Top 5 Fixes for Common App Store Rejections

Getting rejected from the App Store is frustrating, but most rejections stem from the same five fixable issues. From crashes and bugs to privacy violations and design problems, understanding these common pitfalls can save you weeks of back-and-forth with Apple's review team.

One key to avoiding rejections is using the right development platform from the start. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Because Adalo compiles to true native iOS code and automatically manages certificates, provisioning profiles, and purpose strings, you sidestep many technical issues that trigger rejections.

These fixes will help you launch faster and reach the widest audience possible through the app stores—complete with push notification capabilities that web-only apps simply can't match.

• Crashes and Bugs (40% of rejections): Test your app on real devices, not just simulators. Use tools like TestFlight to catch issues before submission. Provide demo accounts and videos for complex setups.
• Privacy Violations: Include a working privacy policy link. Use clear purpose strings for permissions and ensure third-party tools comply with Apple's rules.
• Performance Problems: Optimize battery usage, background processes, and resource consumption. Test under different conditions like slow networks or older devices.
• Metadata Errors: Ensure app names, descriptions, screenshots, and pricing are accurate and complete. Include demo credentials in the review notes.
• Design Issues: Follow Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. Avoid submitting simple web wrappers. Test layouts on all supported devices.

Tools like Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, simplify compliance with Apple's guidelines by managing certificates, provisioning profiles, and purpose strings—helping you avoid common pitfalls. Fix these areas before submission to save time and get your app approved faster.

Apple Rejected My App: Avoid These 5 Mistakes

Why Adalo Works for App Store Submissions

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Getting an app approved by Apple requires navigating technical requirements that trip up even experienced developers. Adalo's AI-assisted platform handles the complex submission infrastructure automatically—certificates, provisioning profiles, bundle IDs, and purpose strings are managed through a visual interface rather than manual configuration. This means you can focus on building features instead of wrestling with Apple's technical requirements.

The platform compiles to true native iOS code from a single codebase, which matters because Apple specifically rejects web wrappers that don't deliver genuine native experiences. With over 3 million apps created on Adalo and the builder described as "easy as PowerPoint," the path from idea to App Store approval becomes significantly shorter.

1. Fix Crashes and Bugs Before Submission

Did you know that over 40% of app rejections stem from Guideline 2.1 – Performance: App Completeness? This means a significant number of apps are turned down because they simply don't work as expected during Apple's review process. The good news? Most of these issues can be avoided with thorough testing before submission.

Always test on physical devices—not just simulators. Apple's review team evaluates apps on actual hardware to replicate real-world conditions. Greg Bradley from the App Store Review team puts it plainly:

"We review all apps on physical devices, not on a simulator, to mirror actual, real-world conditions."

Make sure to test your app across various device types, from older models like the iPhone SE (with a home button) to the latest iPhone models (with Dynamic Island), and on different iOS versions to catch compatibility issues.

Leverage TestFlight to uncover bugs across multiple devices and OS versions before releasing your app. TestFlight offers a pre-release environment that closely mirrors the App Store experience. For instance, in 2020, developer Josh Holtz encountered a 35-day delay for his app, ConnectKit, because the reviewer couldn't test the App Store Connect API authentication. Holtz resolved the issue by creating a specific API key for reviewers and providing two demo videos—one showing how to generate the key and another demonstrating its use in the app.

As he explains: "If it doesn't crash on TestFlight, it most likely won't crash for your reviewer." Make sure to test your final release build in TestFlight, as it can behave differently from development builds.

Beyond device testing, implement strong error handling to prevent unexpected crashes during the review process. Use Xcode's debugging tools to spot memory leaks and API misuse, and run stress tests to simulate potential failures. For apps that require login credentials, provide a demo account with pre-filled data. If your app has a complex setup, include demo videos in your review notes to clearly explain how everything works.

How Adalo Helps Prevent Crashes

Adalo's X-Ray feature identifies performance issues before they affect users or reviewers. The platform highlights potential bottlenecks in your app's logic and data relationships, allowing you to fix problems before submission rather than discovering them through rejection notices. Since Adalo 3.0's infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, apps built on the platform run 3-4x faster than previous versions, reducing the likelihood of performance-related rejections.

