iOS App Store
Expert guidance for App Store submission and distribution.
Pre-Submission Checklist
App Requirements
- Minimum iOS version set correctly
- All device sizes supported (or properly restricted)
- App icon in all required sizes
- Launch screen configured
- Privacy policy URL (if collecting data)
- App tested on physical devices
- No placeholder content
- No private API usage
Common Rejection Reasons
- Crashes and bugs - Test thoroughly
- Broken links - Verify all URLs
- Placeholder content - Remove Lorem Ipsum, test images
- Incomplete metadata - Fill all required fields
- Misleading descriptions - Accurate feature descriptions
- Privacy issues - Proper data handling disclosure
App Store Connect
App Information
# Required fields
- App Name (30 characters max)
- Subtitle (30 characters max)
- Privacy Policy URL
- Primary Category
- Secondary Category (optional)
- Content Rights
- Age Rating
Version Information
# Per version
- Version Number (1.0.0)
- What's New (4000 characters max)
- Description (4000 characters max)
- Keywords (100 characters max)
- Support URL
- Marketing URL (optional)
Screenshots Requirements
# iPhone
- 6.9" (iPhone 16 Pro Max): 1320 x 2868 or 1290 x 2796
- 6.5" (iPhone 14 Plus): 1284 x 2778 or 1242 x 2688
- 5.5" (iPhone 8 Plus): 1242 x 2208
# iPad
- 12.9" iPad Pro: 2048 x 2732
- 11" iPad Pro: 1668 x 2388
# Minimum: 2 screenshots per size
# Maximum: 10 screenshots per size
App Preview Videos
- 15-30 seconds
- App content only (no hands/devices)
- No pricing info
- Same dimensions as screenshots
Privacy & Data
App Privacy Details
// Types to declare:
// - Contact Info (name, email, phone)
// - Health & Fitness
// - Financial Info
// - Location
// - Contacts
// - User Content
// - Browsing History
// - Search History
// - Identifiers
// - Usage Data
// - Diagnostics
Privacy Manifest (iOS 17+)
// PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy
// Required for:
// - Apps using required reason APIs
// - SDKs
// Example APIs requiring declaration:
// - NSUserDefaults
// - File timestamp APIs
// - System boot time APIs
// - Disk space APIs
Required Reason APIs
<!-- PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy -->
<dict>
<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypes</key>
<array>
<dict>
<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPIType</key>
<string>NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategoryUserDefaults</string>
<key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypeReasons</key>
<array>
<string>CA92.1</string>
</array>
</dict>
</array>
</dict>
TestFlight
Internal Testing
- Up to 100 internal testers
- App Store Connect users only
- No review required
- Immediate availability
External Testing
- Up to 10,000 testers
- Public link option
- Beta App Review required
- 90-day expiration
TestFlight Best Practices
// Build number increment
// Format: YYYYMMDDHHMM or sequential
// What to Test notes
// - Clear testing instructions
// - Known issues
// - Features to focus on
// Feedback collection
// - In-app feedback mechanism
// - TestFlight feedback system
Code Signing
Certificates
# Development
- iOS App Development
- Installed on dev machine
- For development builds
# Distribution
- iOS Distribution (App Store)
- Required for App Store submission
- Or Ad Hoc for direct distribution
Provisioning Profiles
# Types
- Development: Testing on devices
- App Store: App Store submission
- Ad Hoc: Direct device distribution
- Enterprise: Internal distribution
# Automatic Signing (Recommended)
# Xcode manages profiles automatically
Entitlements
<!-- MyApp.entitlements -->
<dict>
<key>aps-environment</key>
<string>production</string>
<key>com.apple.developer.icloud-container-identifiers</key>
<array>
<string>iCloud.com.myapp</string>
</array>
</dict>
Archive & Upload
Build Settings
// Release configuration
// - Optimization: Fastest, Smallest
// - Debug Info: DWARF with dSYM
// - Strip Swift Symbols: Yes
// Version & Build
// CFBundleShortVersionString: 1.0.0 (marketing)
// CFBundleVersion: 1 (build number, increment each upload)
Archive Process
1. Select "Any iOS Device" destination
2. Product > Archive
3. Organizer opens
4. Validate App (catches common issues)
5. Distribute App > App Store Connect
Xcode Cloud
# ci_scripts/ci_post_clone.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Run after repository clone
# ci_scripts/ci_pre_xcodebuild.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Run before build
# ci_scripts/ci_post_xcodebuild.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Run after build
App Review Guidelines
Common Guidelines
# 1. Safety
- User Generated Content moderation
- Objectionable content filters
- Reporting mechanisms
# 2. Performance
- Accurate descriptions
- Complete functionality
- Stable performance
# 3. Business
- Clear pricing
- Subscription terms visible
- Refund information
# 4. Design
- Apple UI guidelines
- Proper permissions usage
- No misleading UI elements
# 5. Legal
- Privacy compliance
- Data handling transparency
- Terms of service
Permissions Usage
// Only request when needed
// Provide clear context
// Example: Camera permission
// Before: "Camera access needed"
// After: "Take photos for your profile picture"
// Info.plist descriptions must be meaningful
<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Take photos to create workout progress pictures</string>
Handling Rejection
1. Read rejection reason carefully
2. Check specific guideline cited
3. Options:
- Fix and resubmit
- Reply with clarification
- Request phone call with reviewer
- Appeal to App Review Board
In-App Purchases
Required for Digital Goods
- App features
- Subscriptions
- Digital content
- Virtual currencies
// NOT required for:
- Physical goods
- Real-world services
- Person-to-person services
Price Tiers
# Apple manages international pricing
# Select tier, Apple converts
# 30% commission (15% for small business)
# Subscriptions: 30% first year, 15% after
App Analytics
App Store Connect Analytics
- Impressions
- Product Page Views
- App Units (downloads)
- In-App Purchases
- Sales
- Crashes
- Retention
Responding to Reviews
# Best practices:
- Respond within 24-48 hours
- Be professional and helpful
- Offer solutions
- Don't be defensive
- Thank users for feedback
Updates & Maintenance
Version Updates
# When to update:
- Bug fixes
- New features
- iOS compatibility
- Security patches
# Update metadata:
- Update "What's New"
- Update screenshots if UI changed
- Update keywords if relevant
Phased Release
# Gradual rollout over 7 days:
# Day 1: 1%
# Day 2: 2%
# Day 3: 5%
# Day 4: 10%
# Day 5: 20%
# Day 6: 50%
# Day 7: 100%
# Can pause or expedite