Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections
Upload the build with EAS Submit or Transporter, select it for review in App Store Connect, and understand the most common rejection reasons and how to address them.
Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections is a free React Native Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 4 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the React Native Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
The App Review Process
After you submit your app for review, Apple's App Review team manually and automatically tests it against the App Store Review Guidelines. Review times average 1–3 business days for a first submission and often less for updates. You can check the status in App Store Connect: Waiting for Review, In Review, Ready for Sale, or Rejected. Apple may ask clarifying questions via the Resolution Center before completing the review.
Submitting the Build for Review
With all metadata complete and a build selected, click Add for Review in App Store Connect, then Submit to App Review. Apple checks you answered all legal questions (export compliance, content rights, content rating). Once submitted you receive an email confirmation. The app moves to Waiting for Review — you cannot edit metadata while it is under review, but you can remove the submission and resubmit if you catch a critical issue.
# Alternatively, use EAS Submit to upload AND trigger review:
eas submit --platform ios --latest
# EAS submit options:
# --latest Use the most recent build
# --id <build-id> Submit a specific build
# --non-interactive For CI pipelines
# Check submission status:
eas submission:list --platform iosCommon Rejection Reasons
Understanding common rejection reasons helps you avoid them proactively. The most frequent causes are: crashes during review (test thoroughly before submitting), broken links in the support/privacy URL, misleading screenshots that don't match actual app behavior, missing functionality (the reviewer cannot log in without test credentials), and privacy guideline violations (collecting data without disclosure or user consent).
// Top rejection categories (from Apple data):
// Guideline 2.1 - App Completeness:
// Crashes, broken links, test content visible in production
// Guideline 4.0 - Design:
// UI that doesn't match screenshots, placeholder text left in
// Guideline 5.1 - Privacy:
// Collecting user data without disclosure or tracking without ATT
// Guideline 3.1 - Payments:
// Selling digital goods outside of Apple's IAP system
// Guideline 1.0 - Objectionable Content:
// Offensive content, hate speech, graphic violenceThe Resolution Center
When your app is rejected, Apple posts the reason in the Resolution Center in App Store Connect. You can reply directly to the reviewer, ask clarifying questions, and provide additional context. If you believe the rejection is incorrect, you can appeal or request a phone call with the App Review team. Resolution Center messages are timestamped — Apple typically responds within 1–2 business days.
// Resolution Center communication tips:
// 1. Read the full rejection message carefully
// Apple often quotes the specific guideline violated
// 2. Ask clarifying questions if the rejection is vague
// 'Could you clarify which specific screen had the crash?'
// 3. Explain your fix clearly
// 'We have fixed the crash by adding a null check in line 45.
// The updated build (version 1.0.1) addresses this.'
// 4. Provide a video if the feature is hard to find
// Attach a screen recording to your replyGuideline 2.1: App Completeness
Guideline 2.1 rejections mean the reviewer found the app incomplete or non-functional. Common causes include: broken flows the reviewer could not complete, missing test credentials, a feature that works only on specific device models, or a login that fails (perhaps your staging backend is down). Always test the app on a clean device with a fresh account using the exact credentials you provided in the review notes.
// Pre-submission checklist to avoid 2.1:
// 1. Test on a REAL device (not just simulator)
// 2. Create a dedicated review account and TEST IT
// - Log in fresh (don't use a pre-seeded account)
// - Complete the sign-up flow from scratch
// 3. Test every tab / navigation path
// 4. Test with a fresh install (no leftover cached state)
// 5. Check that all images, API calls, and links load
// 6. Verify screenshot accuracy matches current app UIGuideline 5.1: Privacy Violations
Apple enforces privacy guidelines strictly. Guideline 5.1 covers: collecting device data without user consent, using IDFA/device fingerprinting without the ATT (App Tracking Transparency) prompt, missing usage description strings in Info.plist, and not disclosing collected data in the Data Safety section. The ATT framework must be implemented if you track users across apps or websites — calling requestTrackingAuthorization() before any tracking activity.
// App Tracking Transparency (ATT) - required for tracking
import { requestTrackingPermissionsAsync } from 'expo-tracking-transparency';
async function requestTracking() {
const { status } = await requestTrackingPermissionsAsync();
if (status === 'granted') {
// User opted in — enable analytics/ads
initializeAnalytics();
} else {
// User declined — use anonymous/aggregated data only
initializeAnonymousAnalytics();
}
}
// Info.plist required:
// NSUserTrackingUsageDescription: 'We use tracking to personalize ads.'Guideline 3.1: Payment Guidelines
If your app sells digital goods or subscriptions, Apple mandates they go through its In-App Purchase (IAP) system. You cannot link to a web payment flow for digital content that can be used in the app — doing so triggers a Guideline 3.1 rejection. Physical goods (e.g., ordering a pizza), services rendered in-person (e.g., a taxi ride), and business-to-business sales have explicit exemptions. When in doubt, use IAP.
