Apple Updates App Store Review Guidelines, Says Developers Can Now Appeal Over Perceived Unfair Treatment

Apple today updated its App Store Review Guidelines to reflect its newly unveiled software versions, including iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15. The updated guidelines also address developer trust and safety issues.

Mac App Store General Feature
In addition, two updates have been made to the App Review contact form on Apple's website. First, developers who appeal an app rejection can now specify if they believe their app was rejected due to unfair treatment by the App Review team, including political bias or other forms of bias. Second, developers can now report other apps if they believe they present trust or safety concerns, or otherwise violate the App Store Review Guidelines.

The updated App Store Review Guidelines:

  • 1.4.1: "Hookup" apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution will be rejected.
  • 1.2.1: Added new guideline for creator content.
  • 1.4.3 and 5.1.1(ix): Addressed in-app sales from licensed and legal cannabis dispensaries.
  • 1.7: Apps for reporting alleged criminal activity must involve local law enforcement, and can only be offered in countries where such involvement is active.
  • 2.3.1: Clarified that misleading marketing, whether it takes place inside or outside of the App Store, is grounds for removal from the App Store and the Apple Developer Program.
  • 2.3.10: Simplified the rule on irrelevant information in app metadata.
  • 3.1.1: Clarified that digital gift cards can only be sold using in-app purchase, and that physical gift cards that are sold within an app and then mailed to customers may use payment methods other than in-app purchase.
  • 3.1.2(a): Expanded the guideline that allows cellular carrier apps to include music and video subscriptions in pre-defined bundles attached to data plans to clarify that carrier apps can include other kinds of subscriptions, so long as in-app purchase is supported for new users and the carrier provides a mechanism for customers to revert to an in-app purchase subscription after the bundled service expires or terminates.
  • 3.1.3: Clarified the email communication policy for apps that are permitted to use purchase methods other than in-app purchase.
  • 4.2: Clarified that apps that do not provide adequate utility may not be accepted on the App Store.
  • 4.3: Added drinking game apps as a saturated category.
  • 4.7: Reformatted by adding 4.7.1 and 4.7.2 for clarity.
  • 5.1.1(v): Apps supporting account creation must also offer account deletion.
  • 5.6 and 5.6.1 – 5.6.4: Expanded the Developer Code of Conduct to address additional developer trust and safety issues. New rules in this section require developer identity information to be accurate and up to date; make clear that manipulating any element of the App Store experience such as reviews and charts is not permitted; and that excessive customer reports about concerns with an app may be a factor in deciding whether the developer is complying with the Code of Conduct.
  • Bug Fix Submissions: Bug fixes for safety issues will not be delayed over guideline violations.

The updated App Store Review Guidelines are available on Apple's website, and the App Review contact form can be found here.

Top Rated Comments

countryside Avatar
33 months ago

5.1.1(v): Apps supporting account creation must also offer account deletion.
This is major!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
33 months ago

So where are all the smart youtubers that have predicted new mac mini, MBP with M1X/M2 14” and 16”?
Probably napping on the giant piles of money they made from us watching their stupid videos.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
joecomo Avatar
33 months ago

I never understood why porn was something Apple has never liked. Porn and profanity. Literally, no one means "ducking". Unless their target audience is kids but if that were the case, why allow ANYTHING over 18 like drinking games? Or dating apps?

Does look like Epic has Apple a little nervous, if not out-right scared.
they are also imposing American puritanism on the rest of the world - here in Europe nobody cares about nudity.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
33 months ago

How does the App Review Board make a decision? By deferring to the App Review Team?
By rolling a dice, and checking how the wind blows.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechRemarker Avatar
33 months ago
"

* 5.1.1(v): Apps supporting account creation must also offer account deletion."

That seems massive. So many companies allow you to easily signup for an account service, but to prevent cancellations they put as many road blocks in your path as possible such as requiring you to call or contact support. Even progressive companies like NY Times, to the old offenders like Sirius. Looking forward to this going into effect.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Acidsplat Avatar
33 months ago
Interesting timing
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...
anker new xmas

Anker's Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

Friday December 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST by
Anker's Black Friday/Cyber Week event is entering its final days this weekend, and it's still offering up to 60 percent off sitewide. There are also a few "mystery boxes" that can include hundreds of dollars in savings, if you're willing to risk not knowing what you're buying ahead of time. All of these sales will end on December 3. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker. When you...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

Thursday November 30, 2023 4:08 pm PST by
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range. Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside hapt...
top stories 2dec2023

Top Stories: iOS 17.1.2 Released, NameDrop Misinformation, and More

Saturday December 2, 2023 6:00 am PST by
Apple employees are back to work following a Thanksgiving break, and that means this week saw a number of new operating system updates for both public release and beta testing. This week also saw some misinformation about Apple's new NameDrop feature making the rounds, while Apple and Goldman Sachs appear to be on the verge of a break-up in their Apple Card and savings account partnership,...
paramount plus logo

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Friday December 1, 2023 4:40 am PST by
Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is ...
General Apps Messages

Green Bubbles on iPhone to Gain These 7 New Features Next Year

Thursday November 30, 2023 9:00 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will finally support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting later next year. This change will result in several improvements to the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. RCS will become the new default standard for messaging between iPhones and Android devices, but these conversations will still have green bubbles like...