With over 650 million visitors each week, the Apple App Store offers unparalleled visibility for your app.
However, to get published, you must first navigate Apple's strict guidelines for content, functionality, design, and privacy.
Read on to learn:
- If your app is ready to publish
- App Store submission requirements
- How to get an app on the App Store in 8 steps
Let’s start with the basics of building an app your customers will love.
Do You Have an App That’s Ready To Submit?
Apple’s App Store is known for its rigorous standards, ensuring only the highest-quality apps make the cut.
Any app that falls short — whether due to technical glitches, poor design, or lackluster content — is at risk of being rejected by Apple’s review team.
If you're starting from scratch or refining your existing app, Adalo can help you build a high-quality app that meets Apple's standards.
Build Your High-Quality App with Adalo
Adalo is an intuitive and powerful app builder that requires absolutely zero coding or technical experience to create and publish an app on the App Store.
It functions like moving desktop icons around on your computer, and it’s easy enough to start using immediately after signing up. You can start building by choosing from about 40 templates that you can customize to your precise needs and tastes.
While it’s simple to get started, Adalo is packed with considerable juice: You can add slick plugins like a messaging feature, a connection to Stripe for Payments, a powerful integration with Zapier, and many more features.
Of course, Adalo lets you publish your app to the Apple App Store, simplifying the publishing process.
Sign up for Adalo’s free version and get started.
Apple App Store Submission Requirements
Before we begin our step-by-step guide, let's look into the 3 things you’ll need to prepare before starting the submission process:
Prerequisite 1: Create an Apple Developer Account
Go to the iOS developer page and open an account with Apple. You’ll also need to create an Apple ID if you don’t have one already. Agree to all the terms and conditions and choose whether to register your account as a business or an individual.
If you register your developer account as a business, you’ll need to provide a DUNS number. Don’t have one? Navigate to the DUNS site and register for a number. The approval process can take up to 14 days. It’s important to note that individuals don’t need a DUNS number to register.
Once you’ve set up your developer account, pay the annual Apple App Store fee of $99. You’ll need to pay this fee yearly, so make sure you don’t forget. Failure to pay might result in your app getting pulled from the App Store.
Prerequisite 2: Follow the App Review Guidelines
Apple’s App Review Guidelines aim to ensure that all apps published are high-quality, genuine apps without viruses or other nasty malware. Ultimately, Apple (wisely) realizes that part of its brand identity depends on the quality of the apps it allows in its store.
Apple has set the bar high when it comes to publishing standards. To avoid any issues publishing your app, optimally position your app with the following:
- Content quality: Your app must provide meaningful, engaging, relevant, and substantial content. Ultimately, it should serve as a legitimate tool or game that betters users’ lives. These requirements help weed out low-quality, advertising-heavy apps.
- Functional requirements: Apple insists that all apps in its store must perform without crashing, freezing, or posing any other functionality issues, such as not draining a device's battery or handling data inefficiently.
- Design standards: You’ll need an intuitive and easy-to-navigate app with a design that supports Apple’s human interface guidelines. Apps that follow iOS design standards provide a seamless and pleasant user experience (UX), two attributes that Apple prefers all apps in the store to feature.
- Privacy protection: Apple emphasizes user privacy, and there are no exceptions in the App Store. Apps must follow Apple’s Privacy Rules, which include having clear privacy policies, requesting permissions appropriately, and using data responsibly.
- Legal compliance: This goes without saying, but all apps must comply with all local and international laws. This includes adhering to copyright, privacy, and data protection laws.
You must also ensure that your app does not contain illegal content or promote illegal activity.
Prerequisite 3: Prepare the Required Assets
In addition to complying with Apple’s guidelines, you’ll need to prepare assets to help support your app if and when it’s published in the App Store. These assets include the following:
- Icons: You’ll need to create an icon and resize it for devices like iPhones, iPads, Apple Watchs, etc.). Your icon will serve as your app's logo — if you already have a business logo, use it. If you don’t have an icon, make your own with Looka.
- Screenshots: To help users understand what your app looks like and how it works, you’ll need to provide 4-5 screenshots of functionalities featured in your app for each device type.
- Preview video: Although optional, a video can spotlight your app's capabilities and user interface in action, providing a platform to show off what makes your app special.
- Metadata: This is the written part of your app description, containing the following:
- App title and subtitle: Add a short title and an optional subtitle that displays your app’s name and its purpose.
- Description: Add a written illustration of up to 4,000 characters showcasing your app’s features and functionalities.
