Top 10 Rejection Reasons (and How to Fix Them)

Based on real Rork Max submissions, here are the most common rejections.

Rejection 1: Missing Privacy Descriptions

What You'll See: "Your app requires camera access, but Info.plist does not include NSCameraUsageDescription."

Why It Happens: Rork Max generates a functional app, but the Info.plist privacy descriptions are blank.

The Fix:

<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>We need camera access to let you upload profile photos</string>
 
<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
<string>We need photo library access to let you select images</string>
 
<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>We use your location to find nearby restaurants</string>

Rork Max Prompt:

Add these privacy descriptions to Info.plist:
- NSCameraUsageDescription: "We need camera access to let you upload profile photos"
- NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription: "We need photo library access to let you select images"
- NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription: "We use your location to find nearby restaurants"

Rejection 2: Hardcoded Test Credentials

What You'll See: "Your app contains test credentials like 'admin/password123' or test@example.com."

Why It Happens: Rork Max demo code includes dummy data that didn't get removed before submission.

The Fix:

• Remove all test accounts (like admin accounts)
• Move API keys to environment variables
• Delete test data from app code
• Check console logs for exposed test information

Rork Max Prompt:

Remove all hardcoded test credentials:
- Remove test@example.com and any demo login accounts
- Move all API keys to environment variables
- Remove any test data from the app code
- Ensure console logs don't print personal information

Rejection 3: App Crashes During Review

What You'll See: "The app crashed during our testing" with no further details.

Why It Happens: Network errors, missing error handling, or edge cases aren't managed.

The Fix:

// Bad - will crash if network fails
const fetchData = async () => {
  const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
  const data = await response.json();
  setData(data);
};
 
// Good - handles errors gracefully
const fetchData = async () => {
  try {
    const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
    if (!response.ok) throw new Error('API error');
    const data = await response.json();
    setData(data);
  } catch (error) {
    setError('Unable to load data. Please check your connection.');
    console.error('Fetch failed:', error);
  }
};

Test This Way:

• Enable Airplane Mode and test every network feature
• Toggle WiFi off and on repeatedly
• Test with VPN enabled and disabled
• Try on slow 3G connection (use Xcode network throttling)

Rejection 4: UI Layout Issues

What You'll See: "Content is hidden behind the notch or home indicator" or "Text is too small to read."

Why It Happens: Rork Max doesn't automatically handle Dynamic Island and notch safe areas.

The Fix:

// Use safe area insets
import { useSafeAreaInsets } from 'react-native-safe-area-context';
 
export default function App() {
  const insets = useSafeAreaInsets();
  return (
    <View style={{
      paddingTop: insets.top,
      paddingBottom: insets.bottom,
      paddingLeft: insets.left,
      paddingRight: insets.right,
    }}>
      {/* Your content here */}
    </View>
  );
}
 
// Minimum text sizes
// Body text: 16pt or larger
// Captions: 12pt or larger
// Interactive elements: 44×44pt minimum

Rejection 5: Broken Payment Features

What You'll See: "Premium features are free" or "Users can't restore purchases."

Why It Happens: In-App Purchase logic isn't fully implemented.

The Fix: Use a dedicated payment service like RevenueCAT (covered in detail in a later article). Key points:

• Test purchases with Sandbox accounts
• Verify purchase restoration works
• Ensure premium content actually requires payment

Rejection 6: Login Screen Blocks Review

What You'll See: App launches but goes straight to login, and reviewers can't proceed.

Why It Happens: No demo account provided or credentials are wrong.

The Fix:

• Provide a test account in Reviewer Notes
• Use credentials like: demo@example.com / Demo123!
• Or implement auto-login for TestFlight builds only

// Auto-login for TestFlight only
const isTestFlight = process.env.EXPO_PUBLIC_ENV === 'testflight';
if (isTestFlight && !loggedIn) {
  autoLogin('demo@example.com', 'Demo123!');
}

Rejection 7: App Description Doesn't Match Features

What You'll See: "Your description mentions an AI chatbot, but this feature isn't in the app."

Why It Happens: Gap between what you promised and what you delivered.

The Fix:

• Go through your App Store description
• Verify every single feature mentioned actually exists in the app
• Remove features that aren't implemented yet
• Don't mention features you're still building

Rejection 8: Missing Entitlements

What You'll See: "Your app uses location services but doesn't declare them."

