How to Submit Your App to the App Store in 2020
You are launching your first app, or it may be sometime before the last time. Submitting an app to the App Store is not as simple as pushing the launch button, but it is not as complicated as it may seem.
This step-by-step post assumes that you are already enrolled in the Apple Developer Program, your app follows Apple's App Review and Human Interface Guidelines, and you are ready to ship. This is an update to Gustavo Ambrozio and Tony Dahura's awesome guide, which contains information on the latest version of Xcode that streamlines some steps and further context from Apple's own documentation. Here's what to do to distribute your app for beta testing or to go live in the App Store (tl, dr).
1. Code Signing: Create an iOS distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate
The development provisioning profile and development certificate you are using are for specific tools only. To distribute your app to users through a beta tester or the App Store, you will need a separate distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate.
The easiest way to do this is Xcode. If automatic signing is enabled, Xcode will create and manage certificates, signature identification, and device registration for you. If automatic signatures are already enabled or if you do not need help signing, you can proceed to step two.
(In some cases, you may prefer manual signing. Here is an in-depth tutorial for manually signing your app. Keep in mind that all targets in the bundle use the same signature method.)
If you haven't already, first add your developer program account to Xcode. From the top menu, select Xcode, then select Preferences.
Click on accounts. In the lower left corner of the window, press the + sign, then add Apple ID….
Enter the Apple ID and password you used for the Apple Developer Program, then click Sign In.
Next, enable automatic signature. From the project editor, select a goal and choose General.
Scroll down to the "Signature" section and click on the triangle icon to expand the settings.
Click the box to automatically manage signing. Select your team.
How to submit an app to the App Store
When you connect a new device to your Mac, Xcode will automatically detect and register your team provisioning profile. Note that to launch your app on a device, the device must be registered on your team provisioning profile.
2. Create an App Store Connect record for your app
app Store
Get an App Store Connect account by:
Creating your own App Store Connect organization and being a team agent. Sign in with the Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program
Or being invited by an existing organization as a user with an administrator, technical or app manager role. Read more information about the App Store Connect user accounts here.
For PAID APPS
If you are submitting a paid app, you will need to sign a contract, which includes the payment terms. If your app is free, you can skip ahead.
Click on Agreements, Tax and Banking on the App Store Connect dashboard.
Click on the request under "Request Agreement".
Review the agreement that appears, check the box to agree to the terms, and click "Submit".
Click Set up in the Contact Information column under "Procedures in Contract".
In the window that appears, click Add New Contact and enter your information.
Under "Process in Contract" in the "Bank Information" column, then click on Set Up then Add Bank Account and follow the instructions to save your account information.
In the "Tax Information" column, click Set Up. A US tax form is mandatory, so click on set up and fill in the required information. Set the tax form of any other country required.
After you complete the above, the contract status will now be called "Processing". After Apple has verified the information provided by you, which will take approximately one hour, the contract will now appear under "Effect in Agreement".
Add a new APP
In the App Store Connect dashboard, select My Apps.
Click the + sign in the upper left hand corner, then the new app.
To create a new App Store Connect record, you will need these details: Platform, App Name, Default Language, Bundle ID and SKU. You can't actually change these details later, so be sure what you enter.
Use keywords in your application name to optimize for search.
The bundle ID must be an exact match to the bundle identifier in your Xcode Project Info.plist file (General> Identification section of the target).
The SKU is not visible to users and is up to you to set. This can be an identifier that you use in your company or something else that is meaningful to you. Acceptable characters include letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and underscores, and must begin with a letter or number.
If applicable, you can also set user access at this step.
3. Archive and upload your app using Xcode
Before you can submit your app for review via App Store Connect, you will need to upload the build via Xcode.
In Xcode, select the generic iOS device as the deployment target.
Select the product from the top menu and click Archive.
Xcode will launch the Organizer, which will display any archives you have created in the past.
Make sure the current build is selected and click Upload to App Store in the right-hand panel.
Select your credentials and click Select.
In the next window that appears, click Upload in the bottom right corner.
A success message will appear when the upload is complete. Click done.
4. Configure your app's metadata and further details in its App Store Connect record
In the "App Information" page, under the "App Store" tab in App Store Connect, you can add additional languages, categories, and your app's privacy policy URL.
Set your app for free or select its price level on the "Pricing and Availability" page.
Under the "Features" tab, you can add configurations to any app store technologies such as Game Center and in-app purchases in your app.
At this stage, your app is marked with a yellow dot and a "ready for submission" status in the left-hand panel below "App Store". Select the configuration you want to configure. This is where you will add information for your product page on the App Store
app Store
Upload screenshots of your app (in JPEG or PNG format and without status bar). You can upload a set of screenshots for one device and use them for all other sizes.
After uploading your screenshot, click save in the upper right corner of the window.
Scroll down and enter your application description, keywords, support URL and marketing URL.
Your application description and keywords are important. Make sure you optimize them for search.
The support URL can be as simple as a landing page with a contact form.
