Getting your app rejected from the App Store or Google Play can be frustrating, especially when you've invested time and effort into building it. Understanding the common reasons for rejection helps you avoid these pitfalls before you submit.
Adalo lets you build database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps — published to the App Store and Google Play — from a single no-code editor. Knowing the specific guidelines each platform requires ensures your Adalo app gets approved on the first try.
How to figure out app publishing
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.
No-code platforms like 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, make it easier to navigate these requirements while building your app. With streamlined publishing workflows, you can focus on creating a great user experience without getting lost in technical complexities.
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 for it are
- The user interface (UI)
- The user experience (UX)
- The application features
- 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
- 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 is unique, reliable, and doesn’t overpromise. The less ambiguous or inaccurate your description is, the less likely it is that your app will be rejected.
- 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 leads 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.
- 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, that will help 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.
- 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 interference. Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines clearly state that, “If your user interface is complex or less than very good, it may be rejected”.
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
- Robust privacy policy
A privacy policy is an 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.
- 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 considered when submitting your app for review and publishing, more information is always better.
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.
To recap, we recommend these tips to avoid app store rejection:
- Follow submission guidelines from the start
- Pay attention to the top reasons for rejection
- Treat app development as a journey, and don’t give up!
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I easily navigate app store publishing requirements? | Yes, with Adalo's No Code App Builder, you can easily navigate app store publishing requirements. Adalo provides streamlined publishing workflows that guide you through Apple App Store and Google Play guidelines, helping you avoid common rejection reasons like UI issues, bugs, and incomplete information. |
| Why choose Adalo over other App Builder solutions? | Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. This publishing capability is crucial because getting your app into the stores is key to marketing and distribution, which is often the hardest part of launching a new app or business. Adalo removes this major barrier so you can focus on growing your user base. |
| What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store? | Adalo is the fastest way to build and publish an app to the Apple App Store and Google Play. With No Code App Builder's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building, you can go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process, so you can focus on your app's features and user experience instead of wrestling with certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines. |
| What are the top reasons apps get rejected from the app stores? | The top reasons for app rejection include poor user interface (UI), bad user experience (UX), inadequate application features, and functionality issues. Additionally, incomplete app descriptions, performance problems, bugs, and missing privacy policies frequently lead to rejection. Understanding these factors before submission significantly improves your chances of approval. |
| 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 any personal data. In this case, your privacy policy 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 with your users. |
| How can I test my app before submitting it to the app stores? | You can release a beta version to a limited audience to identify issues across different devices. Apple's TestFlight and other third-party services allow you to gather beta testers who can help uncover bugs, crashes, and performance problems. Test every feature, screen, and monitor load times carefully before final submission. |
| What should I include in my app description to avoid rejection? | Your app description must accurately explain what your app does without being misleading or overpromising. Keep it unique, reliable, and clear about your app's functionality. The less ambiguous or inaccurate your description is, the less likely your app will be rejected during the review process. |
