App Store Rejection? Cross-Platform Boilerplate Approval
January 9, 2025
Getting rejected by the App Store or Google Play can feel like a disaster. You've spent weeks or months building your app, only to get a rejection email. But here's the good news: rejection is not the end. In fact, it's often just the beginning of a better, more successful launch.
With the right approach, you can turn a rejection into a fast approval—and even use the feedback to make your app stronger. In this guide, you'll learn:
- The real reasons apps get rejected (and how to avoid them)
- What to expect from the review process
- How to respond if you get rejected
- How the MoneyMouth boilerplate helps you guarantee approval
- Real-world examples and tips
- What to do if you get rejected again
Let's dive in!
1. Why Apps Get Rejected (and How to Avoid It)
App store reviewers look for more than just a working app. They want to see apps that feel native, perform well, and respect user privacy. Here are the most common reasons for rejection—and how you can avoid them:
1.1 Missing Native Features
Apps that look or feel like simple web wrappers, or that don't use platform-specific features, are often rejected. Reviewers want to see that your app takes advantage of what iOS and Android offer.
How to avoid:
- Use native navigation, gestures, and UI components.
- Add platform-specific features like push notifications, camera access, or offline support.
- Make sure your app doesn't just look like a website in a box.
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1.2 Poor Performance
Slow startup times, laggy interfaces, or frequent crashes are instant red flags. Reviewers test your app on real devices, and they expect a smooth experience.
How to avoid:
- Optimize your app's loading time and responsiveness.
- Test on older devices as well as the latest models.
- Fix any crashes or bugs before submitting.
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1.3 Privacy & Compliance Issues
Apps that don't handle user data correctly, lack privacy policies, or fail to request permissions properly will be rejected.
How to avoid:
- Always ask for permissions with clear explanations.
- Include a privacy policy in your app and on your website.
- Follow all local and international data laws.
1.4 Incomplete Payment Flows
If you use unsupported payment providers or don't follow Apple/Google rules for in-app purchases, your app will be rejected.
How to avoid:
- Use approved payment systems (like StoreKit for iOS, Google Play Billing for Android, Stripe for web).
- Make sure users can complete purchases smoothly.
- Follow all platform guidelines for subscriptions and payments.
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1.5 Unreliable Offline/Sync
Apps that lose data or don't work offline can be rejected. Reviewers may test your app with no internet connection.
How to avoid:
- Implement local data storage and syncing.
- Test your app in airplane mode.
- Make sure users never lose important data.
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1.6 Unclear User Experience
Confusing onboarding, missing explanations for permissions, or broken navigation frustrate users and reviewers alike.
How to avoid:
- Guide users through onboarding with clear steps.
- Explain why you need permissions.
- Test all navigation flows for dead ends or confusion.
For a full breakdown of review requirements, read A Developer's Guide to Passing App Store Review on the First Try.
2. The Review Process: What to Expect
Understanding the review process helps you prepare and respond quickly. Here's what happens after you submit your app:
2.1 Automated Checks
- Your app is scanned for malware, private APIs, and compliance issues.
- Automated systems look for obvious problems before a human ever sees your app.
2.2 Manual Review
- A real person tests your app on real devices.
- They check for functionality, performance, and adherence to guidelines.
- They may explore edge cases, like using your app offline or trying to break payment flows.
2.3 Feedback & Rejection
- If you miss something, you'll get a rejection notice.
- Feedback can be vague, but usually points to a specific guideline.
- Don't panic—most issues are fixable, and reviewers want to help you succeed.
Tip: Keep your communication polite and professional. Reviewers are people too!
3. How to Respond to a Rejection (Step-by-Step)
Getting rejected isn't the end. Most apps are approved after one or two rounds of fixes. Here's how to handle a rejection and turn it into an approval:
Step 1: Read the Feedback Carefully
- Reviewers usually cite specific guidelines.
- Look for keywords and cross-reference with A Developer's Guide to Passing App Store Review on the First Try.
- Don't take it personally—use the feedback as a checklist.
