With nearly 2 million apps, the iOS app store has emerged as one of the best app marketplace in the mobile industries. The massive increase in the demand for ios apps can be ascertained by the expected number of iphone users that can go up to 352.9 billion in the year 2021. In comparison to the website, people are spending 9% more time in the app. The growing numbers are not only downloads but the revenue generated from apps has also considerably increased from 218.2 billion to 461.7 billion. 

Where everyday more and more mobile apps are launched, the dependability and reliability upon developers are growing too. Often developers face that lurking fear of their apps being rejected. Apple App Store being the biggest marketplaces in the mobile industry has certain criteria when it comes to application approval. 

Great app design provides intuitive new ways for people to engage, learn, create and accomplish. The norms set by the App Store are strict, hence you need to be responsible for making sure everything in your app complies with the guidelines. 

App store approval time, some quick facts 

• 70% of apps are reviewed within 24 hours
• 30% of the apps are reviewed within 48 hours
• 60% of the apps get approved(developers can choose to have their apps immediately approved )
• 40% of the apps (the most common reason for rejection includes minor bugs followed by privacy concerns)

Common App Rejections Reasons Stated By App Store Officially

If your app has been rejected by the app store, following these can be possible rejections. Crashes and bugs, broken links, placeholder content, requesting permission, inaccurate screenshots, incomplete information, substandard user interface, repeated submission of same type of apps, misleading users, not enough lasting value.

Tip #1 Simplify information

Once your app details have been entered in the App Store, it is essential for you to enter all the required details accurately. Fill out every single detail without leaving out even one of them. Simplify as much as you can and enter the important things here are as follows:

• Name, contact, telephone/mobile number and email ID
• Detail which APIs used, with a description about them
• Whether images or icons are used and if they are used in other apps
• Links to external Websites where necessary, with a description of the same, if need be

Tip #2 Use Apple’s latest features

Ensure all of Apple’s products are compatible with aesthetics and products that company offers. In addition to this, there is also another area where you can stand out. By incorporating Apple’s latest technology into your app, you have the better possibility of being featured. 

Tip #3 Never try to imitate the functionality of existing apps

Getting an idea, staying abreast with your competitors notions, understanding their offerings is good to a certain extent. However, copying an app verbatim or any attempt to cheat the system will remove your app from the store

Tip #4 Cater to broad audience

App stores are a great way to showcase your apps to  hundreds of millions of people around the world. Make your app relevant and useful to a relatively broad population as Apple will not approve an app that is targeted to a specific and limited audience. In short, an app store isn’t the best way if you build an app just to show to your group of friends and family. 

Tip #5 Don’t copy icons

Apple is really good with images and icons, don’t they? Well, don’t get tempted to sue them. You might have this notion that Apple would be flattered by this but this is not definitely the case. Your app will be immediately rejected if you fail to bring in originality in your icons. Copied, inappropriate and misleading icons are outrightly rejected by the app store. 

Tip #6 Reduce your app size

Availability of  unlimited plans sometimes leave smartphone users stuck with tiered options that results in making data usage more stressful than fun. Be a miser when it comes to downloading app data. There are no specific guidelines from Apply, but your chances of app downloads and app approval are bright if you keep your downloads to minimum. 

Tip #7 Paid applications agreement 

You must have a Paid applications agreement if your app takes payments to unlock the functionality of user and digital content. Don’t even try to take someone’s money without using Apple’s in-App purchasing API. Failing to comply with this is a guaranteed rejection.

Tip #8 Bad UX

During the testing phase, the first thing you should ask yourself is: “Is my app easy to use?” This includes reviewing the custom features, functionality, navigation, you’ve incorporated  into the app. If it doesn’t comply with standard iOS design specifications, take it back to the drawing board.

Tip #9 Loading time

The minimum requirement set by Apple’s App Store to load your app is within 15 seconds. But ideally, it should be faster. Optimization of app performance is the need of the hour because some users fail to sit patiently for a few extra seconds for a mobile app and abandon an app over a website.

Tip #10 Lacking standard functionality

Before getting an approval to list your app in the app store, it is important to pre-release, test, or trial version with a limited feature set. As per the official guidelines Apps created only for demonstration or trial purposes are not permitted on the App Store.

App maintenance is as important as launching and experts say even more. After you publish your app on the App Store, there are various ongoing tasks that you need to perform. Right from responding to customer reviews, to understand how your app is doing by viewing its sales and trends, downloading catalog reports to create a new version, change pricing and availability, app maintenance is an unavoidable and ongoing activity.

To summarize, if you are going to build an app, make sure you plan ahead of time and it should not be far outside the guidelines of the App Store. A familiarity with the technical aspect, content, design criteria that we use to review all apps, prepare you for the worst and maximize your chances of approval. See how developers approach finding success on the App Store and what they’ve learned along the way with Seraphic, learn how you can engage your audience, and grow your business.