Upload an App to the App Store

Prerequisites

• Project that is ready for submission and passes Apple’s App Store Guidelines.

• Valid Apple developer program account (not the Apple Developer Enterprise Program).

• Computer that runs Mac OS X.

• Xcode installed.

Create an ITunes Connect App Record

A record must be created in iTunes Connect before an app can be uploaded for distribution to the App Store.

This record includes all the information that needed to manage the app through the distribution process and appears on the store for the app.

Configure your XCode project for distribution

Configure identity and team, Bundle ID, create a provisioning profile, and configure the version number and release string.

All that could be done from the General panel in the project editor.

Create a distribution Provisioning Profile for iOS

To distribute the app to the App Store, it is necessary to create a Provisioning Profile in order to obtain approval from Apple.

• During the development stages of building an app, it’s a good idea to first test it before sending it to Apple.

• Provisioning profiles enable developers to do this by allowing them to run and test an app on a physical device.

A provisioning profile is downloaded from the Apple Developer account and embedded within the app bundle itself.

Specified devices within the provisioning profile can be used for testing only by people whose iPhone Development Certificates are included in the profile.

1. Go to https://developer.apple.com and click on Account.

1. Complete the fields: ID, password and click on ➡️.

2. Click on Select Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles.

3. On the left tab under Provisioning Profiles, select Distribution.

4. Select add button “+” at the top right to create a new profile.

5. Select App Store and press Continue.

6. Select App ID and press Continue.

7. Select the Certificate you wish to include in this provisioning profile and click Continue.

   1. The certificate is a public/private key-pair, which identifies who developed the app.

8. Create a name for your profile and click Generate.

9. Click on Download.

A matching provisioning profile name is required when distributing to the App Store. This ensures the verification of the app's origin by your developer account.

Archive your App

1. Create an archive of your app regardless of the type of distribution method you select. Xcode archives allow you to build your app and store it, along with critical debugging information, in a bundle that’s managed by Xcode.

2. Choose Product > Archive to create an archive. Xcode will create and store archives in Archives organizer.

Run iTunes connect validation tests

1. Validate the archive before uploading it to iTunes Connect.

2. In the Archives organizer select the archive and click Validate.

3. Review and fix validation issues, if found.

   

Upload your App

1. To upload the application to iTunes Connect, you need to select the desired file in the file organizer and click the Distribute Application option.

1. Select App store connect.

2. Click on Upload.

Submit version for review

Every app that is submitted to the store has to be reviewed by the Apple team before release. The app should comply with App Store guidelines.

Both Manual and Automatic release options are available for requesting the release of the approved app.

The manual release option is recommended for a smoother process.

Ensure that all relevant infrastructure (backend servers, etc.) is running in production mode before you submit the app.

App review usually takes 2-3 days.

• If the 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

1. If the Manual release option was chosen, the next step is to click on Release your app when you are prepared to proceed.

2. Please wait for the Ready for Sale version status to turn green. It may take approximately 1 hour to 1 day after the release for this status to update.

3. Search for the app on the App Store.

Reference links

• https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40011225-CH13
• https://help.apple.com/xcode/mac/current/#/dev442d7f2ca
• https://help.apple.com/xcode/mac/current/#/dev91fe7130a
• https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/#common-app-rejections