Apple Design Guidelines

Apple recently released official App Store Review Guidelines that will help you understand what the Apple reviewers are looking for when they review your app.

We take care of making sure your app will pass technical muster, but the content is up to you. Here are some things you need to take into account when building your app.

Apple is looking for apps that do something useful or provide some form of lasting entertainment. This is your job. We make it easy for you to get the app built, but you need the idea and the content to make it good.

Apple has decided to not allow certain kinds of content in the App Store. What kinds? They like family friendly stuff. They say "know that we're keeping an eye out for the kids" which tells you that you need to rate your app appropriately for the content it will show. We submit the ratings you supply, so please make sure you accurately reflect the content of your app.

What follows is a selection of the guidelines most important for you to pay attention to.

  • Apps that are not very useful or do not provide any lasting entertainment value may be rejected
  • Apps that are simply web clippings, content aggregators, or a collection of links, may be rejected
  • Apps that are primarily marketing materials or advertisements will be rejected
  • Apps that are "beta", "demo", "trial", or "test" versions will be rejected
  • Apps that duplicate apps already in the App Store may be rejected, particularly if there are many of them
  • Apps that are simply a song or movie should be submitted to the iTunes store.
  • Apps that are simply a book should be submitted to the iBookstore.
  • Apps with descriptions not relevant to the application content and functionality will be rejected
  • App names in iTunes Connect and as displayed on a device should be similar, so as not to cause confusion
  • Apps that present excessively objectionable or crude content will be rejected
  • Apps that contain user generated content that is frequently pornographic (ex "Chat Roulette" apps) will be rejected
  • Apps that solicit, promote, or encourage criminal or clearly reckless behavior will be rejected
  • Apps that are designed for use as illegal gambling aids, including card counters, will be rejected
  • Apps containing references or commentary about a religious, cultural or ethnic group that are defamatory, offensive, mean-spirited or likely to expose the targeted group to harm or violence will be rejected
  • Use of protected 3rd party material (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, otherwise proprietary content) requires a documented rights check which must be provided upon request