An indie developer's honest App Store submission log
LetDrum is a rhythm-drum game for children, built solo from scratch to submission. This page logs every milestone of its Apple App Store review, shared for fellow indie developers on the same path.
2026 · 07 · 11🚀 First Submission
LetDrum v1.0.20260711 was packaged in Xcode and uploaded to the App Store — Organizer showed Validation succeeded; in App Store Connect build 2 was attached with a Binary State of Validated, and a submission draft was created that evening, ready for review. Touch drum pads, falling-note rhythm levels, a mic practice pad, Family Relay, and the Theory Garden — all offline, zero ads, no data collected. Its first step into iOS review.
① Archive & validate in Xcode (Organizer · Distribute App)
Xcode Organizer shows LetDrum archived on 2026/7/11 9:40 PM, version 1.0.20260711 (2), status Validation succeeded; hit Distribute App to upload to the App Store.
② Build attached, Binary State Validated (App Store Connect)
App Store Connect's Build Metadata shows LetDrum: Kids Rhythm Games, Bundle Short Version 1.0.20260711, Binary State Validated — passed upload validation.
③ Draft submission created, ready to submit (App Store Connect)
App Store Connect shows iOS App 1.0.20260711 (2) as an Item Ready to Submit, sent for review together with the iOS version.
Xcode Organizer — LetDrum 1.0.20260711 (2) Validation succeeded (click to enlarge)App Store Connect — Build Metadata, Binary State Validated (click to enlarge)App Store Connect · Draft Submission — iOS App 1.0.20260711 (2) Ready to Submit (click to enlarge)
2026 · 07 · 16⛔ 1st Rejection
Reviewed on an iPad Air (M3) and rejected on two points — both minor, resolved by a quick fix and an honest reply:
Guideline 2.3.7 — Accurate Metadata
The subtitle contained a price reference ("free"), which isn't allowed in app metadata. Fix: remove the price wording from the subtitle and move it into the description instead.
Guideline 2.1 — Information Needed (1.3 kids privacy)
Asked whether the app includes third-party analytics/ads, shares data with third parties, or collects any user or device data. Fix: answer honestly in App Store Connect — none of it. Fully offline, zero ads, no data collected.
LetDrum: Kids Rhythm Games was approved and went live on the App Store. From the first submission on 07-11 to launch: 7 days, 1 rejection, cleared on the 2nd submission. Available on iPhone and iPad — no drum kit needed to start with rhythm.
App Store Connect — LetDrum approved, Ready for Sale (click to enlarge)