- Keywords: Put these in your title, subtitle, and description. They’ll help your app rank higher in the App Store search results.
- Categories: What categories describe your app? For example, is your app a game, a travel app, or a booking tool?
- A link to your app’s webpage: A link to your app’s webpage will allow users to learn more about your app. You can use your webpage to share use cases, elaborate on your description, provide extra videos and photos, and more.
- A link to your privacy policy URL: Don’t forget that Apple requires you to publish and follow your app’s private policy. Write this up and provide users a link with where to find it.
Put all your assets aside in a separate document, as you’ll need them for Step 3. Now, it’s time to jump right into the steps to submit your app to the App Store for publishing.
How to Get Your App in the App Store: 8 Steps
This step-by-step guide needs to be followed to a T. Before moving on to the next step, ensure you have completed everything in the previous steps. Each step builds off the previous one, so if something is incomplete or wrong, you’ll need to return to it.
Step 1: Testing and Preparation
Remember when we said you’d need to ensure your app is fully functional and bug-free? Now, it’s time to put the rubber to the road. Give your app a final once-over and triple-check that you’ve provided all the necessary updates and bug fixes.
Conveniently, Apple allows you to enroll in Testflight, Apple’s app-testing program. This program allows up to 100 internal Apple testers to download and use your app. They’ll provide feedback about their user experience.
Additionally, you can invite up to 10,000 external testers, such as folks in your network, to download and test your app via Testflight. Send an invite to their email directly from your Testflight account, including a link to download your app.
Once your app is uploaded to Testflight, you’ll have 90 days to conduct tests. We recommend you invite as many testers as possible. When your testers provide feedback about their UX, make necessary changes.
Step 2: Certificates and Profiles
While your app is out being tested, return to your Apple Developer Account and ensure that all your info is correct. Then, navigate to App Store Connect and create your certificate.
Create Your App Store Certificate
The certificate you provide ensures that the app you release on the iOS App Store is yours and that you are a trusted source. Create your certificate by doing the following:
- Open the Keychain Access application from your Mac. If you don’t have a Mac, you can access this application by renting server space from MacStadium or Amazon EC2.
- Access the certificate assistant and choose “Request Certificate from Certificate Authority.” Follow the instructions, and when you finish, generate a CSR file, which is your certificate.
- Log into App Store Connect, select Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles, click the “Add New Certificate” option, and upload your CSR file. App Store Connect will generate a new certificate, which you must download.
- Install your new certificate in your Keychain Access, which allows you to sign into your app as a developer. Now, you’re all good!
Create Your App Store Profile
Now, you’ll need to combine your Apple ID and your certificate in Provisioning Profiles.
Provisioning profiles devices your app can run on and services it can access. There are 2 main types of provisioning profiles:
- Development Provisioning Profile: These are used during the development phase, allowing apps to run on registered devices.
- Distribution Provisioning Profile: These are used to distribute the app to the App Store or for ad-hoc distribution to specific devices.
You can create both profiles. Do this by logging into your development account and selecting “Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles" under your “Account” tab. Click “Profiles,” scroll to “Development Profile,” and follow the directions.
Now, go back to the Apple Development Website and download Xcode, a program that you’ll need to run your Provisioning Profile. Then, download your Provisioning Profile to your computer, which will automatically open in Xcode.
Follow the same instructions for creating a Distribution Provisioning Profile.
Step 3: Provide Assets and Configure Your App
Now, it’s time to start your official application. In the App Store Connect, click the “My Apps” section and scroll down to “Add New App,” which will help you create an app entry.
Then, begin uploading your assets from Prerequisite 3 straight to your account. This is a relatively simple step, as you’ll follow directions and enter data and the assets you’ve previously prepared.
Step 4: Preparing Your App for Submission
We’re very close to submitting your app to the App Store. On your computer, open your app in Xcode and ensure that all your build settings match the App Store’s requirements. Then, follow the directions and perform a quick cleaning of your app to get rid of any glitches or bugs.
From the “Product” function, select “Archive.” Doing this will bundle your app into an archive package you’ll submit to the App Store. Ensure your bundle identifier, version build number, and build number are all correct.
Distribute the bundle by opening the Organizer Window in Xcode, clicking on the new archive, and then selecting “Distribute App.”
Upload your build to App Store Connect by following these steps:
- Select distribution options: Click the “Upload” option.
- Review and upload: Carefully read your app’s entitlements and distribution details. Is everything good? Then confirm by clicking “Upload,” which will send your build to App Store Connect.