The platform also integrates directly with TestFlight, letting you push builds for beta testing without leaving the Adalo environment. This streamlined workflow means you can identify and fix issues in an environment similar to Apple's review process before your final submission.

2. Meet Privacy and Data Requirements

Privacy concerns are one of the main reasons Apple rejects apps. In 2026 alone, Apple reviewed about 7.77 million app submissions and turned down roughly 25% of them, with many rejections tied to privacy violations. The good news? Most of these issues can be avoided by carefully following Apple's guidelines.

Start by including a functional privacy policy link in both App Store Connect and your app. This policy should clearly explain what data your app collects, how it's used, shared, stored, and deleted. Also, make sure your app doesn't collect any data until the user explicitly grants permission through the iOS prompt. Double-check that your privacy policy URL works and is accessible before submitting your app.

When requesting permissions, use precise purpose strings in the Info.plist file. For example, instead of something vague, write something like: "This app uses your camera to scan QR codes for event check-ins." Apple's Guideline 5.1.1 emphasizes this point:

"One or more purpose strings in the app do not sufficiently explain the use of protected resources. Purpose strings must clearly and completely describe the app's use of data and, in most cases, provide an example of how the data will be used."

Reviewers often reject apps with generic or unclear purpose strings, so specificity is key.

Third-Party Compliance and Account Deletion

Audit any third-party components your app uses—such as SDKs, analytics tools, or ad services—to ensure they align with Apple's privacy rules. These components must match the data practices you've disclosed in your privacy policy.

If your app allows users to create accounts, you're required to include a feature that lets them delete their accounts directly within the app. This isn't optional; it's a must-have for passing Apple's review process.

Streamlined Privacy Compliance

Adalo's iOS Export Settings include dedicated fields for mandatory purpose strings—Camera, Location, Photo Library access, and others. These fields guide you through exactly what Apple requires, reducing the chance of rejection under Guideline 5.1.1. The platform also handles the technical implementation of permission requests, ensuring they're triggered at appropriate moments in the user experience rather than all at once on app launch (which Apple discourages).

3. Improve Performance and Battery Efficiency

Apps that drain the battery, overheat devices, or put unnecessary strain on system resources are at serious risk of rejection under Apple's Guideline 2.4.2. As Apple puts it:

"Apps should not rapidly drain battery, generate excessive heat, or put unnecessary strain on device resources."

To avoid these pitfalls, thorough mobile app testing on real devices is non-negotiable. Beyond basic testing, advanced optimization ensures your app runs smoothly. Test across multiple iPhone models and iOS versions to catch potential performance issues early.

Streamline Background Processes

Apple limits background activity to specific services like VoIP, audio playback, location updates, task completion, and local notifications. Make sure your app complies—unrelated background tasks, like cryptocurrency mining, are strictly prohibited. Instead, batch data syncs and server requests, and use lower-accuracy location tracking when high precision isn't required. These adjustments can significantly reduce resource usage.

Tools to Identify Bottlenecks

Take advantage of Xcode's Time Profiler and UI Automation tools to uncover issues like memory leaks, infinite loops, or excessive write cycles. Shifting heavy processing tasks to background threads and using lazy loading for data can help keep your app's interface responsive and improve overall load times.

Adalo's X-Ray feature complements these tools by highlighting performance issues within your app's logic and data structure. Since the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul, the platform's modular architecture scales dynamically with your app's needs—there's no record limit on paid plans, and the infrastructure adjusts to handle increased load without the performance degradation common in app wrappers.

Test Under Real-World Conditions

Simulate scenarios like 3G networks, slow Wi-Fi, or even airplane mode to ensure your app handles network challenges gracefully. Implement global error handlers to provide user-friendly error messages instead of letting the app crash. Since over 40% of unresolved App Store problems stem from crashes and technical issues, investing in robust performance testing is critical to securing approval.