The marketing URL can be your app's website and is optional.
In the "General App Information" section below, upload your app's icon, enter its version number and copyright and contact information.
Your app's icon should be 1024px x 1024px.
The version number must match the one in Xcode.
Copyright information typically looks like this: "Copyright (c) 2017, Instabug, Inc."
The contact information here is what will be displayed to the users.
Click Edit next to "Rating" and select the applicable options for your app. Be honest - your app may be rejected during the review if it does not match its rating.
Under the "Application Review Information" section, enter your contact information, any notes you have for the reviewer, and set the version release date.
Contacters here have information for the reviewer when they need to reach you directly.
Notes for the reviewer may include information about specific hardware they may need to use or user account information.
For earlier releases, you should usually leave the version release date automatically.
In the upper-right corner, click Save. Now you're almost ready to "submit for review".
5. Submit your app for review
Scroll to the "Build" section in your app's App Store Connect record.
Click "Choose a Build" before submitting your application.
Select the build you uploaded via Xcode. Click on the lower right corner, then save in the top-right corner, then submit for review.
Finally, answer the export compliance, content rights and advertising identifier questions and click submit
The status of your application is now "waiting for review".
6. Check the status of your app
In App Store Connect, select Activity in the top horizontal menu, then the App Store version in the left-hand panel.
APP STROVAL to get how long it gets?
In most cases, it takes about one to three days to get approval, and it can take up to 24 hours for your app to appear in the App Store after approval. See the current average App Store review bar here.
You will receive email notifications in each step. Read about each situation here.
If you are on a tight timeline and need to align your release with a specific event or if you need to release a new version with immediate bug fixes, you can request a reviewed review.
If your APP is REJECTED
You must make the necessary corrections before resubmitting your app for review. Use the resolution center in the App Store Connect to communicate with Apple about any questions you have. If you believe that your app has been rejected incorrectly, then you can increase this problem and submit an appeal.
One of the most common reasons for rejection from the Apple App Store is performance. Make sure your app is complete and that you have thoroughly checked it and fixed all bugs. Beta testing using bug reporting tools will help reduce the chances of your app getting rejected due to performance issues.
If your APP is APPROVED
congratulation! Now you are on the App Store. You can view downloads, sales, ratings and reviews directly in the App Store Connect.
Here's how to submit your app to the Apple App Store:
Create an iOS distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate
Create an App Store Connect Record for your app
Upload your app using archive and Xcode
Configure your app's metadata and further details in its App Store Connect record
Submit your application for review
Check the status of your app
You are launching your first app, or it may be sometime before the last time. Submitting an app to the App Store is not as simple as pushing the launch button, but it is not as complicated as it may seem.
This step-by-step post assumes that you are already enrolled in the Apple Developer Program, your app follows Apple's App Review and Human Interface Guidelines, and you are ready to ship. This is an update to Gustavo Ambrozio and Tony Dahura's awesome guide, which contains information on the latest version of Xcode that streamlines some steps and further context from Apple's own documentation. Here's what to do to distribute your app for beta testing or to go live in the App Store (tl, dr).
1. Code Signing: Create an iOS distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate
The development provisioning profile and development certificate you are using are for specific tools only. To distribute your app to users through a beta tester or the App Store, you will need a separate distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate.
The easiest way to do this is Xcode. If automatic signing is enabled, Xcode will create and manage certificates, signature identification, and device registration for you. If automatic signatures are already enabled or if you do not need help signing, you can proceed to step two.
(In some cases, you may prefer manual signing. Here is an in-depth tutorial for manually signing your app. Keep in mind that all targets in the bundle use the same signature method.)
If you haven't already, first add your developer program account to Xcode. From the top menu, select Xcode, then select Preferences.
Click on accounts. In the lower left corner of the window, press the + sign, then add Apple ID….
Enter the Apple ID and password you used for the Apple Developer Program, then click Sign In.
Next, enable automatic signature. From the project editor, select a goal and choose General.
Scroll down to the "Signature" section and click on the triangle icon to expand the settings.
Click the box to automatically manage signing. Select your team.
How to submit an app to the App Store
When you connect a new device to your Mac, Xcode will automatically detect and register your team provisioning profile. Note that to launch your app on a device, the device must be registered on your team provisioning profile.
2. Create an App Store Connect record for your app
app Store
Get an App Store Connect account by:
Creating your own App Store Connect organization and being a team agent. Sign in with the Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program
Or being invited by an existing organization as a user with an administrator, technical or app manager role. Read more information about the App Store Connect user accounts here.
For PAID APPS
If you are submitting a paid app, you will need to sign a contract, which includes the payment terms. If your app is free, you can skip ahead.
Click on Agreements, Tax and Banking on the App Store Connect dashboard.
Click on the request under "Request Agreement".
Review the agreement that appears, check the box to agree to the terms, and click "Submit".
Click Set up in the Contact Information column under "Procedures in Contract".
In the window that appears, click Add New Contact and enter your information.
