Troubleshoot iOS App Submission Errors

App submission errors can occur when you’re publishing your apps to App Store Connect. These errors include an error message from Xcode or during Apple’s app review.

We identified one or more issues with a recent delivery for your app, “[app name]”. Your delivery was successful, but you may wish to correct the following issues in your next delivery:

Missing Purpose String in Info.plist File - Your app’s code references one or more APIs that access sensitive user data. The app’s Info.plist file should contain a NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription key with a user-facing purpose string explaining clearly and completely why your app needs the data. Starting Spring 2019, all apps submitted to the App Store that access user data will be required to include a purpose string. If you’re using external libraries or SDKs, they may reference APIs that require a purpose string. While your app might not use these APIs, a purpose string is still required. You can contact the developer of the library or SDK and request they release a version of their code that doesn’t contain the APIs. Learn more (https://developer.apple.com/documentation/uikit/core_app/protecting_the_user_s_privacy).

This error can occur even if you aren’t using Location Messaging. If you aren’t using the SDK’s location messaging functionality, your users aren’t prompted to provide location permissions. This error occurs because the SDK includes references to CoreLocation.framework. During the app review process, the automated binary scanning detects these references and requires you to provide purpose strings.

If you aren’t using Location Messaging, add a purpose string to your app’s Info.plist file as a placeholder, as shown in this example.

1<key>NSLocationAlwaysUsageDescription</key>
2<string>Placeholder Purpose String</string>