How many of you have come across this line ‘Your app has failed Microsoft’s Certification’? Quite a few?

Well, then let us make all your lives easier and save you from being charged that extra 1 credit through a few simple steps.

7 quick checks to pass Microsoft’s Certification requirements:

1. The app list icons ( large mobile app icon, small mobile app icon, large PC app icon and background icon) that you submit should be the same icons when installed on the device also.
2. The app list icons and ‘pin-to-start’ icon should not be default/generalized Windows Phone icons: they should be your personalized icons. Note that the app icons need to be of the required dimensions and should be in non-transparent PNG format.
3. The app’s screenshots that you submit should not include any part of the emulator – only the app content should be seen clearly. Note that the screenshots need to be of the required dimensions and should be in non-transparent PNG format. Also know that graphically enhanced screenshots are not accepted.
4. The app should not reach a state where on pressing the device’s ‘back’ button, the app does not exit. Note that the ‘Back’ button of the device must only be used for backward navigation in the app. Make sure that on pressing ‘Back’ button on the device, the app returns to the previous page of the app. If it is the first screen of the app, then on pressing the ‘Back’ button, the app should close.
5. If the content of your app supports any language other than English, make sure to mention the language(s) in the detailed description. Also write the detailed description, featured description (if any) and keywords in English and the other supported language(s).
   5 out of every 10 submissions do not follow this – a good amount of apps are in localized languages.
6. Make sure that all the content/elements of your app are visible and legible no matter what the theme of the phone is set to. For instance, if the theme is changed from light to the dark, the text and other elements must be easily seen and readable.
7. ADDED on July 2011: Your App will fail certification if a Neutral Language is not set. For more information on how to localize your application and how to set a Neutral Language, see: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff637520(v=VS.92).aspx

For more details on the submission/certification requirements and errors – please visit the sections ‘Application Submission Requirements’ and ‘Technical Certification Requirements’ at following link:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh184843(v=VS.92).aspx

We are sure that this will reduce the time you need to get your Apps up there to the Marketplace and avoid you a couple of days of waiting for your test reports to come.

Keep sending your Apps!

Yalla Apps.