4. Provide Complete and Accurate Metadata

When reviewers first encounter your app, they rely heavily on its metadata. Any inaccuracies or incomplete details can lead to rejection. Beyond avoiding rejection, optimizing your metadata is one of the best ways to increase your app store rankings and visibility. In fact, over 40% of unresolved App Store issues stem from placeholder content or missing metadata. To put things into perspective, in 2026 alone, Apple rejected nearly 1.93 million app submissions out of 7.77 million—roughly one in four apps didn't make the cut.

To avoid such pitfalls, ensure that every piece of metadata aligns with Apple's strict requirements. App names and subtitles are capped at 30 characters. Avoid stuffing keywords, mentioning pricing, or using subjective terms like "best" or "amazing." Your app description should focus on current features—don't include "coming soon" updates or comparisons with other platforms. Screenshots must showcase the app's interface on the specific device type (like iPhones or iPads); generic mockups or splash screens won't cut it.

Review Notes Best Practices

For apps with complex functionality, the Review Notes section is your chance to guide reviewers. Provide demo credentials and clear instructions. A great example of this comes from developer Josh Holtz, whose app ConnectKit faced a 35-day review delay in 2020. The issue? Reviewers struggled with the app's public/private key authentication. Holtz resolved this by submitting two demo videos explaining the key generation and usage process.

Ilya Kataev from AppFollow emphasizes the importance of this step:

"If the reviewer has to ask 'Why isn't this working?'—you've already lost. Handhold them through the journey like it's a live demo."

Here's a quick guide to key metadata fields and common mistakes to avoid:

5. Follow Apple's Design and Interface Guidelines

Fixing crashes, addressing privacy concerns, and refining metadata are crucial steps, but your app's design is just as important when it comes to meeting Apple's standards. Apple's Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) serve as a roadmap for creating apps that align with their expectations. A poorly designed or overly complicated user interface is one of the top reasons apps get rejected. In fact, nearly 88% of App Store rejections stem from common, avoidable issues tied to design flaws. To improve your chances of approval, focus on crafting a design that's both intuitive and compliant with Apple's guidelines.

Avoid Web Wrappers

One common pitfall is submitting "web wrappers"—apps that are essentially just websites encased in an app shell. These violate Guideline 4.2 (Minimum Functionality) and are often rejected outright. To avoid this, your app needs to deliver a native iOS experience that goes beyond basic web browsing.

Leveraging native frameworks like UIKit or SwiftUI ensures that your app's buttons, spacing, and interactions align with the platform's standards. Reviewers are quick to reject apps with unclear or inconsistent designs.

This is where Adalo's approach provides a significant advantage. Unlike platforms that create web wrappers (like Bubble's mobile offering), Adalo compiles to true native iOS and Android code. The resulting apps pass Apple's Guideline 4.2 requirements because they're genuinely native—not websites disguised as apps. This distinction matters not just for approval, but for performance: native apps load faster and respond more smoothly than web wrappers, especially under load.

Optimize for All Devices

Make sure your app is optimized for all supported Apple devices. This means creating adaptive layouts that work seamlessly across iPhones, iPads, and even Apple Watch. Using Auto Layout allows you to build interfaces that adjust dynamically to different screen sizes. Test your app on real devices to spot and fix issues like misaligned elements or cropped text before submission.

Adalo's visual builder displays up to 400 screens at once on a single canvas, making it easier to maintain design consistency across your entire app. This bird's-eye view helps catch layout inconsistencies that might otherwise slip through to review.

Screenshot Accuracy

Take extra care with your app's screenshots. These need to accurately reflect the current version of your app and maintain consistency with its design. As Ilia Kukharev from AppFollow advises:

"Don't upload screenshots or previews that don't match the actual UI... we've seen apps delayed by days just for an old button that was renamed in the latest build."

Comparing App Building Approaches

When choosing a platform to build your App Store-bound app, the underlying architecture matters significantly for approval success. Here's how the major options compare:

Bubble's mobile solution wraps a web app, which introduces potential challenges with Apple's Guideline 4.2 and creates performance issues under increased load. FlutterFlow requires technical expertise and separate database management—an ecosystem where many users end up hiring experts to achieve scalability. Glide and Softr simply don't support App Store publishing at all.

