App review guidelines in iOS Swift - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding App Store Review Time

How long does the typical app review process take on the Apple App Store?

A One week minimum

B Usually 24 to 48 hours

C Instant approval after submission

D At least one month

💡 Hint

Think about how fast Apple usually processes app submissions.

Apple's app review process typically takes about 24 to 48 hours, though it can vary.

❓ ui_behavior

intermediate

App Behavior That Violates Guidelines

Which app behavior is most likely to cause rejection during Apple's review?

A Using private APIs to access system features

B Having a simple user interface

C Supporting multiple device orientations

D Including a help section

💡 Hint

Apple restricts apps from using certain system features not meant for developers.

Using private APIs is against Apple's guidelines and causes app rejection.

❓ lifecycle

advanced

App Review and App Lifecycle

What happens if you submit an app update that crashes on launch during Apple's review?

A The update is rejected and the current version remains live

B The update is approved but users see a crash

C The app is removed from the store immediately

D Apple fixes the crash before approval

💡 Hint

Apple tests your app before approval to protect users.

If the app crashes on launch, Apple rejects the update to protect users.

❓ navigation

advanced

App Store Metadata Requirements

Which metadata is mandatory for submitting an app to the Apple App Store?

A App's source code

B Developer's home address and phone number

C User's personal data

D App name, description, screenshots, and privacy policy URL

💡 Hint

Think about what users see on the App Store page.

App name, description, screenshots, and privacy policy URL are required metadata.

📝 Syntax

expert

App Review Rejection Reason Identification

Given this Swift code snippet in your app, what is the most likely reason for App Store rejection? let userPassword = "12345" print("User password is \(userPassword)")

A Variable names cannot start with 'user'

B Using string interpolation causes a syntax error

C Hardcoding sensitive user data violates privacy guidelines

D Printing to console is not allowed in Swift apps

💡 Hint

Think about user privacy and data security rules.

Hardcoding sensitive data like passwords is against Apple's privacy rules and causes rejection.

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