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<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"><head><meta charset="utf-8"><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge,chrome=1"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"><title>App Store Review Guidelines History</title><link rel="alternate" href="http://appstorereviewguidelineshistory.com/feed.xml" type="application/rss+xml" title=""><script src="//use.typekit.net/uzm7ejy.js"></script><script>try{Typekit.load();}catch(e){}</script><link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/main.css"><script>
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</noscript></head><body><div id="header-box"><div class="content-wrap"><div class="left-side"><a href="/" alt="App Store Review Guidelines front page"><img class="site-logo" src="/asrgh_logo.png"></a></div><div class="right-side"><p>Powered by</p><a href="http://www.shape.dk" alt="Shape logo"><img class="shape-logo" src="/shape_logo.png"></a></div></div></div><header class="header"><div class="content-wrap"><div class="logo"><p class="description">Hi. We're<a href="http://www.shape.dk"> Shape</a>, an app development agency in Copenhagen and Zurich. We refer to the App Store Review Guidelines all the time. It's hard to spot the changes, so we made this site for ourselves and our clients. We hope it can help you as well.</p></div></div></header><div id="content"><div class="content-wrap"><!--div.mailchimp-container--><div class="mailchimp-form"><!-- Begin MailChimp Signup Form -->
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<!--End mc_embed_signup--><!--include twitter.html--><p class="mail-form-policy">We will never spam you or give your email to others.</p></div><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>April 10, 2024</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2024-04-10-music-streaming-services-and-retro-games-emulators/">Clarification on alternative music streaming app payment methods and allowing downloads in retro game console emulator apps</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> to clarify how music streaming apps in particular can inform users about alternative payment methods and prices. The updated guidelines also now specify that it’s allowable for retro game console emulator apps to offer to download games.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=0kjli9o1">Apple’s own summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes">
<section class="apple">
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.1(a) Link to Other Purchase Methods" id="link-to-other-purchase-methods"><span id="3.1.1a"></span><strong>3.1.1(a) Link to Other Purchase Methods:</strong> Developers may apply for <span class="delete">an</span><span class="insert">entitlements to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase digital content or services. Please see additional details below.
</span><ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li><span class="insert">StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlements: apps on the App Store in specific regions may offer in-app purchases and also use a StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement to include a link to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital goods or services. Learn more about these </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/storekit/external_purchase"><span class="insert">entitlements</span></a><span class="insert">. In accordance with the</span> entitlement <span class="insert">agreements, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the fact that such items may be available for a comparatively lower price. The entitlements are limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store in specific storefronts. In all other storefronts, apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">Music Streaming Services Entitlements: music streaming apps in specific regions can use Music Streaming Services Entitlements to include a link (which may take the form of a buy button) to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital music content or services. These entitlements also permit music streaming app developers to invite users </span>to provide <span class="insert">their email address for the express purpose of sending them </span>a link <span class="delete">in their </span><span class="insert">to the developer’s website to purchase digital music content or services. Learn more about these </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/storekit/external_purchase"><span class="insert">entitlements</span></a><span class="insert">. In accordance with the entitlement agreements, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-</span>app <span class="delete">to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to </span>purchase <span class="insert">items, and the price of </span>such items. <span class="delete">Learn more about the </span><span class="delete">entitlement</span><span class="insert">The entitlements are limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store in specific storefronts</span>. In <span class="delete">accordance with the entitlement agreement</span><span class="insert">all other storefronts</span>, <span class="delete">the link</span><span class="insert">streaming music apps and their metadata</span> may <span class="delete">inform users about where and how to purchase those</span><span class="insert">not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than</span> in-app <span class="delete">purchase items, and the fact that such items may be available for a comparatively lower price. The entitlement is limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the United States storefront. In all other storefronts, apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app </span>purchase. </li>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.7 Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, plug-ins, and game emulators" id="third-party-software"><span id="4.7"></span><strong>4.7 Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots,<span class="delete"> and</span> plug-ins<span class="insert">, and game emulators</span></strong>
<p>Apps may offer certain software that is not embedded in the binary, specifically <span class="insert">HTML5 </span>mini apps<span class="delete">,</span><span class="insert"> and</span> mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins. <span class="insert">Additionally, retro game console emulator apps can offer to download games. </span>You are responsible for all such software offered in your app, including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws. Software that does not comply with one or more guidelines will lead to the rejection of your app. You must also ensure that the software adheres to the additional rules that follow in 4.7.1 and 4.7.5. These additional rules are important to preserve the experience that App Store customers expect, and to help ensure user safety.</p>
</li>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>March 08, 2024</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2024-03-08-updated-policies-features-and-clarifications/">Updated policies, upcoming features and clarifications</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> to support updated policies, upcoming features, and to provide clarification.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=flmb6ri3">Apple’s own summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<h1 class="typography-headline">App <span class="delete">Store</span> Review Guidelines</h1>
<p class="typography-intro">Apps are changing the world, enriching people’s lives, and enabling developers like you to innovate like never before. As a result, the App Store has grown into an exciting and vibrant ecosystem for millions of developers and more than a billion users. Whether you are a first <span class="insert">-</span>time developer or a large team of experienced programmers, we are excited that you are creating apps for <span class="delete">the </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="insert">our platforms,</span> and want to help you understand our guidelines so you can be confident your app will get through the review process quickly.</p>
<h3 data-sidenav id="introduction">Introduction</h3>
<p>The guiding principle of the App Store is simple—we want to provide a safe experience for users to get apps and a great opportunity for all developers to be successful. We do this by offering a highly curated App Store where every app is reviewed by experts and an editorial team helps users discover new apps every day. <span class="insert">We also scan each app for malware and other software that may impact user safety, security, and privacy. These efforts have made Apple’s platforms the safest for consumers around the world.</span></p>
<p><span class="insert">In the European Union, developers can also distribute notarized iOS apps from alternative app marketplaces. Learn more about </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/"><span class="insert">alternative app marketplaces</span></a><span class="insert"> and </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#notarization-for-ios-apps"><span class="insert">Notarization for iOS apps</span></a><span class="insert">. You can see which guidelines apply to Notarization for iOS apps by clicking on “Show Notarization Review Guidelines Only” in the menu to the left.</span></p>
<p>For everything else there is always the open Internet. If the App Store model and guidelines <span class="insert">or alternative app marketplaces and Notarization for iOS apps </span>are not best for your app or business idea that’s okay, we provide Safari for a great web experience too.</p>
<p>On the following pages you will find our latest guidelines arranged into five clear sections: Safety, Performance, Business, Design, and Legal. The App Store is always changing and improving to keep up with the needs of our customers and our products. Your apps should change and improve as well in order to stay on the App Store.</p>
<p>A few other points to keep in <span class="delete">mind:</span><span class="insert">mind about distributing your app on our platforms:</span></p>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li>We have lots of kids downloading lots of apps. Parental controls work great to protect kids, but you have to do your part too. So know that we’re keeping an eye out for the kids.</li>
<li>The App Store is a great way to reach hundreds of millions of people around the world. If you build an app that you just want to show to family and friends, the App Store isn’t the best way to do that. Consider using Xcode to install your app on a device for free or use Ad Hoc distribution available to Apple Developer Program members. If you’re just getting started, learn more about the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/programs/">Apple Developer Program</a>.</li>
<li>We strongly support all points of view being represented on the App Store, as long as the apps are respectful to users with differing opinions and the quality of the app experience is great. We will reject apps for any content or behavior that we believe is over the line. What line, you ask? Well, as a Supreme Court Justice once said, “I’ll know it when I see it”. And we think that you will also know it when you cross it.</li>
<li>If you attempt to cheat the system (for example, by trying to trick the review process, steal user data, copy another developer’s work, manipulate ratings or App Store discovery) your apps will be removed from the store and you will be expelled from the Apple Developer Program.</li>
<li>You are responsible for making sure everything in your app complies with these guidelines, including ad networks, analytics services, and third-party SDKs, so review and choose them carefully.</li>
<li>Some features and technologies that are not generally available to developers may be offered as an entitlement for limited use cases. For example, we offer entitlements for CarPlay Audio, HyperVisor, and Privileged File Operations. Review our documentation on developer.apple.com to learn more about entitlements.</li>
</ul>
<p>We hope these guidelines help you sail through the <span class="delete">App Review</span><span class="insert">review</span> process, and that approvals and rejections remain consistent across the board. This is a living document; new apps presenting new questions may result in new rules at any time. Perhaps your app will trigger this. We love this stuff too, and honor what you do. We’re really trying our best to create the best platform in the world for you to express your talents and make a living, too.</p>
<h3 data-nr data-sidenav id="safety"><span id="1"></span>1. Safety</h3>
<p class="section-intro">When people install an app from the App Store, they want to feel confident that it’s safe to do so—that the app doesn’t contain upsetting or offensive content, won’t damage their device, and isn’t likely to cause physical harm from its use. We’ve outlined the major pitfalls below, but if you’re looking to shock and offend people, the App Store isn’t the right place for your app.<span class="insert"> Some of these rules are also included in Notarization for iOS apps. </span></p>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="2.3 Accurate Metadata" id="accurate-metadata"><span id="2.3"></span><strong>2.3 Accurate Metadata</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr id="2.3.1"><strong>2.3.1</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr><strong>(a)</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Don’t include any hidden, dormant, or undocumented features in your app; your app’s functionality should be clear to end users and App Review. All new features, functionality, and product changes must be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section of App Store Connect (generic descriptions will be rejected) and accessible for review. Similarly, marketing your app in a misleading way, such as by promoting content or services that it does not actually offer (e.g. iOS-based virus and malware scanners) or promoting a false price, whether within or outside of the App Store, is grounds for removal of your app from the App Store<span class="insert"> or a block from installing via alternative distribution</span> and termination of your developer account.</li>
<li><strong>(b)</strong> Egregious or repeated behavior is grounds for removal from the Apple Developer Program. We work hard to make the App Store a trustworthy ecosystem and expect our app developers to follow suit; if you’re dishonest, we don’t want to do business with you.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-nr id="2.3.8"><strong>2.3.8</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Metadata should be appropriate for all audiences, so make sure your app and in-app purchase icons, screenshots, and previews adhere to a 4+ age rating even if your app is rated higher. For example, if your app is a game that includes violence, select images that don’t depict a gruesome death or a gun pointed at a specific character. Use of terms like “For Kids” and “For Children” in app metadata is reserved <span class="insert">in the App Store </span>for the Kids Category. Remember to ensure your metadata, including app name and icons (small, large, Apple Watch app, alternate icons, etc.), are similar to avoid creating confusion.</li>
<li id="2.3.10"><strong>2.3.10</strong> Make sure your app is focused on the iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS or watchOS experience, and don’t include names, icons, or imagery of other mobile platforms <span class="insert">or alternative app marketplaces </span>in your app or metadata, unless there is specific, approved interactive functionality. Make sure your app metadata is focused on the app itself and its experience. Don’t include irrelevant information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="2.5 Software Requirements" id="software-requirements"><span id="2.5"></span><strong>2.5 Software Requirements</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr id="2.5.18"><strong>2.5.18</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Display advertising should be limited to your main app binary, and should not be included in extensions, App Clips, widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the <span class="insert">App Store’s </span>Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad. Apps that contain ads must also include the ability for users to report any inappropriate or age-inappropriate ads.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="4.4 Extensions" id="extensions"><span id="4.4"></span><strong>4.4 Extensions</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Apps hosting or containing extensions must comply with the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/General/Conceptual/ExtensibilityPG/index.html#apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014214/">App Extension Programming Guide<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/safari_app_extensions/">Safari <span class="delete">App Extensions</span><span class="insert">app extensions</span> documentation<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, or the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/safari_web_extensions">Safari <span class="delete">Web Extensions</span><span class="insert">web extensions</span> documentation<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> and should include some functionality, such as help screens and settings interfaces where possible. You should clearly and accurately disclose what extensions are made available in the app’s marketing text, and the extensions may not include marketing, advertising, or in-app purchases.</p>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="4.5 Apple Sites and Services" id="apple-sites-and-services"><span id="4.5"></span><strong>4.5<span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apple Sites and Services</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr id="4.5.2"><strong>4.5.2</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apple Music <ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr><strong>(ii)</strong> Using the MusicKit APIs is not a replacement for securing the licenses you might need for a deeper or more complex music integration. For example, if you want your app to play a specific song at a particular moment, or to create audio or video files that can be shared to social media, you’ll need to contact rights-holders directly to get their permission (e.g. synchronization or adaptation rights) and assets. Cover art and other metadata may only be used in connection with music playback or playlists (including <span class="delete">App Store</span> screenshots displaying your app’s functionality), and should not be used in any marketing or advertising without getting specific authorization from rights-holders. Make sure to follow the <a href="https://www.apple.com/itunes/marketing-on-music/identity-guidelines.html">Apple Music Identity Guidelines<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> when integrating Apple Music services in your app.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="4.8 Login Services" id="login-services"><span id="4.8"></span><strong>4.8 Login Services</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Apps that use a third-party or social login service (such as Facebook Login, Google Sign-In, Sign in with Twitter, Sign In with LinkedIn, Login with Amazon, or WeChat Login) to set up or authenticate the user’s primary account with the app must also offer as an equivalent option another login service with the following features:</p>
<ul data-nr class="disc margin-top-small">
<li data-nr>the login service limits data collection to the user’s name and email address<span class="insert">;</span></li>
<li data-nr>the login service allows users to keep their email address private as part of setting up their account<span class="insert">; and</span></li>
<li data-nr>the login service does not <span class="delete">track users as</span><span class="insert">collect interactions with your app for advertising purposes without consent.</span></li>
</ul>
<p data-nr><span class="insert">A user’s primary account is the account</span> they <span class="delete">interact</span><span class="insert">establish</span> with your app
<span class="delete">A user’s primary account is the account they establish with your app</span> for the purposes of identifying themselves, signing in, and accessing your features and associated services.</p>
<p data-nr>Another login service is not required if:
<ul data-nr class="disc margin-top-small">
<li data-nr>Your app exclusively uses your company’s own account setup and sign-in systems.</li>
<li>
Your app<span class="insert"> is an alternative app marketplace, or an app distributed from an alternative app marketplace, that uses a marketplace-specific login for account, download, and commerce features.</span></li>
<li data-nr><span class="insert">Your app</span> is an education, enterprise, or business app that requires the user to sign in with an existing education or enterprise account.</li>
<li data-nr>Your app uses a government or industry-backed citizen identification system or electronic ID to authenticate users.</li>
<li data-nr>Your app is a client for a specific third-party service and users are required to sign in to their mail, social media, or other third-party account directly to access their content.</li>
</ul>
</p>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="5.1 Privacy" id="privacy"><span id="5.1"></span><strong>5.1 Privacy</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr data-sidenav="5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage" id="data-collection-and-storage"><span id="5.1.1"></span><strong>5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr id="5.1.1v"><strong>(v) Account Sign-In: </strong>If your app doesn’t include significant account-based features, let people use it without a login. If your app supports account creation, you must also <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/offering-account-deletion-in-your-app/">offer account deletion within the app</a>. Apps may not require users to enter personal information to function, except when directly relevant to the core functionality of the app or required by law. If your core app functionality is not related to a specific social network (e.g. Facebook, WeChat, Weibo, <span class="delete">Twitter</span><span class="insert">X</span>, etc.), you must provide access without a login or via another mechanism. Pulling basic profile information, sharing to the social network, or inviting friends to use the app are not considered core app functionality. The app must also include a mechanism to revoke social network credentials and disable data access between the app and social network from within the app. An app may not store credentials or tokens to social networks off of the device and may only use such credentials or tokens to directly connect to the social network from the app itself while the app is in use.</li>
