App Store RejectionGuideline Google Play — Impersonation — Impersonation Policy

Your app looks too much like another brand. Here's how to fix that.

Using an icon, name, or color scheme that resembles a well-known app is a direct path to an impersonation rejection on Google Play. Even unintentional similarities can trigger the policy. This guide explains what constitutes impersonation and how to create a clearly distinct identity.

What Apple said

“Your app's name, icon, and description are confusingly similar to an existing well-known app. This may mislead users into thinking your app is affiliated with or endorsed by the developer of that app. Please update your app's identity to clearly distinguish it from similar apps.”

What this actually means

Google Play's impersonation policy protects established brands and users from confusion. If your app's name, icon, screenshots, or description could cause a reasonable user to believe it is made by or affiliated with another company, you'll be rejected. This applies to famous apps, well-known brands, and even smaller apps with established identities in your category.

What Apple needs to see

  • An app name that is clearly your own and not a variation or misspelling of an existing well-known app
  • An icon with original design that doesn't replicate the color scheme, shape, or visual style of a recognizable app
  • No use of another company's trademarked name, logo, or branding elements anywhere in your listing
  • A description written in your own brand voice that doesn't reference or compare directly to the app you're accused of impersonating
  1. 1Redesign your app icon to be visually distinct — change the primary shape, color palette, and any design elements that resemble the flagged app
  2. 2Rename your app if the name is similar to an existing app — even adding generic words around a brand name still constitutes impersonation
  3. 3Search Google Play and the trademark database for your proposed new name before resubmitting
  4. 4Update your store listing, screenshots, and promotional graphics to remove any visual similarities to the competing brand
  5. 5Update your terms of service and support materials to use your own brand identity consistently — BaseTerms-hosted pages will use your app name, reinforcing your distinct identity

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

I wasn't trying to copy anyone — can I appeal?
Yes, but similarity is judged by how users perceive it, not by intent. If a reasonable user could confuse your app with another, Google's policy applies regardless of intention. The fastest path forward is to redesign the elements that look similar and resubmit rather than spending weeks in an appeal process.
My app is genuinely a competitor — can I mention the other app at all?
You can make factual comparative statements in your description using terms like 'alternative to' if they're accurate. What you cannot do is use the other app's trademarked name in your own app name, icon, or in a way that implies affiliation. Keep comparisons to the description only and keep them factual.
How do I check if my app name is already trademarked?
Search the USPTO trademark database at tmsearch.uspto.gov for US trademarks. For global coverage, use the WIPO Global Brand Database. Search both the exact name and common variations. If you find a conflict, choose a different name before investing further in your brand.