Step 2: Fix the Root Cause
- Address the exact issue mentioned in the feedback.
- If it's a missing feature, add it. If it's a privacy issue, update your policy or permissions.
- Don't just patch the symptom—solve the real problem.
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Step 3: Test Thoroughly
- Use real devices, not just emulators.
- Simulate the reviewer's journey, including edge cases like offline mode and failed payments.
- Ask friends or colleagues to test and give honest feedback.
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Step 4: Document Your Fixes
- In your resubmission notes, clearly explain what you changed.
- Show how your changes address the reviewer's concerns.
- Be transparent and proactive—this builds trust.
Step 5: Resubmit with Confidence
- Most apps are approved after one or two rounds of fixes.
- If you're proactive and transparent, reviewers are more likely to approve your app quickly.
Real-World Example:
When ProgressMade.ai first submitted their app, they were rejected for missing a required privacy policy. They quickly added the policy, updated their onboarding to explain permissions, and resubmitted. The app was approved on the next try—and the team learned how to avoid similar issues in the future.
4. How MoneyMouth Helps You Guarantee Approval
MoneyMouth is designed to help you check every box for app store approval. Here's how it makes your life easier:
4.1 Native Look & Feel
- Built with TypeScript, Tanstack Start, and native modules for iOS, Android, and web.
- Your app feels right at home on every platform.
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4.2 Payments
- Stripe for web, StoreKit for iOS, Google Play Billing for Android—pre-wired and compliant.
- No more worrying about payment rejection.
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4.3 Notifications
- FCM and trigger.dev for reliable, timezone-aware notifications everywhere.
- Keep users engaged and informed.
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4.4 Realtime & Offline
- InstantDB for realtime sync, local-first architecture, and robust offline support.
- Your app works even when users lose connection.
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4.5 Authentication
- Better-Auth with Google, Apple, and email sign-in.
- Secure, easy sign-in for everyone.
4.6 Performance
- 60FPS rendering, 3.5MB initial download, and over-the-air updates.
- Fast, smooth, and always up to date.
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4.7 Testing & CI/CD
- React Testing Library, Playwright, and GitHub Actions pipelines included.
- Automated testing and deployment for peace of mind.
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4.8 User Analytics
- Built-in Umami tracking for privacy-friendly analytics.
- Understand your users without compromising their privacy.
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4.9 Documentation & Support
- Full docs and support to help you ship and get approved.
- Get answers fast and avoid common pitfalls.
5. Real-World Example: ProgressMade.ai
ProgressMade.ai used the MoneyMouth boilerplate to launch on iOS, Android, and web. Here's how they did it:
- Challenge: Needed to launch on all platforms quickly, with full compliance.
- Solution: Used MoneyMouth's pre-built modules for payments, notifications, and offline support.
- Result: Passed review on all platforms and launched to real users in record time.
Case Study: How ProgressMade.ai Launched on Three Platforms in Record Time
Tip: Learn from others! Read case studies and talk to teams who've been through the process.
6. Peace of Mind: What If You Get Rejected Again?
Even with the best prep, rejections can happen. Here's how MoneyMouth gives you peace of mind:
- Full refund guarantee if your app isn't accepted by the App Store or Google Play.
- Complete documentation and support to help you fix issues fast.
- Native extensibility so you can add any required features or modules.
Remember:
- Rejection is not failure—it's feedback.
- Every round of review makes your app better.
- With the right tools and support, you can launch with confidence.
7. Final Checklist: Launch With Confidence
Before you submit, run through this checklist:
- Does your app use native features and UI?
- Is performance smooth on all devices?
- Are privacy and compliance requirements met?
- Are payment flows complete and compliant?
- Does your app work offline and sync data reliably?
- Is onboarding clear and user-friendly?
- Have you tested on real devices?
- Is your documentation up to date?
If you can check every box, you're ready to submit!
Stop letting app store rejections slow you down. Check out the MoneyMouth boilerplate and launch with confidence—knowing you're ready for approval on every platform.