My app was removed from the App Store. Why, and can I get it back?

Also searched as: App removed from App Store · App removed from Play Store · App gone from App Store · App deleted from App Store

Updated 3 October 2026

Short answer

Usually because it fell behind. Apple removes apps that no longer work as intended, don't follow current review guidelines, or are outdated, and removes apps that crash on launch immediately. Google Play hides apps from people on newer Android versions if the app doesn't target a recent enough Android version. The way back is the same: update the app to current requirements, fix what's broken, and resubmit. Apple sets no time limit for coming back, as long as your developer membership is active.

What's the problem

Your app has disappeared from the store, or new users can't find it, or you received an email warning that it would be removed. Existing users may still have it, but nobody new can download it, and you can't easily ship a fix.

Why it happens

  • It went too long without an update. Apple evaluates apps on an ongoing basis and removes outdated ones, after warning the developer.
  • It crashes. Apple removes apps that crash on launch immediately.
  • It targets an old Android version. Google requires apps to target a recent Android version. Apps that don't stop appearing for users on newer devices.
  • The developer account lapsed. If the membership or account behind the app isn't active, the app can't stay up.
  • The warning went to someone else. Notices go to the account holder, often a developer who's moved on.

How to fix it

  1. Read the notice in App Store Connect or Play Console. It says why.
  2. Make sure the developer account is active and that you control it. See moving an app off your developer's account.
  3. Get the app building again with current tools: the latest Xcode and iOS SDK for Apple, and the required target Android version for Google.
  4. Fix crashes and broken features, and make sure its backend is live.
  5. Check it against current rules, including privacy policy, in-app account deletion and data disclosures.
  6. Submit an update. Apple sets no time limit on resubmitting a removed app while the developer membership is active.

When to call Preventionlabs

If the app builds and only needs a version bump, a developer can do this quickly. Call us when it no longer builds, its backend is gone, or it's years behind on everything. A resurrection gets it running, with its backend in your own hosting account, protected to MVP level and on scalable infrastructure. Store approval itself is Apple's and Google's decision, so it isn't something we can promise or include, but the app we hand back is one that runs.

Submit your project for a free assessment

Free assessment. $10,000 AUD flat to get it live, only if we take it on and you go ahead.

Sources

  1. Apple: App Store Improvementsdeveloper docsWe are implementing an ongoing process of evaluating apps, removing apps that no longer function as intended, don’t follow current review guidelines, or are outdated.
  2. Apple: App Store Improvementsdeveloper docsHowever, apps that crash on launch will be removed immediately from the App Store.
  3. Apple: App Store Improvementsdeveloper docsThere is no time limit in which a developer can submit an app after it has been removed from the App Store, as long as the developer still has an active membership in the Apple Developer Program.
  4. Google Play: Target API level requirements for Google Play appsdeveloper docsOtherwise, they will stop being discoverable to all Google Play users whose devices run Android OS versions newer than your app’s target API level

Related

How do I get my app onto the App Store and Google Play? Developer accounts in your name, a build that doesn't crash, a live backend, a privacy policy, and, for new Google Play accounts, 12 testers for 14 days first. My app crashes as soon as it opens. Why? The crash report names the line. Usually the release build lacks something the test build had: a setting or key, code stripped to save space, or a live backend. My app is on my developer's App Store account. How do I move it? Both stores let the current holder transfer an app to your account, keeping reviews and users. They have to start it, and you need your own account first. Everything in my project is years out of date. How do I update it? Get it running exactly as it is first. Then update in small steps (runtime, then framework, then the rest), testing between each, and replace what's abandoned.
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