How long does App Store review take? (2026)
What the typical timeline looks like
After you submit a version, it moves through a few states: Waiting for Review, In Review, then Approved or Rejected. Apple reports that most submissions are reviewed within about 24 hours, and the large majority within 48. In practice many simple updates clear in well under a day, while some apps sit longer. The status updates in App Store Connect, and you get notified when the result is in. The number to plan around is one to two days, with the understanding that it is not contractual and can vary.
What slows a review down
Several things reliably add time, and most are avoidable:
- A first submission. A brand new app often gets a more thorough look than a routine update.
- Missing demo credentials. If the app has a login, App Review needs a working demo account. Without one, the reviewer cannot test it and the app comes back.
- Incomplete or mismatched metadata. Screenshots that do not match the app, a missing privacy policy URL, or vague review notes invite questions.
- Sensitive categories. Apps that handle health data, finance, kids, or login systems get extra scrutiny.
- A flagged build. Anything that looks like a guideline risk can be routed for a closer look.
The Resolution Center in App Store Connect is where any back and forth happens, so check it if a review stalls.
How to avoid delays
You cannot control Apple's queue, but you can control your submission:
- Provide a working demo account and clear review notes that tell the reviewer how to use the app.
- Make metadata match the build. Screenshots, description, and the actual behavior should line up.
- Complete the App Privacy and age rating sections honestly.
- Test the build on a real device through TestFlight first, so an obvious crash does not cause a rejection.
- Reserve expedited review requests for genuine emergencies, such as a critical bug fix, since overusing them is discouraged.
A complete, honest submission is the single biggest factor you control.
How AppFlight handles review and rejections
AppFlight is a macOS app that turns a plain-English prompt into a native iOS app in Swift and SwiftUI and runs the journey to the App Store. It signs the build, uploads to TestFlight and App Store Connect, sets metadata, and submits for review from inside the app. It cannot make Apple review faster, and it does not guarantee approval, because Apple reviews every app. What it does do is shorten the loop when something goes wrong: if Apple rejects a build, AppFlight reads the rejection reason from the Resolution Center, works on the fix, and resubmits, so you spend less time interpreting a rejection and turning around a new build.
FAQ
How long does App Store review usually take?
Apple reports that a large majority of submissions are reviewed within about 24 hours, and most within 48. It is an average, not a promise. A given app can be faster or slower depending on its complexity and whether the metadata is complete.
Why is my app review taking so long?
Common reasons are a first submission, a complex or sensitive app, missing demo account credentials, incomplete metadata, or a build flagged for a closer look. Providing clear review notes and a working demo account reduces back and forth.
Can I speed up App Store review?
You can request an expedited review through App Store Connect for genuinely time-sensitive cases, such as a critical bug fix or a fixed release date. Apple grants these at its discretion, so do not rely on it for routine releases.