Easy Steps: Submit Your iOS App to the App Store

Learn how to submit your iOS app to the Apple App Store with this comprehensive step-by-step guide, covering everything from creating an Apple ID to preparing for submission and app listing.

The Apple App Store is renowned worldwide, boasting an impressive collection of over 2 million iOS apps, a number continually on the rise due to the widespread use of mobile apps and the increasing demand for them.

With the emergence of no-code platforms like Webtonative, the process of converting mobile-friendly websites into iOS apps has become notably smoother, disrupting the market dominance of traditional bespoke app development services.

However, navigating the complexities of the Apple ecosystem, including gathering essential documentation, certificates, and other requirements for app submission, is no easy feat.

But fear not! Our aim is not to overwhelm you but to guide and assist you. Today, we'll provide step-by-step instructions on obtaining and listing all the necessary certificates and fulfilling the requirements for a swift and seamless release of your iOS app.

Checklist and step-by-step guide for submitting an iOS app:

Create an Apple ID:

Visit the Apple Developer website to create an Apple ID.
Provide basic information including your name (first and last), country, birthday, and email address (which will serve as your new Apple ID).
Set a password and answer security questions accurately.
If you already have an Apple ID, you can skip this step.

Enable two-factor authentication:

Proceed to enable two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, as it is a mandatory feature for all Apple IDs. If you're using an iPhone or iPad, follow these steps:

Navigate to Settings, then tap on your name, and select Security & Password.
Toggle on Two-Factor Authentication.
You may need to answer a few security questions during the setup process.

For Apple laptop users, follow these steps:

Open System Preferences from the Apple menu.
Click on Security & Privacy to access iCloud Account Details.
Toggle on Two-Factor Authentication.

If you're using a non-Apple device and require assistance setting up two-factor authentication, reach out to Apple's support team.

Enroll in the Apple developer program:

Begin by signing in to your account using your Apple ID on the developer home page.
You'll be directed to the Apple Developer Agreement, which you should carefully read and accept.
Click on "Join the Apple Developer Program" to proceed to Apple’s program page.
Here, you can click on "Enroll" to join the program and choose between enrolling as an individual or an organization.
For individual registration, you'll have one primary login and account, and the developer’s name will be displayed on the App Store.
For organizational registration, it's recommended to enrol as an organization for additional benefits and services. This option allows for multiple user logins, and the company name is displayed on the App Store.
If registering as an organization, you'll need a D-U-N-S number, which is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses. Obtain a D-U-N-S Number if you don’t have one already.
After obtaining the D-U-N-S Number, proceed with the enrollment process by entering your Apple ID details, email, name, and country information.
Choose the appropriate organization type and fill out the account’s contact details.
Review Apple’s license agreement, check the box to agree to the terms, and click "Continue."
Pay the registration fee via the payment gateway and await Apple’s payment approval email, which may take up to 24 hours.
Once approved, you're ready to submit the IPA files for release on the Apple App Store.

Create a listing in the App Store:

To proceed with submitting your app, the next step is to create a listing for it on your App Store Connect account.
Navigate to iTunes Connect and access the "My Apps" section.
Scroll down to the app overview and click on the Plus icon to add a new app to your account.

Before listing your app, ensure you provide the following information:

App name and primary language
SKU (This serves as the app’s unique code identifier. For simplicity, maintain consistency by keeping the SKU and Bundle ID the same.)

Once you've entered all the required details, click on the "Create" button to complete the initial stage of establishing an app listing.

Submit App Details:

After creating the app listing and publishing the test flight, navigate to the "App Information" section of your App Store Connect account.
Here, you'll need to provide essential design elements, creative copies, and other crucial details such as the App Icon, App Name, Description, Keywords, copyright, and contact information.
Determine your app's pricing and demographic availability by selecting the "Pricing and Availability" option from the left menu.
Provide details such as Price Schedule, Pre-Orders, Availability, and Distribution for Business and Education.
Save your settings by clicking the "Save" button in the top right corner.
To prepare for submission, select the "Prepare for Submission" option from the left menu, ensuring all prerequisites are met.
This step is divided into sections like Version Information, iMessage App, Apple Watch, App Build, General App Information, Game Center, App Review Information, and Version-Release.
Fill in additional details such as language, previews, pictures, promotional text, description, keywords, support URL, and marketing URL for the app.
Finally, click "Submit for Review" to initiate the clearance process, which may take two to three weeks (if the app does not get rejected).
Once approved, your app listing status will change to "Waiting for Review."
With the completion of these steps, the app submission process should be concluded. For submitting a new version, follow similar procedures outlined above. Upon approval, celebrate the launch of your app by promoting it and attracting downloads.

Conclusion:

By following these detailed instructions, you can navigate the process of submitting your iOS app to the Apple App Store smoothly, ensuring compliance with all requirements and maximizing your app's visibility and success.