Why Apps Get Rejected from the App Store and Google Play

Apple has clearly outlined a list of twenty-eight considerations to make sure your app gets published in the App Store Review Guidelines. The Apple App Store and Google Play app publishing policies are different, so to get your app live and running in both, you'll need a clear understanding of the specific guidelines and submission requirements for each.

Build and publish with Adalo's Android app builder.

Adalo, 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, makes it easier to navigate these requirements while building your app. With streamlined publishing workflows that handle certificates, provisioning profiles, and store submissions, you can focus on creating a great user experience without getting lost in technical complexities. One codebase publishes to web, the Apple App Store, and Google Play—eliminating the need to manage separate builds for each platform.

We've gathered some incredibly helpful resources on how to publish an app which will give you an introduction to common reasons for rejection and how to guarantee that your app gets published.

The top reasons for rejection are

1. The user interface (UI)
2. The user experience (UX)
3. The application features
4. The functionality of the app

If you're familiar with what you need to get your app published right from the get-go, it'll make the process much easier.

How to avoid getting your mobile app rejected

1. Describe the app properly

You must submit an app description when submitting your app that explains what the app is for—this information must be accurate and not misleading in any way. Keep in mind that the description should be unique, reliable, and not overpromise. The less ambiguous or inaccurate your description is, the less likely it is that your app will be rejected.

Ada, Adalo's AI builder, lets you describe what you want and generates your app. Magic Start creates complete app foundations from a description, while Magic Add adds features through natural language.

When using Adalo's Magic Start feature, you describe your app idea in plain language and it generates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically. This foundation gives you a clear picture of your app's core functionality—making it easier to write an accurate description that matches what reviewers will actually see.

2. Keep performance 💯

A great app idea, slick design, and top-notch illustrations aren't enough. In fact, even good features won't make the cut. The app stores expect your app to work seamlessly. Performance issues lead to unhappy users, so make sure that your QA testing for mobile apps is done well. Look out for any confusion in the onboarding, login, navigation, page loads, and broken links.

Adalo's 3.0 infrastructure overhaul delivered 3-4x faster app performance compared to previous versions. The platform's X-Ray feature identifies performance issues before they affect users, highlighting potential bottlenecks in your app so you can address them before submission. This proactive approach helps ensure your app meets the performance standards app stores require.

3. Bye-bye bugs

Remember that your app will undergo a series of stress and performance tests designed to break your app. The app stores take submissions quite seriously, as they should, which means they reject apps that can cause system failures or crashes on users' phones. When QA testing, if you find app crashes or performance issues creeping up, don't risk it. Fix those issues first and then consider publishing.

You can do this more easily by releasing a beta version that a limited audience uses, helping identify issues with different devices. Test every feature, screen, and pay attention to the load times. Any problems relating to long load times or crashes will be grounds for rejection. You can use Apple's TestFlight or other third-party services to get beta testers.

With over 3 million apps created on Adalo and the platform processing millions of data requests daily with 99%+ uptime, the underlying infrastructure has been battle-tested at scale. This reliability translates to more stable apps that are less likely to crash during the review process.

4. Great UI

We know that nobody wants to build an app with a user interface that isn't excellent—but mobile apps are actually less subjective than you imagine when it comes to design. There are many guidelines and essential requirements that don't have much wiggle room for creative freedom. The goal for app stores is to actually keep things predictable!

A successful mobile app is built on the principles of good user-centered design and user interface. Apple's App Store Review Guidelines clearly state that, "If your user interface is complex or less than very good, it may be rejected".

Adalo's visual builder has been described as "as easy as PowerPoint" while still producing native iOS and Android apps that meet platform design standards. Unlike template-restricted builders like Glide that create generic, simplistic apps with limited creative freedom, Adalo lets you customize every element while maintaining the design consistency app stores expect. The platform can display up to 400 screens at once on a single canvas, giving you full visibility into your app's user flow.

Use these resources to get a better sense of what good UI for mobile apps looks like:

• Designing Great Apps by Apple Developer
• iOS Human Interface Guidelines
• Design for Android by Android Developer
• Material 3 Open Source Design System

5. Robust privacy policy

A privacy policy is a legally-binding agreement that indicates clearly to your users how your app will collect, use, handle, and store personal data. It should explain exactly how you use the specific data that you collect and whether or not you share it with other third-party entities.

Remember that even if your app is not collecting any personal data, you should still have a privacy policy in place. It can simply state that your app is not obtaining any personal information from your user in any way. To avoid your app getting rejected, make sure that your privacy policy is easily accessible and covers any unforeseen gaps.

6. Provide all the information

A common reason for rejection is "more information needed", which can be utterly confusing to you, the publisher! This happens when an app is submitted to the app stores for review and the review team doesn't have enough information and material to test the app. Make sure any special considerations are addressed when submitting your app for review and publishing—more information is always better.

Adalo's streamlined publishing workflow guides you through the submission requirements for both Apple and Google, helping ensure you don't miss critical information that could delay your launch.

Comparing App Publishing Options

Not all app builders handle publishing the same way. Here's how the major platforms compare:

Bubble's mobile solution wraps a web app rather than compiling to native code, which can introduce performance challenges at scale and means updates don't automatically sync across web, Android, and iOS deployments. FlutterFlow targets technical users and requires setting up and managing a separate database—an ecosystem where many users end up hiring experts to achieve scalability.

Key Takeaways

You don't have to figure it all out on your own! Even if you're doing this for the first time, Apple and Google provide step-by-step guides on submitting an app. Use this to your advantage and get all you need to ensure your success the first time.

• Follow submission guidelines from the start—understanding requirements early prevents costly rejections
• Test thoroughly before submitting—use beta testing and tools like X-Ray to catch issues proactively
• Choose a platform that handles publishing complexity—native app compilation and streamlined store submission saves significant time

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With unlimited database records on paid plans and no usage-based charges, you avoid the unpredictable costs that come with platforms like Bubble's Workload Units.

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

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and the platform handles the complex App Store submission process—certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines—so you can focus on your app's features.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage and no record caps on paid plans. Bubble starts at $59/month but includes Workload usage charges and record limits that can increase costs unpredictably. For native mobile apps published to app stores, Adalo offers better value.

Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or FlutterFlow?

Adalo is designed for non-technical users with a visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint." FlutterFlow is a low-code platform targeting technical users and requires setting up and managing a separate database, which adds significant learning complexity.

What are the top reasons apps get rejected from the app stores?

The top reasons include poor user interface (UI), bad user experience (UX), inadequate features, and functionality issues. Additionally, incomplete app descriptions, performance problems, bugs, and missing privacy policies frequently lead to rejection.

Do I need a privacy policy for my app even if it doesn't collect user data?

Yes, you should have a privacy policy in place even if your app doesn't collect personal data. It can simply state that your app does not obtain any personal information from users. Having an accessible privacy policy helps avoid rejection and builds trust.

How can I test my app before submitting it to the app stores?

Release a beta version to a limited audience using Apple's TestFlight or other third-party services. Test every feature and screen, monitor load times, and use Adalo's X-Ray feature to identify performance issues before they affect users or reviewers.

Can I publish to both iOS and Android from one codebase?

Yes, Adalo lets you build once and publish to web, iOS App Store, and Google Play Store from a single codebase. Updates sync across all platforms automatically, unlike web wrapper solutions that require managing separate builds.