App review guidelines in iOS Swift

Introduction

App review guidelines help make sure apps are safe, work well, and are easy to use for everyone.

Before submitting your app to the App Store to avoid rejection.

When updating your app to keep it compliant with new rules.

To improve user experience by following best practices.

To ensure your app respects user privacy and security.

When designing app features to meet Apple's standards.

Syntax

iOS Swift

No code syntax applies because these are rules and guidelines, not programming syntax.

These guidelines are rules from Apple that your app must follow.

They cover design, functionality, content, privacy, and legal issues.

Examples

These are some key points from the guidelines to keep in mind.

iOS Swift

1. Your app must be complete and fully functional.
2. Your app must respect user privacy and get permission before accessing data.
3. Your app must not contain offensive or illegal content.
4. Your app must work on all supported devices without crashing.

More examples of rules to help your app get approved.

iOS Swift

5. Your app should use Apple's standard interface elements for a familiar experience.
6. Your app must not copy other apps or infringe on copyrights.
7. Your app must provide accurate metadata and descriptions.

Sample App

This simple app follows guidelines by using standard UI elements and accessibility labels for users with disabilities.

iOS Swift

import SwiftUI

struct ContentView: View {
    var body: some View {
        Text("Welcome to My App")
            .padding()
            .accessibilityLabel("Welcome message")
    }
}

@main
struct MyApp: App {
    var body: some Scene {
        WindowGroup {
            ContentView()
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

Always test your app on real devices before submitting.

Read the latest App Store Review Guidelines on Apple's developer website regularly.

Use Apple's tools like Xcode's Accessibility Inspector to improve your app.

Summary

App review guidelines keep apps safe and user-friendly.

Follow rules about privacy, content, and design to get approved.

Use standard UI and test well before submitting your app.

Practice

1. Which of the following is a key reason for following App Store review guidelines?

easy

A. To ensure apps are safe and user-friendly

B. To make apps run faster on all devices

C. To increase app download size

D. To allow apps to bypass security checks

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of review guidelines

   App Store guidelines exist to keep apps safe and user-friendly for everyone.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   Only To ensure apps are safe and user-friendly matches the purpose; others are unrelated or incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   To ensure apps are safe and user-friendly -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   App safety and usability = D [OK]

Hint: Think about why Apple reviews apps before approval [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing performance with safety
• Assuming guidelines increase app size
• Believing guidelines allow security bypass

2. Which Swift code snippet correctly requests user permission for location access following App Store guidelines?

easy

A. CLLocationManager().startUpdatingLocation()

B. CLLocationManager().stopUpdatingLocation()

C. CLLocationManager().requestAlwaysAuthorization() without Info.plist key

D. CLLocationManager().requestWhenInUseAuthorization()

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct permission request method

   requestWhenInUseAuthorization() properly asks user permission as per guidelines.

2. Step 2: Check for Info.plist compliance

   CLLocationManager().requestAlwaysAuthorization() without Info.plist key misses required Info.plist key, violating guidelines.

3. Final Answer:

   CLLocationManager().requestWhenInUseAuthorization() -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Proper permission request = B [OK]

Hint: Permission requests must match Info.plist keys [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Starting location updates before permission
• Requesting authorization without plist keys
• Stopping updates instead of requesting permission

3. What will happen if your app uses private APIs not allowed by App Store guidelines?

medium

A. App will be rejected during review

B. App will run faster on devices

C. App will automatically update permissions

D. App will be featured on the App Store

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand private API usage rules

   Using private APIs is against guidelines and causes rejection.

2. Step 2: Evaluate consequences of private API use

   Only rejection fits; other options are unrelated or false.

3. Final Answer:

   App will be rejected during review -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Private API use = A [OK]

Hint: Private APIs cause rejection, not benefits [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking private APIs improve app speed
• Assuming automatic permission updates
• Believing private APIs lead to featuring

4. You submitted an app that crashes on launch during review. What is the most likely cause based on App Store guidelines?

medium

A. Not requesting user permission for notifications

B. Using too many images in the app bundle

C. Missing required launch storyboard or incorrect Info.plist setup

D. Having a large app icon size

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify common crash causes on launch

   Missing launch storyboard or wrong Info.plist keys cause immediate crashes.

2. Step 2: Check other options for crash relevance

   Options B, C, D do not cause launch crashes.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing required launch storyboard or incorrect Info.plist setup -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Launch crash cause = A [OK]

Hint: Check launch storyboard and Info.plist first for crashes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Blaming image count for crashes
• Ignoring launch storyboard setup
• Confusing permission requests with crashes

5. Your app collects user data. According to App Store guidelines, what must you do before submitting?

hard

A. Only mention data collection in app description

B. Provide a clear privacy policy and request user consent

C. Collect data silently without informing users

D. Encrypt data but skip user consent

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand data collection rules

   Guidelines require clear privacy policy and user consent before data collection.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for compliance

   Only Provide a clear privacy policy and request user consent meets these requirements; others violate guidelines.

3. Final Answer:

   Provide a clear privacy policy and request user consent -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Privacy policy + consent = C [OK]

Hint: Always include privacy policy and ask consent [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Collecting data without user knowledge
• Hiding data use only in description
• Skipping consent even if data is encrypted