13 Examples On How To Get More Reviews For Your App in 2025

Getting app reviews can feel like pulling teeth for most businesses. At the same time, how can you attract more customers if you don’t have a sparkling reputation? You’ve built a great product, but when it comes to getting users to leave a review, it’s crickets. Users are busy, distracted, and rarely think about leaving feedback, unless prompted. Everyone hates a pop-up though. What a conundrum!

Not trying to get reviews, however, is a huge missed opportunity. 93% of consumers say online reviews impact their purchasing decisions. Wondering how to get more reviews, many businesses are stuck using generic “Leave us a review!” messages.

Here's the truth: it doesn’t work. 

You need smarter ways to ask for app reviews. That’s why we’ve put together 13 examples of how to ask for reviews in a way that encourages users to leave feedback without inducing a spontaneous urge to delete your app.

What is an app review request?

A review request is when you ask users (nicely) to rate your app and leave feedback. You can do this in two ways: using a built-in, "native" request provided by Apple or Android or by showing them a little prompt first, called a "pre-request."

The native request is super straightforward, just a pop-up that asks users to leave a rating directly in the app. 

Native request. Image source. 

Simple.

But if you want to soften the ask, you can use a pre-request, like a "Hey, mind giving us a review?" If they say yes, the real review request pops up. Everyone does it, and it’s an okay approach. What’s more, both Android and iOS development frameworks have features that can easily enable this for your app. 

Pre-request. Image source.

Why improve reviews & ratings for your app? 

Should you be obsessed with improving your app’s reviews and ratings? Within reason, but yes. Speaking of reasons, here are a few why focusing on them is a good idea:

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• Boosts brand image. First impressions matter. When users see your app’s page on the App Store, the first thing they notice is your reviews and ratings. If your app has glowing reviews and high ratings, users trust your brand more. If the ratings are low, they’ll look elsewhere. A no-brainer, really, would you download a game with a 3.1-star rating or 4.8? Yup.
• Improves visibility. Good reviews impact your ranking too. App stores, like Google Play and the App Store, use your ratings and reviews to rank your app for keywords. A higher rating increases your chances of ranking higher. If your app ranks low due to poor ratings, it’s much harder for users to find it. That happens even if your star rating is alright, which is a bummer!
• Drives downloads. 79% of users check reviews and ratings before downloading an app. If your app has positive reviews, it stands out, and users are more likely to download it, at least to just try it, and that’s already a big win! Keeping users is often easier than luring them in. 
• Cuts costs. When your listing is stacked with fresh 4–5★ reviews, store CTR and install rate climb, teams often see double-digit lifts from a 0.5–1.0★ bump, so more installs arrive organically and your blended CPI drops. 
• Improves UX. Using Apple’s SKStoreReviewController or Google’s In-App Review API keeps people in flow and typically pulls 3–5× more responses than kicking them to the store. Target happy-path events, add a 90-day frequency cap, and route detractors to an in-app form so you get reviews while issues get fixed quietly.

Now, the question is, how do you do it? Check below.

How to ask for 5 star review

So, you want more app reviews? Cool. But if your strategy is “just hoping users feel like leaving one,” you’re in trouble.

People don’t wake up thinking, “I should review that app I used once while waiting for my coffee.” You’ve got to nudge them, subtly, strategically, and maybe even with a little charm.

Here’s how to ask for reviews without making users roll their eyes and close your app forever.

1. Start with eligibility rules, not copy. Before you ask anything, filter who’s eligible: crash-free last session, completed a success event (order delivered, level cleared, task saved), at least 2–3 sessions, and no open support ticket.
   To get more reviews without annoying power users, add a cool-down (e.g., 90 days since last prompt) and a lifetime cap. 
2. Ask at the exact moment the app paid off. Don’t prompt on launch. Tie prompts to a single “win” event per journey: booking confirmed, transfer sent, streak hit, shipment delivered. If your app is utility-driven, wait until the user successfully repeats the job once (session 3–5).
   For subscriptions, ask right after the “aha” feature unlock. This timing alone is responsible for most lifts in publish rate and average rating.
3. Segment the ask by sentiment. If you already collect NPS/CSAT or can infer mood from behavior (rage taps, back-to-back errors), route detractors to an in-app form (“please review and provide feedback”) and route neutrals/promoters to the native rating.
   Never gate content behind reviews and don’t incentivize, both stores frown on it and you risk takedowns. If you’re searching for clever ways to ask for reviews examples, the trick is targeting, not bribing.
4. Keep copy human and short. Two friendly lines beat a paragraph. Good microcopy beats “corporate ask” every day:

