How to make sure your app is not rejected

How to make sure your app is not rejected

With a lot of application entries, we have experienced different types of Apple App Store endorsement process challenges. It’s a procedure much more entangled than presenting an application to Google Play. One of the greatest dissatisfaction for designers and customers is the point at which a submitted application is rejected in the endorsement process before going live in the App Store. You ought to begin by checking out the App Store Review Guidelines and take after these or examine the reasons that Apple records as the most widely recognized application dismissal reasons before presenting your application. However, here are some of the rules as reviewed by various reviewers (some more strict than others) and every now and again change after some time.
Below are the 10 most exemplary reasons why Apps are rejected by the App Store Review Team that we, and our associates in other application advancement organizations, regularly encounter:
1. Missing privacy policy
If your app requires the users to register an account or login to an existing account, you have to provide a privacy policy either in your app or as a link inside the App Store listing. Including both is highly recommended for good measure.
2. Missing demo accounts
If your app requires user to login always, make sure you  provide the App Store Review team with a working demo account. If you app’s core functionality consists of users following or sending something to each other, it will be a good idea to provide two demo accounts that are connected. We also found out that providing a video when two devices are required to demonstrate functionality helps app store approval.
3. Lack of app meta-data
Even though the lack of app meta-data is an easy fix, it should never be why you are rejected. In most cases, when an app is rejected due to meta-data it can be if you have not provided substantial information and that the information is incorrect. Always make sure to check you have provided the correct information and all links are working, otherwise if rejected you will need to submit again.
4. Major bugs in the app
It may seem obvious, but if you app contains any major bugs that prevent the App Store Review team from reviewing your app, it will immediately be rejected. Make sure you thoroughly test your app before submitting for approval.
5. Only ask for personal information for app-related purposes
If you app requires users to provide personal information such as email address, date of birth and gender without it being used for a specific reason, the app will be rejected. For example, if you are making a ToDo app, asking for the user’s country, zip code or birthday is not directly linked to the apps core functionality. You can have these fields but make sure you do not make them mandatory.
6. The Concept or Functionality of the app is against Apple guidelines
Submitting an app with features that are against Apple’s App Store guidelines will most likely not be approved. For example, submitting an app where you use IAP to buy physical products is not allowed. If a feature can be perceived as both against and pro App Store Guidelines, try to rethink the feature as you are likely to be rejected at some point, even if it is not the first or second time. We always advise our clients to stay in a neutral area when it comes to App store guidelines.
7. The app configuration (.plist) file not specifying correct background functionality (audio control, background location, etc.) If your app has functionality which can be used while the app is in background mode, make sure your plist files contain the right information. For example, if your app enables you to play music in the background, make sure the plist file (an apps configurations file) only enables tasks that your app supports. Recently we have seen the App Store Review Team pay more attention to which background tasks the app is providing.
8. Dummy data still in the app
When submitting your app to App Store Review, it’s important that it does not contain any dummy data, broken or dead links or Lorem Ipsum texts. It can be a good idea to have staging and live environment so you never end up with submitting an app with dummy data.
9. Moderating user-generated content
If your app displays user-generated content, you must include a feature that can filter objectionable material, such as a mechanism for users to flag offensive content, and the ability to block abusive users from the app. For example, if your app contains a personal feed of images that are uploaded by other users you follow, you must give the user to option to block or report that image and user. It might not be easy to find, but if you look closely you will see that all major social network apps have this feature. The rule is somewhat new and we believe Apple is paying close attention to apps that do not have this feature.
10. Make sure your video preview sticks to functionality only
According to Apple, “App previews may only use video screen captures of the app, voice-overs, and textual and design overlays.” So be careful when trying to make your video quirky with animations and do not use iPhone or iPad frame devices.
Also make sure you have an appropriate system that can sort and respond to all of these reports.
We can assure you that if you can cross these 10 things mentioned above, you will be a step closer to having your app successfully approved and go live on the App Store for sure.