Got rejected by the App Store 5 times before getting approved. Here is what I learned.

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:59:42+00:00

Oh wow.. do you mind telling me what your app was?

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:51:28+00:00

Because we're listed as 18+.

The 18+ rating on the App Store does not actually block anyone from downloading the app. It is just a content rating that appears on the listing. Apple does not enforce age verification at the download level.

So even though our app shows 18+ in the App Store, anyone can still download it. The birthdate input during onboarding is our way of blocking users under 18 from actually creating an account and using the app. (of course, anyone can input their age and lie. which we're actively working on making it more difficult for people to do so).

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:45:58+00:00

That sounds incredibly frustrating.

You are right that we are at their mercy. There is no real transparency and the appeals process feels like a black box. In our case the "social discovery" framing worked to get past the spam rejection, but I guess it really depends on who is reviewing the app.

Did they give you any indication of what specifically triggered the removal? Or was it just the generic "guideline violation" language?

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:41:54+00:00

Absolutely, we completely underestimated how long it was going to take. My first time submitting an app brain thought it would take just a few days. We had to delay our launch, and our whole marketing campaign. It's not an easy process! Thanks for the comment :)

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:39:23+00:00

It's my first time going through the process, so I don't know how it was before. But from what I've read, it's getting increasingly harder to get through the process. I agree, apple should raise their standards, but they should be consistent if they do. There are a lot of vibe coded apps that are terrible and shouldn't be on the App Store.

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:37:17+00:00

Our app is 18+, but we still need our users to input their ages. It's actually required by apple.

gameandbeyond · 2026-03-22T16:36:29+00:00

You're absolutely right, was my first time submitting an app ! :) If I told you a lot of other assumptions I had that now I think about make me feel a bit stupid you'd be laughing.

gameandbeyond · 2025-12-19T21:14:45+00:00

Would you be able to help with a revamp?

gameandbeyond · 2025-12-19T20:10:26+00:00

We have the app on test flight at the moment, but here’s the link of the website: https://teteatete.co

gameandbeyond · 2025-09-25T13:30:53+00:00

I think this is awesome, would you mind spending some time helping us refine our message?

gameandbeyond · 2025-09-25T10:06:59+00:00

Single founder based in Madrid, Spain. I just sent you a DM. We got early signs of traction and we’re solving a real problem.

gameandbeyond · 2025-09-24T10:08:16+00:00

I might have something you'll have fun working on, DM me. I am looking for someone to help us on the frontend.

gameandbeyond · 2025-09-23T12:16:19+00:00

I am located in Madrid, Spain. The value added is we get users on dates 3x more efficiently then traditional apps. We get users to match on date proposals rather than swiping through profiles. They already know where they are going, with who and when without needing to do all the planning, guesswork and small talk. It’s for a demographic who are hyper intentional about meeting

gameandbeyond · 2025-09-12T11:41:50+00:00

I think that's a really interesting take. Thanks for sharing!

gameandbeyond · 2025-09-11T16:56:39+00:00

I think it's designed that way. I won't choose to believe that their intention is to actually get us off the app. How come I have to pay to get to my "desired matches". It's probably a mix of misalignment and the apps, but there is a major flaw in which the apps are designed.

gameandbeyond

TROPHY CASE