The Submit tab is the last stop for a version. It checks for anything that would block submission, holds your notes for App Review, sends the version for review and, once Apple approves it, releases it.
What you need#
- A version selected in the workspace with a build attached. See Builds.
- For a first release: privacy answers, pricing and age rating set in App Store Connect. Slipway links to them but can't edit them.
Follow the checklist#
The workspace sidebar shows an Update Checklist, or a First Release Checklist for an app that has never been live. The header above each version tab has a Next: chip that jumps to the first step that isn't done.
| Step | Done when |
|---|---|
| Describe your app | The primary-locale description is filled in and no locale has keywords over 100 characters. |
| Attach a build | A build is attached (or the version is already submitted). |
| Screenshots everywhere | No screenshot problems are blocking submission. |
| Make it easy to find | The Optimize score is 75 or more. |
| Category, age & price | First release only. A primary category is set. |
| Privacy answers | First release only. You've confirmed your privacy answers. |
| Notes for the reviewer | First release only. A demo account or review notes are filled in. |
| Send to Apple | The version has been submitted. |
Clear the precheck#
The capsule on the right of the version header reads Ready to submit, N blocking issues or Submitted, and opens this tab. Under PRECHECK, each problem has a Fix or Add button that takes you to the right tab.
Blocking issues stop submission:
- Keywords over the 100-character limit in any locale.
- An empty description in the primary locale.
- No build attached.
- No localizations, or locales missing iPhone screenshots (iOS). For macOS, locales missing Mac screenshots.
- First release only: no category set, or privacy answers not confirmed.
- An in-app purchase or subscription in Missing Metadata while the app has no approved purchase yet. Apple only takes an app's first purchases together with a version, and a product can't go until its name, price, availability and review screenshot are set. Fix opens the product's tab; the product's checklist shows what's left.
Warnings don't stop submission:
- Promotional text empty in some locales.
- What's New missing in non-primary locales (updates only).
- A demo account marked as required but not filled in, or no demo account on a first release.
- Export compliance not answered for the attached build.
- No subtitle in the primary locale.
- A product in Missing Metadata when the app already has an approved purchase. It just won't go to review with this version.
First release setup#
For an app that has never been live, FIRST RELEASE SETUP appears above the precheck:
- Primary category: pick one. It saves to App Store Connect straight away.
- Age rating: shows the current rating. Click Set in ASC to change it in App Store Connect.
- App privacy: Apple has no API for privacy answers. Click Answer…, then Open App Privacy in App Store Connect and fill them in there. Back in Slipway, click I've answered these in ASC. The button then reads Confirmed ✓. The toggles in this sheet are only a reminder; Slipway doesn't send them to Apple.
- Pricing: click Open ASC to set the price and availability. Pricing needs the Admin or Finance role.
Add notes for App Review#
Under NOTES FOR APP REVIEW, fill in Demo account, Password, Sign-in required to review, the contact fields (Contact first name, Last name, Contact email, Phone) and Notes. Click Save review notes to send them to App Store Connect.
Submit for review#
- In the inspector, under Release, choose Manual release or Automatic after approval. Slipway saves your choice to the version as soon as you pick it.
- Turn on Phased release over 7 days if you want Apple to roll the update out gradually. Turning it off removes the phased release.
- Click Submit for Review. The button stays disabled until there are no blocking issues.
- Check the summary (build, number of locales, and Also to review: every in-app purchase and subscription that is Ready to Submit) and click Submit. Those products go to App Review with the version. Apple usually replies within 24–48 hours.
Note — The release picker always opens on Manual release and doesn't show the setting saved in App Store Connect. Pick the option you want before each submission.
Track, cancel or release#
Once a version is submitted, the inspector shows a Status timeline: Submitted for review, Waiting for Review, In Review, then Processing for the App Store (or Approved — pending release).
- Cancel submission… appears while the version is waiting for or in review. Confirm with Cancel Submission. Resubmitting starts the wait over.
- Release to the App Store… appears when an approved version is waiting for a manual release. Confirm with Release. It's live within a few hours and can't be undone.
Slipway's menu bar watcher checks every 10 minutes and sends a notification when a version goes into review, is approved, is rejected or goes live. See Menu bar and notifications.
If App Review rejects the version#
When a version is rejected, opening the app takes you straight to the Submit tab, which shows App Review flagged this version. Apple has no API for App Review messages, so you read and reply to them in App Store Connect. Slipway helps you draft the reply:
- Under Reply to App Review, write what you changed, or paste the reviewer's message and click Draft with AI for a short, factual reply (under 120 words). This uses your own AI key and is free.
- Click Copy & Open App Store Connect. Slipway copies the reply and opens the app's distribution page.
- Paste the reply into App Review messages in App Store Connect.
If the rejection was about screenshots, Fix Screenshots & Resubmit takes you to the screenshot studio.
Tips#
- Warnings never block a submission, but if your app needs sign-in, review notes without a demo account are a common reason for rejection.