Maintaining a safe App Store experience

The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users around the world to discover and download apps.

Apple maintains the safety of the App Store by offering a curated store where every app is reviewed by a member of the App Review team. App submissions are reviewed to help ensure they meet Apple’s high standards for privacy, security, and safety — consistent with the App Review Guidelines.

As threats have evolved in scope and complexity, Apple constantly expands its antifraud initiatives to address these challenges and to help protect users. Every day, teams at Apple monitor and investigate fraudulent activity on the App Store. They utilize sophisticated tools and technologies to remove bad actors.

Apple also provides a range of tools and resources to help users make informed decisions about which apps to download, make purchases safely, and report suspicious activity. Together, users, developers, and Apple can continue to keep the App Store a safe and trusted place for all.

View an app’s product page

Privacy Nutrition Labels

Every app product page on the App Store features an App Privacy section. These provide a clear summary of how your data — like location, browsing history, and contacts — may be collected and used, helping you to make informed download decisions. Learn more about the privacy information section.

Ratings & Reviews

Ratings and reviews help users discover great apps with insights from others who have already used them. Apple works continuously to remove fraudulent, duplicate, or inappropriate ratings and reviews to keep this feedback reliable and relevant for users.

Protecting your purchases

In-App Purchases

Apple’s In-App Purchase system is designed to provide a safe and seamless way for you to make digital purchases. Learn more about In-App Purchases.

  • End-to-End Encryption — Your transactions are processed securely with encryption to protect your financial details.

  • Fraud Detection — Apple uses advanced fraud detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity.

  • Request a Refund — If you experience an issue with a purchase, you can request a refund directly through Apple. Learn how to request a refund.

Manage your purchases and subscriptions

After you download an app or make a purchase of digital goods and services, you can review your activity and manage your account.

Customer support when you need it

Request a refund for a purchase

If you experience an issue with a purchase, you can request a refund directly through Apple. Sign in to reportaproblem.apple.com and choose “Request a refund”. Learn more about how to request a refund.

Report a problem with an app or In-App Purchase

You can also report problematic apps at reportaproblem.apple.com. Apple will investigate and remove any apps that are found to be malicious.

What to do if you suspect fraudulent activity

Across Apple, there are a number of experts — from App Review to Trust & Safety teams — that work around the clock to detect, investigate, and prevent malicious activity on the App Store before it can reach users.

In addition to the work of these teams, there are resources, such as an app’s Privacy Nutrition Label and user ratings and reviews, to help you make informed decisions on which apps to download.

Report suspicious app activity

If you suspect suspicious activity in an app that you downloaded from the App Store, report it at reportaproblem.apple.com. Apple investigates and takes swift action accordingly.

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