iOS App Development

How to Release an iOS App on Apple’s Appstore

Submitting your app to apple can be a very scary process. This guide will help you get your app onto the app store and hopefully earn you some cash!

Certificates & Provisioning Profile

You will have to setup your certificates and profiles. You can create a distribution certificate and profile by selecting the distribution tab on iOS Provisioning Portal.

Useful Apple Rules I Have Found

  • Don’t inflict any copyright issue
  • Ensure your app doesn’t have a quit button
  • Ensure your app runs on all supported devices with no bugs

Build App in Xcode

Once you have finished your app you can change xcode to release. Build the version and then you should get a binary file.

Contracts, Tax and Banking

You will have to fill out your company tax info before you can submit apps. Read through the contracts and then accept if your happy.

You can do this in the itunes connect.
https://itunesconnect.apple.com/WebObjects/iTunesConnect.woa

Adding Your App

You can add your app in itunes connect by going to manage applications. Select add new app button.

You will need to enter a app name, which hasn’t been used before on appstore. You will then need to enter a random SKU.

The next section you will have to select if you want to charge for the app. If you want to make the most money try release for free and use iAds. If you release a paid version, make sure you release a free demo as it helps to drive the sales.

The last section is information about your app such support info, images, age restrictions etc.

Submit Binary to Store

Select your app from the manager and then go to view details. Press ready to upload binary. Open -> Application Loader which is part of xcode tools and follow the process.

Approval Process

This process is very tough to pass. Don’t be disheartened if your app gets rejected. It may take a few submits before it goes onto the store.

If you follow the apple guideline then your app should get through first go.
https://developer.apple.com/appstore/guidelines.html

This process can be slow. It can often take from 1 week to a few months. It really all depends how busy apple is and how many apps they are approving. Please be patient.

Sales and Trends

Apple publishs daily metrics in the sales and trends.

I would recommend signing up to appannie for detailed reports.
http://www.appannie.com/

Before you go

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About the author

Chris

I've been a passionate evangelist for Apple and the Macintosh throughout my working life, my first love was a Quadra 605 working with a small creative agency in the south of Norfolk UK in the mid 1990's, I later progressed to other roles in other Macintosh dominated industries, first as a Senior graphic designer at a small printing company and then a production manager at Guardian Media Group. As the publishing and printing sector wained I moved into Internet Marketing and in 2006 co-founded blurtit.com which grew to become one the top 200 visited sites in the US (according to Quantcast), at its peak receiving over 15 million visits per month. For the last ten years I have worked as an Affiliate and Consultant to many different business and start ups, my key skill set being online marketing, on page monetisation, landing page optimisation and traffic generation, if you would like to hire me or discuss your current project please reach out to me here.

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  • Hi. I just heared that apple might release your app straight after approval without having an influence on the release date. Is that true? Is this written in the terms and conditions? I need an official statement on this. Can somebody let me know where to find it? Thanks