Can I report an app to Apple?

Yes, you can report apps to Apple if you find an app that violates App Store guidelines or laws. Apple provides a few different ways to report problematic apps in the App Store.

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How to report an app to Apple

Here are the main ways you can report an app to Apple if you find it objectionable or in violation of App Store policies:

Use the “Report a Concern” link on the app’s App Store page – Every app page in the App Store has a “Report a Concern” link you can tap to report issues with that specific app.

Go to reportaproblem.apple.com – This is Apple’s general app reporting website where you can report any problematic apps you find in the App Store.
Submit a complaint at apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstorenotices – Use this page to submit a formal complaint about an app to Apple’s legal team.
Contact App Review – Request to speak with an App Review representative about a specific app by going to developer.apple.com/contact.

If you know the exact app you want to report, the easiest way is to use the “Report a Concern” link on that app’s App Store page. This will allow you to report issues or violations related to that specific app.

The reportaproblem.apple.com website allows you to report any app even if you don’t know the exact name. Here you can select the general category of your concern such as “Scam or fraud” or “Intellectual property violation” and provide details on the problematic app.

For more serious complaints, you can use the apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstorenotices page to submit an official complaint form to Apple. This is better for reporting major or systemic violations.

And finally, you can contact the App Review team directly if you need to speak with someone about an app review concern. This can be used if other reporting methods have not resulted in any action being taken against a problematic app.

What happens when you report an app?

Once you report an app to Apple through one of the above methods, here is a general overview of what happens next:

Your report goes into Apple’s review system and is assessed by someone on the App Review team.

Apple will investigate the app based on the details you provided in the report.
If Apple finds the app is in violation of any App Store guidelines or laws, appropriate action will be taken.
Potential actions include removal from the App Store, requiring the developer to modify the app, or imposing other penalties.

For serious violations, Apple can terminate the developer’s account and ban them from submitting new apps.
You will not typically hear back from Apple on the specific results of your report.
Apple does not disclose actions taken against specific apps or developers.

So once you submit a report, Apple will review and investigate the app you reported. But Apple generally doesn’t notify users on whether action was taken or what the resolution was due to privacy reasons.

Apple states that “Reports are thoroughly investigated before we take action” against any reported apps. So you can trust that Apple is looking into any potential violations or issues.

What types of app issues can you report to Apple?

Apple allows you to report any apps that you believe violate App Store Review Guidelines or laws. Some examples of app issues you can report include:

Offensive, abusive, or illegal content – Such as hate speech, violence, adult content, etc.
Privacy concerns – Such as accessing private data without consent.
Scams – Apps that scam or defraud users out of money.

Intellectual property violations – Apps that use copyrighted content without permission.
Performance issues – Apps that crash frequently or don’t perform as expected.
Inappropriate ads – Ads that are offensive, adult-oriented, or scams.

Poor customer experience – Unresponsive developer support or inability to request refunds.

These are just some examples – you can report apps for any reason you feel they are not compliant with the App Store Review Guidelines. When submitting a report, be sure to provide specific details on what issues you encountered with the app and why you believe it should be reported.

How else can I provide feedback about an app?

In addition to reporting apps of concern to Apple, you also have a few options to provide general feedback about apps in a more constructive way:

Post a review – Leave an honest app review detailing your experience using the app and any positives or negatives you want the developer to know about.
Contact the developer – Many apps have customer support emails or contact forms you can use to reach out to the developer directly about issues or suggestions for improvement.
Submit feedback to Apple – Use the App Store app or apple.com to submit feedback to Apple on apps, App Store experiences, and recommendations for improvement.

Leaving an app review is a helpful way to give feedback in a public setting. This allows other potential users to read about your experience. Constructive criticism in reviews can help developers understand how to improve their apps.

For more private feedback, you can try reaching out to the developer directly through their provided support channels like email. Many developers welcome direct user feedback.

And you can always send general feedback to Apple on apps, app categories, and the App Store experience using Apple’s feedback options. Apple may not respond directly, but they do review feedback to help improve the App Store.

What happens if you report an app maliciously?

Apple does not look positively on users who report apps to Apple maliciously or in bad faith. If you report an app with the intent to harm the developer without a valid reason, here’s what can happen:

Apple will likely dismiss your report if found to be malicious, unfounded, or lacking detail.
Repeated fake reports could result in suspension of your Apple ID and loss of access to services.

In more serious cases, legal action may be taken for submitting false claims with intent to harm.

Apple wants to maintain integrity in the app reporting process so that valid reports receive proper attention. Abusing the reporting system distracts from addressing legitimate issues.

If Apple detects repeated bad faith reports from a user, they can suspend that user’s Apple ID. You may lose access to services like the App Store, Apple Music, iCloud, and more.

In the most extreme cases, Apple or the targeted developer could pursue legal action for submitting intentionally harmful false reports. Malicious reporting is not taken lightly.