Under "Process in Contract" in the "Bank Information" column, then click on Set Up then Add Bank Account and follow the instructions to save your account information.
In the "Tax Information" column, click Set Up. A US tax form is mandatory, so click on set up and fill in the required information. Set the tax form of any other country required.
After you complete the above, the contract status will now be called "Processing". After Apple has verified the information provided by you, which will take approximately one hour, the contract will now appear under "Effect in Agreement".
Add a new APP
In the App Store Connect dashboard, select My Apps.
Click the + sign in the upper left hand corner, then the new app.
To create a new App Store Connect record, you will need these details: Platform, App Name, Default Language, Bundle ID and SKU. You can't actually change these details later, so be sure what you enter.
Use keywords in your application name to optimize for search.
The bundle ID must be an exact match to the bundle identifier in your Xcode Project Info.plist file (General> Identification section of the target).
The SKU is not visible to users and is up to you to set. This can be an identifier that you use in your company or something else that is meaningful to you. Acceptable characters include letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and underscores, and must begin with a letter or number.
If applicable, you can also set user access at this step.
3. Archive and upload your app using Xcode
Before you can submit your app for review via App Store Connect, you will need to upload the build via Xcode.
In Xcode, select the generic iOS device as the deployment target.
Select the product from the top menu and click Archive.
Xcode will launch the Organizer, which will display any archives you have created in the past.
Make sure the current build is selected and click Upload to App Store in the right-hand panel.
Select your credentials and click Select.
In the next window that appears, click Upload in the bottom right corner.
A success message will appear when the upload is complete. Click done.
4. Configure your app's metadata and further details in its App Store Connect record
In the "App Information" page, under the "App Store" tab in App Store Connect, you can add additional languages, categories, and your app's privacy policy URL.
Set your app for free or select its price level on the "Pricing and Availability" page.
Under the "Features" tab, you can add configurations to any app store technologies such as Game Center and in-app purchases in your app.
At this stage, your app is marked with a yellow dot and a "ready for submission" status in the left-hand panel below "App Store". Select the configuration you want to configure. This is where you will add information for your product page on the App Store
app Store
Upload screenshots of your app (in JPEG or PNG format and without status bar). You can upload a set of screenshots for one device and use them for all other sizes.
After uploading your screenshot, click save in the upper right corner of the window.
Scroll down and enter your application description, keywords, support URL and marketing URL.
Your application description and keywords are important. Make sure you optimize them for search.
The support URL can be as simple as a landing page with a contact form.
The marketing URL can be your app's website and is optional.
In the "General App Information" section below, upload your app's icon, enter its version number and copyright and contact information.
Your app's icon should be 1024px x 1024px.
The version number must match the one in Xcode.
Copyright information typically looks like this: "Copyright (c) 2017, Instabug, Inc."
The contact information here is what will be displayed to the users.
Click Edit next to "Rating" and select the applicable options for your app. Be honest - your app may be rejected during the review if it does not match its rating.
Under the "Application Review Information" section, enter your contact information, any notes you have for the reviewer, and set the version release date.
Contacters here have information for the reviewer when they need to reach you directly.
Notes for the reviewer may include information about specific hardware they may need to use or user account information.
For earlier releases, you should usually leave the version release date automatically.
In the upper-right corner, click Save. Now you're almost ready to "submit for review".
5. Submit your app for review
Scroll to the "Build" section in your app's App Store Connect record.
Click "Choose a Build" before submitting your application.
Select the build you uploaded via Xcode. Click on the lower right corner, then save in the top-right corner, then submit for review.
Finally, answer the export compliance, content rights and advertising identifier questions and click submit
The status of your application is now "waiting for review".
6. Check the status of your app
In App Store Connect, select Activity in the top horizontal menu, then the App Store version in the left-hand panel.
APP STROVAL to get how long it gets?
In most cases, it takes about one to three days to get approval, and it can take up to 24 hours for your app to appear in the App Store after approval. See the current average App Store review bar here.
You will receive email notifications in each step. Read about each situation here.
If you are on a tight timeline and need to align your release with a specific event or if you need to release a new version with immediate bug fixes, you can request a reviewed review.
If your APP is REJECTED
You must make the necessary corrections before resubmitting your app for review. Use the resolution center in the App Store Connect to communicate with Apple about any questions you have. If you believe that your app has been rejected incorrectly, then you can increase this problem and submit an appeal.
One of the most common reasons for rejection from the Apple App Store is performance. Make sure your app is complete and that you have thoroughly checked it and fixed all bugs. Beta testing using bug reporting tools will help reduce the chances of your app getting rejected due to performance issues.
If your APP is APPROVED
congratulation! Now you are on the App Store. You can view downloads, sales, ratings and reviews directly in the App Store Connect.
Here's how to submit your app to the Apple App Store:
Create an iOS distribution provisioning profile and distribution certificate
Create an App Store Connect Record for your app
Upload your app using archive and Xcode
Configure your app's metadata and further details in its App Store Connect record
Submit your application for review
Check the status of your app
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