How to Publish Your Mobile App on iOS App Store

The Ultimate Guide on how to Publish an iOS App

While the question of “how to publish an iOS app?”can feel complicated, we’re here to break it down for you. After years of delivering bespoke mobile app development services, we know just how to do it right the first time around.

1. Enroll in the Apple Developer Program

The first thing to do when publishing an iOS app is to enroll into the Apple Developer Program. The enrollment requires an annual fee of $99, and an Apple ID for enlisting an account. Without this, you cannot distribute your app or participate in Apple’s hardware.

To get started, head to Apple Developer and log in there using your Apple ID and password. It’s recommended by app development companies in Dubai to use a business account if publishing under a company name. Select “Enroll,” accept the license agreement, provide the necessary personal or business details, and pay the fee.  

Once enlisted, you will be granted access to beta software, advanced app capabilities, free app store tools and extensive testing resources. This is to ensure that your app is compatible with the latest requirement from Apple prior to you submitting it.

2. Prepare Your App for Submission

Before submitting the app for approval, you must make sure it adheres to the strict quality guidelines imposed by Apple. Apple can instantly reject an application if it doesn’t meet its criteria. So include these steps in your mobile app development services: 

• Make sure your app is free of bugs, crash-free, and is fully functional. Test your app for fast, fluid, and responsive movements through test cases for each specific app functionality. You can do this manually and through free appstore tools like XCTest. For example, try applying filters to a photo-editing app repeatedly to see if it crashes, or try browsing and checking out on an e-commerce app to see if all works fine.
• Test performance for speed and responsiveness and verify the apps compatibility across iOS versions and devices. Studies show the average acceptable launch time is just 2-3 seconds.
• Follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG). HIG focuses on intuitive design, consistency, and user-centric functionality and includes:
  • Using standard iOS UI elements like navigation bars, tab bars, and buttons to ensure familiarity. 
  • Using legible fonts, appropriate spacing, and meaningful icons to enhance clarity.
  • Keeping touch targets at least 44×44 points for ease of use. 
  • Following Apple’s design principles of aesthetic integrity, consistency, and feedback to create a seamless user experience. 
  • Ensuring the app’s layout adapts well to different screen sizes, including regular, pro and max iPhones and iPads.
• Test your app with TestFlight, another one of the free app store tools. To get started, go to App Store Connect > Apps section and select the app you want to test. Next, select the TestFlight tab and add test information to tell people what you’d like them to test. Now, enter your email address so you can monitor and respond to any tester feedback. Next, upload a beta build of your app to App Store Connect, and invite internal and external testers.
• Improve usability for disabled users by providing accessibility features like voiceover and dynamic type etc. 

3. Create an App Store Listing

When you’re certain your app follows all guidelines, it’s time to prepare for submission. For this you need to create a listing. Log into App Store Connect, navigate to My Apps, click the “+” button to create a new app. Now fill in details like the app name, bundle ID, SKU, and primary language. Next, choose the app’s category, set the price, and write an enticing description. 

The description is one of the most essential parts of mobile app development services. Make sure it contains a good overview, essential features, app-specific keywords, appropriate screenshots and a strong call to action. 

4. Upload Your App Using Xcode

When your listing is all good to go, it’s time to upload your applications using Xcode. To upload a project through Xcode, do the following:

1. Open your project in Xcode; under Target Device. 
2. Select “Generic iOS Device”. 
3. Archive your app by selecting Product > Archive.
4. Once the archiving process is complete, open the Organizer window.
5. Select your archived build and click Distribute App.
6. Choose App Store Connect as the distribution method, and follow the prompts to upload your build.
7. Make sure you’ve incremented the build version number in your app’s settings before uploading.

This way, you successfully submit your app to App Store Connect for review and eventual publication on the iOS App Store.

5. Wait for Apple’s Review

Apple reviews all applications for submission to the App Store. This particular review will take around 24 to 48 hours or tends to go beyond the limits. In order to avoid any bottlenecks within the review, we urge you to:

1. Ensure that the app complies with all Apple’s content policies.
2. Provide demo account login to apps that require logins.
3. Submit required documentation for in-app purchases.
4. Resolve any flagged issues prior to final submission. 

Your application is then made available in the App Store once approved.

6. Promote Your App for Maximum Downloads

Publishing alone does not suffice. Promotion has to be used for your application to gain a wider audience. Here are some of the ways:

• Social Media Marketing: Spread out to Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok apps.
• Influencer Collaboration: Using influencers to showcase your app.
• App Store Optimization (ASO): Always update your metadata and keywords.
• Paid Ads: Utilize Google Ads and Facebook Ads to gain more visibility.
• Email Marketing: Promotional emails sent to the existing customers.
• Referral Programs: Motivating with incentives for referring users.

7. Monitor Reviews and Engage with Users

User reviews do affect the ranking and credibility of your app. A good strategy to build trust is to respond to feedback. To do this, apply the following strategies:

• Review Response: Let users know that their opinions matter.
• Encourage Positive Reviews: Ask users to leave a rating.
• Spot Trends: Identify recurring issues and address them in future updates.

8. Keep Your App Updated

Continual updates will bring about a consistent enhancement to user experience and achieve contemporary standards. Make a regular collection of user feedback and bug fixes. Apple prefers those applications that have integrated new features on a regular basis. Use TestFlight to ensure smooth rollout of the update before making the application public for release.

Pro Tip: Using Free App Store Tools to Optimize Performance in Real Time

App development companies in Dubai recommend keeping an eye on the performance of your app even post-launch. There are many free App Store tools that can assist you with this, for example:

• App Store Connect: Monitor downloads, ratings, reviews, and revenue.
• Xcode Metrics: Track app performance, crashes, and energy usage.
• Google Analytics: Analyze user behavior and engagement.
• Firebase: Gain insights into app performance, user retention, and crash reporting.
• App Annie: Compare your app’s performance with competitors.

Using these tools helps you optimize your app and enhance user satisfaction over time.

Wrapping it up: Launch Your iOS App with Techlancers

Publishing an iOS application can be intimidating, and requires your time, effort and patience. Techlancers provides professional mobile app development services to provide a seamless launch and app development experience. Being one of the leading app development companies in Dubai, we build high-performing applications aimed at success.

At Techlancers, we don’t just stop at application development. We also assist our partners with their App Store optimization and integrating advanced features to the app post launch. Whether you need to learn how to publish an iOS app or get help with post launch strategies, we are here to help.

Let us partner with you in providing expert mobile app development services from ideation to live deployment and beyond. Contact Techlancers today for top-tier mobile app development services and take your business to the next level!