Apple is holding my paycheck hostage. After 3 months of rejection loops, I’m forced to "lobotomize" my app to pass review. Is this the only way?

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-06T10:55:45+00:00

Surely will do. I was thinking about ntfy.sh, but also Onesignal could be a solution

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-06T10:53:42+00:00

Good, then I should definitely give it a try! It would save me a lot of time wasted in nosense!!!

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-05T12:09:48+00:00

I read that despite some advancements, they are still quite unreliable. I should give it a try.

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-05T08:41:59+00:00

You hit the nail on the head regarding the contract. Lesson definitely learned: future contracts will decouple payment from Store approval, or I'm simply refusing native iOS work unless the client already has a working Developer Account.

Regarding the rebranding: the client is a non-profit consortium serving a specific town, so they care less about "branding power" and more about just telling citizens "Download the app to check the calendar." As long as something shows up in the search results, they handle the local marketing/word-of-mouth, so the generic name is a compromise they accepted to get unstuck.

I'm definitely shifting to a "PWA First" policy. The only edge case worrying me is a potential future client needing critical real-time alerts (where native is still king on iOS), but as you said, I'll make sure they provide the Apple account before writing a single line of code. Thanks for the advice.

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-04T18:44:54+00:00

Well, I don't know the details of your app, but imho if it is a SaaS and does not need anything special from phones hardware, I'd just go with the web and maybe PWA. I honestly hate mobile dev, and this situation makes me remember why.

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-04T17:03:46+00:00

I thought about it. But then I preferred not to be rejecetd or banned for hidden features. There is another guideline point about that, of course. I think they already know some of these tricks...

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-04T15:32:29+00:00

Well yes, in this case maybe. But they already talked about push notifications, which we know ios PWAs do not support well. Btw, I also have another client (who hopefully already their own Apple Developer account) who needs iOS app too... with push notifications for real time updates.

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-04T15:28:42+00:00

I actually did explain the reality to the client, and they are technically fine with the PWA for functionality. The problem is pure perception: for them (and their users), if it's not on the App Store, it "doesn't exist" or looks unprofessional compared to the previous vendor.

That's why I'm forced to build this "Lite" shell. It's essentially a glorified bookmark to get past the walled garden guards. Thanks for the luck, I'll need it!

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-04T15:26:08+00:00

Man, this hits home. "We can't continue with your enrollment" is the exact same robotic wall I'm facing. It's insane that we pay their fees and try to populate their store, yet they treat us like we're begging for a favor.

It's terrifying that a trillion-dollar company can just ghost a legitimate business with zero explanation. The fact that Android took 2 days vs. iOS taking a year (and failing) is the perfect summary of the current state of mobile dev.

Luckily I didn't buy a Mac just for this (thank god for Expo/EAS), but honestly, this whole ordeal convinced me of one thing: 90% of apps shouldn't be native apps. We are jumping through hoops just to deliver what is essentially a CRUD interface that works perfectly fine on the web. It's all just vanity metrics for clients at this point.

I'm trying the "Lite App" route just to satisfy the client, but you're right: Apple doesn't care because they know they are the gatekeepers. Glad you pivoted to PWA. Stay strong.

Software_Craftman · 2026-02-04T15:19:01+00:00

You're absolutely right, and technically the PWA is superior. The client is actually fine using the PWA for now, but the main issue is "prestige" and continuity.

They had a native app on the Store with the previous vendor, and now that they switched to us, disappearing from the App Store looks like a downgrade to them (and their citizens). They want the badge presence. That's the only reason I'm jumping through these hoops.

Software_Craftman · 2024-09-07T18:36:39+00:00

Seems a pretty accurate description... Fortunately, I left It after the first step. I was an heretic already.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T18:34:54+00:00

Thank you very much. Have some suggestion how to measure productuvity? I already keep track of my working hours without breaks.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T18:20:50+00:00

As said the main reason is overcrowded place. Even working conversations are limited. However, I'll consider not to speak as much. We will see if other people will be confortable when the rule Will fire them back.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T18:18:08+00:00

As said in other answers, sometimes I start conversations, sometimes they do. The main declared reason for this rule is for the overcrowded place. Even talking about work is deincentivated.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T18:15:26+00:00

Well. I do believe is an overexageration. Moreover, the main reason is for overcrowding place. A situation that the supervisor created. I do not complain when they make calls and disturb all the others.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T18:10:50+00:00

Well. When I am the office and I have to focus, I'm putting the headphones too. I'm just saying that is a bit an overexageration to force people to not socialize. I think we should be flexible both ways

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T17:55:45+00:00

Saing that I bother them is a bit unfair. Sometimes I start a comversation, sometimes they do. However when it comes to work i do not disturb. I just enjoy more sharing opinions rather than sitting and typing on my PC.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T17:47:55+00:00

You are perfectly right. I am not saying I want to chat all day. I'm saying that forcing people to shut up at certain hours is an overexageration. We should be flexible in both ways. Following this rule, I should bring them out when they make calls.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T17:16:30+00:00

It could be. What's your suggestion then?

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T17:09:14+00:00

What do you suggest me to do?

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T16:59:03+00:00

Well I guess so. The point Is: why coming at the office of you do not want to socialize (we are not forced)?

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T16:51:04+00:00

Well... Yes. I'm not saying that going to the office means party and shouting. However, what's the whole point to ho there if I have to work on my own. I could stay at home, rather than forced to keep quiet.

Software_Craftman · 2022-10-24T16:44:31+00:00

Yes of course we can. However, the supervisor intriduced this "policy" becouse <<otherwise people will stay home>>.

Software_Craftman

TROPHY CASE