How to appeal an App Store rejection to the App Review Board

Replying to App Review and appealing to the App Review Board

To appeal an App Store rejection, first reply to the rejection message in App Store Connect; if that does not resolve it, submit one appeal per rejected app through Apple's appeal form, citing each guideline in the message and explaining point by point how your app meets it, and do not resubmit while the appeal is open.

Uptika teamPublished: November 5, 2026Last updated: November 5, 20266 min readMarkdown version

Which response fits your rejection?

Apple offers five responses: reply, resubmit, appeal, expedite, and accepting a Bug Fix Submission offer. The wrong one costs time.

Situation	Response	Where
App Review asked for information, or you want to clarify how the app works	Reply	Reply to App Review in App Store Connect
The issue is metadata or server side, such as demo credentials	Fix it, then reply; for metadata you can also resubmit the same build	App Store Connect
The issue is in the build and you fixed it	Resubmit a new build (a full new review)	App Store Connect
You believe the app follows the guidelines and the reply did not resolve it, or you were treated unfairly	Appeal to the App Review Board	Submit an appeal to App Review form
A critical bug fix or an event is waiting on a submitted version	Request an expedited review	Request an Expedited App Review form
The rejected version is a bug-fix update and the message offers deferral	Accept the Bug Fix Submission offer by replying	Reply to App Review

Apple's review-status article lists when not to resubmit: when App Review only asked for information, when metadata or server-side changes resolve it, when you accept a Bug Fix Submission offer, and while you are appealing, because "Resubmitting will initiate a new review and the appeal will be closed."

How do you reply to App Review in App Store Connect?

The reply is the first step for every disagreement. The path from App Store Connect Help:

In Apps, select the app.
At the top of the page, click the link that says there are unresolved issues.
In the In Progress section, click Resolve next to the submission.
Click Reply to App Review.
Enter your text in the Reply field. To include a file, click Attach File and choose it.
Click Reply.

The Account Holder, Admin and App Manager roles can do this, and you can correspond and attach files until you resubmit. Be specific about the feature, guideline or step you need clarified. If you still need help after App Review replies, you can request a call in the same window; include your time zone and preferred language. Apple says calls are typically completed within three to five business days.

What not to use the reply field for: appeals, expedite requests, and questions about other developers' apps.

What are Apple's rules for an App Review Board appeal?

An appeal is for a decision you believe is wrong, after a reply did not settle it. Apple's appeal article says it is appropriate when your app was rejected or removed but you believe it follows the App Review Guidelines and the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, when your account faces termination but you believe it complies, or when you believe you experienced unfair or biased treatment. The rules:

Reply to the rejection, removal or termination message in App Store Connect before filing.
Submit only one appeal per rejected or removed app. If the message cites several guidelines, address all of them in that one appeal.
Cite each specific guideline and explain point by point how the app meets it.
Include only information relevant to the decision.
One form can cover up to five rejected or removed apps.
Don't appeal a request for more information or documentation; answer it.
Don't appeal if you have already fixed the issues and resubmitted.
Don't appeal to get a status update, an expedited review or to reinstate an already-terminated account; use the matching Contact Us form.

The board sends its answer in App Store Connect and may first message you for more information or schedule a call. Apple notes that a complete appeal helps the board process it quickly but "does not guarantee that the App Review Board will overturn the rejection".

What does a complete appeal look like?

Apple's own examples show the difference. Its complete example names the guideline (2.1, incomplete information), says the demo account and setup steps for the flagged feature are in the App Review Information section of the submission, and points to screenshots of the feature working. Its incomplete example says only that the app matters to the business and asks Apple to take another look.

A skeleton you can fill in:

App: [name], version [x.y], submission date [date]. Rejected under Guideline [number and title]. We have replied in App Store Connect on [date]. Guideline [number] requires [the requirement in one sentence]. Our app meets it as follows: 1. [Fact], visible at [screen and steps]. 2. [Fact], visible at [screen and steps]. [If a second guideline is cited: Guideline [number] requires [requirement]; our app meets it because [fact, where to see it].] Supporting material: [demo account location, screenshots, documents in App Review Information]. We are available for a call at [time zone, language].

When can you request an expedited review?

Only for genuine urgency, and only after the fixed version is submitted. Apple names two cases: fixing a critical bug, where you include the steps to reproduce the bug on the current version in the Notes field, and an event-related release, where you include the event, its date and how your app is associated with it. Then use the Request an Expedited App Review form. The guidelines warn that if you abuse the system, Apple may reject your requests going forward.

How does a Bug Fix Submission offer work?

If a bug-fix update to an already approved app is rejected without legal or safety concerns, the rejection message may say: "Bug Fix Submissions: The issues we've identified below are eligible to be resolved on your next update." Reply that you want the current submission approved and will address the issues in the next update, and do not resubmit, because that triggers a new review. Deferred issues must be fixed in the next update and cannot be deferred again.

What are the most common appeal mistakes?

Appealing before replying in App Store Connect.
Resubmitting the same build while the appeal is open, which closes the appeal.
Filing several appeals for one app, or splitting the cited guidelines across appeals.
Arguing business importance instead of citing the guideline.
Describing features the build does not contain.
Appealing an information request instead of answering it.
Using an appeal to ask for speed or status.

For the guideline-specific fixes, see Guideline 4.3 spam, Guideline 2.1, metadata rejections and the rejection reasons hub.

Where Uptika fits

Uptika does not file replies or appeals and does not resolve rejections. It helps you remove avoidable metadata causes before the next submission. The free Metadata Linter checks your name, subtitle and keyword field for limits and policy risks in the browser, and the panel's Sayfa denetimi (page audit) runs a rejection-risk check on your live listing. After approval, Günlük ping (daily brief) shows your biggest rank moves so you can see the release land. Start on the free plan.

Questions

How do I appeal an App Store rejection?

Reply to the rejection message in App Store Connect first. If the reply does not resolve it, open Apple's Submit an appeal to App Review form, cite the specific guidelines, explain point by point how the app meets them and add only relevant information. One appeal per rejected app.

How long does an App Review Board appeal take?

Apple does not publish a time for appeals. The board messages you in App Store Connect when its investigation is complete, and it may ask for more information or schedule a call first. Complete appeals help it process requests quickly.

Should I reply in App Store Connect or resubmit?

Reply when App Review asked for information, when the fix is metadata or server-side (such as activating demo credentials), or when you want to accept a Bug Fix Submission offer. Resubmit when the issue was in the build and you fixed it. Resubmitting starts a new review and closes any open appeal.

Can I request an expedited review after a rejection?

Yes, once your fixed version has been submitted: only submissions already sent to App Review can be expedited. Use the Request an Expedited App Review form for a critical bug fix or an event-related release. Do not use an appeal or the reply field to ask for speed.