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Apple Rejected My App for Using Google Sign-In
I created an app named Sightings https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sightings-for-pokemon-go/id1153442744?ls=1&mt=8 which is a companion app for Pokemon go where users can report sightings of monsters and those nearby would be able to see them or get notifications if the app is running in the background.
I submitted an update which was rejected by Apple because I used Google Sign-In. I thought it was the obvious choice for authentication methods since all Pokemon GO users will have one and it didn't violate an app guidelines so I responded using the resolution center.
I got a call today from Apple and try as I might I could not convince them that my using Google Sign-In does not link to Niantic or the Pokemon Company and you don't need to use the same account you use for Pokemon GO or even have a Pokemon GO account to use my app. They said if I switch to Facebook login or created my own that would fix the problem.
The token I get from Google when a user signs-in does not allow me to connect to Niantic's API even if I wanted to but this was lost on the app reviewer.
I submitted an appeal to the review board and will post an update once its complete.
- chetanahuja 10y agoWelcome to the walled garden of love. At least this walled garden "just works".
- feld 10y agoI'll take this walled garden any day over Android's open community garden where the neighborhood stray cats have turned it into their personal litter box.
- andybak 10y agoAre you referring to app quality? probability of malware? OEM clutter? Some of these are overblown so it would be useful to clarify.
- feld 10y agoThe amount of garbage and malware on the android app store. This includes fake apps trying to trick people makes the entire ecosystem toxic for any non-technical person (ie, someone who is also likely to click ads that fake UI elements like "download" buttons) The Apple "app review process" is worth it for the results.
- analogmemory 10y ago"try as I might I could not convince them that my using Google Sign-In does not link to Niantic or the Pokemon Company" Seems they're getting stick on this point not that you're trying to use Google sign-in
- rdowty 10y agoThey specifically said if I removed Google Sign-in and replaced it with Facebook sign-in or something of my own I'd be OK.
- deleted 10y ago[deleted]
- maxt 10y ago> I submitted an update which was rejected by Apple because I used Google Sign-In Friendly reminder you are at the whim of Apple Store admins who like to play the role of gatekeeper. I got tired of developing apps for them only to have them rejected for pithy reasons. I stress the word 'for', because it really felt like I was trying to please the Apple Store, and not my users.
- antidote314 10y agoI had better experience. Yes, the first app i've tried to publish was rejected after 7 days, but after adjustig to the quality standarst, I had no problems.
- nerdbites 10y agoPlease do post what happens now that you've raised the issue with the resolution centre. I look forward to seeing how they justify this.
- feedsyouneed 10y agoOops, that's not cool.. http://feedsyouneed.com/ http://feedsyouneed.com/
- rdowty 10y agoI got a reply to my appeal today. "While we understand your app is using a Google login, it still provides access to Pokemon services without the necessary permission. It would be appropriate to ensure that your app does not include the Google/Pokemon login." My response was this. "Somehow the reviewers seem to think that because I use Google Sign-In I can access all the data from any other app that uses Google Sign-In which I can't. I can no more get Pokemon data than I can access the users Gmail. My app only asks for basic information which is just the username (i.e. Ronald A. Dowty)."
- rdowty 10y agoI just got another call from Apple. This was the same person as last time and I'm still being told I cannot use Google Sign-In with my app because Pokemon GO uses it and they somehow think it related. They repeatedly said this is final and there are no further appeals an I will have to replace Google Sign-In with something of my own. I asked why Pokemon Go could use Google Sign-In and they said "because it's related". I asked them to explain that and all they would do is repeat "because it's related"...