App Types Not Supported by Apple

2020-02-05

Overview

This article answers the question: Which types of apps are not supported by Apple? Apps that fall into unsupported categories will only be able to get published as a PWA, Web App, or as a Native Android app. We will not attempt to publish any iOS apps that violate Apple guidelines. We recommend creating compliant apps or choosing to publish non-compliant apps as PWAs.

Information

At the time of publishing this article, there is no review process for Android apps to be published on the Google Play store and there are no restrictions on publishing Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). What this means is that you have much more flexibility to publish on platforms other than Apple. Apple’s approval guidelines are stringent and they won’t accept apps that don’t comply.

Apple’s No-Gos: 

Following types of apps are a NO-GO for Apple. They’re extremely hard to create without violating Apple’s review guidelines. For this reason, we won’t spend time uploading them, just as you shouldn’t spend time creating them.

• Apps for a Mobile App Company – For example, your new app company’s name is Mobile App Builders, and you want to create the “Mobile App Builders App.” There’s no way Apple will approve it since it’s purely marketing in nature. As a result, we will not upload it.
   
• Apps for Wedding or Personal Events – Apple will never approve an app that’s for a wedding or any other personal event. It holds no long-term value in the marketplace, and after the event is over, it will most likely never be used again. Apple doesn’t want unused apps floating around the App Store.
   
• Apps that contain Adult Content – An app with overt adult themes, nudity, or questionable content will never be accepted. This includes apps for gentlemen’s clubs, escort services, adult entertainers, etc.

Additional Guidelines

• Apple apps cannot be solely marketing in nature, meaning the app cannot simply list your services or products. There must be a useful function to the app that compels users to revisit it often.
• Apps must contain dynamic content and integrate with iOS’s native features. Excessive use of web links and alternative features to what Apple provides or recommends may also put apps at risk of rejection.
• App must be published in the Developer account owned by the business for which the app is built. Apple will no longer accept apps built by mobile app developers for small business that attempt to publish in the account owned by the app developer. (See Apple 4.2.6 guidelines for more info)
• Even if you believe your app doesn’t violate these rules and has a distinct purpose, we will not provide assistance or attempt to publish it to the Apple App Store if it is in violation of the guidelines outlined above or any changes to their policy in the future. 

For more information on Apple’s guidelines, refer to their documentation available at https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/