r/AppStoreOptimization

After struggling with traditional to-do apps, I realized the problem wasn’t only procrastination — it was the feeling of staring at an infinite list of expectations every day.

So I built Kindred.

Instead of managing endless tasks, the app focuses on making a few intentional promises to yourself each day.
The companion exists to make productivity feel more emotionally meaningful rather than mechanical.

Over time, the companion quietly mirrors your habits:
- intentional work strengthens your bond
- overcommitting drains energy
- rest matters
- consistency matters more than perfection

A few things I wanted to do differently:
- offline-first
- no account required
- no ads
- no subscriptions, just a one-time payment
- no social pressure
- no overwhelming setup
- simple UI for beginners, not productivity power users

The app just got approved on the App Store, and I’d genuinely love honest feedback — especially critical feedback.

I’d really appreciate any thoughts, critiques, or feature suggestions. There are also a lot more features and improvements I’m excited to work on moving forward.

App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/ph/app/kindred-kinder-promises/id6768028725

I have an iOS app called SellNow AI (https://apps.apple.com/app/sellnow-ai-seller-listings/id6766073238), where you just snap a photo, AI suggests pricing based on past sales, writes the description, and helps you post quickly on eBay, Fb marketplace, ect..

I got a feedback that my screenshots are not brand trustworthy. I need help redesign it, I’m willing to pay, but small bucks, not big bucks . Any takers? 😅😅😅

Thanks 🙏

So instead of putting actual screenshots of my app, I created from scratch all the screenshots with Canva. I wanted the screenshots to be more focused on the message, so I oversized some elements and removed others compared to how the app actually looks.

I launched my app a week ago, but not many downloads so far so no actual data related to conversions..

I'm curious if this is a good practice or if it's a bad idea.. maybe the user uninstalls when the actual app does not look exactly like in the screenshots ?

What do you guys think about my screenshots? This is the app if you want to compare: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spendtree.app

For context.. The idea of the app is that it's an expense manager app, but instead of categories, it only uses labels, so it's much easy to get detailed specific insight like "How much I spnet on food in my last vacation using the credit card"..

Any feedback is very much appreciated.

Hello fellow devs, when making an app i noticed i cant handle it all marketing, coding, support etc.

One thing that brings me most pain is user churn. So like why not stop them from churning with a offer with personalized offers. (so no more discount wars xD)

**COMPLETELY FREE TO USE ON ANY APP** (if interested just dm me)

Hey guys, I wanted some honest advice from people who’ve grown apps before.

I recently launched my app called WebAura: Private Browser. It’s mainly a private browser with media downloading, background audio, ad blocking, customization, extension support, and tablet/iPad layouts.

Right now: • Android is around 2 weeks old with about 2K downloads • iOS is around 1 week old with about 1K downloads • No paid marketing yet, mostly organic traffic

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.creedmotions.webaura

iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/webaura-private-browser/id6763145076

Website: https://creedmotions.store/apps/webaura/index.html

I’m at that point where I’m trying to understand what actually matters most early on.

Should I focus more on: • polishing UI/UX • improving performance/stability • retention features • onboarding • ASO/screenshots • building community • monetization • simplifying features • or just marketing harder?

The app already has a lot of features, so I’m also worried about adding too much instead of refining what’s already there.

Would appreciate real feedback from people who’ve been through this stage before, especially for apps in browser/media/productivity categories.

Hi everyone,

I built Shell Yeah because I was tired of spending too much time making “just one quick promo image” for app launches, updates, App Store screenshots, and social posts.

The idea is simple: drop in a screenshot, put it inside a realistic 3D device, tweak the scene, export. Shell yeah.

What it does:

• Import screenshots into 3D device mockups
• Choose canvas sizes/templates for App Store, social media, launch posts, etc.
• Pick devices like iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch Ultra, and Studio Display
• Adjust camera angle, device scale, screen zoom, and background
• Use solid colors, gradients, transparent backgrounds, or custom background images
• Apply motion presets
• Export still images or short videos

There’s a Pro version for things like removing the watermark, Pro motion presets, custom gradients, HD/4K export, and newer devices/features.

