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Guideline library
Apple App StoreDesign

2.5.16Widgets, extensions, and notifications

What this guideline means

A widget, Live Activity, or notification extension is reviewed as its own surface — it needs to genuinely work standalone, follow Apple's interface guidelines for that surface, and can't be used purely as ad space or a way to nag the user back into the app.

Why apps actually get flagged

Common when a widget is built mainly to show promotional content or an ad rather than the at-a-glance functional info widgets are meant for.

A real example

"Your app's widget does not provide relevant, timely information appropriate for the surface, per guideline 2.5.16."

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