<li data-nr><strong>(viii) </strong>Apps that compile personal information from any source that is not directly from the user or without the user’s explicit consent, even public databases, are not permitted on the App Store<span class="insert"> or alternative app marketplaces</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="5.1.5 Location Services" id="location"><span id="5.1.5"></span><strong>5.1.5 Location Services</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Use Location <span class="insert">Services in your app only when it is directly relevant to the features and </span>services <span class="delete">in your app only when it is directly relevant to the features and services </span>provided by the app. Location-based APIs shouldn’t be used to provide emergency services or autonomous control over vehicles, aircraft, and other devices, except for small devices such as lightweight drones and toys, or remote control car alarm systems, etc. Ensure that you notify and obtain consent before collecting, transmitting, or using location data. If your app uses <span class="delete">location services</span><span class="insert">Location Services</span>, be sure to explain the purpose in your app; refer to the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/patterns/accessing-private-data/">Human Interface Guidelines<span class="loc-cj"></span></a> for best practices for doing so.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="5.4 VPN Apps" id="vpn-apps"><span id="5.4"></span><strong>5.4 VPN Apps</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Apps offering VPN services must utilize the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/nevpnmanager/">NEVPNManager API<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> and may only be offered by developers enrolled as an organization. You must make a clear declaration of what user data will be collected and how it will be used on an app screen prior to any user action to purchase or otherwise use the service. Apps offering VPN services may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy. VPN apps must not violate local laws, and if you choose to make your VPN app available in a territory that requires a VPN license, you must provide your license information in the App Review Notes field. Parental control, content blocking, and security apps, among others, from approved providers may also use the NEVPNManager API. Apps that do not comply with this guideline will be removed from the App Store<span class="insert"> and blocked from installing via alternative distribution</span> and you may be removed from the Apple Developer Program.</p>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="5.5 Mobile Device Management" id="mobile-device-management"><span id="5.5"></span><strong>5.5 Mobile Device Management</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Mobile Device Management Apps that offer Mobile Device Management (MDM) services must request this capability from Apple. Such apps may only be offered by commercial enterprises, educational institutions, or government agencies, and in limited cases, companies using MDM for parental control services or device security. You must make a clear declaration of what user data will be collected and how it will be used on an app screen prior to any user action to purchase or otherwise use the service. MDM apps must not violate any applicable laws. Apps offering MDM services may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy. In limited cases, third-party analytics may be permitted provided that the services only collect or transmit data about the performance of the developer’s MDM app, and not any data about the user, the user’s device, or other apps used on that device. Apps offering configuration profiles must also adhere to these requirements. Apps that do not comply with this guideline will be removed from the App Store<span class="insert"> and blocked from installing via alternative distribution</span> and you may be removed from the Apple Developer Program.</p>
</li>
<li data-nr data-sidenav="5.6 Developer Code of Conduct" id="code-of-conduct"><span id="5.6"></span><strong>5.6 Developer Code of Conduct</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Customer trust is <span class="delete">the</span><span class="insert">a</span> cornerstone of the App <span class="delete">Store’s</span><span class="delete"> success</span><span class="insert">ecosystem</span>. Apps should never prey on users or attempt to rip off customers, trick them into making unwanted purchases, force them to share unnecessary data, raise prices in a tricky manner, charge for features or content that are not delivered, or engage in any other manipulative practices within or outside of the app.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-nr id="5.6.2"><strong>5.6.2 Developer Identity</strong><span class="custom-tooltip-icon"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" />
</span>
<p data-nr>Providing verifiable information to Apple and customers is critical to customer trust. Your representation of yourself, your business, and your offerings on the App Store<span class="insert"> or alternative app marketplaces</span> must be accurate. The information you provide must be truthful, relevant, and up-to-date so that Apple and customers understand who they are engaging with and can contact you regarding any issues.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<h3 data-sidenav id="after-you-submit">After You Submit</h3>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li><strong>Timing</strong>: App Review will examine your app as soon as we can. However, if your app is complex or presents new issues, it may require greater scrutiny and consideration. And remember that if your app is repeatedly rejected for the same guideline violation or you’ve attempted to manipulate the <span class="delete">App Review</span><span class="insert">review</span> process, review of your app will take longer to complete. Learn more about <a href="https://developer.apple.com/distribute/app-review/" class="nowrap">App Review</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Bug Fix Submissions</strong>: For apps that are already on the App Store<span class="insert"> or an alternative app marketplace</span>, bug fixes will <span class="delete">no longer</span><span class="insert">not</span> be delayed over guideline violations except for those related to legal or safety issues. If your app has been rejected, and qualifies for this process, please use App Store Connect to communicate directly with the App Review team indicating that you would like to take advantage of this process and plan to address the issue in your next submission.</li>
</ul>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>January 29, 2024</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2024-01-29-notarization-in-european-union/">Updated rules on app distribution in the European Union and more</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> to support updated policies, upcoming features, and to provide clarification. They now also indicate which guidelines only apply to <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/">Notarization for iOS apps in the European Union</a>.
<br><br></p>
<p>As you will see in the changes, Apple is now indicating which guidelines apply to Notarization with a small key icon. To better understand the context, we are showing the full guidelines for a section that has a key icon, even though the guidelines themselves nay not have changed.<br><br></p>
<p>For sections where only some guidelines apply for Notarization, only those guidelines have been included, unless they have changed in some other way. For example, guideline 2.5.15 is not included, since it is does not apply for Notarization even though some of the other guidelines under section 2.5 do.<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=7j1f99yf">Apple’s own summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="before-you-submit">Before You Submit</h3>
<p class="margin-top"><span class="insert">Guidelines that include </span><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /><span class="insert"> apply to </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/dma-and-apps-in-the-eu/#notarization-for-ios-apps"><span class="insert">Notarization for iOS apps</span></a><span class="insert"> in the EU.</span></p>
<li data-sidenav="1.1 Objectionable Content" id="objectionable-content"><span id="1.1"></span><strong>1.1 Objectionable Content</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.1.6"><strong>1.1.6</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> False information and features, including inaccurate device data or trick/joke functionality, such as fake location trackers. Stating that the app is “for entertainment purposes” won’t overcome this guideline. Apps that enable anonymous or prank phone calls or SMS/MMS messaging will be rejected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.4 Physical Harm" id="physical-harm"><span id="1.4"></span><strong>1.4 Physical Harm</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>If your app behaves in a way that risks physical harm, we may reject it. For example:</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.4.1"><strong>1.4.1</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Medical apps that could provide inaccurate data or information, or that could be used for diagnosing or treating patients may be reviewed with greater scrutiny.
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Apps must clearly disclose data and methodology to support accuracy claims relating to health measurements, and if the level of accuracy or methodology cannot be validated, we will reject your app. For example, apps that claim to take x-rays, measure blood pressure, body temperature, blood glucose levels, or blood oxygen levels using only the sensors on the device are not permitted.</li>
<li>Apps should remind users to check with a doctor in addition to using the app and before making medical decisions.</li>
</ul>
If your medical app has received regulatory clearance, please submit a link to that documentation with your app.</li>
<li id="1.4.2"><strong>1.4.2</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Drug dosage calculators must come from the drug manufacturer, a hospital, university, health insurance company, pharmacy or other approved entity, or receive approval by the FDA or one of its international counterparts. Given the potential harm to patients, we need to be sure that the app will be supported and updated over the long term.</li>
<li id="1.4.3"><strong>1.4.3</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted<span class="delete"> on the </span><span class="delete">App Store</span>. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies and licensed or otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries), or tobacco is not allowed.</li>
<li id="1.4.4"><strong>1.4.4</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps may only display DUI checkpoints that are published by law enforcement agencies, and should never encourage drunk driving or other reckless behavior such as excessive speed.</li>
<li id="1.4.5"><strong>1.4.5</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps should not urge customers to participate in activities (like bets, challenges, etc.) or use their devices in a way that risks physical harm to themselves or others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.5 Developer Information" id="developer-information"><span id="1.5"></span><strong>1.5 Developer Information</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>People need to know how to reach you with questions and support issues. Make sure your app and its Support URL include an easy way to contact you; this is particularly important for apps that may be used in the classroom. Failure to include accurate and up-to-date contact information not only frustrates customers, but may violate the law in some countries or regions. Also ensure that Wallet passes include valid contact information from the issuer and are signed with a dedicated certificate assigned to the brand or trademark owner of the pass.</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.6 Data Security" id="data-security"><span id="1.6"></span><strong>1.6 Data Security</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Apps should implement appropriate security measures to ensure proper handling of user information collected pursuant to the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program License Agreement and these Guidelines (see Guideline 5.1 for more information) and prevent its unauthorized use, disclosure, or access by third parties.</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="2.3 Accurate Metadata" id="accurate-metadata"><span id="2.3"></span><strong>2.3 Accurate Metadata</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Customers should know what they’re getting when they download or buy your app, so make sure all your app metadata, including privacy information, your app description, screenshots, and previews accurately reflect the app’s core experience and remember to keep them up-to-date with new versions.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.3.1"><strong>2.3.1</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong><span class="insert">(a)</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Don’t include any hidden, dormant, or undocumented features in your app; your app’s functionality should be clear to end users and <span class="nowrap">App Review.</span> All new features, functionality, and product changes must be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section of <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect</span> (generic descriptions will be rejected) and accessible for review. Similarly, marketing your app in a misleading way, such as by promoting content or services that it does not actually offer (e.g. iOS-based virus and malware scanners) or promoting a false price, whether within or outside of the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> is grounds for removal of your app from the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> and termination of your developer account.</li>
<li><strong><span class="insert">(b)</span></strong> Egregious or repeated behavior is grounds for removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program. We work hard to make the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> a trustworthy ecosystem and expect our app developers to follow suit; if you’re dishonest, we don’t want to do business with you.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="2.3.5"><strong>2.3.5</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Select the most appropriate category for your app, and check out the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/categories/"><span class="nowrap">App Store</span> Category Definitions<span class="loc-apac"></span></a> if you need help. If you’re way off base, we may change the category for you.</li>
<li id="2.3.6"><strong>2.3.6</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Answer the age rating questions in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect</span> honestly so that your app aligns properly with parental controls. If your app is mis-rated, customers might be surprised by what they get, or it could trigger an inquiry from government regulators. If your app includes media that requires the display of content ratings or warnings (e.g. films, music, games, etc.), you are responsible for complying with local requirements in each territory where your app is available.</li>
<li id="2.3.7"><strong>2.3.7</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Choose a unique app name, assign keywords that accurately describe your app, and don’t try to pack any of your metadata with trademarked terms, popular app names, pricing information, or other irrelevant phrases just to game the system. App names must be limited to 30 characters. Metadata such as app names, subtitles, screenshots, and previews should not include prices, terms, or descriptions that are not specific to the metadata type. App subtitles are a great way to provide additional context for your app; they must follow our standard metadata rules and should not include inappropriate content, reference other apps, or make unverifiable product claims. Apple may modify inappropriate keywords at any time or take other appropriate steps to prevent abuse.</li>
<li id="2.3.8"><strong>2.3.8</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Metadata should be appropriate for all audiences, so make sure your app and in-app purchase icons, screenshots, and previews adhere to a 4+ age rating even if your app is rated higher. For example, if your app is a game that includes violence, select images that don’t depict a gruesome death or a gun pointed at a specific character. Use of terms like “For Kids” and “For Children” in app metadata is reserved for the Kids Category. Remember to ensure your metadata, including app name and icons (small, large, <span class="nowrap">Apple Watch</span> app, alternate icons, etc.), are similar to avoid creating confusion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="2.4 Hardware Compatibility" id="hardware-compatibility"><span id="2.4"></span><strong>2.4 Hardware Compatibility</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.4.2"><strong>2.4.2</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Design your app to use power efficiently and be used in a way that does not risk damage to the device. Apps should not rapidly drain battery, generate excessive heat, or put unnecessary strain on device resources. For example, apps should not encourage placing the device under a mattress or pillow while charging or perform excessive write cycles to the solid state drive. Apps, including any third-party advertisements displayed within them, may not run unrelated background processes, such as cryptocurrency mining.</li>
<li id="2.4.4"><strong>2.4.4</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps should never suggest or require a restart of the device or modifications to system settings unrelated to the core functionality of the app. For example, don’t encourage users to turn off Wi-Fi, disable security features, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="2.5 Software Requirements" id="software-requirements"><span id="2.5"></span><strong>2.5 Software Requirements</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.5.1"><strong>2.5.1</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps may only use public APIs and must run on the currently shipping OS. Learn more about <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/">public APIs<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>. Keep your apps up-to-date and make sure you phase out any deprecated features, frameworks or technologies that will no longer be supported in future versions of an OS. Apps should use APIs and frameworks for their intended purposes and indicate that integration in their app description. For example, the HomeKit framework should provide home automation services; and HealthKit should be used for health and fitness purposes and integrate with the Health app.</li>
<li id="2.5.2"><strong>2.5.2</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the app completely viewable and editable by the user.</li>
<li id="2.5.3"><strong>2.5.3</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps that transmit viruses, files, computer code, or programs that may harm or disrupt the normal operation of the operating system and/or hardware features, including Push Notifications and Game Center, will be rejected. Egregious violations and repeat behavior will result in removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></li>
<li id="2.5.4"><strong>2.5.4</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Multitasking apps may only use background services for their intended purposes: VoIP, audio playback, location, task completion, local notifications, etc.</li>
<li id="2.5.6"><strong>2.5.6</strong> Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate WebKit framework and WebKit JavaScript.<span class="insert"> You may apply for an entitlement to use an alternative web browser engine in your app. </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/alternative-browser-engines/"><span class="insert">Learn more about these entitlements</span></a><span class="insert">.</span></li>
<li id="2.5.7"><strong>2.5.7</strong> <span class="delete">Video streaming content over a cellular network longer than 10 minutes must use HTTP Live Streaming and include a baseline 192 kbps HTTP Live stream</span><span class="insert">Intentionally omitted</span>.</li>
<li id="2.5.9"><strong>2.5.9</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps that alter or disable the functions of standard switches, such as the Volume Up/Down and Ring/Silent switches, or other native user interface elements or behaviors will be rejected. For example, apps should not block links out to other apps or other features that users would expect to work a certain way.<span class="delete"> Learn more about proper handling of </span><span class="delete">links</span><span class="delete">. </span></li>
<li id="2.5.11"><strong>2.5.11</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> SiriKit and Shortcuts
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(i)</strong> Apps integrating SiriKit and Shortcuts should only sign up for intents they can handle without the support of an additional app and that users would expect from the stated functionality. For example, if your app is a meal planning app, you should not incorporate an intent to start a workout, even if the app shares integration with a fitness app.</li>
<li><strong>(ii)</strong> Ensure that the vocabulary and phrases in your plist pertains to your app and the Siri functionality of the intents the app has registered for. Aliases must relate directly to your app or company name and should not be generic terms or include third-party app names or services.</li>
<li><strong>(iii)</strong> Resolve the Siri request or Shortcut in the most direct way possible and do not insert ads or other marketing between the request and its fulfillment. Only request a disambiguation when required to complete the task (e.g. asking the user to specify a particular type of workout).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="2.5.12"><strong>2.5.12</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps using CallKit or including an SMS Fraud Extension should only block phone numbers that are confirmed spam. Apps that include call-, SMS-, and MMS- blocking functionality or spam identification must clearly identify these features in their marketing text and explain the criteria for their blocked and spam lists. You may not use the data accessed via these tools for any purpose not directly related to operating or improving your app or extension (e.g. you may not use, share, or sell it for tracking purposes, creating user profiles, etc.).</li>
<li id="2.5.13"><strong>2.5.13</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps using facial recognition for account authentication must use <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/localauthentication/">LocalAuthentication<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> (and not ARKit or other facial recognition technology) where possible, and must use an alternate authentication method for users under 13 years old.</li>
<li id="2.5.14"><strong>2.5.14</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps must request explicit user consent and provide a clear visual and/or audible indication when recording, logging, or otherwise making a record of user activity. This includes any use of the device camera, microphone, screen recordings, or other user inputs.</li>
<li id="2.5.16"><strong>2.5.16</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span><span class="insert"> Widgets, extensions, and notifications should be related to the content and functionality of your app.