It’s made for indie devs, designers, and anyone who has ever whispered “this screenshot needs to look less sad” at 1 AM.

Would love feedback, feature requests, or brutal honesty.

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shellyeah-screenshot-mockups/id6768907932

I built an affirmation/self-help app and started testing Apple Search Ads. After spending around $83, I only got 11 installs with a CPI of $7.58.

What frustrates me more is seeing the App Store flooded with near-identical AI-generated apps, same UI styles, same screenshots, same features, same “self love / motivation / anxiety relief” positioning. Feels like ideas barely matter anymore.

Now it seems like the cycle is:
viral TikTok video -> paywall -> subscription -> repeat.

Most users forget to cancel subscriptions, and new apps keep replacing old ones every month. The store feels overcrowded and exhausting for indie developers.

How are people actually doing marketing in this environment without burning money?

Working on a new text feature: customizable backgrounds behind text blocks. Think highlighter effects, pill-shaped labels, or subtle emphasis behind your headline copy. Shoutout to u/ThePattio who posted a DIY version of this in the sub today.

Current controls (per text block)

• Background color
• Horizontal padding
• Vertical padding
• Corner radius

Testing now and planning to rollout soon but wanted to get your feedback first: Any additional controls needed? Gradient fills? Opacity control? Drop shadows? Something else entirely?

Video above shows it in action.

I kept ignoring my own reminders so I built something that would actually bother me.

Every notification is AI-generated for your specific task. So instead of "Don't forget: do laundry!" you get something that actually makes you laugh (and then do the thing).

Added "do laundry" as a test task. It reminded me: "Your clothes have been in that hamper longer than most people stay in relationships."

It's free, no account, no subscription. Just add a task and wait for the notification to clown on you.

Built with React Native + a Cloudflare Worker proxying OpenAI for the notification text. Just shipped a UI redesign tonight so the app finally looks as good as the notifications are mean.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/get-it-done-smart-tasks/id6760387046

Curious if anyone else actually finds it funny or if I'm just easily amused by my own app.

Helps you answer: "Does my app look good in search results?".

So you can optimize your icon, screenshot font size, etc. accordingly. And improve conversion.

Try it here: https://ezscreenshots.com/tools/app-store-search-preview

Hope it's useful!

Would you download based on these screens?

Description of the app:
TimeSwipe helps you quickly find the best meeting time across multiple time zones.

Swipe the timeline to explore different times of day and instantly see how that time translates for everyone in your group. Jump ahead to future days, compare working hours, and quickly identify when people are available.

Key features
• Swipe to explore time across cities
• Instantly see working, weekend, and unavailable hours
• Jump ahead days to plan future meetings
• Share meeting times with others even without the app.

Currently in TestFlight but want to release soon

https://testflight.apple.com/join/Twep2tpR

Hi everyone,

I released my new app recently, and I realize it’s a total flop (only 29 downloads since the beginning). I’m not really sure what’s going on. The screenshots look pretty good. I’ve tweaked the title, subtitle, and keywords, but I just can’t seem to rank.
It’s actually a pretty nice and easy-to-use app for tracking your expenses and budget. It’s much more modern than the apps that are at the top of the App Store.

Few statistics:

• 878 Impressions
• 29 Download
• 5.08% of conversion rate
• 3 trials cancelled immediately

This is my fourth app, and I'm starting to get desperate to have one that actually works

Do you have any ideas or a magic formula, please?

After months of building nights/weekends, I finally released the first version of Biona — an offline life manager for iPhone.

I originally built it because most productivity apps started feeling overwhelming to me—too many tabs, accounts, AI features, subscriptions, notifications, etc.

So I wanted something simpler:

• Todos
• Goals
• Mood logging
• Weekly insights
• Fully offline
• Clean dark UI

One thing I’m proud of is that the app works completely offline. No account creation, no data collection, no cloud dependency.

