Expedited App Store Review: When It Works (And When It Doesn't)
Your app has a critical bug. Or there's a time-sensitive event. Can Apple review it faster? Sometimes yes. Here's how to actually get an expedited review approved.
📋 TL;DR - Expedited Review Facts
- • Expedited review is real but not guaranteed
- • Request through App Store Connect → Contact Us
- • Critical bugs and time-sensitive events have highest approval rates
- • "We want to launch faster" is NOT a valid reason
- • Response typically within 24-48 hours
What is Expedited Review?
Expedited review is Apple's process for prioritizing urgent app submissions. Instead of the standard 24-48 hour queue, an expedited app can be reviewed within hours.
Apple doesn't advertise this service prominently, but it's been available for years. It's meant for genuine emergencies—not for developers who just want their app live faster.
Important Caveat
Expedited review is a request, not a demand. Apple reviews each request and decides whether to grant it. If you abuse the system with frivolous requests, they'll stop approving yours.
When Expedited Requests Get Approved
Based on developer reports and Apple's documented policies, here are the scenarios with the highest approval rates:
✓ Critical Bug Fixes (High Approval Rate)
Your live app has a bug causing crashes, data loss, or security vulnerabilities. Users are affected right now.
Example: "Our payment processing is broken and users are being charged twice. This affects approximately 500 transactions per day."
✓ Security Vulnerabilities (High Approval Rate)
You discovered a security issue that could expose user data or compromise device security.
Example: "We discovered an authentication bypass that could allow unauthorized access to user accounts. The fix is ready and needs to go live immediately."
~ Time-Sensitive Events (Medium Approval Rate)
Your app is tied to a specific event with a hard deadline—conferences, holidays, product launches.
Example: "Our app provides real-time coverage for the Olympic Games starting July 26. We need the update live before the opening ceremony."
Note: "Our marketing campaign starts Monday" usually doesn't count.
~ Legal/Compliance Deadlines (Medium Approval Rate)
Regulatory requirements force you to update by a specific date.
Example: "GDPR enforcement action requires us to update our consent flow by December 31 or face €500K fines."
✗ What Doesn't Work (Low Approval Rate)
- • "We just want to launch faster"
- • "Our investors are expecting it this week"
- • "We already announced the launch date"
- • "The feature is really cool and users want it"
- • "We've been waiting too long already"
How to Submit an Expedited Review Request
Submit Your App for Review First
You can only request expedited review for an app that's already in the review queue. Submit your build normally first.
Go to App Store Connect → Contact Us
Navigate to https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/ or click "Contact Us" in App Store Connect.
Select "App Review" → "Request Expedited Review"
Choose your app, select the pending submission, and pick "I would like to request an expedited app review."
Write a Clear, Honest Explanation
Explain your situation concisely. Include: what the issue is, who is affected, and why it's time-sensitive. Be specific with numbers if possible.
Wait for Response
Apple typically responds within 24-48 hours. If approved, your app enters a priority queue. If not, it continues through normal review.
Expedited Review Request Templates
Use these as starting points. Adapt them to your specific situation—don't copy them verbatim.
Template: Critical Bug Fix
Hi App Review Team, We discovered a critical bug in our live app (v2.3.1) that is causing [specific issue - e.g., "crashes when users attempt to save their work"]. Impact: - Approximately [X] users affected daily - [Describe consequence - e.g., "Users are losing unsaved data"] - Issue began after [date/event if known] This update (v2.3.2) contains only the bug fix for this issue. We've thoroughly tested the fix and confirmed it resolves the problem. We would greatly appreciate expedited review to minimize user impact. Thank you for your consideration, [Your name]
Template: Security Fix
Hi App Review Team, We identified a security vulnerability in our app that requires immediate patching. Issue: [Brief description - e.g., "API tokens were being logged in certain error conditions"] Risk: [Potential impact - e.g., "Could potentially expose user authentication tokens"] We've patched the issue in this update and conducted a security audit to ensure no other vulnerabilities exist. Given the security-sensitive nature of this fix, we're requesting expedited review to protect our users as quickly as possible. Thank you, [Your name]
Template: Time-Sensitive Event
Hi App Review Team, Our app provides [service] for [event name], which begins on [date]. This update includes essential features for the event: - [Feature 1] - [Feature 2] The event is [describe significance - e.g., "a major industry conference with 50,000 attendees who rely on our app for schedules and networking"]. Without this update live before [date], users will not be able to [specific functionality]. We understand expedited reviews are reserved for genuine urgencies. We believe this qualifies given the fixed event date and user impact. Thank you for considering our request, [Your name]
Why Expedited Requests Get Denied
Not Actually Urgent
If your "critical bug" is actually a minor UI issue, or your "event" is just a marketing campaign, Apple will deny and you'll lose credibility for future requests.
Too Many Requests
If you've requested expedited review multiple times recently, Apple will start denying them. Save this for genuine emergencies.
App Has Other Issues
If your app has guideline violations, it won't pass expedited review any faster. Fix the violations first.
Poor Explanation
Vague requests like "it's really important" or "we need this ASAP" don't give Apple enough information to justify prioritizing you over everyone else.
Alternatives to Expedited Review
If expedited review isn't appropriate or gets denied, consider these options:
Submit During Low-Traffic Times
Submitting on weekends or early mornings (US Pacific time) sometimes results in faster reviews due to lower queue volume.
Keep Updates Small
Bug-fix-only updates with minimal changes tend to review faster than major feature updates.
Server-Side Fixes
If possible, fix issues via your backend without requiring an app update. No review needed.
Feature Flags
Use remote config to disable broken features while you wait for the fix to be reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is expedited review?
If approved, expedited reviews typically complete within 24 hours. Some developers report same-day approval. But there's no guarantee—it depends on Apple's queue and your situation.
Can I request expedited review for a new app (not an update)?
Yes, but it's harder to justify. New apps rarely have the "users are being affected right now" urgency that bug fixes have. Time-sensitive events are your best angle.
What happens if I request expedited review but my app gets rejected anyway?
Expedited review only speeds up the review—it doesn't guarantee approval. If your app has issues, you'll get a fast rejection. Fix the issues and submit again (you can request expedited again if the original urgency still applies).
How many times can I request expedited review?
There's no official limit, but Apple tracks your history. If you request it frequently, they'll start denying requests. Save it for true emergencies—once or twice a year maximum.
Do I need to pay for expedited review?
No. Expedited review is free. Apple does not offer a paid fast-track option.
Avoid Needing Expedited Review
The best expedited review request is the one you never have to make. Our AI Review Toolkit helps catch issues before you submit, reducing the chance of rejections and emergency bug fixes.
Get the AI Toolkit