# Guideline 4.9 - Design: Apple Pay Branding Misuse

**Guideline:** 4.9 · **Store:** Apple App Store · **Risk:** low · **Difficulty:** easy · **Typical turnaround:** 1-2 hours

Canonical URL: https://appstorereject.com/rejections/apple/4/guideline-49-design-apple-pay-branding-misuse

## Description

Apple is rejecting your app because it uses the Apple Pay brand, logo, or mark in a way that doesn't conform to Apple's branding guidelines. Guideline 4.9 requires that apps offering Apple Pay use the official Apple Pay marks correctly and don't misrepresent the payment experience. Common violations include: using an outdated Apple Pay logo, creating a custom Apple Pay button instead of using PKPaymentButton, placing the Apple Pay mark on a non-white or cluttered background, using 'ApplePay' as one word instead of 'Apple Pay' (two words), or displaying the Apple Pay logo at a size smaller than Apple's minimum requirements. This rejection also covers cases where the app's marketing materials or screenshots suggest Apple Pay functionality that doesn't actually work, or where Apple Pay is presented as the only payment option without alternatives (Apple requires that Apple Pay be offered alongside other payment methods, not as the sole option). The fastest compliant path is to use Apple's official `PKPaymentButton` class for the payment button (which automatically conforms to branding guidelines) and follow Apple's Apple Pay Marketing Guidelines for any other use of the Apple Pay mark.

## Common variations

- Apple Pay button does not use official PKPaymentButton
- Apple Pay mark displayed below minimum size requirements
- Incorrect branding: 'ApplePay' instead of 'Apple Pay'
- Custom Apple Pay button that doesn't match official design
- Apple Pay logo used on non-compliant background

## Example rejection email

```
Guideline 4.9 - Design - Apple Pay

Your app uses the Apple Pay brand in a way that does not conform to Apple Pay branding guidelines. Specifically:

- The Apple Pay button does not use the official PKPaymentButton
- The Apple Pay mark is displayed at a size below the minimum requirement
- The term 'ApplePay' is used instead of the correct 'Apple Pay'

Apps that offer Apple Pay must follow Apple's Apple Pay Marketing Guidelines for proper use of the Apple Pay brand and marks.

Next Steps:
Please revise your app to use the official PKPaymentButton for the Apple Pay payment option, and ensure all references to Apple Pay conform to Apple's branding guidelines. Review the Apple Pay Marketing Guidelines at developer.apple.com.
```

## Resolution steps

## Quick Assessment
- **Risk level:** Low — branding compliance fix
- **Resolution path:** Use official Apple Pay components and follow branding guidelines
- **Typical turnaround:** 1-2 hours

## The Fix

01. **Use PKPaymentButton** — Replace any custom Apple Pay button with `PKPaymentButton` from PassKit. This handles the correct logo, sizing, and dark/light mode automatically. In SwiftUI, use the `PayWithApplePayButton`.

02. **Fix text references** — Search your app for 'ApplePay,' 'apple pay,' 'APPLE PAY,' or any other incorrect casing. The correct format is always 'Apple Pay' (two words, both capitalized).

03. **Check logo sizing** — If you display the Apple Pay mark outside of PKPaymentButton (e.g., in a 'We accept' section), ensure it meets Apple's minimum size requirements (check the Apple Pay Marketing Guidelines for specific pixel dimensions).

04. **Verify background compliance** — The Apple Pay mark must appear on a clean, uncluttered background. Don't overlay it on busy images or patterns.

05. **Offer payment alternatives** — Ensure Apple Pay is offered alongside at least one other payment method (credit card, debit card, etc.). It should not be the only payment option.

06. **Update screenshots** — If your App Store screenshots show Apple Pay, ensure the branding in screenshots also conforms.

## Prevention
- Always use PKPaymentButton / PayWithApplePayButton — never create custom Apple Pay buttons
- Download and follow the Apple Pay Marketing Guidelines before any Apple Pay integration
- Search your codebase and assets for any Apple Pay references before submission
- Test in both light and dark mode to ensure the button renders correctly

## Before / after examples

**Before:** Checkout screen has a custom green button with a white Apple logo and text 'Pay with ApplePay' in a custom font
**After:** Checkout screen uses the standard PKPaymentButton with .buy style, correctly rendering the Apple Pay mark per Apple's guidelines, alongside a 'Pay with Card' alternative
**Why it works:** Always use Apple's official PKPaymentButton — it automatically handles correct branding, sizing, localization, and dark/light mode.

## 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-49-design-apple-pay-branding-misuse*