Why It Happens: Info.plist or entitlements file is incomplete.

The Fix: In App Store Connect, go to Capabilities and enable:

• Network — If your app uses the internet (required for most apps)
• Background Modes — Only if you do background processing
• Push Notifications — If you send push notifications

Rejection 9: Privacy & Tracking Not Implemented

What You'll See: "Your app doesn't request App Tracking Transparency (ATT) permission."

Why It Happens: If you're using ads (Google AdMob), ATT must be implemented.

The Fix:

import * as TrackingTransparency from 'expo-tracking-transparency';
 
useEffect(() => {
  const requestTracking = async () => {
    const { granted } = await TrackingTransparency.requestTrackingPermissionsAsync();
    // User has granted or denied permission
  };
  requestTracking();
}, []);

Also create a PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy file explaining what data you collect and why.

Rejection 10: Reviewer Can't Understand How to Use the App

What You'll See: Generic feedback: "The app is unclear" or "We couldn't find the mentioned features."

Why It Happens: Your Reviewer Notes (see next section) didn't clearly explain how to use the app.

The Fix: Write detailed, step-by-step reviewer notes.

Writing Reviewer Notes That Work

The Reviewer Notes field (also called Reviewer Information) in App Store Connect is your direct line to the person approving your app. Writing these well makes approval significantly more likely.

Template That Works

[One-sentence description of your app]

■ How to Test
1. Launch the app and you'll see [first screen]
2. Tap [button name] to [action]
3. You'll see [expected result]

■ Test Account
Email: demo@example.com
Password: Demo123!

■ Important Notes
- This app requires an internet connection
- You'll be asked for camera permission on first launch
- Version 1.0 is the initial release

■ More Info
- Privacy Policy: [URL]
- Support: [email]

What Makes Reviewer Notes Great

• Step-by-step instructions — "Launch → Tap → See result" flow
• Clear test credentials — Email and password (with exact capitalization)
• Under 500 characters — Reviewers skim, don't read long text
• Preemptive explanations — If you have dummy data, explain it: "The app shows sample data in sandbox mode"
• Version context — "Version 1.1 adds the new chat feature"

What Not to Do

• Don't explain obvious things ("tap buttons to use features")
• Don't ask the reviewer to create an account
• Don't explain app features already visible in screenshots
• Don't make emotional appeals ("we worked hard on this")

Screenshots and Metadata Matter

Screenshot Best Practices

• Must include 5.5-inch or larger — This is non-negotiable
• iPad screenshots — If your app works on iPad, show it
• No test data visible — Log out before taking screenshots so test accounts don't appear
• Add text overlays — Use design tools to add 1-2 key benefits per screenshot
• Show your best screens first — First 2 screenshots are seen by 90% of viewers

Metadata That Sells

• App Name — Should be identical across all regions (consistency wins)
• Subtitle — Descriptive and specific, not just keywords
• Keywords — Research what users actually search for
• Description — First 2 lines show in preview (make them count)

Appealing a Rejection

If you disagree with a rejection, you can appeal.

How to Appeal

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Find your build
3. Click "Resolution Center"
4. Click "Appeal"
5. Write a detailed response with evidence

How to Write a Winning Appeal

• Don't get emotional — Apple doesn't care if you're frustrated
• Quote the specific guideline — Reference "Guideline 1.2" exactly
• Provide evidence — Attach screenshots or video showing the feature works
• Be concise — 2-3 short paragraphs maximum

Example:

Regarding the "Guideline 1.2" rejection about privacy:

Our app's privacy policy at [URL] shows exactly which data we collect
and why. As shown in the attached screenshot, users see a clear permission
prompt when the app launches.

We believe this app complies with the guideline. Please let us know if
we're missing something specific.

Rork Max Specific Gotchas

Code Generation Blindspots

Rork Max is powerful, but these issues often slip through:

• API error handling — Timeouts and 404 responses aren't always handled
• Language issues — English text hardcoded where it should be translated
• Dark Mode — Not all colors automatically adapt
• Accessibility — VoiceOver support isn't always complete

Solution: After generating code, manually test these areas before submission.