This is still only the beginning. My long-term vision for Biona is to turn it into a true “life super app” — one place to manage everything important in your life with a clean and calm experience instead of using 10 different apps.

Right now, this is v1, and I’m actively improving it.

Would genuinely love feedback from you, guys, so I can make it better!

Freemium

• Free download
• One-Time IAP for Pro Premium Version

App Store:
Biona: Life Manager

Hi everyone

I have been working on my app for the last 1 and half months

The app allows you to review flashcards before opening any app. You have to review 5 flashcards before unlock. The app idea found a lot of good feedbacks from learn Russia subreddit(really cool guys). Here is the post: https://www.reddit.com/r/russian/comments/1sgw5v0/i_made_an_app_that_allows_you_to_learn_russian/

But, after the initial boost from the reddit post - now, I have no success in growing my app

Totally I have 179 downloads

In May, I have only 33 downloads from ASO. Also, now I receive around 70-150 impressions per day and 0-5 downloads per day just from the ASO.

BTW, app is translated into 8 languages, and keywords, app name, title are different for each country available in App Store. But, for some reason only few keywords are ranking. And for some reason they are in France(anki keyword) and US(different positions from 100-200)

But, from 100~ users that come from ASO - I received zero purchases and no one started my free trial.

Not sure where is the problem, at this point I want to give up. I spend more then 1 week researching for good keywords, app name and subtitle.

So, want honest feedback about my app. Like, how bad it is? Is it complete fail at this point or there is some chances to improve my app somehow?

Also, I have no idea how to find negative feedback about my app. I have six 5 stars ratings and 2 positive reviews, which is good. But, without negative feedback from users - I do not know what is wrong and what can be improved. Any idea how to collect negative feedback?

The app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/learnscreen-flashcard-blocker/id6759922571

Necesito una primera impresión totalmente sincera 👀

Ya lancé mi app, pero aún estoy ajustando las capturas de pantalla de la App Store.

¿Qué es lo primero que se te viene a la mente al ver estas capturas?

No me refiero a lo que piensas después de leerlo todo. Me refiero a tu reacción inmediata en los primeros 2 o 3 segundos.

¿Entiendes al instante qué hace la app?

¿Alguna captura de pantalla te parece confusa, recargada o innecesaria?

Y una cosa más: ¿el personaje morado hace que la experiencia sea más memorable o distrae?

Tengo mucha curiosidad porque después de mirarlas durante días, ya no puedo juzgarlas objetivamente 😅

EDIT: More context 😊

I realized some people may have been trying to understand the screenshots without fully understanding the language, so here's a bit more context.

The app is called HeyPhone.

You create your own custom keyword and activate listening mode. If you can't find your phone later, you simply say your keyword out loud and your iPhone responds with a sound, even if it's on silent mode.

You can also set multiple keywords for different situations, use Apple Watch controls, trigger the flashlight in dark places, view weekly stats, and more.

Basically: less "Where is my phone?!" and more "Ah, there it is." 📱

I built ViewBuddy because movie/show discovery still feels oddly disconnected from the people you actually watch things with.

The app is for:

- seeing what friends are watching, rating, and reviewing

- comparing taste before you trust a recommendation

- building watchlists and playlists

- browsing as a guest before deciding whether to create an account

I'm the developer, and I'm looking for practical feedback from people who try a lot of mobile apps:

1. Is the purpose clear in the first minute?

2. Does the feed feel useful before you have a lot of friends on it?

3. What would make you invite one friend?

4. Does anything feel confusing, slow, or unnecessary?

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/viewbuddy-rate-review/id6759533775

No pressure to be nice. Specific criticism is much more useful than generic encouragement.

not a promotion.
but i really need your feedbacks to improve my app screenshots
do you have any feedbacks ?

Here’s link https://apps.apple.com/us/app/puplytics-dog-poop-tracker/id6767871361