Tips for getting your apps approved

Once your apps have been approved, they will automatically be posted for sale. You can opt out of this automatic posting during the application submission process, but you need to do so before you submit your apps for review. You will receive email notifications from the BlackBerry World vendor portal administrator when your releases and applications have been approved.

New apps can take 12 to 24 hours to appear on the BlackBerry World web store and device client. Once your application has been submitted for review, only the metadata (icons, screenshots, description, and so on) can be changed directly within the BlackBerry World vendor portal. Any metadata changes submitted after your application has been published can take up to 12 hours to appear on the web store and device client.

You cannot modify anything except for supported devices in a release that has been uploaded for review. To request your release(s) be removed from the review queue to enable for modifications, email appworldvendorsupport@blackberry.com.

RIM strives for a quick turnaround time for application approvals, but you can help by ensuring the following requirements are met:

  • All your.bar files (for BlackBerry 10 OS and later) or .cod files (for BlackBerry OS 7 and earlier) are included in your release bundle.
  • If your application sources third-party content, the Digital Rights form is completed.
  • If your application contains user-generated content (for example, chat with another user or upload a photo), the User-Generated Safeguards form is completed.
  • If your application performs any encryption method (HTTPS, SSL), the Export Control Questionnaire form is completed.
  • Your application, name, description or screenshot/icon images do not mention competitors or competing products.
  • The BlackBerry brand and trademark are used appropriately, as outlined in the Public Guidelines for Use of RIM Trademarks.

In addition:

  • Do not use the terms Berry, Blackberries, BBerry or alter the BlackBerry brand in any way.
  • Ensure that there is no implied relationship or association with your application and RIM (for example, "Britannia Concise Encyclopedia 2011 for BlackBerry," "GoFish for BlackBerry PlayBook," or "Companion BlackBerry app for Rezyde" are not allowed).
  • If you have obtained written authorization or license from RIM, you may use BlackBerry branding (BlackBerry PlayBook, RIM) within your application.

The guidelines for RIM owned brands can also be applied to other recognizable brands, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, or Microsoft. Generally, if an application name starts with a brand/company/product it implies an association and that it’s an authorized or official application submitted by that brand/company/product. For example:

Allowed

Not allowed

  • Player for YouTube
  • Chat for Facebook
  • Workflow for SAP
  • YouTube Player
  • Facebook Chat
  • Microsoft Excel Tips

What to do if your app is not approved

While Research In Motion strives to approve all third-party applications submitted to BlackBerry World, some applications will be denied. Some reasons for denial include:

  • The app contains broken links or buttons.
  • There are keyboard issues. The keyboard must use correct mapping and become visible when needed.
  • There are navigation issues. The user must be able to navigate through the app and go back to the home screen.
  • The app crashes or closes during use.
  • The app damages the device or causes excessive battery drainage.
  • The app release has missing .cod files or does not work.
  • The vendor does not have the appropriate digital rights to distribute the application.
  • The app violates the terms or conditions of the BlackBerry World Vendor Guidelines and the BlackBerry SDK License Agreement.

Some examples of policy violations apply when the application:

  • Promotes an illegal or potentially illegal act.
  • Is obscene (contains nudity or pornographic content) or is in bad taste.
  • Violates privacy (for example, tracking apps, sex offender lookups).
  • Is a web launcher without completing appropriate digital rights.
  • Is a spam tool.
  • Competes with BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service, including looking and/or functioning similarly to trademarked BlackBerry apps such as BlackBerry World or BlackBerry Messenger
  • Is identical to an existing application in appearance, feel, or functionality.

If your app is denied, search for the app in the vendor portal and click Move to Draft. Make the required changes to your app, releases, or digital goods and submit the app for approval again.