Adalo's single-codebase architecture means one build publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Android Play Store simultaneously. Updates made in the visual editor reflect instantly across all platforms, reducing design-related rejections and speeding up resubmissions if changes are required.

Conclusion

Getting your app approved by Apple doesn't have to feel like a guessing game. The five key issues—crashes and bugs, privacy requirements, performance problems, metadata accuracy, and design compliance—are the most common reasons apps get rejected. Nearly one in four apps faces rejection until these problems are addressed.

To make the submission process smoother, tackle these potential pitfalls beforehand: test your app on real devices using TestFlight, provide a clear and accurate privacy policy, verify that backend services are live and functional, and double-check your metadata for accuracy. Adhering to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines can also significantly improve your chances.

Adalo's app store publishing workflows automate the technical complexity—certificates, provisioning profiles, bundle IDs, and purpose strings are handled through a visual interface. The platform's iOS Export Settings include dedicated fields for mandatory purpose strings, helping you avoid rejections under Guideline 5.1.1. With TestFlight integration built in, you can push builds directly for beta testing and identify issues before final submission.

"Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process, so you can focus on your app's features and user experience instead of wrestling with certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines." — Adalo

With proper preparation and the right tools, you can turn what might take months into a process that takes just days or weeks.

Related Blog Posts

• How To Get a Vibe-Coded App To The App Store
• How to Get a Vibe-Coded App to the Apple App Store
• How Hard Is It To Publish To the App Stores? And Maintain The Apps?
• How to Fix App Store Rejections Step-by-Step

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store from a single codebase—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically.

What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface lets you build apps visually, with AI-assisted features like Magic Start generating complete app foundations from descriptions. The platform handles the App Store submission process, including certificates and provisioning profiles, so you can go from idea to published app in days rather than months.

What steps can I take to ensure my app complies with Apple's privacy guidelines?

Be upfront about your app's data collection practices. Clearly explain how you gather, store, and use user data. Obtain explicit user consent before tracking any activity, and disclose any third-party SDKs integrated into your app. Apple's privacy labels require accurate details about your app's data usage—providing this information helps avoid rejection and builds user trust.

What performance issues commonly cause app rejections?

Performance problems often lead to rejections when they affect stability, responsiveness, and user experience. Apps prone to crashing, freezing, or lagging during normal use are at high risk. Slow loading times, network-related glitches, or poor resource management can also hurt your chances. Test your app thoroughly across different devices and conditions before submitting.

How does Adalo simplify submitting apps to app stores?

Adalo provides step-by-step guidance through preparing, testing, and submitting your app. It automates complex steps like managing certificates, provisioning profiles, and bundle IDs. The platform's iOS Export Settings include dedicated fields for mandatory purpose strings, reducing common rejection causes. TestFlight integration lets you beta test before final submission.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and app store publishing. Bubble starts at $59/month with usage-based charges (Workload Units) and record limits. Adalo's paid plans include unlimited database records and no usage caps, eliminating bill shock from unexpected charges.

Which is better for mobile apps, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo compiles to true native iOS and Android code, while Bubble's mobile solution is a web wrapper. Native apps perform better, especially under load, and are less likely to face Apple's Guideline 4.2 rejections for minimum functionality. Adalo's single codebase also updates web, iOS, and Android simultaneously.

Do I need coding experience to build an app with Adalo?

No coding experience is required. Adalo's visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint." Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, and Magic Add lets you add features by describing what you want in natural language.

How long does it take to build and submit an app?

With Adalo, you can go from idea to submitted app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically. The platform handles App Store submission complexity, so you focus on features rather than technical requirements.

Can I migrate from another platform to Adalo?

Yes, you can rebuild your app in Adalo using its visual builder and AI features. For spreadsheet-based apps, Adalo's SheetBridge connects Google Sheets directly as a database, making migration from spreadsheet-focused platforms straightforward. The platform's unlimited database records on paid plans accommodate apps of any size.