# Guideline 4.2 - Design: Insufficient Functionality or Single-Screen App **Guideline:** 4.2 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Severity:** medium · **Fix difficulty:** medium · **Typical turnaround:** 1-3 days Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/4/guideline-42-design-insufficient-functionality-or-single-screen-app ## Description Apple is rejecting your app because it does not provide enough functionality to qualify as a standalone app. This variant of 4.2 targets apps that are too simple — single-screen utilities, apps that perform one trivial function, or apps with so little content that they feel like a feature rather than a product. Examples that commonly trigger this: a tip calculator with no additional features, a flashlight app with one button, a single-recipe cooking app, a quote-of-the-day app with no interaction, or a countdown timer to a single event. Apple's bar is that the app should provide 'a useful, unique, and lasting experience' — meaning it should have enough depth that users would want to keep it installed. This rejection is sometimes subjective and can vary between reviewers. An app rejected by one reviewer for insufficient functionality might have been approved by another. However, if you've received this rejection, the most reliable path forward is to add meaningful features rather than appeal. The fastest compliant path is to identify 2-3 additional features that logically complement your app's core function and implement them. Think: customization options, history/saved items, sharing capabilities, widgets, or settings. The goal is to demonstrate that your app offers a complete experience, not just a single interaction. ## Common variations - App provides a limited user experience - App only includes a single function - App would be better suited as a feature within another app - App is not sufficiently different from a simple reference app - App provides limited content that could be a web page ## Example rejection email ``` Guideline 4.2 - Design - Minimum Functionality We found that your app only provides a limited user experience as it is not sufficiently different from a simple reference or information app. Specifically, your app provides a single function or very limited content that would be better suited as a feature within another app or as a web page. Apps should provide a useful, unique, and lasting experience for users. We encourage you to review your app concept and add additional functionality to create a more robust user experience. Next Steps: Please revise your app to include additional functionality that provides lasting value to users. ``` ## Resolution steps ## Quick Assessment - **Risk level:** Medium — fixable with feature additions - **Resolution path:** Add 2-3 complementary features, then resubmit - **Typical turnaround:** 1-3 days ## The Fix 01. **Map your feature set** — List every distinct interaction your app offers. If you can count them on one hand, you need more. 02. **Add customization** — Let users personalize the experience: themes, preferences, saved favorites, configurable settings. This is the lowest-effort way to add depth. 03. **Add history or saved items** — If your app produces any output (calculations, results, conversions), save them in a history list users can review and share. 04. **Add a sharing mechanism** — Let users share results, screenshots, or content via the system share sheet. 05. **Add a widget** — A WidgetKit extension shows Apple your app has depth beyond the main screen and provides lasting value on the home screen. 06. **Consider consolidation** — If you have multiple simple apps, combine them into one feature-rich app. Apple explicitly prefers this. 07. **Write detailed Review Notes** — In App Review Information, provide a walkthrough of all features and explain the value proposition. ## Prevention - Before building, ask: 'Would a user keep this installed after the first use?' - Plan at least 3-4 distinct features or content areas - Consider adding a Widget from the start to demonstrate lasting value - Don't submit single-purpose utilities without customization and depth ## Appeal guidance Appeal if you believe the reviewer missed functionality. Provide a walkthrough video or detailed steps showing all features. If the app genuinely is simple, add features and resubmit — Apple won't approve a single-screen app on appeal alone. ## Before / after examples **Before:** App is a single-screen tip calculator with a bill amount field, percentage slider, and calculated tip — no other screens or features **After:** App includes tip calculator, bill splitting among multiple people, saved calculation history, customizable tip presets, a currency converter, a home screen widget showing recent calculations, and a share button for splitting details **Why it works:** A single function needs surrounding features to justify a standalone app. History, sharing, customization, and widgets demonstrate lasting value. ## Common questions **Can you appeal a 4.2 rejection?** Appeal if you believe the reviewer missed functionality. Provide a walkthrough video or detailed steps showing all features. If the app genuinely is simple, add features and resubmit — Apple won't approve a single-screen app on appeal alone. **How long does this typically take to fix?** Typical turnaround is 1-3 days (difficulty: medium). After resubmission, most re-reviews complete within 24-48 hours. --- *Machine-readable source: https://api.appstorereject.com/api/rejections/detail?slug=guideline-42-design-insufficient-functionality-or-single-screen-app*