Apple Warns Developers About Longer App Review Times During the Holidays

Apple today informed developers that App Store review times could increase as the 25th approaches, with Apple recommending that developers start getting their apps and games up to date and ready for the season.

Mac App Store General Feature
There was a time where Apple would shut down ‌App Store‌ Connect entirely during the week of Christmas and not accept new app or app review submissions at all, but reviews now continue throughout the holiday.

Apple says that it is anticipating a high volume of app submissions, and reviews could take longer to complete between December 20 and December 26. Developers should submit time-sensitive submissions early to ensure they get through review in time.

The busiest season on the App Store is almost here.

Make sure your apps and games are up to date and ready. App Review will continue to accept submissions throughout the holiday season.

Please plan to submit time-sensitive submissions early, as we anticipate high volume and reviews may take longer to complete from December 20-26.

Developers often like to offer sales, promotions, and new content during December as people receive new devices, ‌App Store‌ gift cards, and more during the holiday period.

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...

Top Rated Comments

iFunk Avatar
16 months ago
I worked in the wireless industry for ~21 years. Apple HQ has it good. If I recall correctly, they shut down the last 2 weeks of the year (don't have to take vacation time either) which is awesome. The company I worked for was open normal business hours all those days (except Xmas and New Years days) and it was a pain because Executives would escalate stuff and we had to tell them.... umm our contacts at Apple are off. They were like no way they are all off. We were like umm yeah they are closed! We always thought why not close on our side as well lol.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nnoble Avatar
16 months ago
The number of spurious app 'updates' at this time of the year is irritating.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)