• “That export worked! Mind giving us a quick rating? It helps a ton.”
• “Order delivered, woo! If we made your day easier, a quick 5-⭐️ goes a long way.”
• “Is [Feature] saving you time? Tap to rate, 10 seconds, promise.”

That covers the spirit behind how to ask for 5 star review without explicitly demanding it. If you need review request examples for a help center, include variants for “success,” “first win,” and “streak maintained.”

1. Respect platform rules. iOS and Android both throttle native prompts, so plan for frequency caps, don’t roll your own popups that feel spammy, and never say “leave us a 5-star review or else.” Enforce your own cool-down (last_prompt_at + 90d), cap lifetime prompts (≤3/year), and never build a custom modal that mimics store UI.
   For teams searching how to ask for a Google review examples, reuse the same event-based triggers and keep copy consistent; the In-App Review API handles the flow in-line.
2. Measure like a grown-up. Track: prompt show rate, publish rate (ratings that actually land in store), average star delta 14/30 days post-prompt, review volume per 1,000 MAU, and “reply effect” on converted ratings.
   If publish rate is low, your timing is off; if volume is high but stars sag, your eligibility rules are too loose.
   Marketers: report the downstream impact, higher rating → better listing CTR → higher install rate → lower blended CPI, so stakeholders see why this work beats another ad set.
3. Roll out safely. Start with 10–20% of eligible traffic, compare against a holdout, then scale. Localize copy for top locales, and A/B test prompt text sparingly (content, not tone, usually wins). Add a “Remind me later” option for custom interstitials (when you link to the store page outside the native card) and log it to respect cool-downs.

13 app review request examples to steal 

After seeing many review requests over the years (bread and butter!), here are some of the best, most creative ones I’ve come across, and why they work.

1. Uber: “Rate Your Trip” With Stars

Image source.

Uber’s review system is simple but brilliant. After every ride, the app prompts you to rate your experience with a star system. It’s quick, easy, and right in front of your face as soon as you end the trip. No annoying pop-up, no unnecessary words. Just tap a star.

Why I love it? It’s frictionless and fast, two key elements in getting 

reviews. Uber got the timing and the minimal design right. You’ve just finished your ride, you’re likely in a good mood, and it’s easy to tap that star.

2. Headspace: “How’s your head today?”

Image source. 

The meditation app, Headspace, takes a much more personalized approach. Instead of just throwing stars at you, they start by asking, “How’s your head today?” It feels warm and human, not transactional. Depending on your response, they’ll gently guide you toward leaving feedback in the app store.

It’s good because it feels like a real check-in, like the app actually cares about your well-being. In many ways, it actually does! 

3. Slack: "We don’t want to bug you, but..."

Slack, the messaging app, uses humor in their review requests. One of my favorite prompts they use is: “We don’t want to bug you, but if you’ve got a sec, would you mind rating us?” It’s playful, polite, and makes you feel they’re not trying to pressure you.

Why I love it? The self-awareness. Slack knows how annoying constant pop-ups can be, and by acknowledging that, they make the request feel more human. You don’t feel like they’re demanding a review, it’s more of a friendly ask. They say a kind word goes a long way, and if you’re a stressed out of your mind person communicating through Slack, that just might be it.

4. Duolingo: “You’re crushing it!”

After completing a lesson or milestone in this app, you get a pop-up with a fun, celebratory message like, “You’re crushing it!” Along with that little dopamine hit, they slip in a request for a review: “Take a moment to rate us?”

