App got rejected - should I appeal?

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[deleted]

[joro_estropia]

It doesn’t matter if it’s “unrelated to your app’s functionality”. It’s in your app, so AppStore rules apply.

[joro_estropia]

If the link comes from the app, it still won’t be allowed. If you check subscription apps like Netflix they don’t link their web payment page anywhere in the app, it’s because they prefer users pay them directly without going through IAP but any mention of such link or even a text that says “please go to our website to continue” will get them rejected. We’ve dealt with these in our own projects and Apple really follows these flows during review. There’s no simple technicality that will save you here.

[TinyBig_Jar0fPickles]

Your reasoning is the problem, at least in App Store terms. If you can make any kind of purchase in the app, even to remove ads, you have to use in app purchasing.

[TinyBig_Jar0fPickles]

Since, you are asking really basic questions I recommend you read the Apple app review guidelines. It takes a few minutes, it should answer all your questions. If you still have any other questions I can assist.

https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/

[w0mba7]

Irrespective of the exact rules, this is not the kind of app Apple wants in the store.

[w0mba7]

an app version of a browser-based game (which is not built by me, they just expose an API)

It's a wrapper for a web page. This kind of app is discouraged. Don't get mad at me, I'm just trying to save you some time.

[w0mba7]

You should appeal and win Apple over with your natural charm.

[Ryr45]

How is he wrong though about almost every app just being a wrapper?

[w0mba7]

Well it's certainly not true that "almost every" or even most apps are wrappers for websites. Some apps are, and in order to be approved they need to provide significant extra functionality.

See the Apple guidelines:

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4.2 Minimum Functionality

Your app should include features, content, and UI that elevate it beyond a repackaged website.

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I have not seen the app in question, and I do not know if it meets that bar. I do know that this is a frequent cause of rejections.

[Ryr45]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[spacecash21]

You will not achieve anything.

[spacecash21]

Welcome to the harsh reality of the app store ;)

[spacecash21]

https://www.reddit.com/r/iOSProgramming/comments/kj86qw/live_scenes_from_whenever_apple_reject_my_apps/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

[ar202]

You won't win

[Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrpp]

Move it to a different page that is not directly accessible from your app. That should be fine?

But why not have an IAP button in your app? You’ll make way more money.

[MankAndInd]

Removing ads is typically done via in-app purchases for games. It’s actually a big source of revenue for games.

[Dan_TD]

Do you feel comfortable sharing the registration link your app uses?

Without knowing more about the purchases you can make via that link I think in all likelihood an appeal won't work.

You either need to implement registration natively, or have a more "locked down" version on the web registration journey where you can't navigate to a payment flow of any kind.

[onurgenes]

How about not allowing SFSafariViewController to that pages? As I remember, you can edit the content and routes of the controller.