Guideline 4.1(a) rejection: Copycats
What it means, why it happens, and how developers get through it.
Subject line you may see: Guideline 4.1(a) - Design - Copycats
What Apple's guideline says
Don't simply copy the latest popular app on the App Store, or make some minor changes to another app's name or UI and pass it off as your own.
From App Review Guidelines, 4.1(a), as revised October 16, 2026. Apple's help: 4.1 Preventing copycat and impersonation rejections.
Common causes
- The same look and feel or features as a popular app with minor changes
- Another app's or brand's name in your app name, icon, or any metadata field
- Screenshots, textures, or assets that reference another product
- Account or support information that is inaccurate or outdated
How to fix it
- Remove other apps' and brands' names from every metadata field, the icon, and the app
- Remove references inside the app too, not only in the listing
- Change the design and features so the app stands on its own
- Keep your developer name and Support URL accurate
- Reply with what you removed and what makes the app different
What to put in your reply
A sample reply note. Replace the brackets with your facts and remove anything that does not apply.
Hello, Thank you for the review. Regarding Guideline 4.1(a), in build [number] we removed all references to [name] from the app name, icon, keywords, description, screenshots, and in-app content ([list]). The app's own features are [list]. Thank you.
Real cases: others who got 4.1(a)
1 public case: 1 outcome unknown. Outcomes are what the developer posted.
Game rejected under 4.1(a) Copycats for references to Minecraft
Questions developers ask about 4.1(a)
What does a Guideline 4.1(a) rejection mean?
App Review thinks your app copies another app, or leans on another app's name, look, or brand. 4.1(b) adds impersonation, and 4.1(c) bans other developers' icons, brands, or product names without approval.
Why do apps get rejected under Guideline 4.1(a)?
Common causes, based on Apple's guideline text: the same look and feel or features as a popular app with minor changes; another app's or brand's name in your app name, icon, or any metadata field; screenshots, textures, or assets that reference another product; account or support information that is inaccurate or outdated.
How do I fix a Guideline 4.1(a) rejection?
1. Remove other apps' and brands' names from every metadata field, the icon, and the app. 2. Remove references inside the app too, not only in the listing. 3. Change the design and features so the app stands on its own. 4. Keep your developer name and Support URL accurate. 5. Reply with what you removed and what makes the app different.
Do I need a new build for Guideline 4.1(a)?
Change the product, not the wording. Appeals rarely move this one. Make visible differences, then resubmit with a short reply and a review path. This is how the guideline is usually resolved, not a prediction for your app.
How should I reply to App Review about Guideline 4.1(a)?
Reply in App Store Connect. Thank the reviewer and name Guideline 4.1(a), say exactly what changed and in which version and build, give a numbered path the reviewer can follow, and attach proof such as screenshots or a screen recording.
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See also: 5.2.1 intellectual property · 4.3(a) spam · 2.3.7 names and keywords
Source: Apple's App Review Guidelines, section 4.1(a), as revised October 16, 2026. Last checked . Always read the current official text. How we write these guides.