</span><ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong><span class="insert">(a)</span></strong><span class="insert"> Additionally, all</span> <span class="nowrap">App <span class="delete">Clips,</span><span class="insert">Clip</span></span> <span class="delete">widgets, extensions, and notifications should be related to the content</span><span class="insert">features</span> and functionality <span class="delete">of your</span><span class="insert">must be included in the main</span> app<span class="insert"> binary</span>.<span class="delete"> Additionally, all</span> <span class="nowrap">App <span class="delete">Clip</span><span class="delete"> features and functionality must be included in the main app binary. </span><span class="delete">App </span>Clips</span> cannot contain advertising.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="2.5.17"><strong>2.5.17</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps that support Matter must use Apple’s support framework for Matter to initiate pairing. In addition, if you choose to use any Matter software component in your app other than the <span class="nowrap">Matter SDK</span> provided by Apple, the software component must be certified by the <a href="https://csa-iot.org/">Connectivity Standards Alliance<span class="loc-c"></span></a> for the platform it runs on.</li>
<li id="2.5.18"><strong>2.5.18</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Display advertising should be limited to your main app binary, and should not be included in extensions, App Clips, widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad. Apps that contain ads must also include the ability for users to report any inappropriate or age-inappropriate ads.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.2 Subscriptions" id="subscriptions"><span id="3.1.2"></span><strong>3.1.2 Subscriptions:</strong> Apps may offer auto-<span class="delete">renewing</span><span class="insert">renewable</span> in-app purchase subscriptions, regardless of category on the <span class="nowrap">App Store.</span> When incorporating auto-renewable subscriptions into your app, be sure to follow the guidelines below.</li>
<li id="permissible-uses"><span id="3.1.2a"></span><strong>3.1.2(a) Permissible uses:</strong> If you offer an auto-<span class="delete">renewing</span><span class="insert">renewable</span> subscription, you must provide ongoing value to the customer, and the subscription period must last at least seven days and be available across all of the user’s devices. While the following list is not exhaustive, examples of appropriate subscriptions include: new game levels; episodic content; multiplayer support; apps that offer consistent, substantive updates; access to large collections of, or continually updated, media content; software as a service (“SAAS”); and cloud support. In addition:
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Auto-<span class="delete">renewing</span><span class="insert">renewable</span> subscription apps may offer a free trial period to customers by providing the relevant information set forth in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect.</span> <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/subscriptions/#providing-subscription-offers">Learn more about providing subscription offers<span class="loc-apac"></span>.</a></li>
<li>Cellular carrier apps may include auto-<span class="delete">renewing</span><span class="insert">renewable</span> music and video subscriptions when purchased in bundles with new cellular data plans, with prior approval by Apple. Other auto-<span class="delete">renewing</span><span class="insert">renewable</span> subscriptions may also be included in bundles when purchased with new cellular data plans, with prior approval by Apple, if the cellular carrier apps support in-app purchase for users. Such subscriptions cannot include access to or discounts on consumable items, and the subscriptions must terminate coincident with the cellular data plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><span id="3.1.2c"></span><strong>3.1.2(c) Subscription Information:</strong> Before asking a customer to subscribe, you should clearly describe what the user will get for the price. How many issues per month? How much cloud storage? What kind of access to your service? Ensure you clearly communicate the requirements described in <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/terms/apple-developer-program-license-agreement/#S2">Schedule 2 of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement<span class="delete">, found in </span><span class="delete">Agreements, Tax, and Banking</span></a>.</li>
<li><span class="delete"><b>3.1.6 Apple Pay:</b></span><span class="delete"> Apps using </span><span class="delete">Apple Pay</span><span class="delete"> must provide all material purchase information to the user prior to sale of any good or service and must use </span><span class="delete">Apple Pay</span><span class="delete"> branding and user interface elements correctly, as described in the </span><span class="delete">Apple Pay</span><span class="delete"> Marketing Guidelines</span><span class="delete"> and </span><span class="delete">Human Interface Guidelines</span><span class="delete">. Apps using </span><span class="delete">Apple Pay</span><span class="delete"> to offer recurring payments must, at a minimum, disclose the following information:<br>
</span>
<ul>
<li><span class="delete">The length of the renewal term and the fact that it will continue until canceled</span></li>
<li><span class="delete">What will be provided during each period</span></li>
<li><span class="delete">The actual charges that will be billed to the customer</span></li>
<li><span class="delete">How to cancel</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.2 Other Business Model Issues" id="other-business-model-issues"><span id="3.2"></span><strong>3.2 Other Business Model Issues</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.2.2 Unacceptable" id="unacceptable"><span id="3.2.2"></span><strong>3.2.2 Unacceptable</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(ii)</strong> <span class="delete">Monetizing built-in capabilities provided by the hardware or operating system, such as Push Notifications, the camera, or the gyroscope; or Apple services, such as </span><span class="delete">Apple Music</span><span class="delete"> access or iCloud storage</span><span class="insert">Intentionally omitted</span>.</li>
<li><strong>(vi)</strong> <span class="delete">Apps should allow a user to get what they’ve paid for without performing additional tasks, such as posting on social media, uploading contacts, checking in to the app a certain number of times, etc. Apps should not require users to rate the app, review the app, watch videos, download other apps, tap on advertisements, enable tracking, or take other similar actions in order to access functionality, content, use the app, or receive monetary or other compensation, including but not limited to gift cards and codes</span><span class="insert">Intentionally omitted</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.1 Copycats" id="copycats"><span id="4.1"></span><strong>4.1 Copycats</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong><span class="insert">(a)</span></strong> Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers.</li>
<li><strong><span class="insert">(b)</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.2 Minimum Functionality" id="minimum-functionality"><span id="4.2"></span><strong>4.2 Minimum Functionality</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.2.4"><strong>4.2.4</strong> <span class="delete">Apple Watch apps that appear to be a watch face are confusing, because people will expect them to work with device features such as swipes, notifications, and third-party complications. Creative ways of expressing time as an app interface is great (say, a tide clock for surfers), but if your app comes too close to resembling a watch face, we will reject it</span><span class="insert">Intentionally omitted</span>.</li>
<li id="4.2.5"><strong>4.2.5</strong> <span class="delete">Apps that are primarily iCloud and iCloud Drive file managers need to include additional app functionality to be approved</span><span class="insert">Intentionally omitted</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.3 Spam" id="spam"><span id="4.3"></span><strong>4.3 Spam</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong><span class="insert">(a)</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Don’t create multiple Bundle IDs of the same app. If your app has different versions for specific locations, sports teams, universities, etc., consider submitting a single app and provide the variations using in-app purchase.</li>
<li><strong><span class="insert">(b)</span></strong> Also avoid piling on to a category that is already saturated; the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> has enough fart, burp, flashlight, fortune telling, dating, drinking games, and Kama Sutra apps, etc. already. We will reject these apps unless they provide a unique, high-quality experience. Spamming the store may lead to your removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.4 Extensions" id="extensions"><span id="4.4"></span><strong>4.4 Extensions</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Apps hosting or containing extensions must comply with the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/General/Conceptual/ExtensibilityPG/index.html#apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014214/">App Extension Programming Guide<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/safari_app_extensions/">Safari App Extensions documentation<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, or the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safariservices/safari_web_extensions">Safari Web Extensions documentation</a> and should include some functionality, such as help screens and settings interfaces where possible. You should clearly and accurately disclose what extensions are made available in the app’s marketing text, and the extensions may not include marketing, advertising, or in-app purchases.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.4.1"><strong>4.4.1</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Keyboard extensions have some additional rules.<br>
<p class="margin-top-small">They must:</p>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Provide keyboard input functionality (e.g. typed characters);</li>
<li>Follow Sticker guidelines if the keyboard includes images or emoji;</li>
<li>Provide a method for progressing to the next keyboard;</li>
<li>Remain functional without full network access and without requiring full access;</li>
<li>Collect user activity only to enhance the functionality of the user’s keyboard extension on the iOS device.</li>
</ul>
<p>They must not:</p>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Launch other apps besides Settings; or</li>
<li>Repurpose keyboard buttons for other behaviors (e.g. holding down the “return” key to launch the camera).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="4.4.2"><strong>4.4.2</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Safari extensions must run on the current version of Safari on the relevant Apple operating system. They may not interfere with System or Safari UI elements and must never include malicious or misleading content or code. Violating this rule will lead to removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program. Safari extensions should not claim access to more websites than strictly necessary to function.</li>
<li id="4.4.3"><strong>4.4.3</strong> <span class="delete">Stickers
</span><span class="delete">Stickers are a great way to make Messages more dynamic and fun, letting people express themselves in clever, funny, meaningful ways. Whether your app contains a sticker extension or you’re creating free-standing sticker packs, its content shouldn’t offend users, create a negative experience, or violate the law.</span>
<ul>
<li><span class="delete">(i)</span><span class="delete"> In general, if it wouldn’t be suitable for the </span><span class="delete">App Store,</span><span class="delete"> it doesn’t belong in a sticker</span><span class="insert">Intentionally omitted</span>.</li>
<li><span class="delete">(ii)</span><span class="delete"> Consider regional sensitivities, and do not make your sticker pack available in a country or region where it could be poorly received or violate local law.</span></li>
<li><span class="delete">(iii)</span><span class="delete"> If we don’t understand what your stickers mean, include a clear explanation in your review notes to avoid any delays in the review process.</span></li>
<li><span class="delete">(iv)</span><span class="delete"> Ensure your stickers have relevance beyond your friends and family; they should not be specific to personal events, groups, or relationships.</span></Li>
<li><span class="delete">(v)</span><span class="delete"> You must have all the necessary copyright, trademark, publicity rights, and permissions for the content in your stickers, and shouldn’t submit anything unless you’re authorized to do so. Keep in mind that you must be able to provide verifiable documentation upon request. Apps with sticker content you don’t have rights to use will be removed from the </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> and repeat offenders will be removed from the </span><span class="delete">Apple Developer Program.</span><span class="delete"> If you believe your content has been infringed by another provider, </span><span class="delete">submit a claim here</span><span class="delete">.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.5 Apple Sites and Services" id="apple-sites-and-services"><span id="4.5"></span><strong>4.5 Apple Sites and Services</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.5.1"><strong>4.5.1</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps may use approved Apple RSS feeds such as the <span class="nowrap">iTunes Store</span> RSS feed, but may not scrape any information from Apple sites (e.g. apple.com, the <span class="nowrap">iTunes Store,</span> <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect,</span> developer portal, etc.) or create rankings using this information.</li>
<li id="4.5.2"><strong>4.5.2</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apple Music
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(i)</strong> MusicKit on iOS lets users play <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> and their local music library natively from your apps and games. When a user provides permission to their <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> account, your app can create playlists, add songs to their library, and play any of the millions of songs in the <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> catalog. Users must initiate the playback of an <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> stream and be able to navigate using standard media controls such as “play,” “pause,” and “skip.” Moreover, your app may not require payment or indirectly monetize access to the <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> service (e.g. in-app purchase, advertising, requesting user info, etc.). Do not download, upload, or enable sharing of music files sourced from the MusicKit APIs, except as explicitly permitted in <a href="https://developer.apple.com/musickit/">MusicKit<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> documentation.</li>
<li><strong>(ii)</strong> Using the MusicKit APIs is not a replacement for securing the licenses you might need for a deeper or more complex music integration. For example, if you want your app to play a specific song at a particular moment, or to create audio or video files that can be shared to social media, you’ll need to contact rights-holders directly to get their permission (e.g. synchronization or adaptation rights) and assets. Cover art and other metadata may only be used in connection with music playback or playlists (including <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> screenshots displaying your app’s functionality), and should not be used in any marketing or advertising without getting specific authorization from rights-holders. Make sure to follow the <a href="https://www.apple.com/itunes/marketing-on-music/identity-guidelines.html"><span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> Identity Guidelines<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> when integrating <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> services in your app.</li>
<li><strong>(iii)</strong> Apps that access <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> user data, such as playlists and favorites, must clearly disclose this access in the purpose string. Any data collected may not be shared with third parties for any purpose other than supporting or improving the app experience. This data may not be used to identify users or devices, or to target advertising. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="4.5.3"><strong>4.5.3</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Do not use Apple Services to spam, phish, or send unsolicited messages to customers, including <span class="nowrap">Game Center,</span> Push Notifications, etc. Do not attempt to reverse lookup, trace, relate, associate, mine, harvest, or otherwise exploit Player IDs, aliases, or other information obtained through <span class="nowrap">Game Center,</span> or you will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></li>
<li id="4.5.4"><strong>4.5.4</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Push Notifications must not be required for the app to function, and should not be used to send sensitive personal or confidential information. Push Notifications should not be used for promotions or direct marketing purposes unless customers have explicitly opted in to receive them via consent language displayed in your app’s UI, and you provide a method in your app for a user to opt out from receiving such messages. Abuse of these services may result in revocation of your privileges.</li>
