Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, App Store, SDK, App Review
Dear Auntie TUAW: How do I deal with an app due for rejection?
Dear Auntie TUAW,I submitted a really simple game to Apple on July 17th, and I'm still waiting for them to review it.
A week after that submission, I submitted another new app (a lite version of another app of mine) that had the phrase "Buy the full version for $0.99" and it was rejected only 7 days later because I listed the price (different world currencies pay different amounts). Fair enough. Except that my app that I submitted on July 17th also has the phrase "$0.99" in it (this was submitted before Apple warned all developers to not list costs inside the app).
I e-mailed Apple saying "I know you'll reject my app because of this reason. What should I do?"
They replied saying "Since your application is under further review, I would recommend letting the special review process finish its path and then if you are rejected for the same reason as [2nd app], you will have to make the changes and then we will expedite your application through the new review process."
That was 7 days ago. I know that my app will be rejected. They also know it will be rejected. And yet, it's still "In Review." I know many other developers complain about the review process, and I've not even had to be waiting for as long as some other people, but this process is just a ridiculous one that we all need to jump through. The App Store has been out for over a year now... why haven't they figured this process out by now? Even if it needs to take this long to go through the review process, it'd be nice if they were at least a little more vocal about what is going on and give me a time frame of when it will be completed.
Love and Kissies,
Your Nephew Ryan
Dearest Ryan,
I'm so sorry to hear about your App Store review delays. It's just like waiting for my bifocals to be ready at the opticians. I can't see what kind of bad news is on the way to mess up my lawn but I know they're out there and that they'll be here soon. You young whippersnappers!
Fortunately, iTunes Connect offers a handy feature that puts you back in control of your situation. (Just as my Remington 870 tactical will help with mine.)
Update your app in Xcode, create a new distribution version, and then reject the binary that's currently in review. You'll then be able to upload a new version that doesn't mention any specific prices. (And hopefully doesn't try to upsell you to another product because in-app advertisements for free-to-pay upgrades make Auntie T have to stock up on the Preparation H, if you follow my meaning. It also gives you halitosis, stunts your growth, and decreases your happiness level by 1d5.)
Admittedly, rejecting your binary puts you at the back of the review line. At the same time, you know that if you've taken care of any outstanding auto-rejection issues, you'll likely have a 7-14 day approval from the time you reject and then replace the app. Second guessing the review squad and fixing problems proactively sidesteps any known issues and puts you back into control.
And don't forget to send the poor review team some virtual cookies. They love that!
Love,
Auntie TUAW
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
agad said 6:22PM on 8-10-2009
Cool
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DaveR said 6:45PM on 8-10-2009
This seems like a bad idea.. The recommendation from Apple was probably the best. There's obviously some other reason the application is going through a "special" review process, be it a copyright or trademark issue, or some other random nonsense that they want to delay it for. The fact is, mentioning the price is insignificant but it's part of their policy, once it's been fixed and you've passed all the other check points it's easy to say "OK, you've already passed everything else, so with this one change we can push you through." But, if you cancel the review process half-way through then now you need to start over again with the special review. Now if they didn't respond to the original inquiry then I say do whatever you need, but since they told you "this is the best thing for you to do" why would you question it?
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Erica Sadun said 7:04PM on 8-10-2009
Having been through this process quite a few times, I've found that fixing problems that you know are already rejectable helps ensure that the feedback you do get back illuminates new issues.
LAGal said 3:56PM on 8-12-2009
first off, given the number of apps being reviewed I can't believe anyone is surprised by a one month wait
second, i thought I specifically saw a mention of 'upselling' as not allowed. a tag of 'lite' (which implies there is another version) is allowed
third, I agree with those that say don't reject yourself. both in terms of going to apple and saying "I know you are going to reject this" cause hey you are asking to be rejected, why give them the out. and on the binary trick. they might find something else wrong that you can fix at the same time and why push yourself back when apparently there is a 're-review' queue you could go into for faster service.
Red_iPhone said 6:56PM on 8-10-2009
I agree with DaveR, it seems to me the app may have other issues that Apple is having a problem with. If that's the case, you canceling the process will put you behind the curve, especially since you don't know what those issues may be. I'd say you follow Apple's advice, obscure though the wait time may be.
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Erica Sadun said 7:07PM on 8-10-2009
Apple only gives one rejection reason per submission. That rejection reason is almost always the one that first crops up on the reviewer's list.