// What requires Apple IAP:
// - Premium features / unlocks
// - Subscriptions to content or services
// - Virtual currency / gems
// - Consumable boosts inside the app
// What does NOT require IAP:
// - Selling physical goods (ecommerce)
// - Services delivered in-person (food delivery, rideshare)
// - B2B enterprise sales
// - Reader apps reading content purchased elsewhere (Reader Rule)
// e.g., Kindle, Spotify (no in-app upgrade allowed though)Expedited Review Requests
Apple offers an expedited review process for time-sensitive situations: critical bug fixes, security vulnerabilities discovered in production, or a release tied to a major media event. Submit an expedited review request through the Resolution Center after submitting the build. Provide a business justification — Apple evaluates requests individually and approves a subset. This does not guarantee same-day approval but typically cuts wait time significantly.
// When to request expedited review:
// - Production crash affecting >X% of users
// - Security vulnerability that needs immediate patch
// - Legal deadline (court order, regulation change)
// - Major event launch (Conference release, holiday launch)
// Process:
// App Store Connect > Resolution Center
// > Request Expedited Review
// > Choose: App Update
// > Explain the urgency (2-3 sentences)
// > Submit requestResponding to a Metadata Rejection
Metadata rejections (name, screenshots, description) do not always require a new binary. You can update the metadata and resubmit the same build for review. Fix the specific item called out (e.g., a screenshot showing a feature you removed), update it in App Store Connect, and reply in the Resolution Center explaining what you changed. This can be resolved much faster than issues requiring code changes.
// Metadata rejection workflow:
// 1. Read the specific guideline cited
// 2. Update the metadata in App Store Connect
// (Screenshots, Description, Keywords, etc.)
// 3. Go to Resolution Center
// 4. Reply with:
// 'We have updated the screenshot for the Home tab to accurately
// reflect the current app UI. The feature shown (X) is available
// after sign-in. Please see the updated screenshot attached.'
// 5. Click 'Resubmit for Review' (not a new version submission)Appealing a Rejection
If you disagree with a rejection, you can formally appeal to the App Review Board. This is appropriate when you believe your app complies with the guidelines and the reviewer made an error. File the appeal through the Resolution Center, citing the specific guideline you believe you comply with and providing evidence. Appeals take longer than just fixing and resubmitting. For borderline cases, consider calling the App Review team — it is a real phone conversation with a reviewer.
// When to appeal vs. fix-and-resubmit:
// Fix and resubmit (faster):
// - Clear violation you can fix in < 1 day
// - Crash reproducible and fixable
// - Missing info you can add easily
// Appeal:
// - You genuinely comply but reviewer misread the app
// - You need a policy exception for your use case
// - Your app is being held to a different standard
// than similar apps already on the store
// Resolution Center > Reply to Review > Request AppealPost-Approval: Phased Release
After approval, instead of releasing to all users immediately, use Phased Release. Apple rolls out the update to a percentage of users over 7 days (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 100%). You can pause the rollout at any point if crash rates spike. This limits the blast radius of a bug that slipped through testing. Phased release is available for app updates, not first submissions.
// Enable Phased Release in App Store Connect:
// My Apps > Version > Phased Release for Automatic Updates
// Select: Release over 7-day period
// Day 1: 1% of users
// Day 2: 2% of users
// Day 3: 5% of users
// Day 4: 10% of users
// Day 5: 20% of users
// Day 6: 50% of users
// Day 7: 100% of users
// You can manually pause if crash rates rise:
// Version > Phased Release > PauseQuick Check
Test your understanding of React Native Mobile Development concepts from this lesson.
Lesson Recap
In this lesson you learned: how the App Store review process works and typical timelines, how to use the Resolution Center to respond to and appeal rejections, and how to avoid the most common rejection reasons (2.1 completeness, 5.1 privacy, 3.1 payments). You also saw how to request expedited review and use Phased Release to limit rollout risk. Next up we cover creating a keystore and signing the Android AAB.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections” is free to read here on the web, and the React Native Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the React Native Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections”?
Upload the build with EAS Submit or Transporter, select it for review in App Store Connect, and understand the most common rejection reasons and how to address them. You practise React Native Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start React Native Academy?
No prior experience is required. React Native Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 4 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this React Native Academy lesson?
Yes. Every React Native Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- Apple Developer Account Setup and Certificates
- Configuring Signing with EAS Build
- Preparing App Store Metadata in App Store Connect
- Submitting for Review and Responding to Rejections