An informational post about how I received a 'Pending Termination Notice' and resolved the issue (외국 질문자들을 위한 내 앱과 개발자 계정 복구 과정 소개글)

https://www.reddit.com/r/iOSProgramming/comments/1h5jgor/an_informational_post_about_how_i_received_a/

From the iOSProgramming community on Reddit

 

Since people often personally ask me about the "Pending Termination Notice," I decided to write a post detailing how I resolved the issue and managed to restore both my account and my app.

To start, I’ll include the two posts I made on the iOSProgramming subreddit describing my situation and asking for advice. These posts have prompted others to frequently reach out, asking how I handled my own "Pending Termination Notice." I hope this post serves as a helpful guide for anyone facing a similar issue.

first post : https://www.reddit.com/r/iOSProgramming/comments/1edavvf/pending_termination_notice_can_you_help_identify/

second post :

https://www.reddit.com/r/iOSProgramming/comments/1edzqic/appstore_pending_termination_notice_could_this_be/

<The Situation>

The details of my case can be fully understood by reading the two attached posts in order. Ultimately, the process I followed to resolve the issue was submitting a formal "Appeal" to Apple. To prepare for this, I sought advice from the community on how to properly draft and submit an appeal. While reviewing my app, I couldn’t identify any major issues that would justify Apple's actions. However, I considered writing an appeal acknowledging potential minor issues and promising to correct them.

Despite this, I firmly believed that my app had no serious flaws, let alone ones warranting the actions Apple took. Submitting an appeal falsely admitting fault just to save my account didn’t sit right with me. Even if my app and account were permanently deleted, I decided to prioritize asserting my innocence.

<The Appeal>

Here’s the approximate content of my appeal:

• "After thoroughly reviewing the specific regulations you cited, I firmly believe that none of the alleged violations apply to my app. I developed this app entirely on my own, using original artwork and assets I either created myself or purchased legitimately. The music in my app is also properly licensed, and the app’s name doesn’t intentionally infringe upon others, especially since similar apps with comparable names continue to exist on the App Store.I suspect this action against my app and account may be due to a false-positive judgment by your automated systems. I kindly ask that you reconsider this decision, as my app does not violate any rules. If there is indeed a specific issue, I request clear guidance so I can address it appropriately. Otherwise, I urge you to review my app again and reinstate it along with my account."

This statement was drafted to fit the word limit in Apple’s Developer “Appeal” form.

<The Outcome>

After submitting my appeal, I followed up with Apple’s Developer Support team to ensure my case was being reviewed. The support team responded, explaining that their App Review team was overwhelmed with pending cases and asked for patience.

Approximately two weeks later, I received a message informing me that my app had been reviewed by four reviewers and was being restored, along with my account. (I estimated the number of reviewers based on Google AdMob statistics showing usage from four distinct PCs on the same day my app was reinstated.)

Apple’s App Review team sent me a message via Apple Store Connect stating, “Your app and account have been restored. Please review the guidelines carefully when submitting future apps.” However, the message offered no clear explanation for why my app and account were initially flagged, nor did it include an apology.

Although I felt their response was inadequate and even considered submitting another appeal to demand a proper explanation or apology, I ultimately decided not to pursue it further due to other pressing commitments.

<Lessons Learned and Advice>

From others who have shared their experiences with me, I’ve learned that not all appeals result in account recovery. However, even if an account is deleted, it’s still possible to submit a request for reinstatement.

If my experience helps you save your app and account, I’m truly glad. And if not, I hope this post offers encouragement to keep trying.

 

Note: In my case, I firmly believed my app had no issues, so my appeal did not acknowledge any faults. However, if you believe there are specific problems with your app, be transparent about them in your appeal and explain how you plan to address them. One individual who sought my advice identified and acknowledged a minor issue in their app, described their solution in the appeal, and successfully had their app and account restored.

 

Wishing you the best of luck!