Skip to content
Get a quote

App Store rejectionGuideline 3.2.2 - Business - Unacceptable

Guideline 3.2.2 lists business practices Apple does not accept in an App Store app. The rejection names the part that applies, such as an app that makes people rate it before they can use it.

Short answer

Find the sub-point the rejection quotes and remove that practice from the app. The ones a code change fixes: forcing a rating, review or download before people can use the app, ads built to inflate impressions or clicks, collecting donations in the app without approval, and blocking users by location or carrier. Then reply in App Store Connect with what changed.

Rather not fix it yourself? App Fix Ticket starts with a fixed-price diagnosis, then a fixed price for the fix before any fix work.

What 3.2.2 rejects, and the fix

  1. 01

    The app makes people rate it or download something

    “Apps must not force users to rate the app, review the app, download other apps, or other store-related actions in order to access functionality, content, or use of the app.” Apple, Guideline 3.2.2(x)

    A gate such as “rate the app to unlock this level” or “install the partner app to continue” breaks 3.2.2(x). Remove the gate and ask for a rating with the system review prompt at a natural moment instead. Rewards for actions inside the app, such as finishing a level, are still allowed.

  2. 02

    The app is built around ads

    “Artificially increasing the number of impressions or click-throughs of ads, as well as apps that are designed predominantly for the display of ads.” Apple, Guideline 3.2.2(iii)

    3.2.2(iii) covers apps designed mostly to show ads and anything that artificially inflates impressions or clicks. Ads placed where people tap by accident, or banners that refresh on a timer, can be read that way, so check them first. Cut the ad placements back so the app’s own content is the main thing on screen.

  3. 03

    The app collects donations without approval

    “Apps that seek to raise money for such causes must be free on the App Store and may only collect funds outside of the app” Apple, Guideline 3.2.2(iv)

    Collecting money for a charity or fundraiser inside the app needs an approved nonprofit under 3.2.1(vi). Otherwise the app must be free and send people to Safari or SMS to give.

  4. 04

    The app blocks users by location or carrier

    “Arbitrarily restricting who may use the app, such as by location or carrier.” Apple, Guideline 3.2.2(v)

    Refusing to work outside one city, or on one carrier, with no real reason reads as an arbitrary restriction. Limit availability by country in App Store Connect instead, or explain in the reply why the service only works in that area.

  5. 05

    A loan app does not show its terms

    “Apps offering personal loans must clearly and conspicuously disclose all loan terms” Apple, Guideline 3.2.2(ix)

    Also check: personal loan apps must show all loan terms clearly, and Apple caps the maximum APR at 36% including costs and fees. This one is a product and legal change, not only code.

Checked against the vendor’s docs on : Apple: App Review Guidelines, 3.2.2 Unacceptable; Apple: App Review Guidelines, 5.6.1 App Store Reviews; Apple: App Review (replying and appeals).

Rather hand it over?

Fixed scope, fixed price, paid upfront. The work happens in writing; no call needed.

Resubmit before Apple’s holiday slowdown

Pay for the Diagnosis and send the rejection and access to the app by (US Eastern). The Diagnosis is back by . Pay for the Fix that day and it arrives as a pull request by , in time to build and resubmit before .

In past years Apple said reviews may take longer around the holidays: December 20 to 26 in 2024 (opens in a new tab), December 22 to 27 in 2023 (opens in a new tab), December 23 to 27 in 2022 (opens in a new tab). Apple hasn’t posted its 2026 dates yet (checked ). Approval stays Apple’s decision.

“Very responsive, attentive to fixing bugs, and completed the project as needed! Thank you!”
A buyer in the United States, July 2022. Shopify on Fiverr
All 127 Fiverr reviews

Related: App Store Guideline 3.1.1 in-app purchase · App Store Guideline 2.1 · App Store Guideline 4.3 spam · App Store Guideline 4.2.3

Questions

More on this rejection

Should I reply to App Review or appeal?

Reply first. Apple says you can correspond with App Review in App Store Connect to resolve the issues before resubmitting, which is the place for a demo account, a screen recording or an explanation. Appeal to the App Review Board only if you believe App Review misunderstood the app or treated you unfairly. Apple allows one appeal per rejected submission and asks for specific reasons the app complies.

Can the app still ask for a rating?

Yes. 3.2.2(x) rejects forcing a rating to use the app. Ask with Apple’s own review prompt API instead; Guideline 5.6.1 says Apple disallows custom review prompts.

Can the app reward people for watching an ad?

Yes. Apple says apps may incentivize users to take specific actions within apps, such as completing a level or watching an ad. The rule is about store actions like ratings and downloads.

Can you fix it for me?

Yes, through the App Fix Ticket: you send the rejection message and access to the app, Simon writes a diagnosis of what App Review hit and how to fix it, then fixes the code so you can resubmit. Each step has a fixed price, paid upfront. Approval stays Apple’s decision; the ticket covers the fix.

A different error?

Describe it and get a written quote

Send the error and what you were doing. You get a written scope, a fixed price and a timeline; Simon replies by email, usually within one business day.

Describe your problem All fixes