The Pre-Launch App Testing Checklist: 48 Things to Verify
Before you hit submit on the App Store or Google Play, run through every item on this checklist. It covers the exact issues that get apps rejected, bad-reviewed, and uninstalled.
Feb 20, 2026·12 min read·AppTester.co Team
Most app launches fail not because of a bad idea, but because of preventable issues that show up the moment real users touch the app. This checklist is built from thousands of test reports, App Store rejections, and 1-star reviews. Go through it before every release: not just your first one.
Stability & Performance
8 items- App launches without crashing on all supported devices
- App handles no internet connection gracefully
- App handles slow internet connection (3G) without freezing
- App resumes correctly from background without data loss
- Memory usage stays within acceptable limits during extended use
- App does not drain battery excessively (background processes audited)
- All API error states display appropriate user-facing messages
- App does not hang or freeze during any user flow
Permissions & Privacy
8 items- Every permission is actively used and necessary for a core feature
- Permission request dialogs are shown at the right moment (not at launch)
- All NSUsageDescription strings clearly explain why the permission is needed
- App works with all permissions denied (graceful degradation)
- Privacy policy URL is live, accessible, and accurate
- Privacy manifest (iOS) or Data Safety form (Android) is complete
- All tracking SDKs are declared in the privacy manifest
- No data is collected without user consent where required by law
UI & Accessibility
8 items- All screens tested on smallest supported device (iPhone SE / small Android)
- All screens tested on largest supported device (iPhone Pro Max / tablet)
- App supports Dynamic Type: text scales correctly at all size settings
- Tap targets are at least 44×44 points on iOS / 48×48dp on Android
- Sufficient color contrast ratio (4.5:1 minimum for body text)
- VoiceOver / TalkBack labels are set on all interactive elements
- App supports both light and dark mode without layout breaks
- Safe Area insets respected on all iPhone models
Metadata & Store Listing
8 items- App name is unique and not misleading
- Description accurately describes the app: no false claims
- Screenshots reflect the actual current UI
- App icon meets all size and format requirements
- Age rating is set appropriately for the content
- Keywords are relevant and within the character limit
- All localizations are complete (if supporting multiple languages)
- App version number follows semantic versioning
Security
8 items- App is built in Release mode, not Debug
- No hardcoded API keys, passwords, or secrets in the binary
- Certificate pinning implemented for sensitive API calls
- HTTPS enforced for all network communication
- User input is validated and sanitized
- Authentication tokens expire and are refreshed appropriately
- Sensitive data is not logged to the console
- Keychain (iOS) / Keystore (Android) used for sensitive local storage
Store Submission Readiness
8 items- Demo credentials provided in App Review Notes (if login required)
- In-app purchases use Apple / Google payment systems (no third-party for digital goods)
- Restore Purchases button present for non-consumable purchases
- App does not reference competitor platforms in UI or metadata
- Content rating questionnaire completed honestly
- App has at least 3 substantive features or content screens
- No placeholder or lorem ipsum text in any user-facing screen
- Back navigation works correctly on all screens
Don't just check boxes: test with real humans
Checklists catch known issues. Real testers find the things you didn't think to check. Submit your app and get a full report from 1–10 vetted testers within 48 hours.
Submit for Human Testing: from $19