Image source. 

Why I love it? Timing is everything. They hit you up for a review when you’re on a high, feeling successful. You’re much more likely to leave a glowing review when you’re already feeling like a champ, having learned a little bit more in Klingon or Gaelic. 

5. Tinder: “Swipe right if you love us”

No surprise, Tinder keeps it on-brand by using their iconic "swipe" mechanic in their review requests. Instead of just a boring pop-up, they’ll hit you with a message: “Swipe right if you love us! Want to rate Tinder in the app store?”

Why I love it? It’s just like Tinder. Swiping is their entire thing, and it feels fun and consistent with their whole brand identity. You’re already swiping left and right, so why not swipe right for a review? Or left, if you’re disillusioned with the app and the dating world in general! 

6. Spotify: “Thanks For Listening”

Spotify’s review prompts are simple but hit the right note (pun intended). After listening to a few songs or a playlist, they might send you a message like 

“Thanks for listening! Enjoying Spotify? Leave us a review!”

It’s minimal. It doesn’t feel pushy, and it’s triggered after you’ve had a good user experience. You listen to some music, you have a good time, and the app is something you use every day during your commute. 

7. Dropbox: “How’s our service so far?”

Dropbox goes for a more service-based approach with its review prompts. They ask, “How’s our service so far?” This makes it feel less about rating an app and more about providing feedback on the service itself, which feels customer-centric.

Dropbox makes you feel like more than just a number. They’re not asking for a quick, superficial review, they’re genuinely curious about how the service is working for you. That makes users feel more compelled to share. Also, note, ”how is it so far?” is basically something that means “you’re here with us for a while”, which is absolutely true. Dropbox, not even once.

8. Grammarly: “Is Your Writing Improving?”

Grammarly’s approach is one of the most clever ways to ask for reviews examples. They time it right after a clear win (e.g., you accept a batch of suggestions, hit a streak, or score 90+ on a doc), then asks a progress-framed question: “Is your writing improving?” 

If you tap “Yes,” it routes to the native rating card; if “Not yet,” it opens a lightweight feedback sheet that tags pain points (tone misfires, false positives, missed style rules) and attaches context like doc length and suggestion mix. 

9. Asana: “Has Asana helped you stay on track?”

Asana fires the nudge at natural finish lines, closing a sprint, completing a task bundle, or flipping a project to “On track”, not at open. The microcopy feels like a check-in, not a plea:

“Has Asana helped you stay on track?” 

A “Yes” flows to the store rating; a “No” opens a two-tap support path that auto-includes the last project context (overdue tasks count, collaborator churn, recent failures) so support can act fast.

The psychology is simple: you’ve just banked progress, so reciprocity kicks in; the system also filters out sour moments (incident tags, overdue spikes) to protect averages. It’s a clean, product-aligned how to ask for 5-star rating example without explicitly begging for five stars.

10. Zova's emojified rating request

Zova’s emojified rating request is a fun twist on the usual review prompt! Instead of plain old stars, they use emojis to gauge how users feel. If someone picks the heart-eyes emoji (basically saying they love the app), they’re asked to leave a review in the App Store. On the flip side, if a user selects the frowning face, they’re sent to a feedback form to share what went wrong. We’re seeing this approach getting used more and more often, and why not, you can convey so much through emojis alone.

When is the right time to prompt users for reviews?

If you want to raise app reviews, you need to be strategic, obviously. Here's what I’ve learned, and Apple’s own best practices back this up.

1️⃣ Never ask for a review on the first launch or during onboarding. 

Users are still figuring out your app at this stage. Asking them for feedback too soon can feel intrusive. You want them to form a real opinion before dropping the "If you like this app, please rate us 5 stars!" line. Besides that, why would you ever rate an app that you are not even familiar with? That’s how you get bad reviews.

Instead, wait until users are actively engaged. For example, after they’ve completed a key task, like finishing a game level or reaching a milestone in a productivity app. That’s when they’re most likely to feel positive about their experience, the perfect moment to drop an app review prompt.

