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App Review Guideline 4.3(a): Duplicate App Rejection

Apple may reject your app under App Store Review Guideline 4.3(a) if it believes your app duplicates the content or functionality of another app on the App Store — even if both apps belong to the same company or are authorized copies.

This rejection is commonly referred to as a “spam rejection.”

What triggers this?​

  • Reusing the same codebase, design, or app template across different App Store accounts
  • Submitting multiple similar apps from different developer accounts
  • Submitting localized versions of an app without clear differentiation
  • Apps submitted by a distributor or agent without proper authorization

Why this affects you​

When we submit your app to the China App Store through our Apple Developer China account, Apple may detect that the same app is already available globally under your company’s own developer account.

Even though this distribution is fully authorized, Apple’s automated or manual review process may mistakenly flag it as a duplicate submission—especially if the app design, features, and content are nearly identical.

How we resolve it​

We’ve found two effective solutions:

  1. Exclude Mainland China from your global App Store Connect listing.

    This avoids duplication by ensuring only our version appears in the China App Store.

  2. Submit an authorization letter.

    If you prefer to keep Mainland China enabled in your global listing, we can submit a formal authorization letter to Apple confirming that AppInChina is permitted to publish the app in China on your behalf.

Tell us early

Please let us know upfront if your app is already listed globally so we can apply the correct approach and avoid rejections.