<li id="4.5.5"><strong>4.5.5</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Only use <span class="nowrap">Game Center</span> Player IDs in a manner approved by the <span class="nowrap">Game Center</span> terms and do not display them in the app or to any third party.</li>
<li id="4.5.6"><strong>4.5.6</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Apps may use Unicode characters that render as Apple emoji in their app and app metadata. Apple emoji may not be used on other platforms or embedded directly in your app binary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.6 Alternate App Icons" id="alternate-app-icons"><span id="4.6"></span><strong>4.6 Alternate App Icons</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Apps may display customized icons, for example, to reflect a sports team preference, provided that each change is initiated by the user and the app includes settings to revert to the original icon. All icon variants must relate to the content of the app and changes should be consistent across all system assets, so that the icons displayed in Settings, Notifications, etc. match the new springboard icon<span class="delete">. This feature may not be used for dynamic, automatic, or serial changes, such as to reflect up-to-date weather information, calendar notifications, etc</span>.</p></li>
<li data-sidenav="4.7 Mini apps, mini games, streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins" id="third-party-software"><span id="4.7"></span><strong>4.7 <span class="delete">HTML5 Games</span><span class="insert">Mini apps</span>, <span class="delete">Bots</span><span class="insert">mini games</span>, <span class="delete">etc.</span><span class="insert">streaming games, chatbots, and plug-ins</span></strong>
<p>Apps may <span class="delete">contain or run code</span><span class="insert">offer certain software</span> that is not embedded in the binary<span class="delete"> (e.g. HTML5-based</span><span class="insert">, specifically mini apps, mini</span> games, <span class="delete">bots</span><span class="insert">streaming games</span>, <span class="delete">etc</span><span class="insert">chatbots, and plug-ins</span>.<span class="delete">), as long as code distribution isn’t the main purpose of the</span><span class="insert"> You are responsible for all such software offered in your</span> app, <span class="delete">the code is</span><span class="insert">including ensuring that such software complies with these Guidelines and all applicable laws. Software that does</span> not <span class="delete">offered in a store or store-like interface, and provided</span><span class="insert">comply with one or more guidelines will lead to the rejection of your app. You must also ensure</span> that the software adheres to the additional rules that follow in 4.7.1 and 4.7.<span class="delete">2</span><span class="insert">5</span>. These additional rules are important to preserve the experience that App Store customers expect, and to help ensure user safety.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.7.1"><strong>4.7.1</strong> Software offered <span class="insert">in apps </span>under this rule must:
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li><span class="delete">be free or purchased using</span><span class="insert">follow all privacy guidelines, including but not limited to the rules set forth in Guideline 5.1 concerning collection, use, and sharing of data, and sensitive data (such as health and personal data from kids);</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">include a method for filtering objectionable material, a mechanism to report content and timely responses to concerns, and the ability to block abusive users; and</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">use</span> in-app purchase<span class="delete">;</span>
<span class="delete">only use capabilities available in a standard WebKit view (e.g. it must open and run natively in Safari without modifications or additional software); and use WebKit and JavaScript Core to run third-party software and should not attempt to extend or expose native platform APIs to third-party software;</span>
<span class="delete">be offered by developers that have joined the </span><span class="delete">Apple Developer</span><span class="delete"> Program and signed the </span><span class="delete">Apple Developer</span><span class="delete"> Program License Agreement;</span>
<span class="delete">not provide access to real money gaming;</span>
<span class="delete">adhere to the terms of these </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> Review Guidelines (e.g. do not include objectionable content); and</span>
<span class="delete">not</span><span class="insert"> in order to</span> offer digital goods or services <span class="delete">for sale</span><span class="insert">to end users</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="4.7.2"><strong>4.7.2</strong> <span class="delete">Upon request, you</span><span class="insert">Your app may not extend or expose native platform APIs to the software without prior permission from Apple.</span></li>
<li id="4.7.3"><strong><span class="insert">4.7.3</span></strong><span class="insert"> Your app may not share data or privacy permissions to any individual software offered in your app without explicit user consent in each instance.</span></li>
<li id="4.7.4"><strong><span class="insert">4.7.4</span></strong><span class="insert"> You</span> must provide an index of software and metadata available in your app. It must include <span class="delete">Apple Developer</span><span class="delete"> Program Team IDs for the providers</span><span class="insert">universal links that lead to all</span> of the software <span class="delete">along with a URL which </span><span class="delete">App Review</span><span class="delete"> can use to confirm that the software complies with the requirements above</span><span class="insert">offered in your app</span>.</li>
<li id="4.7.5"><strong><span class="insert">4.7.5</span></strong><span class="insert"> Your app must share the age rating of the highest age-rated content available in your app.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.8 Login Services" id="login-services"><span id="4.8"></span><strong>4.8 <span class="delete">Sign in with Apple</span><span class="insert">Login Services</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Apps that use a third-party or social login service (such as Facebook Login, Google Sign-In, <span class="nowrap">Sign in with Twitter</span>, <span class="nowrap">Sign In with LinkedIn</span>, <span class="nowrap">Login with Amazon</span>, or WeChat Login) to set up or authenticate the user’s primary account with the app must also offer <span class="delete">Sign in with Apple </span>as an equivalent option<span class="delete">. A</span><span class="insert"> another login service with the following features:</span></p>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li><span class="insert">the login service limits data collection to the</span> user’s <span class="insert">name and email address</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">the login service allows users to keep their email address private as part of setting up their account</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">the login service does not track users as they interact with your app</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span class="insert">A user’s </span>primary account is the account they establish with your app for the purposes of identifying themselves, signing in, and accessing your features and associated services.</p>
<p><span class="delete">Sign in with Apple</span><span class="insert">Another login service</span> is not required if:
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Your app exclusively uses your company’s own account setup and sign-in systems.</li>
<li>Your app is an education, enterprise, or business app that requires the user to sign in with an existing education or enterprise account.</li>
<li>Your app uses a government or industry-backed citizen identification system or electronic ID to authenticate users.</li>
<li>Your app is a client for a specific third-party service and users are required to sign in to their mail, social media, or other third-party account directly to access their content.</li>
</ul>
</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.9 Apple Pay" id="apple-pay"><span id="4.9"></span><strong>4.9 <span class="delete">Streaming games</span><span class="insert">Apple Pay</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p><span class="delete">Streaming games are permitted so long as they adhere to</span><span class="insert">Apps using Apple Pay must provide</span> all <span class="delete">guidelines—for example</span><span class="insert">material purchase information to the user prior to sale of any good or service and must use Apple Pay branding and user interface elements correctly</span>, <span class="insert">as described in the Apple Pay Marketing Guidelines and Human Interface Guidelines. Apps using Apple Pay to offer recurring payments must, at a minimum, disclose the following information:</span></p>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li><span class="insert">The length of the renewal term and the fact that it will continue until canceled</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">What will be provided during </span>each <span class="delete">game update must be submitted for review, developers must provide appropriate metadata for search, games must use in-app purchase to unlock features or functionality, etc. Of course, there is always the open Internet and web browser apps to reach all users outside of the </span><span class="delete">App Store.</span><span class="insert">period</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">The actual charges that will be billed to the customer</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">How to cancel</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.10 Monetizing Built-In Capabilities" id="monetizing-built-in-capabilities"><span id="4.10"></span>
<strong>4.<span class="delete">9</span><span class="insert">10 Monetizing Built-In Capabilities</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p><span class="insert">You may not monetize built-in capabilities provided by the hardware or operating system, such as Push Notifications, the camera, or the gyroscope; or Apple services and technologies, such as Apple Music access, iCloud storage, or </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">Screen Time APIs</span></span>.<span class="delete">1</span><span class="delete"> Each streaming game must be submitted to the </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> as an individual app so that it has an </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> product page, appears in charts and search, has user ratings and review, can be managed with ScreenTime and other parental control apps, appears on the user’s device, etc.</span></p>
</li>
<li><span class="delete"><b>4.9.2</b></span><span class="delete"> Streaming game services may offer a catalog app on the </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> to help users sign up for the service and find the games on the </span><span class="delete">App Store,</span><span class="delete"> provided that the app adheres to all guidelines, including offering users the option to pay for a subscription with in-app purchase and use Sign in with Apple. All the games included in the catalog app must link to an individual </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> product page.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3 data-sidenav="5. Legal" id="legal"><span id="5"></span>5. Legal <span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span></h3>
<p class="section-intro">Apps must comply with all legal requirements in any location where you make them available (if you’re not sure, check with a lawyer). We know this stuff is complicated, but it is your responsibility to understand and make sure your app conforms with all local laws, not just the guidelines below. And of course, apps that solicit, promote, or encourage criminal or clearly reckless behavior will be rejected. In extreme cases, such as apps that are found to facilitate human trafficking and/or the exploitation of children, appropriate authorities will be notified.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet">
<li data-sidenav="5.1 Privacy" id="privacy"><span id="5.1"></span><strong>5.1 Privacy</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Protecting user privacy is paramount in the Apple ecosystem, and you should use care when handling personal data to ensure you’ve complied with <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/protecting_the_user_s_privacy/">privacy best practices<span class="loc-cj"></span></a>, applicable laws, and the terms of the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/terms/"><span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program License Agreement</a>, not to mention customer expectations. More particularly:</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage" id="data-collection-and-storage"><span id="5.1.1"></span><strong>5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(i) Privacy Policies: </strong>All apps must include a link to their privacy policy in the <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect</span> metadata field and within the app in an easily accessible manner. The privacy policy must clearly and explicitly:
<ul class="disc">
<li>Identify what data, if any, the app/service collects, how it collects that data, and all uses of that data.</li>
<li>Confirm that any third party with whom an app shares user data (in compliance with these Guidelines)—such as analytics tools, advertising networks and third-party SDKs, as well as any parent, subsidiary or other related entities that will have access to user data—will provide the same or equal protection of user data as stated in the app’s privacy policy and required by these Guidelines.</li>
<li>Explain its data retention/deletion policies and describe how a user can revoke consent and/or request deletion of the user’s data.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>(ii) Permission: </strong>Apps that collect user or usage data must secure user consent for the collection, even if such data is considered to be anonymous at the time of or immediately following collection. Paid functionality must not be dependent on or require a user to grant access to this data. Apps must also provide the customer with an easily accessible and understandable way to withdraw consent. Ensure your purpose strings clearly and completely describe your use of the data. Apps that collect data for a legitimate interest without consent by relying on the terms of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) or similar statute must comply with all terms of that law. Learn more about <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/protecting_the_user_s_privacy/">Requesting Permission<span class="loc-cj"></span></a>.</li>
<li><strong>(iii) Data Minimization: </strong>Apps should only request access to data relevant to the core functionality of the app and should only collect and use data that is required to accomplish the relevant task. Where possible, use the out-of-process picker or a share sheet rather than requesting full access to protected resources like Photos or Contacts.</li>
<li><strong>(iv) Access: </strong>Apps must respect the user’s permission settings and not attempt to manipulate, trick, or force people to consent to unnecessary data access. For example, apps that include the ability to post photos to a social network must not also require microphone access before allowing the user to upload photos. Where possible, provide alternative solutions for users who don’t grant consent. For example, if a user declines to share Location, offer the ability to manually enter an address.</li>
<li id="5.1.1v"><strong>(v) Account Sign-In: </strong>If your app doesn’t include significant account-based features, let people use it without a login. If your app supports account creation, you must also <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/offering-account-deletion-in-your-app/">offer account deletion within the app</a>. Apps may not require users to enter personal information to function, except when directly relevant to the core functionality of the app or required by law. If your core app functionality is not related to a specific social network (e.g. Facebook, WeChat, Weibo, Twitter, etc.), you must provide access without a login or via another mechanism. Pulling basic profile information, sharing to the social network, or inviting friends to use the app are not considered core app functionality. The app must also include a mechanism to revoke social network credentials and disable data access between the app and social network from within the app. An app may not store credentials or tokens to social networks off of the device and may only use such credentials or tokens to directly connect to the social network from the app itself while the app is in use.</li>
<li><strong>(vi) </strong>Developers that use their apps to surreptitiously discover passwords or other private data will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></li>
<li><strong>(vii) </strong>SafariViewController must be used to visibly present information to users; the controller may not be hidden or obscured by other views or layers. Additionally, an app may not use SafariViewController to track users without their knowledge and consent.</li>
