SUBMIT AN APP TO AN APP STORE
To submit an app to an app store, you need to do the followings:
Assemble App Store Information
It is very necessary to gather all of the information you need to submit before you start the process.
Create a Bundle Identifier
The bundle identifier is the name of your app, as seen by both the App Store and iOS devices.
- In your browser, navigate to Apple’s Developer Portal
- Log in
- Click Identifiers
- Click the “+” in the top right of the screen
- Name the App ID the same as your app
- Make sure the Bundle ID follows the standard naming convention: com.yourcompanyname.yourappname
- Check any App Services the app needs, click Continue
- Verify the services are correct, then click Submit
Create a Certificate Signing Request
Certificate Signing Requests are used to link your computer to your Apple developer account.
- Open a program called KeyChain Access
- In the top left menu, click Certificate Assistant
- Click Request a Certificate From a Certificate Authority…
- User email: Enter your email address
- Common Name: We recommend using the name of the app
- CA email is not actually required
- Check Saved to Disk, click Continue
- Save the Certificate Signing Request for later
Create an App Store Production Certificate
Code Signing Certificates are used to link iOS apps to your Apple developer account.
- In your browser, navigate to Apple’s Developer Portal
- Click Certificates
- Click the “+” in the top right of the screen
- Click the App Store Production
- Currently named “App Store and Ad Hoc” under Production
- Click Continue
- Upload the Certificate Signing Request created earlier
- Download the Certificate
- Install the certificate on your computer by double-clicking
- Keep this file somewhere safe
Create a Production Provisioning Profile
Provisioning Profiles are packaged with iOS apps so user’s devices can install them.
- In your browser, navigate to Apple’s Developer Portal
- Log in
- Click Provisioning Profiles
- Click the “+” in the top right of the screen
- Click the App Store Distribution option, click Continue
- Select the Bundle ID created earlier, click Continue
- Select the Certificate created earlier, click Continue
- Make sure the Profile Name follows the standard naming convention: App Name App Store Distribution
- Click Generate
- Download it
- Install the provisioning profile on your computer by double-clicking
- Keep this file somewhere safe
Create an App Store Listing
Reserve a slot in the App Store for your app for users to see.
- Start in your browser, navigate to iTunes Connect
- Log in
- Click My Apps
- Click the “+” in the top left of the screen
- Click “New iOS App”
- Bundle ID: choose the one created on Developer Portal
- For convenience, make the SKU match the Bundle ID created earlier
- Click Create to create the first version listing
Create a Release Build
Package the actual binary that users will be uploading to the store.
- Start Xcode
- Open the project or workspace
- Update the version and build numbers
- Open Build Settings
- Make sure All settings are selected
- Scroll to Code Signing
- Use the provisioning profile created earlier
- Use the code signing identity created earlier
- In the top menu, select Generic iOS Device as the build destination if no actual device is connected
- Menu, Project, Archive
- Click Distribute
- Sign in as your apple developer account
- Submit to the app store
- Wait for the confirmation
Fill in the Version Information
Users will decide whether or not to install your app based on your store listing.
- Enter all of the information assembled in step 1
- Select the build you wish to tie to the version (Note: This usually appears 10-15 minutes after sending from Xcode)
- Fill in pricing information
- Click Save
- Fit any errors based on the messages that appear and save changes
Submit Version for Review
Every app that is submitted to the store has to be reviewed by the Apple team before release.
- Select the release type
- Manual release – after the app is accepted, a Release button will appear
- Automatic release – as soon as the app is accepted, it will be released
- Wait for approval
- This process usually takes 2-3 weeks for a new submission
If your app was not approved, review the notes in the Resolution Center and make any necessary changes to the app or version information then resubmit
Release
Once your app is approved by the app store, the app status will be pending for developer release and you can launch it on the app store.