2️⃣ Don’t interrupt users during critical tasks. If users are in the middle of something stressful or time-sensitive, a sudden app rating prompt is going to annoy them. And you don’t want annoyed users leaving reviews, right? Instead, find those natural breaks in activity, like after they’ve completed a transaction.

3️⃣ Lastly, don’t be a pest. Repeated prompts can backfire, big time. Give users time to breathe. If they don’t respond to the first iOS app review prompt, don’t hammer them with another right away. Let at least a week or two pass before asking again, and only after they’ve engaged with the app further.

Dan Counsell from Realmac Software shares how Clear for iOS handles the “Rate app” prompt in a smart way. The pop-up only appears after conditions are met: the user must have used the app for a few weeks and completed all remaining tasks from their list.

10 tactics to get more reviews and improve app ratings

Here are practical, no-fluff moves you can ship today on how to get app reviews.

1. Make reviews a two-tap flow (and keep it stable)

Ship eligibility first, copy second. Gate prompts behind: crash-free last session, success event fired, ≥3 sessions, no open ticket, 90-day cool-down, and a lifetime cap. Store a last_prompt_at timestamp and flip everything with a Remote Config flag so you can pause instantly if stars dip. Localize the microcopy for your top markets and keep it to two lines; long prompts tank completion. One of the answers to how to ask for 5-star rating example question is something like:

“Order delivered, woo! If we made your day easier, a quick 5 ★ helps others find us.”

On Android trigger the In-App Review API right after the success callback, not on app open. If the native card doesn’t render, log prompt_suppressed=true and expose a quiet “Rate this app” link in Settings instead of pestering users.
Quick wins you can ship this week:

• Limit prompts to one per journey and add a “Remind me later” for your Settings link.
• Exclude sessions with recent rage-taps or 2+ errors.
• Log prompt copy version in analytics so A/B reads are clean.

2. Start the conversation with micro-checkins (route happy vs. unhappy)

Use a one-tap pre-screen that feels like a human check-in: “Find everything you needed?” or “Was this export smooth?” routes to the native card; the emoji opens an in-app sheet with “please review and provide feedback” that files a ticket with device, locale, and last 10 events. That keeps store ratings clean while issues get fixed fast. 

If you need how to ask for reviews examples, pair the check-in with the win moment: “Nice, task complete. Got 10 seconds to rate us?”
Power users should see the prompt after a milestone; casual users after the third or fifth session. This is how you get reviews without bribing or nagging. For support-heavy apps, add a quiet CTA in the inbox or profile screen so people can opt in on their terms.
Execution tips that teams overlook:

• Add a 24-hour grace period after any refund, failed payment, or crash.
• Respect time-of-day; avoid late-night prompts if sessions spike then.
• For multilingual users, default the prompt to the device language, not account language.

3. Don’t be pushy

If someone says something nice about your business, don’t jump right in with “Can you leave a review?” Too soon! It’ll come off as you not actually caring about their experience, and that’s the opposite of what you want. 

You need to get reviews naturally.

Instead, read the vibe. If their response is short, don’t push it. But if they’re giving you positive feedback and seem chatty, keep the conversation going. Then, when the time’s right, slide in with a casual review request.

For example, you could say:
"Thanks for the feedback! We love sharing this with other customers. If you’re up for it, it’d be awesome if you could share what you said in a [platform name] review."

4. Use App Store Optimization (ASO) to increase downloads

Alright, I’ve got a ton of experience with App Store Optimization (ASO), but let’s keep it simple here since this article isn’t a deep dive into ASO. I’ll give you the basics so you can make sure your app gets more eyeballs, and with more eyeballs come more downloads, which means better chances of scoring those sweet reviews. 

cta_get_started_yellow

So, how do you not just improve app ratings but also make sure people even see your app? It’s all about leveraging ASO the right way. Here's a quick guide:

• Optimize your app title: make sure it’s clear, catchy, and includes relevant keywords.
• Add relevant media: use screenshots and videos to show off what your app looks like and how it works. 
• Optimize your app description: pack it with important info and sprinkle in some keywords, but keep it user-friendly.
• Use a killer app icon: It should be memorable and stand out. Seriously, don’t skip this one. 

