App Store guideline 4.1: Copycats
Apps may not copy other apps, impersonate other apps or services, or use another developer's icon, brand or product name without approval. Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails.
- Guideline
- 4.1 Copycats
- Section
- 4. Design
- This page
- Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails.
- Version
- Guidelines last updated October 16, 2026
- Official source
- Apple's App Review Guidelines
What it means
- (a) Developers are asked to come up with their own ideas. Copying a popular app, or making minor changes to another app's name or interface and passing it off as one's own, is what the guideline warns against. The text adds that this risks an intellectual property claim, makes the App Store harder to navigate and is unfair to other developers.
- (b) Submitting apps that impersonate other apps or services is a violation of the Developer Code of Conduct.
- (c) Another developer's icon, brand or product name cannot be used in an app's icon or name without that developer's approval.
What reviewers look at
The guideline says impersonation can lead to a developer being removed from the Apple Developer Program.
Apple's text
This page is an unofficial explanation in our own words. Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails. Apple's wording is on its page, linked below.
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