iOS app development can be done using a number of programming languages and frameworks, each of which provides unique advantages. Swift and Objective-C are the two programming languages used for native iOS development.

Flutter and React Native are popular cross-platform development frameworks that allow developers to create apps that run on both Android and iOS using a single codebase, boosting productivity and consistency across platforms.

The next critical step is to add your app to the App Store. This in-depth overview will walk you through every step of properly publishing iOS apps, from setting up your developer account to releasing your app on the iOS App Store.

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Step 1: Create a Developer Account

To submit your app to the App Store, you must first create an Apple Developer Account. This account is required to manage and distribute your app throughout Apple's platforms. Membership pricing begins at $99 per year.

You can use the account to manage your apps on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The subscription includes beta software, app statistics, testing tools, and all you need to manage your App Store listing.

Apple developers also have access to TestFlight, which allows them to get feedback from testers before submitting their app to the App Store. You can invite them using an email address or a public link.

Here's how to set up your developer account:

• Go to the Apple Developer's program website.
• If you want to sign up as an individual or sole proprietor, you can sign in with your Apple ID and set two-factor authentication.

• To enroll in the developer program as an organization, you must also have an Apple ID with two-factor authentication set along with -some text
  • D-U-N-S Number
  • Legal Entity Status
  • Legal Binding Authority
  • Website

• You will find a "Start Your Enrollment" button, click on it and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Sign in with your Apple account and register for the Apple Developer program.
• Then, you will have to pay the yearly subscription fee of $99.

Once you've completed these steps, your Apple Developer Account will be ready for usage. You can manage all of your Apple Store apps from here.

Step 2: Set up the Paid Apps Agreement

This step is only required if you plan to make money from your app with in-app purchases or subscriptions. If you submit a paid app, you will be required to sign a contract detailing the payment arrangements. If the app is completely free, you can go to the next step.

On the App Store Connect dashboard, click on the “Business” tab.

In the "Paid Apps" field, select View and Agree to Terms from the actions column. Review the agreement that appears, check the box to agree to the conditions, and then click Agree.

Now, choose the available step in the paid applications row, which will change to Set Up Tax and Banking. To add a bank account, navigate to the paid applications agreement page and provide the necessary information.

In the “Tax Forms” section, click Select Tax Forms and enter the tax forms for the relevant countries. Once you've selected the tax forms that are important to your app, you can fill them out in the “Tax Forms” area. All developers must submit a US tax form. 

After you've completed the steps above, the agreement's status will change to “Processing”. After Apple verifies the information you submitted, which typically takes approximately an hour, the agreement's status will change to “Active”.

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Step 3: Creating an App

Now, it is time to create a new app. First login to App Store Connect. Go to the Apps menu and pick the "+" button to create a new app. If you want to submit an update to an existing app, follow the same steps, but instead of adding a new app, choose an existing app.

You will need to fill out the following information on your Product Page:

• Platforms: Here, you can choose which Apple platforms your app supports.
• Name: The app name can contain up to 30 characters. This is the name you'll see on the App Store. It should be unique.
• Primary language: It refers to the primary language used to present information in the app.

• Bundle ID: You can choose among the app identifiers stored in the developer account. This value is unique to each app on the App Store. The Bundle ID must be identical to the bundle identifier in your Xcode project's Info.plist file
• SKU: It stands for Stock Keeping Unit. The SKU field is optional and not displayed to users. It might be an identifier for your organization that is valuable to you.
• User Access: Set whether your application should be available to all members of your App Store Connect organization or only to certain groups of users.

Once all of the above-mentioned details have been filled out, click on the “Create” button and move to the next step.

Step 4: Configure App Metadata

After you've created your new app, you'll be taken to the product page. There are several sections to fill out app metadata. This step is to provide Apple with long information about your app to ensure that it is properly classified and shown on the App Store.

App Information

Click on the “App information” tab on the sidebar.

Complete the “Localizable Information” section by setting your App Name and Subtitle.

Set up the "General" information section with Bundle ID, SKU, Apple ID, Primary language, and App Category. Also, set content rights by choosing whether it includes third-party content or not.

Next, explain the age rating. It informs customers whether your app contains violence, explicit topics, or gambling features. This allows them to make informed decisions about which apps to download.

App Privacy

Click on the “App Privacy” item in the sidebar. Enter your privacy policy URL. Click “Save”.

This is a legal document describing how your app collects, uses, and shares user data. There are plenty of resources available online to assist you in creating a privacy policy.

Once all of the previous data has been successfully saved, your app will be given the “1.0 Prepare for Submission” status and a yellow dot in the “App Store” panel.

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Step 5: Store Listing Details

Now that your app metadata has been set, you can add details to the store listing. App Store listings can help you improve the visibility of your app while also showcasing its usefulness to users.

iOS Previews and Screenshots

Here, you can upload high-quality screenshots of the app that show its features and user interface. You must post screenshots in JPEG or PNG formats.

You can upload up to ten screenshots, with the first three appearing in the app preview. Apple requires different screenshot sizes for different devices. For more information about screenshots, see Apple's screenshot specifications.

