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World desk5 min

How to Write App Review Notes for Guideline 2.1 and “Information Needed”

Give Apple precise steps to reach your features, working test access, and any required setup. If a reviewer requests more information, respond to the specific message in App Store Connect.
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Clear App Review notes can help Apple find and test the features in your app, but they cannot guarantee approval or prevent an “Information Needed” message. For a submission affected by Guideline 2.1, give reviewers precise steps, working access, and any setup details they need; if Apple has already asked a question, answer that request in App Store Connect.

What App Review notes should do

App Review notes are practical instructions for reaching and evaluating behavior that may not be obvious from a fresh launch. Apple asks developers to enter the details needed for review in App Review Information in App Store Connect. Missing information can delay review or prevent an app from passing.

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Guideline 2.1 covers App Completeness. Review problems can involve crashes, placeholder or incomplete content, missing information, or barriers that prevent Apple from accessing and testing the app. Apple’s current guideline requires specific descriptions of changes: “All new features, functionality and product changes must be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section of App Store Connect (generic descriptions will be rejected) and accessible for review.” (Apple App Review Guidelines, last updated June 8, 2026.)

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Apple’s App Review page reports that over 40% of unresolved issues are related to Guideline 2.1. The page does not state a publication year or provide methodology alongside that figure, so it should not be read as a dated trend or as a statistic about “Information Needed” messages specifically.

#1 Best Overall
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
  • Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
  • The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
  • Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

What to put in App Review Information

Write for a reviewer who has not seen your app before. Use the following outline and replace every bracketed item with tested, app-specific information.

  1. Identify what to review. Name the feature or change and briefly explain why it might not be immediately visible.
  2. Give a route from launch. List the taps or other actions in order. Include the screen, account role, or account state required to reach the feature.
  3. Provide reviewer access. For a feature behind sign-in, enter a valid test account and password where required. Do not use a production customer account or real personal data.
  4. State the conditions. Note required settings, region, test data, a live backend or third-party service, special hardware, or other setup.
  5. Describe the expected result. Explain what the reviewer should see or what should happen, especially if an intermediate state could look incomplete or broken.
  6. Explain purchases and attach useful evidence. Show how to find relevant in-app purchases. Explain anything configured but not directly discoverable; attach a short demo video or documentation if it materially helps demonstrate the behavior.
  7. Keep contact details current. Make it possible for Apple to follow up if a reviewer needs clarification.

Adaptable example

Please review [feature/change]. From the signed-in home screen, tap [path]. Use the review account in App Review Information. To see [behavior], set [configuration] to [value], then [steps]. The expected result is [observable result]. The service is enabled for review. [Purchase or special-condition explanation]. Attached: [file and what it demonstrates].

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  • Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.

This is a structure, not text to submit unchanged. Verify every step, credential, service status, and expected result before sending the build.

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Make account access and required services work

If reviewers need to sign in, provide a valid demo account and password where required, and keep the account usable for the duration of review. Keep the backend live as well; a correct password is not enough if the service the app relies on is unavailable.

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  • Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
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Apple says that if legal or security obligations prevent providing an account, a built-in demo mode may be used with Apple’s prior approval. The demo mode must demonstrate the app’s full features and functionality. Do not assume that a restricted or partial demo will substitute for reviewer access.

If a feature depends on a non-default setting, particular region, special hardware, or a difficult-to-reproduce environment, explain the requirement and the exact setup in the notes. Apple says developers should be prepared to provide a demo video or hardware when needed. A video can clarify behavior, but it does not make an otherwise inaccessible feature testable.

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  • There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
  • This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
  • Product may come in generic Box.

Explain purchases and non-obvious behavior

Make in-app purchases complete, current, visible, and functional. Tell the reviewer where relevant purchases appear and how to reach them. If a configured purchase is difficult to find or cannot be reviewed in the usual way, explain why in the notes rather than leaving the reviewer to infer the intended path.

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Use notes to explain how to reach and verify a feature—not to excuse missing or unfinished functionality. Apple expects the app and its changes to be accessible for review, and generic descriptions do not meet its specificity requirement.

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  • 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
  • Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
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Respond to an “Information Needed” message

The label alone does not establish what Apple needs. The official guidance explains how to supply information and reply, but does not define the exact “Information Needed” status label. Read the actual App Review message in App Store Connect and address its concrete question; do not guess based only on the status wording.

  1. Open the app’s submission and read the full message from App Review.
  2. Identify the issue type: missing metadata, reviewer access, a hard-to-find feature or purchase, an environment requirement, or an app defect.
  3. Reply to the App Review team in App Store Connect with the requested details. Include concise navigation steps, working access information, or setup instructions as relevant.
  4. Attach screenshots or supporting documents when they directly help verify the correction or explain the behavior.
  5. If the message identifies an app defect or a change that cannot be made through metadata, fix the app and submit an updated build as needed.

Apple notes that metadata-only problems can be corrected and resubmitted with the same build. That does not apply to a problem requiring an app change.

Decide whether notes are enough or the build must change

Issue What to address Likely next step
Missing or unclear metadata Supply or correct the requested information in App Store Connect. Apple says metadata-only problems can be fixed and resubmitted with the same build.
Reviewer cannot sign in or reach a feature Provide working test access and exact navigation; make required services available. Correct access or setup. If the access problem reflects an app defect, a build change may be needed.
Feature or purchase is difficult to discover Explain its location and steps to reach it; state what the reviewer should observe. Clarify in the notes if the functionality already works and is accessible.
Required environment or hardware is unclear Identify the setup, dependency, or hardware and provide relevant supporting material. Provide the conditions needed for review; a video or hardware may help where appropriate.
Crash, placeholder, or incomplete behavior Determine whether the app itself is failing the completeness requirement. Fix the defect or incomplete content; notes alone do not make the app complete.

Check the submission before sending it

Before submitting, confirm that the selected build and the review instructions match the app as it will be tested. Apple’s preparation guidance calls for a final, tested build, complete metadata, working URLs, and on-device testing for crashes and stability. Remove placeholder text and temporary content.

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In the submission workflow, choose the correct build and complete the required metadata. Adding a version to a draft does not send it to Apple; the final Submit for Review action starts the review process.

Quick Recap

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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
$300.00
Bestseller No. 3
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed)
Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU; Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
$405.00
Bestseller No. 4
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed)
There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.; Product may come in generic Box.
$262.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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