App Store RejectionGuideline Google Play — Health — Health Apps Policy

Your Health App Is Making Claims Google Won't Let Pass Without Disclaimers

Health and wellness is a huge app category, but medical claims, diagnosis features, and health advice require specific disclaimers and careful framing. Here's what Google Play requires.

What Apple said

“Your app makes health or medical claims that require professional verification or appropriate disclaimers. Apps in the health category must include clear disclaimers stating that the app is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please update your app and app listing to include required disclaimers.”

What this actually means

Google Play requires that apps making any health-related claims include clear disclaimers that the app is not a medical device and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Apps that suggest they can diagnose conditions, replace doctor consultations, or provide medical-grade measurements without FDA clearance or similar approvals are rejected or removed.

What Apple needs to see

  • A clear, prominent disclaimer in the app stating it is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition
  • App Store listing description that doesn't make unsubstantiated medical efficacy claims
  • Any medical advisory board, professional review, or clinical evidence cited accurately and verifiably
  • A terms of service and privacy policy that clearly disclaims medical liability and describes health data handling
  1. 1Add a prominent disclaimer to your app's onboarding, settings, and any screen where health claims appear
  2. 2Audit your app listing description and remove any claims that use language like 'diagnoses', 'treats', 'cures', or 'prevents'
  3. 3Replace medical claims with wellness framing — 'helps you track' instead of 'diagnoses', 'supports healthy habits' instead of 'treats'
  4. 4Update your terms of service at yourapp.baseterms.com/terms with explicit medical disclaimer language
  5. 5For apps handling sensitive health data, update your privacy policy at yourapp.baseterms.com/privacy to explain how health data is protected and who it's shared with

While you're at it — Apple also requires these pages for every app.

Fix this rejection, then make sure you're covered on the compliance side too. Apple requires every app to link to a hosted Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, Support page, and Data Deletion page. No link means another rejection — just for a different reason.

Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Support Page
Data Deletion Page
Generate my compliance pages — $9

Common questions

My app is a symptom tracker — not a diagnosis tool. Do I still need disclaimers?
Yes. Even a symptom tracker should include a disclaimer noting that the app is for tracking purposes only and that users should consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns. The disclaimer protects you legally and satisfies Google's policy.
I have a doctor on my team who reviewed the health content — does that help?
It helps legitimacy but doesn't automatically satisfy Google's policy. You should mention professional review in your app and Play Console listing, but still include standard disclaimers. Consider adding credentials to your app's about section or support page.
My app connects to a wearable and shows health metrics — what's the risk?
Health metrics from consumer wearables come with inherent measurement limitations. If your app shows heart rate, SpO2, or other clinical-sounding metrics, include in-app disclaimers that these readings are for wellness purposes and not medical-grade measurements. This is especially important for metrics that could influence medical decisions.