Guideline 4.2 rejection: Minimum Functionality
What it means, why it happens, and how developers get through it.
Subject line you may see: Guideline 4.2 - Design - Minimum Functionality
Common real causes
- WebView of an existing site
- Too few features
- No native value
How to fix it
- Add native value: offline, widgets, opt-in notifications, device features
- List native features and where to find them in your reply
What to put in your reply
Thank them and name Guideline 4.2. Say exactly what changed, and in which version and build. Give a numbered path the reviewer can follow. Attach proof: screenshots or a screen recording.
The full fill-in-the-blanks reply for 4.2 is in the Rescue Kit.
Real cases: others who got 4.2
No public cases logged yet.
Questions developers ask about 4.2
What does a Guideline 4.2 rejection mean?
The app is a thin web wrapper, one static screen, or a brochure.
Why do apps get rejected under Guideline 4.2?
The most common real causes: webView of an existing site; too few features; no native value.
How do I fix a Guideline 4.2 rejection?
1. Add native value: offline, widgets, opt-in notifications, device features. 2. List native features and where to find them in your reply.
Do I need a new build for Guideline 4.2?
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 4.2?
Reply in App Store Connect. Thank the reviewer and name Guideline 4.2, 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.
Stuck on 4.2?
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Source: Apple's App Review Guidelines, section 4.2, as revised October 16, 2026. Last checked . Always read the current official text. How we write these guides.