<li><strong>(viii) </strong>Apps that compile personal information from any source that is not directly from the user or without the user’s explicit consent, even public databases, are not permitted on the <span class="nowrap">App Store.</span></li>
<li><strong>(ix) </strong>Apps that provide services in highly regulated fields (such as banking and financial services, healthcare, gambling, legal cannabis use, and air travel) or that require sensitive user information should be submitted by a legal entity that provides the services, and not by an individual developer. Apps that facilitate the legal sale of cannabis must be geo-restricted to the corresponding legal jurisdiction.</li>
<li><strong>(x) </strong>Apps may request basic contact information (such as name and email address) so long as the request is optional for the user, features and services are not conditional on providing the information, and it complies with all other provisions of these guidelines, including limitations on collecting information from kids.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.1.2 Data Use and Sharing" id="data-use-and-sharing"><span id="5.1.2"></span><strong>5.1.2 Data Use and Sharing</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(i) </strong>Unless otherwise permitted by law, you may not use, transmit, or share someone’s personal data without first obtaining their permission. You must provide access to information about how and where the data will be used. Data collected from apps may only be shared with third parties to improve the app or serve advertising (in compliance with the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/support/terms/"><span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program License Agreement</a>). You must receive explicit permission from users via the App Tracking Transparency APIs to track their activity. Learn more about <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/user-privacy-and-data-use/">tracking<span class="loc-apac"></span></a>. <span class="insert">Your app may not require users to enable system functionalities (e.g., push notifications, location services, tracking) in order to access functionality, content, use the app, or receive monetary or other compensation, including but not limited to gift cards and codes. </span>Apps that share user data without user consent or otherwise complying with data privacy laws may be removed from sale and may result in your removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></li>
<li><strong>(ii) </strong>Data collected for one purpose may not be repurposed without further consent unless otherwise explicitly permitted by law. </li>
<li><strong>(iii) </strong>Apps should not attempt to surreptitiously build a user profile based on collected data and may not attempt, facilitate, or encourage others to identify anonymous users or reconstruct user profiles based on data collected from Apple-provided APIs or any data that you say has been collected in an “anonymized,” “aggregated,” or otherwise non-identifiable way.</li>
<li><strong>(iv) </strong>Do not use information from Contacts, Photos, or other APIs that access user data to build a contact database for your own use or for sale/distribution to third parties, and don’t collect information about which other apps are installed on a user’s device for the purposes of analytics or advertising/marketing.</li>
<li><strong>(v) </strong>Do not contact people using information collected via a user’s Contacts or Photos, except at the explicit initiative of that user on an individualized basis; do not include a Select All option or default the selection of all contacts. You must provide the user with a clear description of how the message will appear to the recipient before sending it (e.g. What will the message say? Who will appear to be the sender?). </li>
<li><strong>(vi) </strong>Data gathered from the HomeKit API, HealthKit, Clinical Health Records API, MovementDisorder APIs, ClassKit or from depth and/or facial mapping tools (e.g. ARKit, Camera APIs, or Photo APIs) may not be used for marketing, advertising or use-based data mining, including by third parties. Learn more about best practices for implementing <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/callkit/">CallKit<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/healthkit/">HealthKit<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/classkit/">ClassKit<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>, and <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/arkit/">ARKit<span class="loc-cj"></span></a>.</li>
<li><strong>(vii) </strong>Apps using <span class="nowrap">Apple Pay</span> may only share user data acquired via <span class="nowrap">Apple Pay</span> with third parties to facilitate or improve delivery of goods and services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.1.4 Kids" id="kids"><span id="5.1.4"></span><strong>5.1.4 Kids</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li>
<p><strong><span class="insert">(a)</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> For many reasons, it is critical to use care when dealing with personal data from kids, and we encourage you to carefully review all the requirements for complying with laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), and any other applicable regulations or laws.</p>
<p>Apps may ask for birthdate and parental contact information only for the purpose of complying with these statutes, but must include some useful functionality or entertainment value regardless of a person’s age.</p>
<p>Apps intended primarily for kids should not include third-party analytics or third-party advertising. This provides a safer experience for kids.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong><span class="insert">(b)</span></strong> In limited cases, third-party analytics and third-party advertising may be permitted provided that the services adhere to the same terms set forth in <a href="#1.3">Guideline 1.3</a>.</p>
<p>Moreover, apps in the Kids Category or those that collect, transmit, or have the capability to share personal information (e.g. name, address, email, location, photos, videos, drawings, the ability to chat, other personal data, or persistent identifiers used in combination with any of the above) from a minor must include a privacy policy and must comply with all applicable children’s privacy statutes. For the sake of clarity, the <a href="#kids-category">parental gate requirement</a> for the Kid’s Category is generally not the same as securing parental consent to collect personal data under these privacy statutes.</p>
<p>As a reminder, <a href="#2.3.8">Guideline 2.3.8</a> requires that use of terms like “For Kids” and “For Children” in app metadata is reserved for the Kids Category. Apps not in the Kids Category cannot include any terms in app name, subtitle, icon, screenshots or description that imply the main audience for the app is children.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.1.5 Location Services" id="location"><span id="5.1.5"></span><strong>5.1.5 Location Services</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Use Location services in your app only when it is directly relevant to the features and services provided by the app. Location-based APIs shouldn’t be used to provide emergency services or autonomous control over vehicles, aircraft, and other devices, except for small devices such as lightweight drones and toys, or remote control car alarm systems, etc. Ensure that you notify and obtain consent before collecting, transmitting, or using location data. If your app uses location services, be sure to explain the purpose in your app; refer to the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/patterns/accessing-private-data/">Human Interface Guidelines<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> for best practices for doing so.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.2 Intellectual Property" id="intellectual-property"><span id="5.2"></span><strong>5.2 Intellectual Property</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.2.4"><strong>5.2.4 Apple <span class="delete">Endorsements:</span><span class="insert">Endorsements</span></strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong><span class="insert">(a)</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Don’t suggest or imply that Apple is a source or supplier of the App, or that Apple endorses any particular representation regarding quality or functionality.</li>
<li><strong><span class="insert">(b)</span></strong> If your app is selected as an “Editor’s Choice,” Apple will apply the badge automatically.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="5.2.5"><strong>5.2.5 Apple <span class="delete">Products:</span><span class="insert">Products</span></strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span> Don’t create an app that appears confusingly similar to an existing Apple product, interface (e.g. Finder), app (such as the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> <span class="nowrap">iTunes Store,</span> or Messages) or advertising theme. Apps and extensions, including third-party keyboards and Sticker packs, may not include Apple emoji. Music from iTunes and <span class="nowrap">Apple Music</span> previews may not be used for their entertainment value (e.g. as the background music to a photo collage or the soundtrack to a game) or in any other unauthorized manner. If you provide music previews from iTunes or <span class="nowrap">Apple Music,</span> you must display a link to the corresponding music in iTunes or <span class="nowrap">Apple Music.</span> If your app displays Activity rings, they should not visualize Move, Exercise, or Stand data in a way that resembles the Activity control. The <a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/patterns/workouts/#activity-rings">Human Interface Guidelines<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> have more information on how to use Activity rings. If your app displays Apple Weather data, it should follow the attribution requirements provided in the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/weatherkit/get-started/#attribution-requirements">WeatherKit documentation<span class="loc-apac"></span></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.4 VPN Apps" id="vpn-apps"><span id="5.4"></span><strong>5.4 VPN Apps</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Apps offering VPN services must utilize the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/documentation/networkextension/nevpnmanager/">NEVPNManager API<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> and may only be offered by developers enrolled as an organization. You must make a clear declaration of what user data will be collected and how it will be used on an app screen prior to any user action to purchase or otherwise use the service. Apps offering VPN services may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy. VPN apps must not violate local laws, and if you choose to make your VPN app available in a territory that requires a VPN license, you must provide your license information in the <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> Notes field. Parental control, content blocking, and security apps, among others, from approved providers may also use the NEVPNManager API. Apps that do not comply with this guideline will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> and you may be removed from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program.</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.5 Mobile Device Management" id="mobile-device-management"><span id="5.5"></span><strong>5.5 Mobile Device Management</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Mobile Device Management Apps that offer Mobile Device Management (MDM) services must request this capability from Apple. Such apps may only be offered by commercial enterprises, educational institutions, or government agencies, and in limited cases, companies using MDM for parental control services or device security. You must make a clear declaration of what user data will be collected and how it will be used on an app screen prior to any user action to purchase or otherwise use the service. MDM apps must not violate any applicable laws. Apps offering MDM services may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy. In limited cases, third-party analytics may be permitted provided that the services only collect or transmit data about the performance of the developer’s MDM app, and not any data about the user, the user’s device, or other apps used on that device. Apps offering configuration profiles must also adhere to these requirements. Apps that do not comply with this guideline will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> and you may be removed from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.6 Developer Code of Conduct" id="code-of-conduct"><span id="5.6"></span><strong>5.6 Developer Code of Conduct</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Please treat everyone with respect, whether in your responses to <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> reviews, customer support requests, or when communicating with Apple, including your responses in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect.</span> Do not engage in harassment of any kind, discriminatory practices, intimidation, bullying, and don’t encourage others to engage in any of the above. Repeated manipulative or misleading behavior or other fraudulent conduct will lead to your removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></p>
<p>Customer trust is the cornerstone of the <span class="nowrap">App Store’s</span> success. Apps should never prey on users or attempt to rip off customers, trick them into making unwanted purchases, force them to share unnecessary data, raise prices in a tricky manner, charge for features or content that are not delivered, or engage in any other manipulative practices within or outside of the app.</p>
<p>Your Developer Program account will be terminated if you engage in activities or actions that are not in accordance with the Developer Code of Conduct. To restore your account, you may provide a written statement detailing the improvements you plan to make. If your plan is approved by Apple and we confirm the changes have been made, your account may be restored.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.6.2"><strong>5.6.2 Developer Identity</strong><span class="insert"><img src="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/images/key-icon.svg" height="17" class="asr-nr" alt="ASR & NR" /></span>
<p>Providing verifiable information to Apple and customers is critical to customer trust. Your representation of yourself, your business, and your offerings on the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> must be accurate. The information you provide must be truthful, relevant, and up-to-date so that Apple and customers understand who they are engaging with and can contact you regarding any issues.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-sidenav id="after-you-submit">After You Submit</h3>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li><strong>Appeals</strong>: If you disagree with the outcome of your review, <span class="delete">or would like to suggest a change to the guideline itself, </span>please <a href="https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/?topic=appeal">submit an appeal<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a>. This may help get your app on the store<span class="delete">, and it can</span><span class="insert">. You may also </span><a href="https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/?topic=guideline"><span class="insert">suggest changes to the guidelines</span></a><span class="insert"> themselves to</span> help us improve the <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> process or identify a need for clarity in our policies.</li>
</ul>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>January 17, 2024</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2024-01-17-storekit-review-guideline-update/">US apps can now link to payment options on developer's website</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> to now allow apps in the United States, that offer in-app purchases, the ability to include a link to the developer’s website that informs users of other ways to purchase digital goods or services.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=plt8qzea">Apple’s full summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.1 In-App Purchase" id="in-app-purchase"><span id="3.1.1"></span><strong>3.1.1 In-App Purchase:</strong>
<ul class="disc no-margin-top">
<li>Apps <span class="delete">and their metadata </span>may <span class="delete">not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than</span><span class="insert">use</span> in-app purchase<span class="delete">, except as set forth in 3.1.3(a).</span>
<span class="delete">Apps may use in-app purchase</span> currencies to enable customers to “tip” the developer or digital content providers in the app.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.1(a) Link to Other Purchase Methods" id="link-to-other-purchase-methods"><span id="3.1.1a"></span><strong><span class="insert">3.1.1(a) Link to Other Purchase Methods:</span></strong><span class="insert"> Developers may apply for an entitlement to provide a link in their app to a website the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to purchase such items. Learn more about the </span><a href="/support/storekit-external-entitlement-us/"><span class="insert">entitlement</span></a><span class="insert">. In accordance with the entitlement agreement, the link may inform users about where and how to purchase those in-app purchase items, and the fact that such items may be available for a comparatively lower price. The entitlement is limited to use only in the iOS or iPadOS App Store on the United States storefront. In all other storefronts, apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.