Knowing that a rejection reason exists, and eliminating that reason first helps guarantee that your next rejection will give you information that avoids duplicating the first rejection.
reallycrazyguy said 6:57PM on 8-10-2009
I would not describe your process as giving the developer "control" of the situation. Given the black hole of app review, the person has no idea if it's better to do this or if it's better to wait for the official rejection, then upload the revised version. Hell, the person doesn't even know if the reviewer is just sitting on his app right now or if they are still reviewing it to find other things.
And don't forget, there have been cases where the app has a 'ping' function to indicate it's being executed, and the develop noticed the app was run ONCE, soon after the app was submitted, then a month later (Apple having not run the app again), he received a rejection letter based on that first run.
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robogobo said 6:59PM on 8-10-2009
Dear Auntie TUAW, drop the Auntie TUAW shit. It takes up half the post with stupid nonsense. Not that the other half is so great.
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Blaktornado said 7:46PM on 8-10-2009
I don't know... I don't mind it, personally. It's part of TUAW's charm. It's innocent and doesn't do any harm. It is, in essence, the very nature of TUAW.
robogobo said 3:38AM on 8-11-2009
I suppose you're right.
Ryan Trevisol said 8:04AM on 8-11-2009
This one was marginally funnier than the previous ones. And marginally less embarassing to know that an adult wrote this and got paid for it.
Basically the Auntie TUAW posts are just another way for Erica to point out the Machiavellian aspects of the App Store.
robogobo said 8:33AM on 8-11-2009
I never looked at the byline before. Knowing it's from Erica makes it somehow ok.
BeyondtheTech said 7:38PM on 8-10-2009
I can tell you that it took nearly a month to get my first game (Archangel: Fate of the Galactic Commonwealth, http://tinyurl.com/archget) approved.
I submitted it on July 5, and it was rejected on July 9 due to the 57x57 and 512x512 icons not matching up, citing that it would "confusing to users." I resubmitted a fixed version the same night.
I received a second rejection on July 16 due to my modified logo of a guy holding an iPhone-looking device instead of a keyboard. Again, I resubmitted a fixed version the same night.
I received nothing but a few canned responses ("we are reviewing your binary, we will notify you of any further issues...") until I actually got a call on my iPhone from Apple (caller ID showed 408-996-1010, I thought my friends were pranking me). Apparently the game was being held up due to my description that directly referenced Star Trek (which my game was inspired from). The rep from the review team was kind enough to speak to me for a while and let me know that their SLA's were about 7-10 days, but reviewing included checking for any infringements. Even though the developer is ultimately responsible for their content in their app, Apple has to perform their due diligence as well.
As you all know, Apple deals directly with a lot of music and movie studios, so the last thing they need is getting their partners riled up over a product they approved that infringes on the rights of one of their partners.
So, all I needed to do was revise my description. But the important thing to note is that they told me that after any rejection, whether by the developer or the Review Team, it always goes to the back of the line.
With much frustration and patience, my game finally got approved on August 1 and finally hit the App Store.
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chang.seea said 1:48AM on 8-11-2009
Erica's assertion that they only give one reason is incorrect!
True they don't necessarily give ALL the reasons/issues in the first email you receive, but very often you'll receive an email that details 2 or more issues.
It all depends on how far into the review process they got before they felt they need to reject the app.
What we find frustrating is that once rejected there is no 'picking up where they left off'. Don't expect any expediting of the review process. Aint gonna happe! You are back in the queue and the start of the review process.
It makes you want to scream "Why don't you take notes so the next reviewer doesn't have to rereview what you've already checked" but I guess they feel they need to review the app from scratch in case there have been other changes made since the initial rejection.
Still it's the only game in town and if you have faith in your apps potential I guess you have to have faith that your patience will be rewarded ;)
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Jash Sayani said 12:35PM on 8-11-2009
They should have a dashboard for developers to view and change information of an app at any time....
Also, after paying a 100 dollars, it should not take a month to review an app!
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LAGal said 4:02PM on 8-12-2009
they get 100s of apps a day to review. because they are talking about a cell phone, which for some is their only phone and because they want to avoid pissed off customers and packed stores wanting help cause X Y or Z app killed the phone, they are going to be careful.
and consider that you agreed to a policy that all refunds come 100% out of your pocket, do you really want to lose money when Apple decides it is best to give a bunch of refunds for your broken app than simply look like douches with their 'sales are final' general policy.
gregh said 2:35PM on 8-11-2009
I let me my iPhone developer license lapse today.
I posted a letter to Apple re: why I was not renewing.
If everyone does this with there $100 dollars (iPhone developer tax), I think they would begin to notice more and create a sane submission policy.
A CC of the letter posted on my blog "Newwebexpert.com" , if interested.
Start cancelling until they alter their 'stupid' policies!
Best. //GH
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