Promotional Text, Description & Keywords

Here is where you can write more about your app's features and benefits. Explain what your app does, how it solves an issue, and what makes it special. Use concise wording, and highlight the important aspects that will appeal to your target audience. Maximum of 4,000 characters.

You should include keywords that accurately describe your app, as you cannot enter more than 100 characters in this field. Use commas to separate keywords.

URLs

Support and Marketing URLs are required fields. The support URL is where your users can get the help they need, and the marketing URL is where they can find marketing information about your app.

App Version & Copyright

Enter your app version and copyright information. The name of the person or entity that holds the sole rights to your app, followed by the year the rights were acquired. Don't put a URL in this field.

App Review Information

Enter your contact information, and any notes for the reviewer in case they need to contact you personally.

If your app requires sign-in, share a username and password so that Apple testers can complete their app review. Once you've completed all the information, click the “Save” button in the upper right corner.

Putting time and effort into your store listing will result in an effective advertising tool that attracts users and boosts the possibility of your app's success.

Step 6: App Pricing

This step is for you if you haven't already decided whether your app will be paid or free! You can choose an earning plan that best suits your app and audience from among the various price options accessible in the App Store.

Free

This is a popular choice, especially for starting apps or games. You can still make money from the free software by making in-app purchases or advertising it.

Paid

Determine setting a fixed price for your app. This approach is ideal for premium apps that have unique features or functionalities.

In-App Purchases

If you decide to allow in-app purchases in your app, be sure that customers understand exactly what they are purchasing. Before integrating in-app purchases, it is recommended that you check Apple's specific guidelines.

Step 7: Technical Requirements

Let us look into the technical details. To be approved by the App Store, your app must meet a few technical standards. Consider this a final check before your app goes live.

Here's a summary of the key technical details you should check before uploading your app:

• Distribution Certificate: The certificate that verifies your app development team and authorizes you to submit an app to the App Store.
  
• Provisioning Profile: Provisioning profiles are included in your app's binaries and allow it to execute on specific devices before Apple signs it. Each application must have its own provisioning profile.‍
• Unique Bundle ID: Every app requires a unique identification, which functions similarly to a verification number. This ensures that no other application uses the same identity, avoiding misunderstandings.
  
• App Archive: Only app binaries are allowed to be published in the App Store, and are created from the XCode archive.‍
• Target SDK Version: Make sure your app targets a recent iOS SDK version.

These are just a few of the technical factors that must be checked. Following these guidelines will help you prepare your app for a successful App Store launch.

For a detailed guide on setting up the technical aspects of your app, check out building a mobile app from scratch with Flutter, where we cover the step-by-step process of app development.

Step 8: Creating an App Archive with Xcode

Once you've completed the app store listing, it's time to upload your app using Xcode. Using Xcode, you can easily generate and publish your program archives.

Here are the steps you have to follow in order to upload the build using Xcode:

1. Open the app in Xcode, go to the Signing and Capabilities section, choose the correct account, and then go to the General section.
2. Set the build version for upload. If you're publishing a new app, remember to set the app version to 1.0.0, and if you're publishing an update, increment the build version.
3. To generate the app archive, first choose the Generic iOS Device from the simulator list as the deployment destination.
4. Select Product from the top menu and click Archive.

5. Once completed, the app archive window will appear; this is where you may manage all of the archives created by Xcode. 

6. After selecting Distribute App, you will be required to select a distribution method. Make sure the current build is selected in the sidebar, then click TestFlight & App Store.

7. Select Distribute in the bottom right corner, then Upload on the next page. 
8. The next screen allows you to upload your app symbols as well as manage the build and version. In the next window that displays, select Distribute.

Now, the app is examined for issues, and if there are any issues with the build, Xcode will notify you. If not, Xcode will automatically produce all of the certificates and initiate the uploading process.

Step 9: Choose the Release Date

You can select the release mode for your app.

• Manually: You have to press the “Release” button after the apple’s review.
• Automatically: Your app will be automatically released right after the review approval.
• Automatically with Date Restriction: The app will be released on a particular day after the Apple review approval.

Step 10: Submit the App for Review

Now that you've finished all of the requirements, you can submit your app for review. This is when Apple reviewers will see if your app meets their standards and is appropriate for the real world.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Go to the Build section of your app's App Store Connect record.
2. Click on “Select a build before you submit your app”. Choose the build that you uploaded using Xcode. 
3. Select “Done” in the lower right corner, then “Save” in the upper right corner, and finally “Submit for Review”.

Now, Apple testers will review your app for approval. Approval typically takes one to three days, and your app might take up to 24 hours to display in the App Store after approval.

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After your app review, the following could happen:

• Approval: Congratulations! After approval, your app will be available on the App Store within the next several hours.
• Rejection: If your app breaches important policy rules or falls short of Apple's quality standards, it may be rejected. They will provide you full explanations for the rejections. From that, you can fix the issues and resubmit your app for approval.

Conclusion

Releasing an iOS app on the App Store from scratch is a time-consuming process, but following these steps ensures that your app meets all of the basic needs and reaches the people you want. 

Understanding these steps is crucial for a successful app launch, whether you are developing a new app or updating an existing one.

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