App store: review process

[mariano_donati]

Hi.
I know that in order to be approved, an app needs to be reviewed by Apple.
Does anyone know how is this process? what will Apple look for? and what are the reasons why Apple can reject your app?. I can't find any documentation on this.
I'd like to know your experience as well since I've never submitted an app.
Thanks.

[Not_Appy_At_All]

Originally Posted by mariano_donati

Hi.
I know that in order to be approved, an app needs to be reviewed by Apple.
Does anyone know how is this process? what will Apple look for? and what are the reasons why Apple can reject your app?. I can't find any documentation on this.
I'd like to know your experience as well since I've never submitted an app.
Thanks.

Apple can reject for any and all reasons...they run the show.

And state so in your developer agreement.

The first thing they find "wrong"...even as simple as a keyword error will get you a rejection. They do NOT look at everything at once and then send you a list of corrections. They test and examine your app, description, keywords, screenshots...etc...and will reject upon a violation of some sort. And not go any further.

You will then resubmit to start the process all over again...until they find the next "error"...an onerous process if you have to do this repeatedly as some have.

On the positive side...if you have done your homework, tested the app well, and made sure that your description, screenshots, keywords, icon etc complies with their rules, you will most likely get an approval the first time you submit.

[boyax]

Originally Posted by mariano_donati

Hi.
I know that in order to be approved, an app needs to be reviewed by Apple.
Does anyone know how is this process? what will Apple look for? and what are the reasons why Apple can reject your app?. I can't find any documentation on this.
I'd like to know your experience as well since I've never submitted an app.
Thanks.

There's an appstore review guidelines.
Pls just read this: App Store Review Guidelines - App Store Resource Center

[mariano_donati]

I'm not a registered developer yet, so I don't have access to the links provided. Is there any other way to get that documentation?. It's really what I was looking for.
Great key you gave to me Not_appy_at_all. I was expecting exactly that: a list of corrections for the first time, so I can correct all of them for the next review. It's good to know that it ain't going to happen. Thanks.

[lukeca]

Just do a google search for "App Store Review Guidelines", many websites have posted the guidelines publicly

[weisdaclick]

Originally Posted by mariano_donati

Hi.
I know that in order to be approved, an app needs to be reviewed by Apple.
Does anyone know how is this process? what will Apple look for? and what are the reasons why Apple can reject your app?. I can't find any documentation on this.
I'd like to know your experience as well since I've never submitted an app.
Thanks.

Just a few rejection reasons:

Having different image and icon pictures makes to "confuse the user"

The app will have a narrow audience (in Apple's opinion)

Orientation not working properly

Obscene content - any bare skin can fall into this category

Political references (poking fun at a popular figure/company)

Not meeting the Human Interface Guidelines (HIGs) - can mean a multitude of things

[Not_Appy_At_All]

Originally Posted by mariano_donati

I'm not a registered developer yet, so I don't have access to the links provided. Is there any other way to get that documentation?. It's really what I was looking for.
Great key you gave to me Not_appy_at_all. I was expecting exactly that: a list of corrections for the first time, so I can correct all of them for the next review. It's good to know that it ain't going to happen. Thanks.

Mariano...

Here's a link to the guidelines.

Apple does have a sense of humor

Apple’s app store review guidelines | Gumball Tech

[mariano_donati]

Thanks. I actually could find its pdf version.
One of the reason weisdaclick mentioned was Orientation not working properly. I'm not handling orientation events, neither will I. Does it count as "not working properly"?.

[god0fgod]

No it doesn't. That would be fine. It's all in context of what your app is about.

[weisdaclick]

Originally Posted by mariano_donati

Thanks. I actually could find its pdf version.
One of the reason weisdaclick mentioned was Orientation not working properly. I'm not handling orientation events, neither will I. Does it count as "not working properly"?.

They open your app and turn the device each way to see how it handles it.

If you want fix your orientation only one way then you'll be ok.

You can test this in the simulator, I forgot to do this with one of my apps and it was rejected.

[lukeca]

Also rotation on iPad is very important if your making an iPad app, you should strive to support all orientations, but if you can only do portrait or landscape you have to make sure to support both variations, so portrait right side up, and upside down, etc

[mariano_donati]

Thanks lukeca, nice tip.