Is 48 hours unusual?
Apple says most submissions are reviewed quickly, but the published average is not an individual deadline. Weekends, holidays, submission complexity, and incomplete information can change timing.
If the app is correctly in Waiting for Review, the status itself means Apple has received it and active review has not started. Forty-eight hours alone does not show that the queue is broken.
Run a verification check
Confirm the version is submitted, not merely Ready for Review. Check the selected build and App Review Information. Confirm agreements, export compliance, demo access, and contact details are current.
- Correct app, platform, version, and build
- Submission timestamp and current status
- No unresolved agreements or compliance questions
- Working reviewer access and complete notes
- No Apple message waiting for a response
When to keep waiting
If there is no critical user impact, no fixed event deadline, and no evidence of a submission problem, monitoring for another day may be reasonable. Keep the timestamp and screenshot so later decisions use facts.
If the case reaches three days, compare whether this is a new app, update, or resubmission before deciding whether to contact Apple.
See what your current delay means.
This is educational guidance, not a prediction of Apple’s decision or timing.
Verify the status at the source.
Apple defines Waiting for Review as a submission Apple has received but has not started reviewing. Apple also publishes its expedited-review criteria and official support routes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I request expedited review after 48 hours?
Only if the case meets Apple’s genuine urgency criteria, not simply because 48 hours passed.
Should I cancel and submit again?
Not without a concrete problem. Cancellation can alter the queue history and may not improve timing.
Can I use the acceleration service this early?
The eligibility check may route a very early case to manual review. The service is intended for material delays, not every 48-hour wait.
Related review delay guides
Not sure whether 48 hours is unusual for this submission?
Use the delay check for context. Early cases may need monitoring rather than immediate acceleration.
We accelerate the review process—not Apple’s approval decision.