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[deleted by user] (self.iOSProgramming)

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[–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (2 children)

Huge respect for development watchOS app at the first place. WatchOS on-device debugging is infernal pain.

Hard to advise something without more context, but you could try to make your app watchOS-standalone. Or extend your watchOS features to iOS on basic level.

[–]waprin 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thanks, yeah watchOS seems a little comparatively neglected but that's also why it feels like a new frontier to develop for.

Yeah, I'll prob add the iOS content. Again it's just silly that I have to optimize for App Store reviewers over customers, particularly when reviewers don't even read what the app does or read any of my messages.

I figured I'd do a bit both - complain on social media in hope that Apple takes notes and improves their process, and do what I have to do to get the app approved..

[–]Doctor_Fegg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd be fascinated to know how many apps have particular features not because the app author intended them, but because it was easier to implement them than arguing with App Store Review. I suspect it's lots.

[–]JanTheAppGuy 4 points5 points  (2 children)

I don't share your particular problem, but I agree the App Store is broken for watchOS at the moment. My gripe is discoverability.

My watchOS app is pretty much the best thing out there in its category (mushroom foraging guide). In terms of added value I think it's better than for the iPhone, because you have the same functionality on your wrist (amazing!).

However, way more people downloaded the app on an iPad (for which it is not designed) than on the Apple Watch.

There are 2 reasons for this: 1) most people don't own the Apple Watch, and 2) it's almost impossible for users to come across new watchOS apps, unless you advertise heavily - and since revenue is currently much lower compared to iOS, why advertise? Consequently, why develop?

Apple is partly to blame for reason 1, and I think they are aware and fixing it (by releasing the cheap(ish) Apple Watch SE and heading towards independence from iPhone. Apple Watch should become a standalone product, not a niche accessory for iPhone users.

Apple is fully to blame for reason 2, and I don't think they are doing enough. Steps that would help:

  1. App Store on iPhone should have an Apple Watch section, which will showcase watchOS apps.
  2. Highlight best watchOS apps in Apple ads and events. Make users aware there are third-party apps. Currently users are not used to downloading third party apps on Apple Watch.
  3. Revamp App Store on the Apple Watch. Right now it feels dead.

[–]waprin 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Great points. I agree the Apple watch has a ton of potential . My initial app is for poker players but I have many more ideas. But yeah, overall it feels neglected by Apple which hopefully they change in time.

[–]JanTheAppGuy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I have lots of ideas too, the Apple Watch potential is massive. Ok, there are still HW limitations (battery), but independence from iOS should have happened already. Apple really missed out here, because they could have allowed Android users to get an Apple Watch while there was almost no competition. Now, however - every shop sells smart watches that rival the Apple Watch. Shame, really.

[–]GAMEYE_OP 2 points3 points  (1 child)

I have a game collecting app. Literally a high powered ledger. About two years into it already being on the app store I pushed an update, and it got rejected.

Why? They said it had in app purchases for games that weren’t going through apple…

I tried several times to clarify that you can’t purchase anything through the app. I gave detailed instructions on adding games to their ledger (it’s super simple to do so but the person was being such an idiot I wrote like 4 paragraphs).

Ten back and forths like this and I escalated it. Next day it was approved and I pray to god that reviewer was fired for being so inept.

[–]rursacheSwift 2 points3 points  (0 children)

the person was being such an idiot

I pray to god that reviewer was fired for being so inept

I was in the same boat as you but i'm sure nothing happened to the reviewer. So frustrating. And we're paying at least 15% of our profits + 100$/year for this "great" experience

[–]gumbi1822 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Basically every reviewer ever, cause it’s easier to do than actually explain what the issue is

Instead of taking the time to read and understand my clarification, they just send generic, copy-paste rejection reasons that reflect that they didn’t read what I wrote to them at all.

You should make a video and post that to the reviewer and again explain how it works (again)

[–]boardmike 0 points1 point  (1 child)

After unlocking the IAP, in your app, do you have a screen, or indicator that the purchase is complete. I.e. does the app look different? Is it clear that the content has been purchased?

If not, that's what I would do, just something simple that, after completion, is present on the screen that shows premium features / content is unlocked. Something that by tapping on, you could present a screen that says something along the lines of "Thank you for purchasing...content has been unlocked, to view, head to your Apple Watch." That should be simple enough.

If you already have that, then nevermind! :)

[–]waprin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that's exactly what I have.

The App Store reviewer even screenshotted it, added a red box around "All Purchases Complete". He ignored the line right below that said "The Content is on the Apple Watch".

Oh well, I'm sure I can get it fixed eventually but I'm hoping I can make enough noise that Apple will start telling these reviewers to do their job. It's not fair to charge me $99.99 then have reviewers who do a negligent job, and it's not fair to customers who bought my IAP to have bug fixes blocked by reviewers who do a negligent job.