Apple’s app review process is struggling to keep up with the rise of agentic coding, also known as vibe coding. The launch of models like Claude Opus 4.5 has made it possible for AI to build fully functional apps, leading some developers to take a hands-off approach and release updates without human intervention. As a result, long wait times are becoming increasingly common.
Established developers are reporting delays of up to three days or even a week in receiving reviews for their app updates, which is significantly longer than the traditional timeframe. Apple’s human review process, which used to take less than a day, is now being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of submissions.
To address this issue, two potential short-term solutions could be implemented: separate review queues for new apps and established developers. This would allow human reviewers to focus on more complex updates while automated reviews handle simpler changes.
However, it remains unclear whether Apple will continue to prioritize its human review process or adopt more automated methods to cope with the increased workload. As vibe coding continues to grow in popularity, it’s likely that the app review process will undergo significant changes to ensure timely submissions.
Source: https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/29/vibe-coding-developers-report-long-app-store-review-queues