Want to submit your app to the App Store? Learn how to improve your chances of being accepted — and avoid the mistakes that cause Apple to reject many apps.
These tips come right from the source. Business Week snagged the first-ever extensive interview with Apple Senior Vice-President Phil Schiller, and he reveals the top reasons why your app might be rejected after you submit it to the App Store.
Apple is the gatekeeper to their popular store, so you must get their approval before selling your app. The process can be slow, so make sure your software is right the first time you submit your app to avoid having to submit it a second time.
Common Mistakes Can Keep You Off the App Store
Before you submit an app to the App Store, learn some of top reasons you might be rejected according to the article. We’ll show you how to avoid these common mistakes.
- Technical problems: Bugs in your software is a top reason you might be prevented from selling your app. Apple might send your creation back and request technical fixes. To avoid this delay, test, test, and test again. But know that it is also subjective – you could be declined if your app does not work as expected (even if you say your bug is really a feature).
- Inappropriate apps: “Inappropriate” content may be subjective, but it can stop you from getting in the App Store. Before you submit your app, make sure you are not coming too close to the line. Of course, Apple is likely to reject your app if it steals user data or is otherwise malware.
- Trademark violations: Using images or terms that Apple owns the rights to might get your app in trouble. While you’re at it, make sure all your photos and graphics are OK to use. Don’t submit your app if you use an illustration, sound, or other creative work that you do not have the rights to use. While Apple may not catch it, you are putting your app (and yourself) in a dangerous position.
When you submit your app to the App Store, you are taking the first step to profiting from your great idea. Make sure it speeds through the approval process and finds a place on the App Store by avoiding these common mistakes.
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Hi,
I’ve tried subscribing to your ‘Make Money with iPhone Apps’ newsletter but I never receive the confirmation email, please advise, thanks.
Regards,
Dan
This problem seems to be fixed and I have successfully confirmed my subscription, many thanks!
Welcome to the email list, Dan! Sometimes our confirmation emails take a minute or are stopped by spam filters, so I’m very glad it worked out and you’re on the list.
So, on the “Inappropriate apps” part, what would you qualify as inappropriate? I’ve seen some down right super inappropriate apps make it into the store. The latest being an “Up-Skirt” app that was classified as a “Game” and is clearly not a game.
Its really hard to post a list of ways to get rejected or approved in the AppStore these days since Apple doesn’t seem to have a handle on what that is. Or at least it’s reviewers.
RSS Player was rejected not because of anything in it’s code or images, but in a splash screen image from a podcast that uses an iPhone in it’s logo.
Then there was the big fiasco with Airfoil Speakers using computer images to show what computer was being used as the source of the sound being played on your iPhone speakers. At least Apple conceded and it was finally approved.
There is also Edge by Mobigame which seems to have a terrorist attacking the company in Tim Langdell who claims to own the trademark for the word Edge, yet doesn’t actually have a game to claim the trademark with until he’s ready to fight. ChaosEdge, a website dedicated to the battle, talks about all the soap-opera type stories going on there.
Apple really needs to fix this problem and set in stone exactly what is good and bad for iPhone/iPod touch applications so that developers can devote their time to developing their software, not making sure that the software they developed is allowed to be sold.
apps which are violating person’s privacy are also rejected. See detailed post
Love the blog…people are missing out not using press releases more