Glossary
What is App Store Review?
Apple's process for evaluating apps before they appear on the App Store. Human reviewers check for compliance with the App Store Review Guidelines, including data privacy, payment rules (no external payment links for digital goods), content policies, and technical stability (no crashes on launch). Rejections are common, especially for first-time submitters.
Last updated: May 2026
Why it matters
App Store rejection is the most common reason vibe-coded iOS apps never ship. AI tools generate SwiftUI interfaces but don't understand Guideline 2.1 (app completeness), 3.1.1 (in-app purchase requirements), or 4.0 (design minimums). A technically working app gets rejected because it doesn't meet Apple's standards.
Where AI gets this wrong
How AI tools get this wrong, and why it matters for your app.
AI has no awareness of App Store Review Guidelines. It'll generate a payment flow that violates Apple's IAP requirements, a data collection pattern that violates privacy guidelines, or a provisioning setup that won't validate. The app works. Apple rejects it. And you don't know why.
Related terms
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