5. Run contests for reviews

The idea is simple: offer a prize (like a gift card or a premium feature) for leaving a review. Users enter by posting their usernames, and you select a winner at random.

To keep things totally transparent, make sure you show who’s entered the contest and how you’re picking the winner. A fun way to do this is by tossing everyone’s usernames using Random.org to pick a winner. Don’t forget to snap a screenshot of the results to show there’s no funny business going on!

There are different ways to launch such a campaign starting from in-app, email, and WhatsApp messages to posting on platforms like Reddit or app development forums to gather initial reviews.

6. Provide excellent support, then ask for reviews

Turn fixes into fans. When someone hits a snag, reply fast, solve it, and close the loop with a short follow-up. In practice: surface real-time help (in-app support chat, searchable help center, smart chatbot), tag the ticket when the issue is resolved, and, 24–48 hours later, send a friendly check-in: “All set now? If yes, a quick rating really helps others find us.” 

That’s how to get app reviews from frustrated users without sounding pushy. 

7. Gamify the review process

One of the most exciting methods to attract people to write reviews and sharing feedback is to gamify them. Who doesn't like getting something for giving feedback? Based on my work with clients, giving things like discounts, extra content, or access to premium features can really influence the way people write reviews.

For example, once users finished a hard level, a pop-up might ask them to leave a rating in exchange for extra in-app points. It works like magic: users enjoy the reward, and the app gets a lot more reviews.

Here are some simple ways to make things more fun:

• Give discounts: "Give our app a rating and get 10% off your next purchase!"

• Unlock premium features: let people use special features in exchange for a review.
• In-game currency: provide players extra cash, points, or prizes

Allow users to unlock special levels or content when they rate the app. Gamification makes asking for feedback a fun and rewarding thing to do. You receive more reviews and users get what they desire. 

8. Target influencers for app reviews

The idea is to partner with influencers in your niche and ask them to mention or review your app. It could be in the form of a sponsored post, a mention in a video, or even a full review. I’ve seen companies succeed with influencer marketing. It’s next on our list, especially since social proof can have a massive impact on user trust and download rates.

9. Use multiple channels to request reviews

One channel is rarely enough. Orchestrate a simple cadence: show the native in-app prompt at a “win” moment → if it’s suppressed or dismissed, send a push 24–48 hours later tied to the same event → if still no rating, follow with a short email 3–7 days later that deep-links to your store review page → after a resolved support chat, ask in the same thread. 

This staggered flow respects user attention, avoids duplicate asks, and helps you get more reviews without extra spend.

Email works because you can personalize and deep-link. Keep it short: a single sentence, one button, UTM tags, and a fail-safe text link. Push should be event-gated (only after success actions) with quiet hours and frequency caps; if the user opted out of notifications, skip to email.

Messengers/SMS (WhatsApp, Viber, Instagram DM) are great for opted-in users with high open rates, use them sparingly, one ask per quarter, and always include an easy “no thanks.” 

Live chat is your closer: only after an issue is resolved and sentiment is positive, otherwise route to “please review and provide feedback” instead of the store.

Channel playbook with examples:

• Push: After “order_delivered” or “level_completed.” “That went well! Mind tapping to rate us?” For how to ask for a 5-star rating example, try: “Loving the experience? Tap to leave a 5-star review.”
• Email: 3–7 days after the success event if no rating was published. One-liner + button, e.g., “If we made your day easier, a quick rating helps others find us.”
• Live chat: Post-resolution. “Glad we could help! If everything’s sorted, a quick review would mean a lot.”

Guardrails that separate pros from spammers: suppress if there’s an open ticket, crashes in the last session, or a recent prompt (<90 days); cap per-channel asks (e.g., ≤2 emails/quarter, ≤1 push/month); never stack asks on the same day; localize copy for top markets; log an end-to-end funnel (sent → opened → tapped → store published) so you can tune timing by channel. 