- Confirmation: Once the upload is complete, you’ll receive a confirmation that your app has been successfully uploaded — this can take anywhere from under a minute to an hour.
Step 5: Submit Your App for Review
You read that right! It’s submission time. Find your app build from your App Store Connect account and drag it over to the app version number matching your build. Fill out all the necessary information.
Choose how you want your app to be released to the iOS App Store. Apple gives you the option of 3 release types:
- Manual Release: You release your app manually after approval.
- Automatic Release: After approval, the app is automatically released to the App Store.
- Phased Release: The app is released gradually over 7 days. Doing this monitors performance and ensures that critical issues are addressed before reaching the entire audience.
The type of release you choose ultimately depends on your preferences. If you want to be careful and ensure your app reaches users smoothly, go for Phased Release. You’ll be able to find issues within 7 days and nip them in the bud before your app reaches the masses.
If you’re trying to beat a competitor to the punch, you might want to have Apple release your app automatically, as approval should trigger release. Just be sure to monitor your app so you can find any problems right off the bat.
Once you choose your release method, click “Submit Your App For Review.” Now, the waiting begins.
Step 6: Responding to Feedback
Apple’s review process can take a few hours to several weeks. From your Connect Account, you’ll be able to see your app’s status, like “Waiting for Review,” “In Review,” “Rejected,” and “Approved.”
If your app is rejected, the team will provide you with specific feedback explaining why. Respond quickly to the feedback, telling Apple you’re working on an update. Follow the input and implement changes carefully.
Step 7: Optimize Your App Store Listing
Just like optimizing a website for Google, you can optimize your app for the Apple App Store. This can help it rank at the top of the Apple App Store search results, increasing its chances of getting more downloads.
App Store Optimization (ASO) is a process that involves competitor research, using tools, and much more. We wrote an article dedicated to it. You’ll find enough info to implement an optimization strategy properly.
Step 8: Launch, Market, and Monitor Your App
Once your app is published, you’ll need to maintain it and ensure it’s always humming and never crashing. Your users will be delighted if your app always works bug-free. Maintain your app by scheduling and following through with periodic updates.
After publishing your app, launch a campaign on your social media channels to drive popularity. If you want more traction, consider promoting our app with paid ads on Google and all your socials. Doing this can get your app in front of millions of eyeballs, which may result in more downloads.
Be sure to check your app’s analytics so you can track your downloads and learn about your users. Your analytics tools can reveal where your users are based, demographic info, and more. Leverage this data to reach new audiences.
Marketing your app is a process that will take some time, which is why we wrote an in-depth app marketing guide to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost To Get an App on the App Store?
To get an app on the Apple App Store, you need to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year. This fee covers access to Apple's developer tools, software updates, and the ability to submit your app for review and distribution on the App Store. There are no additional costs for app submission, but you may incur expenses for app development, testing, and marketing.
How Long Does It Take To Get an App on the App Store?
Most applications are approved within 48 hours, according to Apple. However, the process can take longer if the app requires additional testing, is more complex, or if it does not initially meet Apple’s guidelines. After approval, the app can be released immediately or scheduled for a specific launch date.
What Are the Common Reasons for Rejection from the App Store?
Rejection from the App Store is usually a result of not following Apple’s guidelines. Here are some common rejection reasons:
- Bugs and unstable performance indicate the app crashes or has several glitches, like screens that don’t load. This can also include a poor or cluttered layout.
- Lack of valuable content or functionality. Usually, this is reserved for apps that are copies of websites or other apps. These app types also don’t have any helpful functionalities, and publishing them makes Apple look bad.
- Privacy issues include failing to include a privacy policy, not providing a function that requests permission to collect necessary data, or not clearly explaining how user data will be used.
- Using private APIs that aren’t made available by Apple. If you use any APIs, ensure they don’t have any security or compatibility issues with Apple.
What Should I Do if My App Is Rejected?
Luckily, Apple provides reasons for rejection. So, read through your rejection note carefully and fix the parts of your app that caused the rejection. Then, return to your Apple developer account and resubmit your app.
Next Steps
One of the first steps to take when publishing your app is to start building it. Don’t know how to code? No worries! You can use a no-code app-building platform like Adalo, which requires no technical knowledge or programming skills.
After signing up with Adalo, familiarize yourself with the Apple ecosystem. Set up an Apple Developer Account and look into App Store Connect. Tinker with these for a bit each day as you build, and when it’s time to publish, you’ll have a solid foundation about how Apple works. This can increase your chances of successful publishing in one go. Best of luck!
