 2.3.10 explained for iOS developers: Platform-focused metadata, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.11 Explained: Pre-order accuracy
App Store Guideline 2.3.11 explained for iOS developers: Pre-order accuracy, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.12 Explained: What's New text
App Store Guideline 2.3.12 explained for iOS developers: What's New text, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.3.13 Explained: In-app event metadata
App Store Guideline 2.3.13 explained for iOS developers: In-app event metadata, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.4 Explained: Hardware Compatibility
App Store Guideline 2.4 explained for iOS developers: Hardware Compatibility, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.4.1 Explained: iPhone apps on iPad
App Store Guideline 2.4.1 explained for iOS developers: iPhone apps on iPad, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.4.2 Explained: Battery, heat, and resource use
App Store Guideline 2.4.2 explained for iOS developers: Battery, heat, and resource use, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.4.3 Explained: Apple TV input requirements
App Store Guideline 2.4.3 explained for iOS developers: Apple TV input requirements, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.4.4 Explained: System setting changes
App Store Guideline 2.4.4 explained for iOS developers: System setting changes, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.4.5 Explained: Mac app technical requirements
App Store Guideline 2.4.5 explained for iOS developers: Mac app technical requirements, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5 Explained: Software Requirements
App Store Guideline 2.5 explained for iOS developers: Software Requirements, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.1 Explained: Public APIs and current OS support
App Store Guideline 2.5.1 explained for iOS developers: Public APIs and current OS support, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.2 Explained: Self-contained app bundles
App Store Guideline 2.5.2 explained for iOS developers: Self-contained app bundles, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.3 Explained: Harmful code
App Store Guideline 2.5.3 explained for iOS developers: Harmful code, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.4 Explained: Background modes
App Store Guideline 2.5.4 explained for iOS developers: Background modes, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.5 Explained: IPv6-only network support
App Store Guideline 2.5.5 explained for iOS developers: IPv6-only network support, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.6 Explained: Web browsing and WebKit
App Store Guideline 2.5.6 explained for iOS developers: Web browsing and WebKit, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.8 Explained: Alternate home screen environments
App Store Guideline 2.5.8 explained for iOS developers: Alternate home screen environments, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.9 Explained: Native controls and expected behavior
App Store Guideline 2.5.9 explained for iOS developers: Native controls and expected behavior, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.11 Explained: SiriKit and Shortcuts
App Store Guideline 2.5.11 explained for iOS developers: SiriKit and Shortcuts, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.12 Explained: Call and SMS blocking
App Store Guideline 2.5.12 explained for iOS developers: Call and SMS blocking, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.13 Explained: Facial authentication
App Store Guideline 2.5.13 explained for iOS developers: Facial authentication, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.14 Explained: Recording consent
App Store Guideline 2.5.14 explained for iOS developers: Recording consent, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.15 Explained: Files app document access
App Store Guideline 2.5.15 explained for iOS developers: Files app document access, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.16 Explained: Widgets and extension relevance
App Store Guideline 2.5.16 explained for iOS developers: Widgets and extension relevance, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.17 Explained: Matter support
App Store Guideline 2.5.17 explained for iOS developers: Matter support, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 2.5.18 Explained: Display ads and sensitive targeting
App Store Guideline 2.5.18 explained for iOS developers: Display ads and sensitive targeting, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Apple guidelines
3. Business
App Store Guideline 3.1.1: In-App Purchase
Understand Guideline 3.1.1 for digital goods, in-app purchases, payment rules, and App Store review risks.
App Store Guideline 3.1.2: Subscriptions
Learn how Guideline 3.1.2 affects subscriptions, free trials, paywalls, restore purchases, and reviewer notes.
App Store Guideline 3.1 Explained: Payments
App Store Guideline 3.1 explained for iOS developers: Payments, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Guideline 3.1.3: Other Purchase Methods (External Payments)
Apple 3.1.3 covers purchases outside IAP — reader apps, multiplatform, physical goods, and link-out rules. When external payment is allowed and what gets rejected.
App Store Guideline 3.1.4 Explained: Hardware-Specific Content
App Store Guideline 3.1.4 explained for iOS developers: Hardware-Specific Content, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 3.1.5 Explained: Cryptocurrencies
App Store Guideline 3.1.5 explained for iOS developers: Cryptocurrencies, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 3.2 Explained: Other Business Model Issues
App Store Guideline 3.2 explained for iOS developers: Other Business Model Issues, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 3.2.1 Explained: Acceptable
App Store Guideline 3.2.1 explained for iOS developers: Acceptable, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 3.2.2 Explained: Unacceptable
App Store Guideline 3.2.2 explained for iOS developers: Unacceptable, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Apple guidelines
4. Design
App Store Guideline 4.1: Copycats
Understand Guideline 4.1 copycat rejections, misleading references, third-party content, and documentary evidence requests.
App Store Guideline 4.2: Minimum Functionality
Understand Guideline 4.2 minimum functionality rejections and how to show Apple that your app provides enough native value.
App Store Guideline 4.3: Spam
Learn why Apple rejects apps under Guideline 4.3 spam and how to reduce template, duplicate, and low-differentiation risk.
