Guideline 2.1

Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed - New App Submission

Low RiskEasyTypical Fix: 1 day0 Reports

Also known as:First submissionUpdated submission missing notesNew app on existing developer account

Our Take

We need additional information to continue the review of this new app. To help us understand the app and conduct a complete review, app submissions should include relevant details in the App Review Information section in App Store Connect.

Apple uses this rejection when the App Review Information notes don't include the context reviewers need to evaluate a new app. The fix is informational, not technical — fill in the six items below in App Store Connect.

Resolution Guide

Record a screen capture on a physical device

Capture your app launching and walking through its core features on real hardware (Simulator recordings are rejected). The recording must include any of these flows that exist in your app: account registration, login, and account deletion; any purchase or subscription flows; user-generated content with reporting and blocking mechanisms; any prompts requesting access to sensitive data (location, contacts, camera, microphone). Upload to App Store Connect → App Review Information → Attachment.

Quick prep checklist

iPhone, not Simulator

Start by launching the app from the home screen

Show the typical user path through the main feature

Trigger every permission prompt your app uses

If you have IAP, complete a sandbox purchase on camera

Write a clear app purpose statement

Describe in 2-3 sentences: what problem your app solves, who it's for, and what the user actually does with it. Reviewers use this to understand what they're looking at before they tap anything. Avoid marketing copy.

Example

"MealMate helps busy parents plan a week of family dinners in under 5 minutes. It generates personalized meal plans from saved family preferences and dietary restrictions, then builds a grocery list."

Provide test credentials

If your app requires a login, give the reviewer a working test account in the Notes field. Format: `Email: review@yourapp.com / Password: ReviewTest2025!`. If your app has no login, write "No login required." If access requires additional steps (invite code, MFA disabled for review account), spell those out.

Quick checks

Test credentials work right now (log in with them yourself before submitting)

The account isn't restricted (paid tier, role-gated, or geo-locked)

MFA is disabled or you've documented the workaround

List external services

Name every third-party service your app calls to deliver core functionality: backend (Supabase, Firebase, custom API), payments (Stripe, RevenueCat), auth (Auth0, Clerk), AI (OpenAI, Anthropic), analytics (PostHog, Mixpanel), error monitoring (Sentry). One line per service with what it does. Reviewers use this to understand data flows.

Confirm regional consistency

If your app behaves the same way in every country you ship to, write "App functions consistently across all regions. No region-locked features or content." If features or content differ by region (e.g., a feature only available in the EU, content blocked in certain countries), describe what changes where.

Document regulated-industry credentials (if applicable)

If your app operates in a regulated industry — health (HIPAA, FDA), finance (FINRA, money transmission), gambling, government services, telemedicine, alcohol/tobacco delivery — provide documentation of your authorization. Examples: HIPAA BAA, gaming license number, money transmitter license. If your app is NOT in a regulated industry, write "Not applicable — this app does not operate in a regulated industry."

Example Rejection Email

From:Apple App Review Team

Subject:Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed - New App Submission

Guideline 2.1 - Information Needed - New App Submission We need additional information to continue the review of this new app. To help us understand the app and conduct a complete review, app submissions should include relevant details in the App Review Information section in App Store Connect. Next Steps Reply in App Store Connect with all of the following information: 1. A screen recording captured on a physical device demonstrating the app's functionality. The recording must begin with launching the app and show the typical user flow through its core features. If the app has any of the following, include them in the recording: - Account registration, login, and account deletion flows - Accessing paid content or features within the app, including any purchase or subscription flows - User-generated content, including content reporting and blocking mechanisms - Any prompts requesting access to sensitive data or device capabilities (for example, location, contacts, camera, or microphone) 2. A description of the app's purpose, including the problem it solves and the value it provides its intended audience 3. Instructions for accessing and reviewing the app's main features, including any required test or login credentials 4. A list of the external services, tools, or platforms the app uses to deliver its core functionality (for example, data providers, authentication services, payment processors, or AI services) 5. Describe any regional differences in the app's features or content, or confirm that the app functions consistently across all regions. 6. If the app operates in a highly regulated industry, any relevant documentation or credentials to demonstrate you are authorized to provide these services Include this information in the Notes field of the App Review Information section in App Store Connect for future submissions.

Before & After

Before — Rejected

Test login: testuser@app.com / password123. Let me know if you have questions.

After — Approved

1. Screen Recording: Attached. Recorded on iPhone 15 Pro running iOS 18, demonstrates app launch → onboarding → main feed → photo upload (triggers camera permission) → purchase flow (sandbox).

2. App Purpose: MealMate helps busy parents plan a week of family dinners in under 5 minutes. It solves the daily 'what's for dinner' decision by generating personalized meal plans from saved family preferences and dietary restrictions.

3. Test Credentials: Email: review@mealmate.app / Password: ReviewTest2025! No additional steps required.

4. External Services: Supabase (auth + Postgres), Stripe (subscription billing), OpenAI (recipe generation), Sentry (error monitoring).

5. Regional Differences: App functions consistently across all regions. No region-locked features or content.

6. Regulated Industry: Not applicable — this app does not operate in a regulated industry.

What changed: The 'before' note gives reviewers credentials but no context — they have to discover what the app does on their own. The 'after' answers all six items Apple now requires, so the reviewer can complete the review without a back-and-forth.

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