Choosing help after a rejected app submission
After app rejection, hire the right specialist for your issue. Learn how to match rejection types to expertise and spot candidates who actually deliver.
The moment your app gets rejected, panic often leads to the first name that shows up in search results. But hiring the wrong person after a rejection can mean throwing money at the wrong problem—or worse, repeating the same mistake twice.
Most people don't distinguish between what went wrong and who can fix it. They assume any app developer or submission specialist can diagnose a rejection and steer them through resubmission. In reality, rejection reasons vary wildly. Some are technical (crashing on certain devices, memory leaks, broken payment flows). Some are policy-based (your app looks like it's harvesting data without consent, or the age rating doesn't match the content). Some are incomplete submissions—missing screenshots, vague descriptions, or claims that don't match what the app actually does. The person who can fix a crashing app is not the person who should fix a policy violation, and neither might be the person who should rewrite your app listing.
Match the rejection type to the right specialist
Start by understanding exactly why your app was rejected. The rejection email from Apple or Google is not vague by accident—it points to a specific guideline violation or technical issue. Read it closely. Then ask yourself: is this about the code, the metadata, the business model, or the way the app behaves?
If the rejection mentions a crash, a crash report, memory usage, or a feature that doesn't work, you need someone with hands-on development experience. They should be able to read the stack trace and fix the underlying issue. Ask for evidence they've done this before—a portfolio of apps they've shipped, ideally on both iOS and Android.
If the rejection is about policy—keywords that don't match content, undisclosed data collection, unclear permissions, an age rating that's too low—you need someone who has read the app store guidelines front to back and can translate them into plain language. This person might not be a coder at all. They're part policy translator, part editor. Ask them to walk you through which guideline was breached and how your current setup violates it. If they can't explain it clearly, they'll waste your money chasing shadows.
If the rejection mentions missing or misleading metadata—insufficient screenshots, a vague description, claims about features the app doesn't actually have—hire someone to audit your entire app listing. This is editorial work. It requires someone who can think like an app store reviewer and spot what a developer might miss because they're too close to the product.
Track the track record
Don't ask a candidate "Have you handled rejections before?" Everyone will say yes. Instead, ask specifically: "What was the rejection reason, and what was your fix?" Listen for detail. If they give you a vague story, move on.
The best candidates will also ask you questions before quoting a price:
- What platform (iOS, Android, both)?
- What does your app actually do?
- Have you submitted before, or is this your first time?
- Did you get a rejection reason, or did the app get held without explanation?
- What changes have you already made since the rejection?
These questions show they're thinking. Someone who quotes a flat fee without understanding your situation is guessing.
Verify they know both ecosystems if your app is on both. Apple's guidelines are stricter and more design-focused. Google's are more technical and less prescriptive. A specialist in one may not translate well to the other. Ask how they've handled the differences, and whether they'll submit to both or just the one you're worried about.
Time and iteration matter
Be wary of anyone promising approval on the next submission. Resubmission is often iterative. Sometimes you fix what was flagged and discover a second issue wasn't mentioned in the first rejection. Good specialists build in review time and budget for a second submission if needed. They also set clear expectations about how long review takes—Apple and Google both take days to weeks, and that's after your fix is uploaded.
When comparing candidates, ask not just what they charge but what's included. Do they submit once and hand it back to you? Do they monitor the review queue and re-respond if the app gets a second rejection? Do they help you understand how to avoid the next one?
Finding the right fit on Strove is quicker than trial and error. Vet them on expertise for your specific rejection type, not just app development in general.
Common questions
- What's the difference between hiring someone to fix code versus someone to fix app metadata?
- Code fixes address technical crashes or broken features; metadata fixes address listing content like descriptions, screenshots, or age ratings. A developer excels at the first, an editor or policy specialist at the second. Your rejection email tells you which one you need. Ask any candidate which type of rejection they've handled most—if they claim both equally, that's a red flag.
- How do I know if a submission specialist actually understands Apple and Google's guidelines?
- Ask them to explain which guideline your app violated based on the rejection reason you received. They should cite the specific guideline number and explain the breach clearly in plain language. If they can't do this before you hire them, they probably won't do it after you pay them.
- Should I expect approval on the very next resubmission?
- Not always. Some rejections reveal a second issue only after you fix the first one. Good specialists plan for potential iteration and set realistic expectations about review timelines—usually several days to weeks per submission. They should tell you upfront whether the fee covers one submission or multiple attempts.
- Can the same person who built my app fix the rejection?
- Sometimes, but not always. The original developer may have the code knowledge but lack deep familiarity with app store policies. Conversely, they might know where the problem is but be blind to how reviewers see the app. Ask them directly what they'd do differently, and whether they've successfully resubmitted apps after rejection before.
Find a verified provider on Strove
Compare vetted app store submission support providers, check their credentials, and book or request a quote — all in one place.
Find a Business