Apple App Store Review Delays Stretch to Weeks Amid AI-Driven Surge
Developers report App Store review times extending to weeks, far exceeding Apple's standard 24-48 hour target. This backlog, recurring since February, coincides with an 84% increase in submissions, partly attributed to AI-coded apps. Apple has not yet confirmed the cause, though previous reports linked the slowdown to a massive influx of new applications.
Key points
- Apple's App Store review process is experiencing significant delays, with developers reporting wait times of up to three weeks instead of the typical one to two days.
- Apple's official guidelines state that 50% of submissions are reviewed within 24 hours and 90% within 48 hours, but current user reports indicate these metrics are not being met.
- The Information reported in April that app submissions increased by 84%, a surge that Business Insider previously attributed to a rising influx of AI-coded applications.
- The issue is not new, with similar complaints appearing in February where at least 74 developers reported multi-week delays, including for simple bug fixes to existing apps.
- Developers are documenting these delays in dedicated threads on Apple's developer forums and Reddit, with some users waiting since September 19 for their apps to be listed.
- Apple has been contacted for an explanation regarding the current backlog, though the company has not yet provided a public statement confirming the specific cause of the slowdown.
Apple’s App Store review process is facing a significant bottleneck, with developers reporting wait times that have stretched to several weeks. While Apple’s official guidelines promise that at least 50% of submissions are reviewed within 24 hours and 90% within 48 hours, current conditions suggest a substantial deviation from these targets. Reports from Apple’s developer forums and Reddit indicate that some applications have been stuck in the "Waiting for Review" status for up to three weeks, with one developer noting a wait beginning on September 19.
This delay is not an isolated incident. Similar complaints emerged in February, where at least 74 developers reported multi-week backlogs, including for minor bug fixes to already-approved software. The underlying cause appears linked to a surge in application volume. In March, Business Insider suggested that a rising influx of AI-coded apps was contributing to the pressure, a hypothesis supported by The Information’s April report, which found that app submissions had increased by 84%.
The prolonged review times create uncertainty for developers, particularly those relying on timely updates or new launches. While Apple has acknowledged the issue through its guidelines, a specific explanation for the current backlog remains pending. The company has been asked to comment on whether the AI-driven submission spike is the primary driver of the delays, a factor that could have broader implications for how the platform manages future growth in automated development.
Sources
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