Build Settings to Double-Check

• TestFlight vs. Production — Make sure they use different provisioning profiles
• Minimum iOS Version — Should be iOS 15.0 or later
• Symbol Upload — Ensure your crash reports include symbols

The 50-Point Pre-Submission Checklist

Privacy & Security (10 items)

• [ ] All privacy descriptions in Info.plist are complete and accurate
• [ ] No hardcoded API keys or credentials anywhere in code
• [ ] No test accounts (test@example.com, admin/password, etc.)
• [ ] All network requests use HTTPS
• [ ] PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy file is configured
• [ ] ATT (App Tracking Transparency) is implemented if you use ads
• [ ] Location permission is set to "While Using" not "Always"
• [ ] Biometric auth has password fallback
• [ ] All user data is encrypted or secured
• [ ] No personal info in console logs

User Experience & UI (15 items)

• [ ] No content hidden behind notch or home indicator
• [ ] All text is minimum 16pt
• [ ] Layout works in both portrait and landscape
• [ ] All buttons are at least 44×44pt
• [ ] Dark Mode displays correctly
• [ ] App doesn't crash on launch
• [ ] Network failures don't cause crashes
• [ ] No memory leaks after 5+ minutes of use
• [ ] Test account logs in successfully
• [ ] Premium features are protected by paywall/IAP
• [ ] Back button navigation works correctly
• [ ] No non-English placeholder text visible
• [ ] VoiceOver works for basic navigation
• [ ] Keyboard focus is visible
• [ ] App load time is under 3 seconds (ideal)

Features & Functionality (10 items)

• [ ] Every feature mentioned in description is actually in the app
• [ ] Purchase restoration works
• [ ] App version is displayed somewhere in settings
• [ ] Push notification permission requests appear at right time
• [ ] App handles denied permissions gracefully
• [ ] Camera/location fallback exists if user denies permission
• [ ] All background tasks are declared in Info.plist
• [ ] Background processing time is minimal
• [ ] All external links work (privacy policy, support, etc.)
• [ ] Privacy policy is easy to find in app or online

Metadata & Documentation (10 items)

• [ ] App name matches your description
• [ ] Keywords are relevant and not spammy
• [ ] Screenshots show no test accounts or test data
• [ ] Screenshots match what's actually in the app
• [ ] Reviewer Notes include test account credentials
• [ ] Reviewer Notes have step-by-step instructions
• [ ] Privacy Policy is legally adequate
• [ ] Support/Contact info is available
• [ ] Copyright notice is correct
• [ ] Build number increases with each submission

Technical Quality (5 items)

• [ ] Zero Xcode build warnings
• [ ] All external SDKs are up to date
• [ ] No unnecessary imports or unused code
• [ ] Console.log() debugging is removed
• [ ] Minimum iOS target is 15.0 or higher

Common Questions

Q: I got rejected for a vague reason. Now what?

A: Read the rejection email carefully. Apple usually references a specific guideline number (like 1.2 or 4.3). Search Apple's official guidelines for that number. If still unclear, use the Resolution Center in App Store Connect to ask Apple for clarification.

Q: I've been rejected twice for the same reason. What am I missing?

A: This usually means either:

1. Your fix didn't actually make it into the new build (verify in Xcode)
2. You're testing on a cached version (delete and reinstall)
3. Your test account got locked after too many wrong passwords (create a new one)

Q: Does resubmitting a modified version get reviewed faster?

A: Not officially, but yes in practice. Modified versions usually get reviewed slightly faster than initial submissions.

Q: Which Rork Max features cause the longest reviews?

A:

• Simple data display and CRUD operations — fastest
• Complex In-App Purchase flows — slower
• Health/medical features — much slower (extra compliance required)
• Dating features — very slow (fraud detection required)
• Gambling elements — slowest or rejected

Q: How long until I can update my app with new features?

A: Each update goes through App Store review again. Same process, usually 2-4 days per update. Plan accordingly if you're releasing frequently.

Looking back

Getting your Rork Max app approved on the first submission is achievable with preparation. The key is understanding that AI-generated apps have different failure patterns than hand-coded apps. Privacy descriptions, hardcoded credentials, and error handling are your biggest risks.

Use the 50-point checklist. Write clear reviewer notes. Test on a real device with network off. Do this and approval becomes almost certain.

App Store review isn't random. It's a systematic process that rewards apps that follow clear rules. Master those rules and your Rork Max app will launch successfully.

For further reading:

• Official App Store Review Guidelines
• Apple Human Interface Guidelines