</span><p style="margin-top: 0.7em;"><span class="insert">If your app engages in misleading marketing practices, scams, or fraud in relation to the entitlement, your app will be removed from the App Store and you may be removed from the Apple Developer Program.</span></p></li>
</ul>
</li>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>June 06, 2023</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2023-06-06-ads-reporting-and-more/">Ads reporting requirements, consequences of impersonating apps, spelling error fixes and clarifications</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> on reporting requirements for apps with ads, consequences of impersonating other apps, and more.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=3cwqvk28">Apple’s full summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<li data-sidenav="2.5 Software Requirements" id="software-requirements"><span id="2.5"></span><strong>2.5 Software Requirements</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.5.6"><strong>2.5.6</strong> Apps that browse the web must use the appropriate WebKit framework and WebKit <span class="delete">Javascript</span><span class="insert">JavaScript</span>.</li>
<li id="2.5.18"><strong>2.5.18</strong> Display advertising should be limited to your main app binary, and should not be included in extensions, App Clips, widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad.<span class="insert"> Apps that contain ads must also include the ability for users to report any inappropriate or age-inappropriate ads.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="permissible-uses"><span id="3.1.2a"></span><strong>3.1.2(a) Permissible uses:</strong> If you offer an auto-renewing subscription, you must provide ongoing value to the customer, and the subscription period must last at least seven days and be available across all of the user’s devices. While the following list is not exhaustive, examples of appropriate subscriptions include: new game levels; episodic content; multiplayer support; apps that offer consistent, substantive updates; access to large collections of, or continually updated, media content; software as a service (“SAAS”); and cloud support. In addition:
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Cellular carrier apps may include auto-renewing music and video subscriptions <span class="delete">in pre-defined</span><span class="insert">when purchased in</span> bundles with <span class="insert">new </span>cellular data plans, with prior approval by Apple. Other auto-renewing subscriptions may also be included in <span class="delete">pre-defined </span>bundles <span class="delete">with</span><span class="insert">when purchased with new</span> cellular data plans, with prior approval by Apple, if the cellular carrier apps support in-app purchase for <span class="delete">new </span>users<span class="delete"> and the carrier provides a mechanism for customers to revert to in-app purchase upon termination of the customer’s bundled service</span>. Such subscriptions cannot include access to or discounts on consumable items<span class="insert">, and the subscriptions must terminate coincident with the cellular data plan</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.1 Copycats" id="copycats"><span id="4.1"></span><strong>4.1 Copycats</strong><p>Come up with your own ideas. We know you have them, so make yours come to life. Don’t simply copy the latest popular app on the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> or make some minor changes to another app’s name or UI and pass it off as your own. In addition to risking an intellectual property infringement claim, it makes the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> harder to navigate and just isn’t fair to your fellow developers<span class="insert">. Submitting apps which impersonate other apps or services is considered a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct and may result in removal from the Apple Developer Program</span>.</p></li>
<li data-sidenav="4.4 Extensions" id="extensions"><span id="4.4"></span><strong>4.4 Extensions</strong>
<p>Apps hosting or containing extensions must comply with the <a href="/library/archive/documentation/General/Conceptual/ExtensibilityPG/index.html#apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40014214/">App Extension Programming Guide<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a><span class="delete"> or the </span><span class="insert">, the </span><a href="/documentation/safariservices/safari_app_extensions/">Safari App Extensions <span class="delete">Guide</span><span class="insert">documentation</span><span class="loc-en-only"></span></a><span class="insert">, or the </span><a href="/documentation/safariservices/safari_web_extensions"><span class="insert">Safari Web Extensions documentation</span></a> and should include some functionality, such as help screens and settings interfaces where possible. You should clearly and accurately disclose what extensions are made available in the app’s marketing text, and the extensions may not include marketing, advertising, or in-app purchases.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.4.2"><strong>4.4.2</strong> Safari extensions must run on the current version of Safari on <span class="delete">macOS</span><span class="insert">the relevant Apple operating system</span>. They may not interfere with System or Safari UI elements and must never include malicious or misleading content or code. Violating this rule will lead to removal from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program. Safari extensions should not claim access to more websites than strictly necessary to function.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.1 Privacy" id="privacy"><span id="5.1"></span><strong>5.1 Privacy</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="5.1.3 Health and Health Research" id="health-and-health-research"><span id="5.1.3"></span><strong>5.1.3 Health and Health Research</strong>
<p>Health, fitness, and medical data are especially sensitive and apps in this space have some additional rules to make sure customer privacy is protected:</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(i)</strong> Apps may not use or disclose to third parties data gathered in the health, fitness, and medical research context—including from the Clinical Health Records API, HealthKit API, Motion and Fitness, <span class="delete">MovementDisorderAPIs</span><span class="insert">MovementDisorder APIs</span>, or health-related human subject research—for advertising, marketing, or other use-based data mining purposes other than improving health management, or for the purpose of health research, and then only with permission. Apps may, however, use a user’s health or fitness data to provide a benefit directly to that user (such as a reduced insurance premium), provided that the app is submitted by the entity providing the benefit, and the data is not shared with a third party. You must disclose the specific health data that you are collecting from the device.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.2 Intellectual Property" id="intellectual-property"><span id="5.2"></span><strong>5.2 Intellectual Property</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.2.3"><strong>5.2.3 Audio/Video Downloading:</strong> Apps should not facilitate illegal file sharing or include the ability to save, convert, or download media from third-party sources (e.g. <span class="nowrap">Apple Music,</span> YouTube, SoundCloud, Vimeo, etc.) without explicit authorization from those sources. Streaming of audio/video content may also violate Terms of Use, so be sure to check before your app accesses those services. <span class="delete">Documentation</span><span class="insert">Authorization</span> must be provided upon request.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>October 25, 2022</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2022-10-25/">App Review clarification, new harmful content rule and info about Matter and selling NFTs</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> expanding more on how to get through App Review, adding a new rule about harmful content, and adding new information about apps that support Matter, and about using in-app purchases to sell NFTs and services related to NFTs.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=xk8d7p8c">Apple’s full summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="before-you-submit">Before You Submit</h3>
<p>Make sure you:</p>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li>Provide <span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Review</span></span><span class="insert"> with full access to your app. If your app includes account-based features, provide either </span>an active demo account <span class="delete">and login information</span><span class="insert">or fully-featured demo mode</span>, plus any other hardware or resources that might be needed to review your app (e.g. login credentials or a sample QR code)</li>
</ul>
<span id="1.1"></span><strong>1.1 Objectionable Content</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.1.4"><strong>1.1.4</strong> Overtly sexual or pornographic material, defined as “explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.” This includes “hookup” apps <span class="insert">and other apps </span>that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution<span class="insert">, or human trafficking and exploitation</span>.</li>
<li id="1.1.7"><strong><span class="insert">1.1.7</span></strong><span class="insert"> Harmful concepts which capitalize or seek to profit on recent or current events, such as violent conflicts, terrorist attacks, and epidemics.</span></li>
</ul>
<span id="2.1"></span><strong>2.1 App Completeness</strong>
<p>Submissions to <span class="nowrap">App Review,</span> including apps you make available for pre-order, should be final versions with all necessary metadata and fully functional URLs included; placeholder text, empty websites, and other temporary content should be scrubbed before submission. Make sure your app has been tested on-device for bugs and stability before you submit it, and include demo account info (and turn on your back-end service!) if your app includes a login. If you <span class="insert">are unable to provide a demo account due to legal or security obligations, you may include a built-in demo mode in lieu of a demo account with prior approval by Apple. Ensure the demo mode exhibits your app’s full features and functionality. If you </span>offer in-app purchases in your app, make sure they are complete, up-to-date, and visible to the reviewer, or that you explain why not in your review notes. Please don’t treat <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> as a software testing service. We will reject incomplete app bundles and binaries that crash or exhibit obvious technical problems.</p>
<span id="2.5"></span><strong>2.5 Software Requirements</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.5.17"><strong><span class="insert">2.5.17</span></strong><span class="insert"> Apps that support Matter must use Apple’s support framework for Matter to initiate pairing. In addition, if you choose to use any Matter software component in your app other than the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">Matter SDK</span></span><span class="insert"> provided by Apple, the software component must be certified by the </span><a href="https://csa-iot.org"><span class="insert">Connectivity Standards Alliance</span><span class="loc-c"></span></a><span class="insert"> for the platform it runs on.</span></li>
<li id="2.5.18"><strong><span class="insert">2.5.18</span></strong><span class="insert"> Display advertising should be limited to your main app binary, and should not be included in extensions, App Clips, widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad.</span></li>
</ul>
<span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.1 In-App Purchase" id="in-app-purchase"><span id="3.1.1"></span><strong>3.1.1 In-App Purchase:</strong>
<ul class="disc no-margin-top">
<li>If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, <span class="insert">cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency wallets, </span>etc. Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase, except as set forth in 3.1.3(a).</li>
<li><span class="insert">Apps may use in-app purchase to sell and sell services related to non-fungible tokens (NFTs), such as minting, listing, and transferring. Apps may allow users to view their own NFTs, provided that NFT ownership does not unlock features or functionality within the app. Apps may allow users to browse NFT collections owned by others, provided that the apps may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.3(g) Advertising Management Apps" id="advertising-management-apps"><span id="3.1.3g"></span><strong><span class="insert">3.1.3(g) Advertising Management Apps:</span></strong><span class="insert"> Apps for the sole purpose of allowing advertisers (persons or companies that advertise a product, service, or event) to purchase and manage advertising campaigns across media types (television, outdoor, websites, apps, etc.) do not need to use in-app purchase. These apps are intended for campaign management purposes and do not display the advertisements themselves. Digital purchases for content that is experienced or consumed in an app, including buying advertisements to display in the same app (such as sales of “boosts” for posts in a social media app) must use in-app purchase.</span></li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.5 Cryptocurrencies" id="cryptocurrencies"><span id="3.1.5"></span><strong>3.1.5 Cryptocurrencies:</strong>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>(iii) Exchanges: Apps may facilitate transactions or transmissions of cryptocurrency on an approved exchange, provided they are offered <span class="delete">by the</span><span class="insert">only in countries or regions where the app has appropriate licensing and permissions to provide a cryptocurrency</span> exchange<span class="delete"> itself</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<span class="delete">3.1.7 Advertising:</span><span class="delete"> Display advertising should be limited to your main app binary, and should not be included in extensions, </span><span class="delete">App Clips,</span><span class="delete"> widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad.</span>
</ul>
<span id="5.2"></span><strong>5.2 Intellectual Property</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.2.5"><strong>5.2.5 Apple Products:</strong> Don’t create an app that appears confusingly similar to an existing Apple product, interface (e.g. Finder), app (such as the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> <span class="nowrap">iTunes Store,</span> or Messages) or advertising theme. Apps and extensions, including third-party keyboards and Sticker packs, may not include Apple emoji. <span class="insert">Music from </span>iTunes <span class="delete">music</span><span class="insert">and </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">Apple Music</span></span> previews may not be used for their entertainment value (e.g. as the background music to a photo collage or the soundtrack to a game) or in any other unauthorized manner. If <span class="insert">you provide music previews from iTunes or </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">Apple Music,</span></span><span class="insert"> you must display a link to the corresponding music in iTunes or </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">Apple Music.</span></span><span class="insert"> If </span>your app displays Activity rings, they should not visualize Move, Exercise, or Stand data in a way that resembles the Activity control. The <a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/patterns/workouts#activity-rings">Human Interface Guidelines<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> have more information on how to use Activity rings. If your app displays Apple Weather data, it should follow the attribution requirements provided in the <a href="/weatherkit/get-started/index.html#attribution-requirements">WeatherKit documentation<span class="loc-apac"></span></a>.</li>
</ul>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>June 08, 2022</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2022-06-06-updates-in-preparation-for-upcoming-os-releases/">Updates in preparation for upcoming OS releases</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> in preparation of upcoming <span class="caps">OS</span> releases.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=npbbcwsx">Apple’s own summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<li data-sidenav="1.1 Objectionable Content" id="objectionable-content"><span id="1.1"></span><strong>1.1 Objectionable Content</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.1.4"><strong>1.1.4</strong> Overtly sexual or pornographic material, defined <span class="delete">by Webster’s Dictionary </span>as “explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.” This includes “hookup” apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.5 Developer Information" id="developer-information"><span id="1.5"></span><strong>1.5 Developer Information</strong>
<p>People need to know how to reach you with questions and support issues. Make sure your app and its Support URL include an easy way to contact you; this is particularly important for apps that may be used in the classroom. Failure to include accurate and up-to-date contact information not only frustrates customers, but may violate the law in some countries<span class="insert"> or regions</span>. Also ensure that Wallet passes include valid contact information from the issuer and are signed with a dedicated certificate assigned to the brand or trademark owner of the pass.</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.7 Reporting Criminal Activity"><span id="1.7"></span><strong>1.7 Reporting Criminal Activity</strong>
<p>Apps for reporting alleged criminal activity must involve local law enforcement, and can only be offered in countries <span class="insert">or regions </span>where such involvement is active.</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="2.5 Software Requirements" id="software-requirements"><span id="2.5"></span><strong>2.5 Software Requirements</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.5.4"><strong>2.5.4</strong> Multitasking apps may only use background services for their intended purposes: VoIP, audio playback, location, task completion, local notifications, etc.<span class="delete"> If your app uses location background mode, include a reminder that doing so may dramatically decrease battery life.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Auto-renewing subscription apps may offer a free trial period to customers by providing the relevant information set forth in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect.</span> <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/subscriptions/#providing-subscription-offers">Learn more about <span class="delete">Subscription Free Trials</span><span class="insert">providing subscription offers</span>.</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.2 Minimum Functionality" id="minimum-functionality"><span id="4.2"></span><strong>4.2 Minimum Functionality</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.2.3"><strong>4.2.3</strong>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>(ii) <span class="delete">Make sure you include sufficient content in the binary for the</span><span class="insert">If your</span> app <span class="insert">needs to download additional resources in order </span>to function <span class="delete">at launch.</span>
<span class="delete">(iii) If your app needs to download additional resources in order to function </span>on initial launch, disclose the size of the download and prompt users before doing so.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.4 Extensions" id="extensions"><span id="4.4"></span><strong>4.4 Extensions</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.4.3"><strong>4.4.3</strong> Stickers
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(ii)</strong> Consider regional sensitivities, and do not make your sticker pack available in a country <span class="insert">or region </span>where it could be poorly received or violate local law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.7 HTML5 Games, Bots, etc." id="third-party-software"><span id="4.7"></span><strong>4.7 HTML5 Games, Bots, etc.</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.7.1"><strong>4.7.1</strong> Software offered under this rule must:
