App Store guideline 4.2.7: Remote Desktop Clients
A remote desktop app that mirrors specific software or services, rather than acting as a generic mirror of the host device, must meet five conditions. Unofficial explanation, not affiliated with Apple. Apple's text prevails.
- Guideline
- 4.2.7 Remote Desktop Clients
- 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) It connects only to a host that the user owns, a personal computer or dedicated game console, with host and client on the same local, LAN-based network.
- (b) Any software or services visible in the client run entirely on the host and are rendered on the host's screen, and may use no APIs or platform features beyond what streaming the remote desktop needs.
- (c) All account creation and management starts on the host.
- (d) The client interface must not look like an iOS or App Store view, must not act as a store, and must not let users browse, select or buy software they do not already own or license. Transactions inside mirrored software need not use in-app purchase if they are processed on the host.
- (e) Thin clients that front cloud-based apps do not fit the App Store.
Related guidelines
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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