Rubber Duck

Rubber Duck is a pre-submission testing service for iOS apps that combines automated scanning with human QA testing on real devices to identify App Store rejection risks. It analyzes IPA files for crashes, metadata inconsistencies, payment flow violations, privacy policy gaps, and technical compliance with Apple's guidelines. The service provides actionable reports within 4 hours to help developers resolve issues before official App Store review.
The core value lies in reducing App Store rejection rates by proactively detecting compliance gaps that trigger Apple's review delays. It addresses both technical flaws (e.g., crashes, performance issues) and policy violations (e.g., improper in-app purchases, missing privacy disclosures) through a dual-layer detection system.

The service performs automated static/dynamic analysis of IPA files to detect crashes, broken onboarding flows, and performance bottlenecks across iOS versions from 15 to 18. Scans verify 120+ App Store Guideline checkpoints, including Section 2.1 (App Completeness) and 5.1 (Privacy Compliance).
Human QA testers manually validate in-app purchase flows, data consent popups, and real-device compatibility on iPhone 12/14/15 models, replicating Apple's review process. Testers document reproduction steps for identified issues with screen recordings and device logs.
Users receive a prioritized Duck Report categorizing issues by severity (Critical/High/Medium) and guideline sections, including direct code references for crashes and metadata correction templates for App Store Connect.

Eliminates repetitive App Store rejections caused by common issues like placeholder content, incomplete builds, or undocumented data collection practices. Catches 95% of Section 3.1 (Payment) and 5.1 (Privacy) violations through transaction simulations and privacy manifest audits.
Targets iOS developers and publishers managing frequent app updates, particularly those using cross-platform frameworks (Flutter, React Native) prone to device-specific crashes. Ideal for teams lacking dedicated QA resources for App Store guideline compliance.
Used before initial app submissions, major version updates, or after receiving rejection notices to diagnose unresolved issues. Enterprise clients deploy it for compliance checks across app portfolios with unified reporting.

Unlike purely automated App Store review tools (App Radar, AppFollow), Rubber Duck combines machine learning-based code analysis with human verification of subjective guideline requirements like "app completeness."
Offers device-specific performance metrics (memory leaks, CPU usage) for iPhone 12 Mini/SE models where Apple frequently detects compatibility issues. Provides priority re-scan queues for Pro plan users during critical launch periods.
Maintains a continuously updated rule set based on Apple's rejection patterns, with 48-hour integration of new guideline changes. Includes proprietary detection algorithms for hidden payment bypass attempts and non-compliant third-party SDKs.

How long does a scan take? Most scans complete within 4 hours, with automated tests finishing in 30 minutes and human QA requiring 3-4 hours depending on app complexity. Priority queue access is available for Pro subscribers.
What happens if my app fails? You receive a Duck Report with severity-ranked issues, device-specific crash logs, and video evidence of policy violations. Critical issues include direct code snippets and App Store Connect metadata correction templates.
Do you test on real devices? Yes, tests run on 8 iPhone models including legacy devices (iPhone 12) and latest iOS versions. Performance metrics track frame drops, thermal throttling, and memory usage exceeding Apple's baseline thresholds.
What if I get rejected after using Rubber Duck? If the rejection reason wasn't flagged in your Duck Report, the team performs a free re-scan and updates detection rules within 24 hours. Historical data shows <2% of users face this scenario.
Can you guarantee App Store approval? No service can guarantee approval, but Rubber Duck reduces rejection risks by identifying 95% of common issues. It covers all Section 2-5 guideline violations but doesn't predict content-related rejections under Section 1.1 (Objectionable Content).

Catch App Store rejection issues before Apple does.