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>not provide access to real money gaming<span class="delete">, lotteries, or charitable donations</span>;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.1.3 Health and Health Research" id="health-and-health-research"><span id="5.1.3"></span><strong>5.1.3 Health and Health Research</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(i)</strong> Apps may not use or disclose to third parties data gathered in the health, fitness, and medical research context—including from the Clinical Health Records API, HealthKit API, Motion and Fitness, MovementDisorderAPIs, or health-related human subject research—for advertising, marketing, or other use-based data mining purposes other than improving health management, or for the purpose of health research, and then only with permission. Apps may, however, use a user’s health or fitness data to provide a benefit directly to that user (such as a reduced insurance premium), provided that the app is submitted by the entity providing the benefit, and the data is not <span class="delete">be </span>shared with a third party. You must disclose the specific health data that you are collecting from the device.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.2 Intellectual Property" id="intellectual-property"><span id="5.2"></span><strong>5.2 Intellectual Property</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.2.5"><strong>5.2.5 Apple Products:</strong> Don’t create an app that appears confusingly similar to an existing Apple product, interface (e.g. Finder), app (such as the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> <span class="nowrap">iTunes Store,</span> or Messages) or advertising theme. Apps and extensions, including third-party keyboards and Sticker packs, may not include Apple emoji. iTunes music previews may not be used for their entertainment value (e.g. as the background music to a photo collage or the soundtrack to a game) or in any other unauthorized manner. If your app displays Activity rings, they should not visualize Move, Exercise, or Stand data in a way that resembles the Activity control. The <a href="https://developer.apple.com/design/human-interface-guidelines/watchos/system-capabilities/health-and-fitness/#activity-rings">Human Interface Guidelines<span class="loc-en-only"></span></a> have more information on how to use Activity rings.<span class="insert"> If your app displays Apple Weather data, it should follow the attribution requirements provided in the </span><a href="/weatherkit/get-started/index.html#attribution-requirements"><span class="insert">WeatherKit documentation</span></a><span class="insert">.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.3 Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries" id="gaming-gambling-and-lotteries"><span id="5.3"></span><strong>5.3 Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.3.3"><strong>5.3.3</strong> Apps may not use in-app purchase to purchase credit or currency for use in conjunction with real money gaming of any kind<span class="delete">, and may not enable people to purchase lottery or raffle tickets or initiate fund transfers in the app</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<h3 data-sidenav id="after-you-submit">After You Submit</h3>
<p>Once you’ve submitted your app and metadata in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect</span> and you’re in the review process, here are some things to keep in mind:</p>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li><strong>Rejections</strong>: Our goal is to apply these guidelines fairly and consistently, but nobody’s perfect. If your app has been rejected and you have questions or would like to provide additional information, please use <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect</span> to communicate directly with the <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> team. This may help get your app on the store, and it can help us improve the <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> process or identify a need for clarity in our policies.<span class="delete"> If you still disagree with the outcome, or would like to suggest a change to the guideline itself, please </span><span class="delete">submit an appeal</span><span class="delete">.</span></li>
</ul>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>April 05, 2022</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2022-04-05-update-on-reader-app-distribution/">Update on "reader" app distribution</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> to now allow developers of “reader” apps to include an in-app link to their website for account creation and management purposes.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=grjqafts">Apple’s own summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.1 In-App Purchase" id="in-app-purchase"><span id="3.1.1"></span><strong>3.1.1 In-App Purchase:</strong>
<ul class="disc no-margin-top">
<li>If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, (by way of example: subscriptions, in-game currencies, game levels, access to premium content, or unlocking a full version), you must use in-app purchase. Apps may not use their own mechanisms to unlock content or functionality, such as license keys, augmented reality markers, QR codes, etc. Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase<span class="insert">, except as set forth in 3.1.3(a)</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods" id="other-purchase-methods"><span id="3.1.3"></span><strong>3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods:</strong> The following apps may use purchase methods other than in-app purchase. Apps in this section cannot, within the app, encourage users to use a purchasing method other than in-app purchase<span class="insert">, except as set forth in 3</span>.<span class="insert">1.3(a).</span> Developers can send communications outside of the app to their user base about purchasing methods other than in-app purchase.</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.3(a) “Reader” Apps" id="reader-apps"><span id="3.1.3a"></span><strong>3.1.3(a) “Reader” Apps:</strong> Apps may allow a user to access previously purchased content or content subscriptions (specifically: magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video). Reader apps may offer account creation for free tiers, and account management functionality for existing customers.<span class="insert"> Reader app developers may apply for the External Link Account Entitlement to provide an informational link in their app to a web site the developer owns or maintains responsibility for in order to create or manage an account. Learn more about the </span><a href="/support/reader-apps/" class="loc-en-only"><span class="insert">External Link Account Entitlement</span></a><span class="insert">.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.6 Developer Code of Conduct" id="code-of-conduct"><span id="5.6"></span><strong>5.6 Developer Code of Conduct</strong>
<p>Please treat everyone with respect, whether in your responses to <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> reviews, customer support requests, or when communicating with Apple, including your responses in <span class="delete">Resolution Center</span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store Connect</span>.</span> Do not engage in harassment of any kind, discriminatory practices, intimidation, bullying, and don’t encourage others to engage in any of the above. Repeated manipulative or misleading behavior or other fraudulent conduct will lead to your removal from the Apple Developer Program.</p>
</li>
<h3 data-sidenav id="after-you-submit">After You Submit</h3>
<p>Once you’ve submitted your app and metadata in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect</span> and you’re in the review process, here are some things to keep in mind:</p>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li><strong>Rejections</strong>: Our goal is to apply these guidelines fairly and consistently, but nobody’s perfect. If your app has been rejected and you have questions or would like to provide additional information, please use<span class="delete"> the Resolution Center to communicate directly with the</span> <span class="nowrap">App <span class="insert">Store Connect</span></span><span class="insert"> to communicate directly with the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App </span>Review</span> team. This may help get your app on the store, and it can help us improve the <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> process or identify a need for clarity in our policies. If you still disagree with the outcome, or would like to suggest a change to the guideline itself, please <a href="https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/?topic=appeal">submit an appeal</a>.</li>
<li><strong>Bug Fix Submissions</strong>: For apps that are already on the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> bug fixes will no longer be delayed over guideline violations except for those related to legal or safety issues. If your app has been rejected, and qualifies for this process, please use<span class="delete"> the Resolution Center to communicate directly with the</span> <span class="nowrap">App <span class="insert">Store Connect</span></span><span class="insert"> to communicate directly with the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App </span>Review</span> team indicating that you would like to take advantage of this process and plan to address the issue in your next submission.</li>
</ul>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>October 25, 2021</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2021-10-25-in-app-events-purchasing-and-user-info/">In-app events, changed purchasing rules and basic contact information requests</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>Apple has updated their <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> with new info about in-app events, changes to rules about targeting individuals regarding purchasing methods other than in-app purchases and new info about requests for basic contact information.
<br><br></p>
<p><a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=4m3f5hbw">Apple’s own summary can be found here</a>.
</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<li data-sidenav="2.3 Accurate Metadata" id="accurate-metadata"><span id="2.3"></span><strong>2.3 Accurate Metadata</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.3.13"><strong><span class="insert">2.3.13</span></strong><span class="insert"> In-app events are timely events that happen within your app. To feature your event on the App Store, it must fall within an event type provided in App Store Connect. All event metadata must be accurate and pertain to the event itself, rather than the app more generally. Events must happen at the times and dates you select in App Store Connect, including across multiple storefronts. You may monetize your event so long as you follow the rules set forth in Section 3 on Business. And your event deep link must direct users to the proper destination within your app. Read </span><a href="/app-store/in-app-events/"><span class="insert">In-App Events</span></a><span class="insert"> for detailed guidance on acceptable event metadata and event deep links.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods" id="other-purchase-methods"><span id="3.1.3"></span><strong>3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods:</strong> The following apps may use purchase methods other than in-app purchase. Apps in this section cannot, within the app, encourage users to use a purchasing method other than in-app purchase. Developers <span class="delete">cannot use information obtained within</span><span class="insert">can send communications outside of</span> the app to <span class="delete">target individual users outside of the app to use</span><span class="insert">their user base about</span> purchasing methods other than in-app<span class="delete"> purchase (such as sending an individual user an email about other purchasing methods after that individual signs up for an account within the app). Developers can send communications outside of the app to their user base about purchasing methods other than in-app</span> purchase.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.1 Privacy" id="privacy"><span id="5.1"></span><strong>5.1 Privacy</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage" id="data-collection-and-storage"><span id="5.1.1"></span><strong>5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong><span class="insert">(x) </span></strong><span class="insert">Apps may request basic contact information (such as name and email address) so long as the request is optional for the user, features and services are not conditional on providing the information, and it complies with all other provisions of these guidelines, including limitations on collecting information from kids.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</section></p></article><article class="article intro"><header><p class="date"><span>June 07, 2021</span></p><h2><a href="/articles/2021-06-07-wwdc-2021/">WWDC 2021</a></h2></header><section class="content"><p>On the back of this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple has updated the <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/">App Store Review Guidelines</a> with <a href="https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=dovxb62h">clarifications of existing guidelines, new prohibitions regarding apps facilitating prostitution and reporting crime activity, and much more</a>.</br></br></p>
<p>The complete set of changes can be seen below:</p>
</section><p class="changes"><section class="apple">
<div class="section-content">
<div class="column-flex large-9 small-12 margin-bottom">
<h3 data-sidenav id="introduction">Introduction</h3>
<p>A few other points to keep in mind:</p>
<ul class="disc top-level">
<li>If you attempt to cheat the system (for example, by trying to trick the review process, steal user data, copy another developer’s work, manipulate ratings or <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> discovery) your apps will be removed from the store and you will be expelled from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</section>
<section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="safety"><span id="1"></span>1. Safety</h3>
<ul class="no-bullet">
<li data-sidenav="1.1 Objectionable Content" id="objectionable-content"><span id="1.1"></span><strong>1.1 Objectionable Content</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.1.4"><strong>1.1.4</strong> Overtly sexual or pornographic material, defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings.<span class="delete">"</span><span class="insert">” This includes “hookup” apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.2 User-Generated Content" id="user-generated-content"><span id="1.2"></span><strong>1.2 User <span class="insert">-</span>Generated Content</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.2.1"><strong><span class="insert">1.2.1 Creator Content</span></strong><br><span class="insert">Apps which feature content from a specific community of users called “creators” are a great opportunity if properly moderated. These apps present a singular, unified experience for customers to interact with various kinds of creator content. They offer tools and programs to help this community of non-developer creators to author, share, and monetize user-generated experiences. These experiences must not change the core features and functionality of the native app—rather, they add content to those structured experiences. These experiences are not native “apps” coded by developers—they are content within the app itself and are treated as user-generated content by App Review. Such creator content may include video, articles, audio, and even casual games. The </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store</span></span><span class="insert"> supports apps offering such user-generated content so long as they follow all Guidelines, including Guideline 1.2 for moderating user-generated content and Guideline 3.1.1 for payments and in-app purchases. Creator apps should share the age rating of the highest age-rated creator content available in the app, and communicate to users which content requires additional purchases.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.4 Physical Harm" id="physical-harm"><span id="1.4"></span><strong>1.4 Physical Harm</strong>
<p>If your app behaves in a way that risks physical harm, we may reject it. For example:</p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="1.4.3"><strong>1.4.3</strong> Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the <span class="nowrap">App Store.</span> Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies<span class="insert"> and licensed or otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries</span>), <span class="delete">marijuana, </span>or tobacco is not allowed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="1.7 Reporting Criminal Activity"><span id="1.7"></span><strong><span class="insert">1.7 Reporting Criminal Activity</span></strong>
<p><span class="insert">Apps for reporting alleged criminal activity must involve local law enforcement, and can only be offered in countries where such involvement is active.</span></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="performance"><span id="2"></span>2. Performance</h3>
<ul class="no-bullet">
<li data-sidenav="2.2 Beta Testing" id="beta-testing"><span id="2.2"></span><strong>2.2 Beta Testing</strong>
<p>Demos, betas, and trial versions of your app don’t belong on the <span class="nowrap">App Store –</span> use TestFlight instead. Any app submitted for beta distribution via TestFlight should be intended for public distribution and should comply with the <span class="nowrap">App Review</span> Guidelines. Note, however, that apps using TestFlight cannot be distributed to testers in exchange for compensation of any kind, including as a reward for crowd-sourced funding. Significant updates to your beta build should be submitted to TestFlight App Review before being distributed to your testers. To learn more, visit the <a href="/testflight/">TestFlight Beta Testing</a><span class="insert"> page</span>.</p></li>
<li data-sidenav="2.3 Accurate Metadata" id="accurate-metadata"><span id="2.3"></span><strong>2.3 Accurate Metadata</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.3.1"><strong>2.3.1</strong> Don’t include any hidden, dormant, or undocumented features in your app; your app’s functionality should be clear to end users and<span class="insert"> App Review. All new features, functionality, and product changes must be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section of</span> <span class="nowrap">App <span class="delete">Review.</span><span class="delete"> All new features, functionality, and product changes must be described with specificity in the Notes for Review section of </span><span class="delete">App </span>Store Connect</span> (generic descriptions will be rejected) and accessible for review. Similarly, <span class="delete">you should</span><span class="insert">marketing your app in a misleading way, such as by promoting content or services that it does</span> not <span class="delete">market your app on the </span><span class="delete">App Store</span><span class="delete"> or offline as including content or services that it does not </span>actually offer (e.g. iOS-based virus and malware scanners)<span class="insert"> or promoting a false price, whether within or outside of the App Store, is grounds for removal of your app from the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store</span></span><span class="insert"> and termination of your developer account</span>. Egregious or repeated behavior is grounds for removal from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program. We work hard to make the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> a trustworthy ecosystem and expect our app developers to follow suit; if you’re dishonest, we don’t want to do business with you.</li>
<li id="2.3.3"><strong>2.3.3</strong> Screenshots should show the app in use, and not merely the title art, login page, or splash screen. They may also include text and image overlays (e.g. to demonstrate input mechanisms, such as an animated touch point or <span class="nowrap">Apple Pencil)</span> and show extended functionality on device, such as Touch Bar.</li>
<li id="2.3.10"><strong>2.3.10</strong> Make sure your app is focused on the iOS, <span class="delete">Mac</span><span class="insert">iPadOS</span>, <span class="delete">Apple TV</span><span class="delete"> or </span><span class="delete">Apple Watch</span><span class="insert">macOS, tvOS or watchOS</span> experience, and don’t include names, icons, or imagery of other mobile platforms in your app or metadata, unless there is specific, approved interactive functionality. Make sure your app metadata is focused on the app itself and its experience. Don’t include irrelevant information<span class="delete">, including but not limited to information about Apple or the development process</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="2.4 Hardware Compatibility" id="hardware-compatibility"><span id="2.4"></span><strong>2.4 Hardware Compatibility</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.4.4"><strong>2.4.4</strong> Apps should never suggest or require a restart of the device or modifications to system settings unrelated to the core functionality of the <span class="delete">application</span><span class="insert">app</span>. For example, don’t encourage users to turn off Wi-Fi, disable security features, etc.</li>
