Once you’ve finished creating your app, it’s time to submit it to the App Store. This process sounds simple, but if you’ve never published an app before, it can be trickier than you might think. Here are seven steps to publishing your iOS app in the App Store.
Make sure you meet Apple’s requirements
Before launching your app, you need to make sure it meets the App Store Review Guidelines. These guidelines explain what Apple expects regarding the app quality and details provided about the app.
These guidelines are constantly changing, so you’ll want to review them for each app you submit to the app store. You’ll also want to ensure you meet Apple’s legal requirements and the requirements of any country in which you’re launching the app.
Create a developer account
You'll need to create a developer account before you can upload your app to the app store. Developer accounts cost $99 per year for individuals and organizations. If you’re a sole proprietor or single-member business, you’ll sign in with your Apple ID and provide your personal information.
Organizations will need to provide a D-U-N-S Number, which is a nine-digit number assigned by Dun & Bradstreet. A D-U-N-S Number helps Apple evaluate and learn more about your business.
Your organization must be a registered legal entity, and you must have the authority to agree to Apple’s legal agreements. Your business must also have a publicly available website with a domain name associated with your organization.
Once your app is uploaded, you’ll need to beta-test it using TestFlight.
Create a new app
Once you’ve created a developer account, you’ll open My Apps and click the plus button to create a new app. Next, you’ll list the app’s name and primary language, which is the app's main language.
You’ll also indicate whether your app will be available to all App Store users or only specific groups. Next, you’ll enter localized information about your app, pricing guidelines, and the privacy policy URL.
Upload the app using Xcode
Once you’ve entered all the relevant information, you’ll upload the build through Xcode. Open the app in Xcode and choose Generic iOS device as the deployment target. New apps will need an app version of 1.0.0.
In the main menu, choose Product and then click on Archive to let it bundle your app. The Xcode Organizer will launch, and you’ll click Distribute App to upload your build to the App Store.
Test your app
Once your app is uploaded, you’ll need to beta-test it using TestFlight. Testers will use the TestFlight app to install your app and provide feedback. You can receive feedback on your app from up to 10,000 users before submitting it to the App Store. This step is a good way to identify problems with your app before submitting it for review.
Add additional info about your app
You’ll want to add additional information about your app to make it more easily searchable and improve its App Store listing. For example, Apple allows you to upload up to 10 screenshots, giving users a better idea of what your app is like.
You can also include an app preview, which is a short promotional video explaining the app’s main features. It’s also a good idea to have a detailed description with relevant keywords.
Submit the app for review
Once your app is ready to be publicly released, you can submit it for review. According to Apple, 90% of submissions are reviewed in less than 24 hours. You can monitor your review status in the My Apps section of the App Store, and Apple will email notices about any status changes.
Once your app is approved, you can choose how and when it will be released. You can release the app manually, automatically, or on a specific date in the future.
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