Metadata Rejected in App Store Connect: what it means and what to do
What the Metadata Rejected status means in App Store Connect, how it differs from Rejected, and the steps Apple gives to resolve it.
What it means
App Review didn’t accept your metadata. Read the message from App Review, edit the metadata to resolve the issue, and reply to the message from App Review.
Apple, App and submission statuses.
Metadata is what appears on your App Store product page and in App Store Connect: the name, subtitle, description, keywords, screenshots, previews, and URLs. Apple's steps for this status do not mention a new build. A plain Rejected status is different: App Review did not accept the item, and you edit it and resubmit, or remove it from the submission.
What to do
- Read the message in App Store Connect. It usually names a guideline. Paste it into the decoder to see what that guideline means.
- Edit only the fields the message is about, and check the same issue in every localization.
- Reply to App Review in App Store Connect with exactly what you changed.
Guides for common metadata rejections
What to do
- Read the message from App Review and note the guideline it cites
- Edit the metadata in App Store Connect to resolve the issue
- Reply to the message from App Review saying what you changed
Sample note
Replace the brackets with your facts and remove anything that does not apply.
Hello, Thank you for the review. Regarding Guideline [number], we updated the metadata: [field]: [what changed]. We checked the same field in all localizations. Thank you.
Questions developers ask
What does Metadata Rejected mean?
App Review did not accept your app's metadata. Apple's instructions are to read the message from App Review, edit the metadata to resolve the issue, and reply to the message.
Do I need a new build after Metadata Rejected?
Apple's steps for this status are to edit the metadata and reply, with no new build mentioned. If the issue is inside the app, such as the app icon, that part needs a build.
What is the difference between Metadata Rejected and Rejected?
Metadata Rejected is about the metadata only. Rejected means App Review did not accept an item, and you edit it and resubmit, or remove it from the submission.
How do I reply after Metadata Rejected?
Reply to the App Review message in App Store Connect. Name the guideline, list each field you changed, and say what it says now.
Which guidelines usually cause Metadata Rejected?
Metadata rules are mostly in Guideline 2.3 Accurate Metadata, for example 2.3.3 screenshots, 2.3.7 names and keywords, 2.3.8 metadata for all audiences, and 2.3.10 other platforms. 1.5 covers the support URL.
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Sources: App and submission statuses · Contact App Review for help with a submission. Last checked . Always read Apple's current documentation.