# Guideline 2.3.10 - Accurate Metadata: References to Other Mobile Platforms

**Guideline:** 2.3.10 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Severity:** low · **Fix difficulty:** easy · **Typical turnaround:** 1-2 hours

Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/2/guideline-2310-accurate-metadata-references-to-other-mobile-platforms

## Description

Apple is rejecting your app because it contains references to other mobile platforms in the app itself, its metadata, or its screenshots. This includes mentions of Android, Google Play, Windows Phone, or any non-Apple platform. Apple does not want their store to serve as advertising for competitors. This rejection most commonly hits cross-platform apps where developers forget to remove Android-specific references. Common triggers include: (1) screenshots showing Android UI elements (back button, navigation bar, status bar icons), (2) the app description mentioning 'Also available on Android' or 'Download on Google Play', (3) in-app links or buttons directing users to the Google Play Store, (4) using Android-style UI components like the Material Design floating action button, and (5) using the terms 'Google Play' or 'Android' anywhere in the binary or metadata. The fix is straightforward but requires thoroughness. Developers often fix the obvious references but miss subtle ones -- like a 'Share' feature that generates a message containing a Google Play link, or a help page loaded from a web server that mentions Android.

## Common variations

- App description mentions Android or Google Play
- Screenshots show Android UI elements or devices
- App contains links to Google Play Store
- In-app content references other mobile platforms
- Help or support pages mention Android version

## Example rejection email

```
Guideline 2.3.10 - Performance - Accurate Metadata

Your app or its metadata contains references to other mobile platforms. Specifically, we noticed the following:

- The app description mentions availability on Android
- Screenshot 3 appears to show the app running on an Android device

Referencing other mobile platforms in your app or its metadata is not appropriate for the App Store.

Next Steps:
Please remove all references to other mobile platforms from your app and its App Store metadata, including screenshots, description, and in-app content.
```

## Resolution steps

## Quick Assessment
- **Risk level:** Low
- **Resolution path:** Fix & Resubmit (may need both metadata update and new binary)
- **Typical turnaround:** 1-2 hours

## The Fix

1. **Search the codebase** -- Do a project-wide search for: 'Android', 'Google Play', 'Play Store', 'Windows Phone', 'Samsung', and any platform-specific terms. Check strings files, HTML content, and embedded web pages.

2. **Update App Store metadata** -- Remove platform references from: description, What's New, promotional text, keywords, and any localized versions.

3. **Retake screenshots on iOS** -- If your screenshots were captured from an Android build or show Android UI elements, retake them on an iPhone or iPad. Pay attention to the status bar, navigation patterns, and system UI.

4. **Check share functionality** -- If your app generates share links, verify the share text doesn't include Google Play links. Use a smart link service that redirects to the appropriate store.

5. **Audit web-loaded content** -- If your app loads content from your website (help pages, FAQs, terms of service), check those pages for platform references. Use conditional rendering or separate mobile-optimized pages.

6. **Check push notification templates** -- If your backend sends push notifications, verify the templates don't include cross-platform references.

## Prevention
- Use platform-specific build configurations to include only iOS-appropriate content
- Use universal smart links instead of platform-specific store links
- Review all web-loaded content for platform references before submission
- Take fresh screenshots on iOS for every submission

## Before / after examples

**Before:** App description: 'SyncNote keeps your notes in sync across all devices. Also available on Android and Google Play!' Screenshot shows Android navigation bar at bottom.
**After:** App description: 'SyncNote keeps your notes in sync across all your Apple devices -- iPhone, iPad, and Mac.' Screenshots captured on iPhone 15 Pro showing iOS native UI.
**Why it works:** Remove all competitor platform references. Reframe cross-device sync as Apple ecosystem sync in the iOS listing.

## Common questions

**How long does this typically take to fix?**

Typical turnaround is 1-2 hours (difficulty: easy). After resubmission, most re-reviews complete within 24-48 hours.

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*Machine-readable source: https://api.appstorereject.com/api/rejections/detail?slug=guideline-2310-accurate-metadata-references-to-other-mobile-platforms*