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Apple reviews at least 50% of App Store submissions within 24 hours and 90% within 48 hours, according to Apple’s App Review page. The clock starts when your submission reaches Waiting for Review, not when you upload the build. Incomplete submissions, apps that need a login without a demo account, and apps that get rejected and resubmitted take longer. If you’re fixing a critical bug or launching for a dated event, you can request an expedited review.

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App Store Review Time at a Glance

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What Each Review Status Means

You’ll see these statuses for your app version in App Store Connect, and Apple emails you when they change:

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The Full Timeline: From Built App to Live on the App Store

With Vibecode, a typical first publish looks like this:
  1. Apple Developer account: enroll and pay $99/year. Individuals can do it in one sitting; organizations first need a D-U-N-S Number (up to 5 business days). See How to Create an Apple Developer Account.
  2. Build and upload: Vibecode builds and uploads native iOS apps on its cloud Macs; Mobile app builds through Expo Launch take about 20 minutes
  3. Apple processes the build before it can be submitted
  4. Complete your listing: screenshots, description, privacy policy, App Privacy details, and age rating
  5. Submit for review: Vibecode submits native iOS apps for you; you submit Mobile apps in App Store Connect
  6. App Review: 90% of submissions finish within 48 hours
  7. Release: automatically, on a date, or manually
The full steps are in How to Publish an App to the App Store.

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What Slows App Store Review Down

  • Missing information. Apple says incomplete submissions may take longer or not pass. Fill in every required field before you submit.
  • A login with no demo account. If the reviewer can’t sign in, the app is rejected and you lose a round. Add a working demo account in App Review Information.
  • Special setup. Features that need specific hardware, a location, or an account type need clear notes, and sometimes a demo video.
  • Your backend being off. If the app can’t load data during review, it’s rejected under guideline 2.1. Keep your deployed backend running.
  • Rejections. Each rejection adds a full cycle: fix, rebuild, resubmit, wait again. Avoiding the common rejection reasons is the biggest time saver.
  • Regulated categories. Banking, crypto, healthcare, gambling, and similar apps may need documentation and must be submitted by the organization that provides the service.

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How to Speed Up App Store Review

  1. Run a pre-submission check. In a Vibecode Mobile app project, run Preflight (/appstore-preflight). For any app, go through the review guidelines checklist.
  2. Give the reviewer everything. A demo account, notes on how to reach key features, and anything special about your app go in App Review Information.
  3. Use TestFlight first. Test the exact build with real users so the reviewer doesn’t find the bugs.
  4. Plan launches with a scheduled release. Submit early, then set the version to release on your launch date instead of waiting for approval on the day.
  5. Request an expedited review only when you need it (see below).

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How to Request an Expedited Review

Apple can expedite a review when you face extenuating circumstances, such as:
  • A critical bug fix. Include the steps to reproduce the bug in the current version of your app.
  • An event-related app. Include the event, its date, and your app’s connection to it. Apple recommends scheduling the release in advance instead, but if your app is still in review and the event is close, you can ask.
Submit the request through Apple’s expedited review request after your app is submitted. Expedited reviews are granted at Apple’s discretion, so don’t plan a launch around one.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Apple reviews at least 50% of submissions within 24 hours and 90% within 48 hours. Most apps are reviewed within two days of reaching Waiting for Review.
Waiting for Review means Apple has your submission and hasn’t started yet. Since Apple reviews 90% of submissions within 48 hours, longer waits are uncommon. Check that the submission is complete and that you haven’t missed a message from App Review in App Store Connect. If it’s urgent and you qualify, request an expedited review.
Apple doesn’t publish a separate time for the In Review stage; its 24 and 48 hour figures cover the review as a whole. If the reviewer needs more information, they message you in App Store Connect, and the review waits for your reply, so answer quickly.
Updates go through the same App Review process, and Apple’s typical times (50% within 24 hours, 90% within 48 hours) apply to them too.
If you chose automatic release, it’s released once approved. Apple notes that Processing for Distribution can take up to 24 hours before the app is available in every region you picked.
The build and upload run in the cloud (Expo builds for Mobile apps take about 20 minutes), then Apple processes the build and reviews it, usually within 48 hours. If you’re starting from scratch, also allow time to set up your Apple Developer account and App Store listing.

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Next Steps

Publish to the App Store

Step-by-step publishing guide

Review Guidelines Checklist

Avoid rejections that add days

Apple Developer Account

Enroll and pay the $99 fee

Vibecode Pricing

Plans with App Store submission
Last modified on October 10, 2026