iOS App Pre-Submission Checklist for the App Store
Updated: October 2026
Before you press “Submit for Review”, check five areas: the build itself, testing on a real iPhone, accounts and backend, privacy and permissions, and your App Store listing. This checklist covers the problems that most often cause rejections.
1. The build
- The build is final, not a debug or test version
- The version and build numbers are correct
- The build has finished processing in App Store Connect
- No test data, debug menus or developer shortcuts are visible
- No placeholder text or sample images remain
2. Testing on a real iPhone
- Installed through TestFlight on a real device
- Tested the first launch after a fresh install
- Tapped every screen, button, menu and form
- Tested sign-up, login, logout and password reset
- Tested with weak Wi-Fi, mobile data and no connection
- Switched to another app and returned
- Tested on more than one screen size, if possible
- Asked someone who has never seen the app to try it
3. Accounts and backend
- A demo account is added in App Store Connect and works from a clean device
- Your server or backend is live and will stay live during review
- Any special test data the reviewer needs is available
- In-app purchases work from start to finish
4. Privacy and permissions
- A privacy policy link is added and opens
- Each permission request (camera, location, notifications) has a clear reason
- The app does not crash when a permission is denied
- If users can create accounts, they can delete them inside the app
- Your privacy answers in App Store Connect match what the app really does
5. Your App Store listing
- Screenshots show the real app
- The description does not promise features that do not exist
- The support URL opens
- The app name, subtitle and keywords follow Apple’s rules
- Age rating and category are correct
6. Review notes
- Demo account details are written clearly
- Steps to reach special or hidden features are explained
- Any hardware or setup requirement is explained
- Contact details are correct, in case Apple needs to reach you
The most skipped item
Developers rarely skip the listing or the build number. What gets skipped most is a full test on a real iPhone by someone who is not the developer. That is where crashes, broken buttons and layout problems are found, and it is where RealAppTest helps: a tester goes through everything by hand and sends a report with screenshots, and on Pro and Max a screen video.
Frequently asked questions
How long should pre-submission testing take?
At least a full session of real use, plus a second round after any fixes.
Do I need to test every iPhone model?
No, but test at least one real iPhone, and more if you support older devices or different screen sizes.
Will this checklist guarantee approval?
No. Only Apple decides. It removes the most common preventable problems.