Developers report App Store reviews taking weeks amid queue delays
Developers are reporting that Apple’s App Store review queue is taking weeks to process some submissions, far longer than the usual one or two days. The delays could prevent new apps and updates from reaching users promptly, and Apple has not yet explained what is causing them.
Apple says it typically reviews at least half of submissions within 24 hours and 90 per cent within 48 hours. Developers have described apps waiting since 19 September or for nearly a month; similar complaints surfaced in February, including reports about bug-fix updates. Earlier reports linked delays to a rise in AI-coded apps, with submissions reported to be up 84 per cent in April.
In short
- Some developers say reviews are taking weeks.
- Apple’s stated target is 90 per cent within 48 hours.
- The cause of the latest delays is unclear.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Developers have a strong case that weeks-long reviews are unreasonable: they can leave users waiting for fixes and features, disrupt release plans and make it harder for smaller teams to compete. Apple’s published review times set an expectation, and without an explanation or clear updates, developers cannot plan reliably or tell whether a delay reflects a problem with their submission.
The case against
Apple must review submissions for security, privacy, quality and compliance before they reach users, and a larger or more complex volume can put pressure on that process. A slower queue may reflect efforts to apply those checks consistently, including as submissions rise; Apple’s usual review-time figures are averages or targets, not a guarantee that every app will be cleared within two days.
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Originally published by The Register as “Apple App Store review process hits a traffic jam”.