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Pipeline Stages

App Store Review Stage

Submitting to Apple review, tracking review status, and handling rejections.

The App Store Review stage is the fourth step in the version pipeline. Here, you submit your build to Apple for review and track the review status through to approval.

To send your app to App Store review, you need to have the Release Manager role for your connected app.

Prerequisites

Before you can submit for App Store review:

  • All six approvals must be Approved (see Approvals)
  • Your App Store Connect configuration must be complete (see Settings)

Submitting for Review

  1. Open the App Store Review stage

    Navigate to your version’s pipeline view and expand the App Store Review stage card.

    app-store-review-ready

    The App Store Review stage in Ready for Review state

  2. Configure release settings

    Review the release settings section:

    • Phased Release — Toggle on/off. When enabled, your app rolls out gradually to users over 7 days instead of all at once.
    • Release Date — Optionally schedule when the app should be released after approval. You can:
      • Release the app manually
      • Release the app automatically as soon as it passes review
      • Release the app on a specific date after review

    release-settings

    App Store release settings with phased release and version release options

  3. Review and update metadata (optional)

    Click “Configure Metadata” to open the App Store Metadata modal. Here you can review and edit:

    • App name for the App Store
    • Keywords and subtitle
    • Description and release notes (What’s New)
    • Support URL
    • Category and age rating

    app-store-metadata

    The App Store Metadata modal for reviewing and editing store listing details

  4. Submit for review

    Click “Submit for Review”. The build is submitted to Apple for review.

Tracking Review Status

After submission, the stage card shows the current Apple review status:

StatusMeaningWhat to Do
Waiting for ReviewSubmitted and in Apple’s queueWait — Apple will begin reviewing shortly
In ReviewApple is currently reviewing your appWait — review typically takes 24-48 hours
ApprovedApple has approved your appMove to the Release stage
RejectedApple has rejected your submissionReview the rejection reason and address the issues
CanceledThe review was canceled by the developerYou can re-submit if needed

review-status-timeline

The App Store Review stage showing review status timeline

Submission Timeline

The stage shows a timeline of key dates:

  • When the build was submitted
  • When the review started
  • When a decision was made

If Your App Is Rejected

If Apple rejects your submission:

  1. Review the rejection reason

    Read the rejection reason shown in the stage card. Apple provides specific feedback with each rejection.

  2. Determine the type of fix needed

    • Code changes needed — Go back to the Release Candidate stage to select a new build
    • Metadata changes only — Update via the App Store Metadata modal

  3. Make corrections

    Address the issues Apple identified.

  4. Re-submit for review

    Submit for review again after corrections are made.

Common rejection reasons include: missing privacy policy, incomplete metadata, crashes during review, and guideline violations.

Editing Release Notes

If you wish to release an app with different release notes, you can manually edit them before submission. This change only affects the current release, not your default presets.

  1. Navigate to App Store Metadata

    On the App Store Review page, scroll down to App Store Metadata.

  2. Edit the release notes

    Click What’s new in this version, then Edit metadata to change the release note. It will only apply to the selected localization shown under Language.

  3. Apply to other localizations (optional)

    Tick Use same content for all localizations or click Copy to and select specific localizations.

Canceling a Review

If you need to cancel a submitted review (e.g., you discovered an issue after submitting):

  1. While the status is Waiting for Review or In Review, click “Cancel App Store review”
  2. Confirm the cancellation
  3. The status changes to Canceled
  4. You can make changes and re-submit when ready
Once Apple has made a decision (Approved or Rejected), you cannot cancel the review.

When the App Is Approved

Once Apple approves your app:

  • The App Store Review stage is marked as Complete
  • The Release stage becomes available
  • You can release the app to the App Store

Troubleshooting

“Submit for Review” button not available:

  • Ensure all six approvals are in Approved status
  • Verify App Store Connect configuration is complete (Application Name, Bundle ID)

Review taking longer than expected:

  • Apple reviews typically take 24-48 hours but can take longer
  • During busy periods (holidays, major iOS releases), wait times may increase
  • Check Apple’s system status page if delays seem unusual

Metadata issues flagged by Apple:

  • Use the App Store Metadata modal to update metadata without changing the build
  • Re-submit after making corrections

What’s Next