Apple has revealed the biggest reasons it rejects mobile apps

App Store rejections may not be the hot-button issue it was a few years ago, but for developers, it’s still a chief area of concern. To give app makers a little clarity and direction, Apple published a new page to its Developer site that outlines some of the most common reasons an app gets rejected from the App Store. According to the new page, which AppFigures linked to on Twitter, the most common reasons for rejection include issues with crashes and bugs, dead in-app links, and placeholder content that hasn’t been removed. Apple will also reject apps because of low-quality user interfaces, and apps that don’t match their description are also non-starters.

Apple has finally shed some light on why some iOS apps don’t make it into the App Store by revealing the top 10 reasons why app submissions were rejected during a 7-day period ending on August 28. The list includes reasons like misleading or irrelevant names, descriptions, or screenshots; and messy or complex user interfaces. Apple has traditionally been silent about its reasons for rejecting certain apps, but every so often the Cupertino company says no to a title that seemingly meets its App Store guidelines and leaves us all — including the app’s developer — a little bemused. But it clearly has very strict guidelines that all apps must adhere to before they get a stamp of approval. For example, 14% of rejections were simply due to developers not including enough information with their app submission, while 8% were for apps that had bugs. Another 6% of rejections were for apps that had poor or complex user interfaces. “Apple and our customers place a very high value on simple, refined, creative, well thought through interfaces,” the page reads. “They may take more work but are worth it. Apple sets a high bar. If your user interface is complex or less than very good, it may be rejected.”