Things to Know Before Submitting an App to the App Store
Every day, the App Store adds over 1000 new apps. Before an app reaches its intended audience, developers must carefully submit and review it. Submitting an app to the App Store is typically a last-minute decision, making it crucial to do so correctly. This service is part of our offerings.
This is why we created this step-by-step guide for App Store submission. This guide outlines all the steps necessary to submit an iOS app to the App Store. This article will show you how to submit your app to the App Store. Before you submit your app to Apple’s App Store, here are eight things you must know.
Steps to Follow Before You Submit Your App To The App Shop
Before you upload your app to the App Store, it is a good idea to review a checklist that will help ensure success. These are the eight steps that should be included in your checklist:
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Market Analyzation
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Make Enticing Brand Visuals
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App Testing
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Create a pricing model
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Optimize for Store Visibility
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Create An App Home Page
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App Launch
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Develop Growth Strategy
Submitting an App To The App Store
It is different to submit an app for iOS to download than other ecosystems. This is the complete seven-step guideline on how to upload your app to the App Store.
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Create an iOS Distribution Provisioning Profile and Certificate
To distribute your app through the App Store to beta testers and users, you must create a distribution provisioning profile. You can obtain these through Xcode, which manages certificates, signs identities, and registers devices if automatic signing is enabled.
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Register with the App Store Connect
Two ways to get your AppStore Connect record:
- You can create your own App Store Connect organization and assume the role of team agent. Sign in using the Apple ID that you used to register in the Apple Developer Program.
- You can be invited by an organization to become a user in an admin, technical or app manager role.
Once you have completed the above, your contract status will change to “Processing.” Apple will verify the information you provide, and the contract will appear under “Contracts in Effect.”
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Add your new app
Select “My Apps” from the “App Store Connect” dashboard to add a new App to the App Store. Click the plus sign in the upper-left corner. Click “New app” after that. These details will be required to create an App Store Connect record.
- Platform
- Name of the app: Use keywords to optimize for discovery
- Language default
- The bundle ID must match exactly the Xcode project information. list file’s bundle identifier
- SKU is an internal identifier that isn’t visible to the users.
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Upload your app with X code
- As the deployment target, select “Generic iPhone Device” in the X code.
- Click on “Archive” from the top menu.
- This will launch X code Organizer, which displays archives that you’ve created previously.
- Make sure you select the current build. In the panel to the right, click on “Upload To App Store”.
- Click “Choose” to select your credentials
- Click on Upload in the lower right corner of the window.
- When the upload is complete, a success message will be displayed. Click Finish.
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Configure the App’s Metadata
- Under the “App Information” tab of the App Store, add your app’s categories or categories to the Connect tab.
- You can set the price tier for your app or make it free by going to “Pricing & Availability”.
- Configure any App Store technology in your app by clicking the “Features” tab.
- Your app will have the status “Prepare to Submit” and a yellow dot beside it.
- Choose the building that you wish to configure, and then add the information for the App Store’s product pages.
- Upload JPEG and PNG screenshots from your app. Once they are done uploading, click on “Save” in the upper right-hand corner.
- Scroll down to enter the app’s title, keywords, URL for support, and URL for marketing. Make sure to include keywords in your description so that it is easy to find.
- In the “General App Information” section, upload your app’s icon and enter its version number. The app’s icons should measure 1024px by 1024px.
- Click on “Edit”, next to “Rating”, and choose the appropriate options for your app.
- Under the “App Review Information” section, enter your contact information and any notes that you might have for the reviewer.
- In the upper right-hand corner, click “Save”.
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Submit Your App For Review
Click “Select a Build” in the App Store Connect record for your app. Click “Done” at the bottom right-hand corner to select the build that you have uploaded via Xcode. Next, click “Save” at the top-right corner and then “Submit for review.” Your app’s status will change to “Waiting For Review.”
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Verify the status of your app’s review
App Store Connect allows you to check the status of your app’s reviews by selecting “Activity”, and then “App Store Versions”, in the top menu.
App Store approval usually takes one to three days. After approval, it can take up to 24 hours for your app to appear on the App Store. You will be notified by email at each stage.
What do you do if Apple rejects your app?
Each month, the App Store sees an addition of over 30,000 apps. Apple rigorously examines all new apps and publishes the 11 most frequent issues leading to rejection.
40% of all submissions face rejection due to non-compliance with guidelines regarding app completeness. This implies that apps lack correct metadata or haven’t undergone thorough bug testing.
Before submitting your application for review, ensure it contains complete and up-to-date information, including descriptions, screenshots, and previews.
Here are some things to do if you’re still being ignored by Apple
- Check the reason. You will receive an email with the reasons your app was rejected. You can view them by visiting the Resolution Center in iTunes Connect. You will find a code and a short description of why your app was rejected. One reason might be that the app crashes upon launch. Apple will also provide you with the next steps for resolving the problem.
- Fix the issue and submit again. If the reason for the rejection is clear, such as crash logs or small changes to the icon size, you can simply fix it and submit your application again. If you don’t understand why your application was rejected by Apple, or if Apple gives you a vague answer, then look online for assistance. Many people have experienced similar problems and can offer you an answer or solution.
- You can appeal Apple’s decision if you feel it was a mistake. Numerous app developers were rejected initially but approved after further review. To access sync solution apps, users must sign in. Apple may reject your application in the first phase if you violate the clause that states apps that ask users to share their personal information to be functional will be rejected. Apple will reconsider their position if you contact them and explain the functionality of the app.
What is the cost to put an app on the App Store?
To submit an Apple Developer Program app, you will need to pay the $99 annual membership fee. This will allow you to access:
- Submit your apps to the App Stores for all Apple platforms
- Add Safari extensions to your extensions gallery.
- Apple software beta versions
- TestFlight is one of the many testing tools.
- Advanced app capabilities and App Analytics
Here are some tips on how to upload an app to the App Store
Submitting your app to the App Store proves challenging due to the necessity of adhering to specific iOS guidelines and undergoing a review process for approval or denial. Upon rejection, addressing any issues causing rejection is imperative before resubmission. Contacting Apple’s Resolution Center team to escalate or appeal the matter is an option if rejection occurs. Additionally, renewing your membership annually is required.