When submitting app reports, make sure you have a valid reason to believe the app is in violation of guidelines. Provide clear details on issues you actually experienced. This helps Apple properly assess each case.

Should I report competitors’ apps?

You generally should not report competing apps just because they are competitors. Reporting a rival app without a valid guideline violation just to take down the competition could backfire.

That said, it is reasonable to report a competing app if you have evidence it truly violates App Store rules – just as you would any other app. But the report should focus on the objective facts of the violation, not simply that it competes with your own app.

Some examples where reporting a competitor may be warranted:

They use your trademarked content, logos, or name without permission

Their app is a clear copycat designed to mislead users
Their app includes offensive or illegal content
Their app engages in clear App Store guideline violations

If a competing app is simply better than yours, that is not a valid reason to report it. Focus on improving your own app in that case. Only report competitors when you have evidence of clear policy breaches.

And never try to organize mass reporting campaigns against competitors. This type of coordinated malicious reporting will result in suspensions and potential legal action.

Maintain integrity when reporting apps. Make sure your complaints are based on facts and objective violations, not simply competition. Ethical reporting helps improve the App Store for all.

Can you report apps for copyright infringement?

Yes, Apple allows you to report any apps you believe engage in copyright infringement or use your intellectual property without permission.

Some examples of copyright issues you can report:

Apps using your copyrighted images, videos, or music without license

Apps distributing pirated versions of your copyrighted software, books, etc.
Apps stealing your written content like blogs, articles, or news
Apps copying your patented or trademarked inventions, brands, logos, or designs

To report copyright infringement to Apple, you’ll need to provide documentation proving your ownership of the intellectual property in question. The more detail you can provide, the better.

Helpful items to include in your report:

Proof of your copyright, patent, or trademark registration

Copies of stolen content side-by-side with your original content
Links to download or purchase the authentic copyrighted material
Any licensing or legal agreements related to your intellectual property

The better evidence you submit, the more likely Apple will promptly remove infringing apps. Apps found to willfully infringe copyrights are likely to face permanent removal or developer account termination.

Note that reporting infringement does not guarantee or compel Apple to remove an app. Apple will still perform an independent investigation. But detailed reports with solid evidence give you the best chance of successful enforcement against infringers.

What if Apple doesn’t remove an app I reported?

In some cases, Apple may choose not to remove an app after you report it. There are a few potential reasons this can happen:

Apple did not find a guideline violation after reviewing the app based on your report.
Your report did not include enough details or evidence to warrant removal.
The developer updated the app to resolve the reported issues.

Apple issued a warning or restrictions on the app rather than removal.

If Apple chooses not to remove an app you reported, here are some next steps to consider:

Review Apple’s response for details on why they did not remove it.

Submit a follow-up report with any additional evidence you have.
Escalate the report to a formal complaint if it involves serious legal issues.
Check if the app has been updated and if issues are resolved.

Consider alternative resolutions like leaving an app review or contacting the developer.

Keep in mind Apple does thoroughly investigate all reports, even if the end result is not always app removal. Restrictions, age ratings, warnings, and required modifications are also possible enforcement actions.

If you strongly disagree with Apple’s decision on a reported app, you can file a formal complaint or connect with the App Review team. But additional evidence is usually required to get Apple to reconsider removal in disputed cases.

Can you appeal if Apple removes your app after it was reported?

If Apple removes your app after it has been reported, you can appeal the decision by reaching out to the App Review team and submitting an appeal request.

Steps to request an appeal:

Go to developer.apple.com/contact and select “App Review Information” then “Appeal”.

Clearly explain why you believe the app removal was unwarranted.
Provide any evidence that disputes the report or explains how you resolved any reported issues.
Propose how the app could be reinstated with appropriate modifications as needed.

Wait for App Review to contact you regarding the appeal decision.

Appeals may take 1-2 weeks to be resolved. Apple will review your request and determine if the app can be reinstated or if the removal will stand.

Having clear documentation that the reports were false or that you’ve addressed any policy violations can help your appeal case. But Apple has final discretion on app removals.

If your appeal is denied, focus on understanding what changes are required to get your app approved in the future. Continuing to re-submit the same app is unlikely to be successful.

Conclusion

Reporting troubling apps is an important way users can help Apple enforce App Store policies and maintain app quality and safety. Any app engaging in illegal behavior, intellectual property theft, hate speech, scams, or other guideline violations deserves to be reported.

But app reporting should be used judiciously and ethically. Malicious or competitive reporting will backfire and risks account suspensions. Focus reports on objective facts and clear evidence.

Apple investigates all reports thoroughly, even if the outcome is not always immediate app removal. Feedback from users plays a critical role in keeping Apple’s massive app ecosystem safe and compliant.

So if you encounter any apps you believe warrant reporting, follow the proper steps to submit your complaint directly to Apple. Your reports help protect all App Store users from dangerous or unscrupulous apps.