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How App Store Review Works: Submission Steps, Timing and What to Do Next

A practical guide to App Store review: prepare a complete submission, follow its status in App Store Connect, and choose the right response if Apple flags an issue.
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App Store review happens through App Store Connect: developers submit a build and its required information, Apple evaluates the app and associated items, and the developer follows the status and responds to any issues. Apple publishes review-time goals, not a guaranteed turnaround for an individual submission.

What Apple reviews

Review is not limited to the app binary. Apple reviews apps and updates as well as associated items such as in-app purchases, in-app events, bundles, metadata and other submitted content. Read Apple’s App Review Guidelines early in development so review requirements can shape the app, rather than becoming a last-minute checklist.

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Apple identifies crashes and bugs, broken links and placeholder content as common avoidable problems. Its current App Review overview says that, on average, over 40% of unresolved issues relate to Guideline 2.1, App Completeness; Apple does not show a publication year for that figure.

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Prepare a complete, testable submission

Before submitting, make sure the build works and that the information a reviewer needs is available. In particular, include valid support-contact and privacy-policy links, remove placeholder material, and check any account-based or gated features.

In App Store Connect, provide the required settings, account details and special instructions in App Review Information. If reviewers cannot access important functionality, missing information can delay review or prevent approval. Apple also says to put relevant details in the submission Notes field when requesting expedited review for a critical bug fix; event-related requests should identify the event, its date and its connection to the app.

Submit the app in App Store Connect

  1. Select the app version and build. In App Store Connect, open the app record and choose the version and build you intend Apple to review.
  2. Complete required metadata. Confirm the version information and other required details, including review instructions where needed.
  3. Add the version to a submission. Add it to an existing draft submission or create a new submission, as appropriate.
  4. Choose Submit for Review. A version marked Ready for Review has not necessarily been sent to Apple. Review starts only after you submit it; the status changes to In Review when Apple begins evaluating it.

Apple may review associated items together. Items submitted together must be accepted for that submission to complete. For the current interface and submission details, see Apple’s Submit an app instructions.

How long App Store review takes

Apple’s App Review Help says it works around the clock with the goal of reviewing at least 50% of submissions in less than 24 hours and 90% in less than 48 hours. Apple’s App Review overview separately says that, on average, 90% of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours. These are distinct statements on Apple’s current guidance pages, which show no publication year; neither is a promise about a particular app.

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Review can take longer when documentation needs checking, issues are complex or novel, or the submission is incomplete. Use Apple’s figures as planning guidance, not as a launch deadline: the published pages do not guarantee when an individual app will be reviewed or approved. Apple explains the timing guidance in Track a submission’s review status and its App Review overview.

Track the submission status

Check App Review in App Store Connect for current and past submissions, and read Apple’s messages for the specific guideline and action involved. The main statuses tell you whether Apple has started and whether you need to respond:

Status What it means What to do
Waiting for Review Review has not started. Monitor the submission; Apple has not yet begun evaluating it.
In Review Apple is reviewing the submission. Watch for a status change or message in App Store Connect.
Unresolved Issues Apple has identified one or more issues that need resolution. Read the message, identify the affected item and guideline, then choose the appropriate response.

Apple documents these and other labels in App and submission statuses. App Store Connect also supports webhooks for automatic status-change notifications. While a submission is waiting, some information can still be edited and items removed, but editing screenshots and app previews is restricted.

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Respond to a rejection or unresolved issue

Start with the message in App Store Connect: it identifies the issue and points to the relevant guideline. Resolve every issue that applies, then choose the response that matches what changed.

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Situation Next step
Apple needs clarification or additional information. Reply in the existing App Store Connect conversation.
A metadata or server-side change resolves the issue. Make the correction and reply in the existing conversation.
The problem is in the submitted build. Upload a corrected build and submit it. This begins a new review.
Some submitted items were accepted and others rejected. Apple says you can remove the rejected items and proceed with the accepted ones.

Use Apple’s review-status guidance for the available response and resubmission steps.

When to appeal an App Review decision

If you believe Apple misunderstood how the app works or made an unfair decision, you can appeal to the App Review Board. Explain specifically why the app complies, and answer any requests for more information before filing. Apple limits appeals to one per submission.

Do not resubmit the same matter while an appeal is open: resubmission starts a new review and closes the appeal. Apple’s current App Review guidance describes the appeal option and review expectations.

Can you request expedited review?

Apple accepts expedited-review requests for genuine extenuating circumstances, including a critical bug fix or an app tied to an upcoming event. The app must already have been submitted. Apple evaluates requests according to availability and demand, so expedited review is not guaranteed.

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For an event request, include the event date and explain how the app is associated with it; Apple advises scheduling the release ahead when possible. Details and the request route are in Apple’s Request an expedited review guidance.

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