10. Prioritize users with bad experiences

Don’t tiptoe around 1–2★ reviews, they’re the fastest path to visible wins. Treat them like priority tickets: reply publicly fast (aim <24h), move the conversation to a private channel (in-app chat/email), fix the root cause, then close the loop in public so future readers see the resolution.

When the issue is genuinely solved, follow up with a soft nudge to update the review (no incentives, no “please give us 5 stars”): 

“Thanks for sticking with us. If everything’s working now, would you mind updating your review so others get the latest?”

The best tool to turn power users into product champions

If your review queue feels like a firehose, Appfollow.io turns it into a calm, high-signal workspace. It pulls ratings and reviews from the stores your users actually use, Apple App Store, Google Play, Mac App Store, Amazon, Microsoft Store, plus Huawei AppGallery and Samsung Galaxy Store, so your team can see, reply, and learn in one place. 

Here’s what makes it the best tool to work with app user reviews:

• Centralized reply to reviews. Answer App Store and Google Play feedback directly from AppFollow, or from your help desk and Slack, via official connections, so responses publish reliably. 
• Fast, reliable ingestion. Add an app and AppFollow starts collecting reviews within hours, even at scale. 
• Prioritize what matters. Filter by stars, country, language; tag, assign, and track Review Statuses to move from “inbox chaos” to a clean SLA. Bulk actions keep big spikes under control. 
• Analysis you can act on. Trendlines, topics, and sentiment help your PMs spot regressions after a release and your marketers prove the impact of replies on rating lift. 
• Automations & alerts. Trigger notifications to Slack/Teams or your help desk when a 1★ hits, a keyword appears, or a country spikes, then route to the right owner automatically.

FAQs on how to ask for user reviews

How to ask for app reviews?
Ask right after a clear “win” (order delivered, goal achieved, level cleared) while the good feeling is fresh. Keep the message to one friendly sentence and make the benefit explicit: “Your rating helps others decide.” 

How do you politely ask someone to write a review?
Be specific and appreciative: “If today’s [result] made life easier, could you leave a quick review?” Avoid pressure or star-count asks. For more phrasing ideas, see our review request examples.

How to get more reviews?
Build a simple rhythm: ask after wins, follow up on resolved complaints with a gentle update request, and highlight community impact (“your rating helps us keep improving”). Run this weekly and you’ll steadily get more reviews.

How do you write a review request?
Use a three-part formula: context (“Your transfer’s done”), clear ask (“mind leaving a quick review?”), single action (“here’s the link”). Keep it under two short lines, clarity helps you get reviews consistently.

How to ask for reviews through text?
Send SMS soon after success while the outcome is top-of-mind, keep it under ~140 characters, and include only one clear link. Mind frequency, no more than one text per journey, and always thank the user.

How do you ask for feedback and review?
Use a two-path approach: happy users get the rating ask; unhappy users get a short form first so you can fix the issue. Close the loop with a personal note and a gentle “if it’s resolved, we’d value your review”, that’s your moment to say please review and provide feedback.

How can I request a review?
Lead with in-app timing tied to success, then use email or push for people who missed the moment. One message, one link, one clear benefit, this is how to get reviews without noise.

How to extract reviews from the App Store?
Centralize reviews in AppFollow, filter by stars, country, or version, and share a short weekly digest with Product, Support, and UA. Track themes and before/after changes to show progress in real language, not raw data dumps.

How to increase app reviews?
Make it a program, not a stunt: name an owner, set a weekly cadence, celebrate wins internally, and showcase user quotes in release notes and social. For inspiration, we’ve collected clever ways to ask for reviews examples you can adapt to your brand voice.

When is the best moment to ask for a rating after a “win” event?
On the confirmation screen, right after the payoff and before the user moves on. Keep it light, grateful, and skippable.

How soon after install should we show the first prompt?
After the user has experienced the core value more than once. Think “a few sessions in,” not “first day.”

Read also

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21 Mobile App Performance Metrics Behind App Store Success 

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How to Read App Ranking Analytics and Find Growth Gaps 

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