App Store Guideline 4.2.1 Explained: Meaningful AR experiences
App Store Guideline 4.2.1 explained for iOS developers: Meaningful AR experiences, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.2.2 Explained: Not just marketing or web content
App Store Guideline 4.2.2 explained for iOS developers: Not just marketing or web content, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.2.3 Explained: Minimum Functionality requirement
App Store Guideline 4.2.3 explained for iOS developers: Minimum Functionality requirement, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.2.6 Explained: Commercial templates and app generators
App Store Guideline 4.2.6 explained for iOS developers: Commercial templates and app generators, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.2.7 Explained: Remote Desktop Clients
App Store Guideline 4.2.7 explained for iOS developers: Remote Desktop Clients, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.4 Explained: Extensions
App Store Guideline 4.4 explained for iOS developers: Extensions, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.4.1 Explained: Keyboard extensions
App Store Guideline 4.4.1 explained for iOS developers: Keyboard extensions, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.4.2 Explained: Safari extensions
App Store Guideline 4.4.2 explained for iOS developers: Safari extensions, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.5 Explained: Apple Sites and Services
App Store Guideline 4.5 explained for iOS developers: Apple Sites and Services, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.5.1 Explained: Apple RSS and scraping restrictions
App Store Guideline 4.5.1 explained for iOS developers: Apple RSS and scraping restrictions, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.5.2 Explained: Apple Music services
App Store Guideline 4.5.2 explained for iOS developers: Apple Music services, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.5.3 Explained: Apple services spam and phishing
App Store Guideline 4.5.3 explained for iOS developers: Apple services spam and phishing, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Guideline 4.5.4: Push Consent — No Marketing Without Opt-In
Apple 4.5.4 rejects push used for marketing without explicit consent. What counts as consent, what’s allowed after opt-in, and how to fix a 4.5.4 rejection.
App Store Guideline 4.5.5 Explained: Game Center Player IDs
App Store Guideline 4.5.5 explained for iOS developers: Game Center Player IDs, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.5.6 Explained: Apple emoji usage
App Store Guideline 4.5.6 explained for iOS developers: Apple emoji usage, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.7 Explained: Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators
App Store Guideline 4.7 explained for iOS developers: Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.7.1 Explained: Mini apps, games, and streaming experiences
App Store Guideline 4.7.1 explained for iOS developers: Mini apps, games, and streaming experiences, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.7.2 Explained: Native API exposure in in-app software
App Store Guideline 4.7.2 explained for iOS developers: Native API exposure in in-app software, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.7.3 Explained: Permissions for in-app software
App Store Guideline 4.7.3 explained for iOS developers: Permissions for in-app software, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.7.4 Explained: Index of in-app software
App Store Guideline 4.7.4 explained for iOS developers: Index of in-app software, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.7.5 Explained: Age restrictions for in-app software
App Store Guideline 4.7.5 explained for iOS developers: Age restrictions for in-app software, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.8 Explained: Login Services
App Store Guideline 4.8 explained for iOS developers: Login Services, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 4.9 Explained: Apple Pay
App Store Guideline 4.9 explained for iOS developers: Apple Pay, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Apple guidelines
5. Legal
App Store Guideline 5.1.1: Privacy
Understand Guideline 5.1.1 privacy rejections, privacy policies, data collection, permission prompts, and App Privacy declarations.
App Store Guideline 5.1 Explained: Privacy
App Store Guideline 5.1 explained for iOS developers: Privacy, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.1.2 Explained: Data Use and Sharing
App Store Guideline 5.1.2 explained for iOS developers: Data Use and Sharing, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.1.3 Explained: Health and Health Research
App Store Guideline 5.1.3 explained for iOS developers: Health and Health Research, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.1.4 Explained: Kids
App Store Guideline 5.1.4 explained for iOS developers: Kids, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.1.5 Explained: Location Services
App Store Guideline 5.1.5 explained for iOS developers: Location Services, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.2 Explained: Intellectual Property
App Store Guideline 5.2 explained for iOS developers: Intellectual Property, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.2.1 Explained: Generally
App Store Guideline 5.2.1 explained for iOS developers: Generally, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.2.2 Explained: Third-Party Sites/Services
App Store Guideline 5.2.2 explained for iOS developers: Third-Party Sites/Services, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.2.3 Explained: Audio/Video Downloading
App Store Guideline 5.2.3 explained for iOS developers: Audio/Video Downloading, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.2.4 Explained: Apple Endorsements
App Store Guideline 5.2.4 explained for iOS developers: Apple Endorsements, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.2.5 Explained: Apple Products
App Store Guideline 5.2.5 explained for iOS developers: Apple Products, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.3 Explained: Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries
App Store Guideline 5.3 explained for iOS developers: Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.3.1 Explained: Developer-sponsored contests
App Store Guideline 5.3.1 explained for iOS developers: Developer-sponsored contests, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.3.2 Explained: Contest rules and Apple non-involvement
App Store Guideline 5.3.2 explained for iOS developers: Contest rules and Apple non-involvement, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.3.3 Explained: Real-money gaming and in-app purchase
App Store Guideline 5.3.3 explained for iOS developers: Real-money gaming and in-app purchase, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.3.4 Explained: Real-money gaming licensing
App Store Guideline 5.3.4 explained for iOS developers: Real-money gaming licensing, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
Guideline 5.4: VPN Apps — NEVPNManager & Review Rules
Apple 5.4 for VPN apps: use NEVPNManager, explain the VPN clearly, and avoid bait. Common 5.4 rejection reasons and what to put in reviewer notes.
App Store Guideline 5.5 Explained: Mobile Device Management
App Store Guideline 5.5 explained for iOS developers: Mobile Device Management, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.6 Explained: Developer Code of Conduct
App Store Guideline 5.6 explained for iOS developers: Developer Code of Conduct, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.6.1 Explained: App Store Reviews
App Store Guideline 5.6.1 explained for iOS developers: App Store Reviews, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.6.2 Explained: Developer Identity
App Store Guideline 5.6.2 explained for iOS developers: Developer Identity, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.6.3 Explained: Discovery Fraud
App Store Guideline 5.6.3 explained for iOS developers: Discovery Fraud, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.
App Store Guideline 5.6.4 Explained: App Quality
App Store Guideline 5.6.4 explained for iOS developers: App Quality, common rejection risks, fix checklist, and reviewer reply guidance.