<li id="2.4.5"><strong>2.4.5</strong> Apps distributed via the <span class="nowrap">Mac App Store</span> have some additional requirements to keep in mind:
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(ii)</strong> They must be packaged and submitted using technologies provided in Xcode; no third-party installers allowed. They must also be self-contained, single <span class="delete">application</span><span class="insert">app</span> installation bundles and cannot install code or resources in shared locations.</li>
<li><strong>(iii)</strong> They may not auto-launch or have other code run automatically at startup or login without consent nor spawn processes that continue to run without consent after a user has quit the app. They should not automatically add their icons to the Dock or leave shortcuts on the user desktop.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="2.5 Software Requirements" id="software-requirements"><span id="2.5"></span><strong>2.5 Software Requirements</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="2.5.2"><strong>2.5.2</strong> Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps. Educational apps designed to teach, develop, or allow students to test executable code may, in limited circumstances, download code provided that such code is not used for other purposes. Such apps must make the source code provided by the <span class="delete">Application</span><span class="insert">app</span> completely viewable and editable by the user.</li>
<li id="2.5.3"><strong>2.5.3</strong> Apps that transmit viruses, files, computer code, or programs that may harm or disrupt the normal operation of the operating system and/or hardware features, including Push Notifications and Game Center, will be rejected. Egregious violations and repeat behavior will result in removal from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="business"><span id="3"></span>3. Business</h3>
<p class="section-intro margin-bottom-small">If we find that you have attempted to manipulate reviews, inflate your chart rankings with paid, incentivized, filtered, or fake feedback, or engage with third-party services to do so on your behalf, we will take steps to preserve the integrity of the <span class="nowrap">App Store,</span> which may include expelling you from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program.</p>
<ul class="no-bullet">
<li data-sidenav="3.1 Payments" id="payments"><span id="3.1"></span><strong>3.1 Payments</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.1.1 In-App Purchase" id="in-app-purchase"><span id="3.1.1"></span><strong>3.1.1 In-App Purchase:</strong>
<ul class="disc no-margin-top">
<li><span class="delete">Gift</span><span class="insert">Digital gift</span> cards, certificates, vouchers, and coupons which can be redeemed for digital goods or services can only be sold in your app using in-app<span class="insert"> purchase. Physical gift cards that are sold within an app and then mailed to customers may use payment methods other than in-app</span> purchase.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="permissible-uses"><span id="3.1.2a"></span><strong>3.1.2(a) Permissible uses:</strong>
<ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li>Auto-renewing subscription apps may offer a free trial period to customers by providing the relevant information set forth in <span class="nowrap">App Store Connect.</span><span class="insert"> Learn more about Subscription Free Trials.</span></li>
<li>Apps that attempt to scam users will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">App Store.</span> This includes apps that attempt to trick users into purchasing a subscription under false pretenses or engage in bait-and-switch and scam practices<span class="insert">; these</span> will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> and you may be removed from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program.<span class="delete"> Learn more about </span><span class="delete">Subscription Free Trials</span><span class="delete">.</span></li>
<li><span class="delete">Apps that offer</span><span class="insert">Cellular carrier apps may include</span> auto-renewing music and video subscriptions<span class="delete"> with prior approval by Apple may also be included</span> in pre-defined bundles with cellular data plans<span class="delete"> offered in</span><span class="insert">, with prior approval by Apple. Other auto-renewing subscriptions may also be included in pre-defined bundles with</span> cellular <span class="insert">data plans, with prior approval by Apple, if the cellular </span>carrier apps<span class="insert"> support in-app purchase for new users and the carrier provides a mechanism for customers to revert to in-app purchase upon termination of the customer’s bundled service. Such subscriptions cannot include access to or discounts on consumable items</span>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods" id="other-purchase-methods"><span id="3.1.3"></span><strong>3.1.3 Other Purchase Methods:</strong> The following apps may use purchase methods other than in-app purchase. Apps in this section cannot, <span class="delete">either </span>within the app<span class="delete"> or through communications sent to points of contact obtained from account registration within the app (like email or text)</span>, encourage users to use a purchasing method other than in-app<span class="insert"> purchase. Developers cannot use information obtained within the app to target individual users outside of the app to use purchasing methods other than in-app purchase (such as sending an individual user an email about other purchasing methods after that individual signs up for an account within the app). Developers can send communications outside of the app to their user base about purchasing methods other than in-app</span> purchase.</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.1.7 Advertising" id="advertising"><span id="3.1.7"></span><strong>3.1.7 Advertising:</strong> Display advertising should be limited to your main app <span class="delete">executable</span><span class="insert">binary</span>, and should not be included in extensions, <span class="nowrap">App Clips,</span> widgets, notifications, keyboards, watchOS apps, etc. Ads displayed in an app must be appropriate for the app’s age rating, allow the user to see all information used to target them for that ad (without requiring the user to leave the app), and may not engage in targeted or behavioral advertising based on sensitive user data such as health/medical data (e.g. from the HealthKit APIs), school and classroom data (e.g. from ClassKit), or from kids (e.g. from apps in the Kids Category), etc. Interstitial ads or ads that interrupt or block the user experience must clearly indicate that they are an ad, must not manipulate or trick users into tapping into them, and must provide easily accessible and visible close/skip buttons large enough for people to easily dismiss the ad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="3.2 Other Business Model Issues" id="other-business-model-issues"><span id="3.2"></span><strong>3.2 Other Business Model Issues</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="3.2.1 Acceptable" id="acceptable"><span id="3.2.1"></span><strong>3.2.1 Acceptable</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(viii)</strong> Apps used for financial trading, investing, or money management should <span class="delete">come from</span><span class="insert">be submitted by</span> the financial institution performing such services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="design"><span id="4"></span>4. Design</h3>
<ul class="no-bullet">
<li data-sidenav="4.2 Minimum Functionality" id="minimum-functionality"><span id="4.2"></span><strong>4.2 Minimum Functionality</strong>
<p>Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website. If your app is not particularly useful, unique, or “app-like,” it doesn’t belong on the <span class="nowrap">App Store.</span> If your App doesn’t provide some sort of lasting entertainment value<span class="insert"> or adequate utility</span>, it may not be accepted. Apps that are simply a song or movie should be submitted to the <span class="nowrap">iTunes Store.</span> Apps that are simply a book or game guide should be submitted to the <span class="nowrap">Apple Books Store.</span></p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.3 Spam" id="spam"><span id="4.3"></span><strong>4.3 Spam</strong><p>Don’t create multiple Bundle IDs of the same app. If your app has different versions for specific locations, sports teams, universities, etc., consider submitting a single app and provide the variations using in-app purchase. Also avoid piling on to a category that is already saturated; the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> has enough fart, burp, flashlight, fortune telling, dating, <span class="insert">drinking games, </span>and Kama Sutra apps, etc. already. We will reject these apps unless they provide a unique, high-quality experience. Spamming the store may lead to your removal from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program.</p></li>
<li data-sidenav="4.4 Extensions" id="extensions"><span id="4.4"></span><strong>4.4 Extensions</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.4.3"><strong>4.4.3</strong> Stickers
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(v)</strong> You must have all the necessary copyright, trademark, publicity rights, and permissions for the content in your stickers, and shouldn’t submit anything unless you’re authorized to do so. Keep in mind that you must be able to provide verifiable documentation upon request. Apps with sticker content you don’t have rights to use will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> and repeat offenders will be removed from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program. If you believe your content has been infringed by another provider, <a href="https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstorenotices/#?lang=en">submit a claim here</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.5 Apple Sites and Services" id="apple-sites-and-services"><span id="4.5"></span><strong>4.5 Apple Sites and Services</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.5.3"><strong>4.5.3</strong> Do not use Apple Services to spam, phish, or send unsolicited messages to customers, including <span class="nowrap">Game Center,</span> Push Notifications, etc. Do not attempt to reverse lookup, trace, relate, associate, mine, harvest, or otherwise exploit Player IDs, aliases, or other information obtained through <span class="nowrap">Game Center,</span> or you will be removed from the <span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer Program.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="4.7 HTML5 Games, Bots, etc." id="third-party-software"><span id="4.7"></span><strong>4.7 HTML5 Games, Bots, etc.</strong>
<p>Apps may contain or run code that is not embedded in the binary (e.g. HTML5-based games, bots, etc.), as long as code distribution isn’t the main purpose of the app, the code is not offered in a store or store-like interface, and provided that the software <span class="delete">(</span><span class="insert">adheres to the additional rules that follow in 4.7.</span>1<span class="delete">) is</span><span class="insert"> and 4.7.2. These additional rules are important to preserve the experience that </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store</span></span><span class="insert"> customers expect, and to help ensure user safety.</span></p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="4.7.1"><strong><span class="insert">4.7.1</span></strong><span class="insert"> Software offered under this rule must:
</span><ul class="disc margin-top-small">
<li><span class="insert">be</span> free or purchased using in-app purchase;<span class="delete"> (2) </span></li>
<li>only <span class="delete">uses</span><span class="insert">use</span> capabilities available in a standard WebKit view (e.g. it must open and run natively in Safari without modifications or additional software); <span class="delete">your app must</span><span class="insert">and</span> use WebKit and JavaScript Core to run third-party software and should not attempt to extend or expose native platform APIs to third-party software;<span class="delete"> (3) is</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">be</span> offered by developers that have joined the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program and signed the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program License Agreement;<span class="delete"> (4) does </span></li>
<li>not provide access to real money gaming, lotteries, or charitable donations;<span class="delete"> (5) adheres</span></li>
<li><span class="insert">adhere</span> to the terms of these <span class="nowrap">App <span class="insert">Store</span></span> Review Guidelines (e.g. <span class="delete">does</span><span class="insert">do</span> not include objectionable content); and<span class="delete"> (6) does </span></li>
<li>not offer digital goods or services for sale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="4.7.2"><strong><span class="insert">4.7.2</span></strong> Upon request, you must provide an index of software and metadata available in your app. It must include <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer</span> Program Team IDs for the providers of the software along with a URL which App Review can use to confirm that the software complies with the requirements above.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
<section class="apple">
<h3 data-sidenav id="legal"><span id="5"></span>5. Legal</h3>
<ul class="no-bullet">
<li data-sidenav="5.1 Privacy" id="privacy"><span id="5.1"></span><strong>5.1 Privacy</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li data-sidenav="5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage" id="data-collection-and-storage"><span id="5.1.1"></span><strong>5.1.1 Data Collection and Storage</strong>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li><strong>(v) Account Sign-In: </strong>If your app doesn’t include significant account-based features, let people use it without a login. <span class="insert">If your app supports account creation, you must also offer account deletion within the app. </span>Apps may not require users to enter personal information to function, except when directly relevant to the core functionality of the app or required by law. If your core app functionality is not related to a specific social network (e.g. Facebook, WeChat, Weibo, Twitter, etc.), you must provide access without a login or via another mechanism. Pulling basic profile information, sharing to the social network, or inviting friends to use the app are not considered core app functionality. The app must also include a mechanism to revoke social network credentials and disable data access between the app and social network from within the app. An app may not store credentials or tokens to social networks off of the device and may only use such credentials or tokens to directly connect to the social network from the app itself while the app is in use.</li>
<li><strong>(vi) </strong>Developers that use their apps to surreptitiously discover passwords or other private data will be removed from the <span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">Apple </span>Developer</span> Program.</li>
<li><strong>(ix) </strong>Apps that provide services in highly-regulated fields (such as banking and financial services, healthcare, gambling, <span class="insert">legal cannabis use, </span>and air travel) or that require sensitive user information should be submitted by a legal entity that provides the services, and not by an individual developer.<span class="insert"> Apps that facilitate the legal sale of cannabis must be geo-restricted to the corresponding legal jurisdiction.</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.3 Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries" id="gaming-gambling-and-lotteries"><span id="5.3"></span><strong>5.3 Gaming, Gambling, and Lotteries</strong>
<p><span class="delete">Gambling</span><span class="insert">Gaming</span>, <span class="delete">gaming</span><span class="insert">gambling</span>, and lotteries can be tricky to manage and tend to be one of the most regulated offerings on the <span class="nowrap">App Store.</span> Only include this functionality if you’ve fully vetted your legal obligations everywhere you make your app available and are prepared for extra time during the review process. Some things to keep in mind:</p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.5 Mobile Device Management" id="mobile-device-management"><span id="5.5"></span><strong>5.5 Mobile Device Management</strong>
<p>Mobile Device Management Apps that offer Mobile Device Management (MDM) services must request this capability from Apple. Such apps may only be offered by commercial enterprises<span class="delete"> (such as business organizations</span>, educational institutions, or government agencies<span class="delete">)</span>, and in limited cases, companies using MDM for parental control services or device security. You must make a clear declaration of what user data will be collected and how it will be used on an app screen prior to any user action to purchase or otherwise use the service. MDM apps must not violate any applicable laws. Apps offering MDM services may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose, and must commit to this in their privacy policy. In limited cases, third-party analytics may be permitted provided that the services only collect or transmit data about the performance of the developer’s MDM app, and not any data about the user, the user’s device, or other apps used on that device. Apps offering configuration profiles must also adhere to these requirements. Apps that do not comply with this guideline will be removed from the <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> and you may be removed from the <span class="nowrap">Apple Developer Program.</span></p>
</li>
<li data-sidenav="5.6 Developer Code of Conduct" id="code-of-conduct"><span id="5.6"></span><strong>5.6 Developer Code of Conduct</strong>
<p>Please treat everyone with respect, whether in your responses to <span class="nowrap">App Store</span> reviews, customer support requests, or when communicating with Apple, including your responses in Resolution Center. Do not engage in harassment of any kind, discriminatory practices, intimidation, bullying, and don’t encourage others to engage in any of the above.<span class="insert"> Repeated manipulative or misleading behavior or other fraudulent conduct will lead to your removal from the Apple Developer Program.</span></p>
<p><span class="insert">Your Developer Program account will be terminated if you engage in activities or actions that are not in accordance with the Developer Code of Conduct. To restore your account, you may provide a written statement detailing the improvements you plan to make. If your plan is approved by Apple and we confirm the changes have been made, your account may be restored.</span></p>
<ul class="no-bullet margin-top-small">
<li id="5.6.2"><strong><span class="insert">5.6.2 Developer Identity</span></strong>
<p><span class="insert">Providing verifiable information to Apple and customers is critical to customer trust. Your representation of yourself, your business, and your offerings on the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store</span></span><span class="insert"> must be accurate. The information you provide must be truthful, relevant, and up-to-date so that Apple and customers understand who they are engaging with and can contact you regarding any issues.</span></p>
</li>
<li id="5.6.3"><strong><span class="insert">5.6.3 Discovery Fraud</span></strong>
<p><span class="insert">Participating in the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store</span></span><span class="insert"> requires integrity and a commitment to building and maintaining customer trust. Manipulating any element of the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store</span></span><span class="insert"> customer experience such as charts, search reviews, or referrals to your app erodes customer trust and is not permitted.</span></p>
</li>
<li id="5.6.4"><strong><span class="insert">5.6.4 App Quality</span></strong>
<p><span class="insert">Customers expect the highest quality from the </span><span class="nowrap"><span class="insert">App Store,</span></span><span class="insert"> and maintaining high quality content, services, and experiences promotes customer trust. Indications that this expectation is not being met include excessive customer reports about concerns with your app, such as negative customer reviews, and excessive refund requests. Inability to maintain high quality may be a factor in deciding whether a developer is abiding by the Developer Code of Conduct.</span></p>
</li>