--- title: Introduction framework: app-store-review role: collection role_heading: Section path: app-store-review/introduction --- # Introduction The guiding principle of the App Store is simple—we want to provide a safe experience for users to get apps and a great opportunity for all developers to be successful. ## Overview ### Introduction The guiding principle of the App Store is simple—we want to provide a safe experience for users to get apps and a great opportunity for all developers to be successful. We do this by offering a highly curated App Store where every app is reviewed by experts and an editorial team helps users discover new apps every day. We also scan each app for malware and other software that may impact user safety, security, and privacy. These efforts have made Apple’s platforms the safest for consumers around the world. In some markets and on certain platforms, developers can also distribute notarized apps from alternative app marketplaces and directly from their website. Learn more about [alternative app marketplaces](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/marketplacekit/participating-in-alternative-distribution-for-specific-regions), [Web Distribution](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/marketplacekit/distributing-your-app-from-your-website), and [Notarization for iOS and iPadOS apps](https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/managing-alternative-distribution/submit-for-notarization). You can see which guidelines apply to Notarization for iOS and iPadOS apps by clicking on “Highlight Notarization Review Guidelines Only” in the menu to the left. For everything else there is always the open Internet. If the App Store model and guidelines or alternative distribution and Notarization for iOS and iPadOS apps are not best for your app or business idea that’s okay, we provide Safari for a great web experience too. On the following pages you will find our latest guidelines arranged into five clear sections: Safety, Performance, Business, Design, and Legal. The App Store is always changing and improving to keep up with the needs of our customers and our products. Your apps should change and improve as well in order to stay on the App Store. A few other points to keep in mind about distributing your app on our platforms: - We have lots of kids and teens downloading apps to stay in touch, explore creativity, learn, and grow their independence. Keeping them safe is something we take seriously. Parental controls give parents a powerful way to manage what their child can access and when — but you have to do your part too. Make sure kids are getting age-appropriate experiences inside your app. - The App Store is a great way to reach hundreds of millions of people around the world. If you build an app that you just want to show to family and friends, the App Store isn’t the best way to do that. Consider using Xcode to install your app on a device for free or use Ad Hoc distribution available to Apple Developer Program members. If you’re just getting started, learn more about the [Apple Developer Program](https://developer.apple.com/programs/). - We strongly support all points of view being represented on the App Store, as long as the apps are respectful to users with differing opinions and the quality of the app experience is great. We will reject apps for any content or behavior that we believe is over the line. What line, you ask? Well, as a Supreme Court Justice once said, “I’ll know it when I see it”. And we think that you will also know it when you cross it. - If you attempt to cheat the system (for example, by trying to trick the review process, steal user data, copy another developer’s work, manipulate ratings or App Store discovery) your apps will be removed from the store and you will be expelled from the Apple Developer Program. - You are responsible for making sure everything in your app complies with these guidelines, including ad networks, analytics services, and third-party SDKs, so review and choose them carefully. - Some features and technologies that are not generally available to developers may be offered as an [entitlement](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/bundleresources/entitlements) for limited use cases. For example, we offer entitlements for CarPlay Audio, HyperVisor, and Privileged File Operations. We hope these guidelines help you sail through the review process, and that approvals and rejections remain consistent across the board. This is a living document; new apps presenting new questions may result in new rules at any time. Perhaps your app will trigger this. We love this stuff too, and honor what you do. We’re really trying our best to create the best platform in the world for you to express your talents and make a living, too.