App Store Submission Checklist: Get Approved First Time

App Store reviews are taking longer, and from what I've seen around, the rejection rate is higher too. That makes it more important than ever to get your submission right the first time, and to plan the review time into your launch rather than hoping for the best.

Here's the checklist I run through before every submission.

App Store listing

• Support URL and Privacy Policy URL are provided and actually work.

• Age rating is accurate for what's in the app.

Privacy and permissions

• Your App Privacy answers match what the app really collects.

• Camera, photos, location, microphone and so on all have clear permission descriptions.

• You only request permissions when they're actually needed, not all at once on launch.

• If users can create accounts, account deletion is available in-app.

Login

• If you offer Google, Facebook or other third-party login, check whether Sign in with Apple is also required.

• Don't require login unless the functionality genuinely needs an account.

App Review Information

This is the section people rush, and it's often where avoidable rejections come from. The reviewer can only approve what they can see.

• Provide Apple with a working review account.

• Make sure that account has access to everything they need to test.

• Add notes on any functionality they need to be aware of.

• Include a screen recording of the app, covering onboarding and the key features.

Subscriptions and payments

• In-app purchases and subscriptions are submitted for review where required.

• Products work in Apple's sandbox environment.

• Pricing and subscription terms are clear.

• Restore Purchases works.

• Your Privacy Policy and Terms/EULA are accessible from the app.

• You're not directing users to external payments where Apple's rules don't allow it.

Test the actual release build

Not the debug build you've been running all week. The one you're about to submit.

• Test on a real device.

• Test login and sign-up.

• Test purchases and subscriptions.

• Test with a fresh account and a fresh install.

• Check for crashes, broken screens and placeholder content.

If you want to know what usually gets apps rejected, I've covered the most common App Store rejection reasons and how to fix them. And if you'd like a hand getting your app built and through review, get in touch.