Review Process

Apple holds a high standard for apps that are approved for distribution in the App Store so please review Apple's policies and guidelines to make sure your app is in compliance before you sign up for the Apple Developer Program.

iOS App - Prepare for Submission

iOS Previews and Screenshots

Apple requires accurate screenshots of your app before publishing. By adding app screenshots that showcase your app's features and functionality on its store listing page, you can help your app attract new users on the App Store.

  1. Click [version] Prepare for Submission under the iOS App heading in the sidebar.

  2. Under the heading iOS Previews and Screenshots, there is a tab for each required screenshot size.

  3. Generate the required screenshots. For instructions, see here: Generate Screenshots.

  4. Drag your screenshots into the corresponding tabs.

Product Page Details

Apple requires a lot of information before submitting your app for review.

  1. Click [version] Prepare for Submission under the iOS App heading in the sidebar.

  2. Complete the following fields:

    1. Promotional text - Your app’s promotional text appears at the top of the description and is up to 170 characters long. You can update promotional text at any time without having to submit a new version of your app. Consider using this to share the latest news about your app, such as limited-time sales or upcoming features.

    2. Description - Provide an engaging description that highlights the features and functionality of your app.

    3. Keywords - Include one or more keywords that describe your app. Keywords make App Store search results more accurate. Separate keywords with a English comma.

    4. Support URL - A URL with support information for your app. This URL will be visible on the App Store.

    5. Version - The version number of the app you are adding. Numbering should follow software versioning conventions.

    6. Copyright - The name of the person or entity that owns the exclusive rights to your app, preceded by the year the rights were obtained (for example, "2008 Acme Inc."). Do not provide a URL.

    7. Contact Information - The person in your organization who should be contacted if the App Review team has any questions or needs additional information.

    8. Sign-In Information - This is a user name and password we can use to sign in to your app, so we can review all of its features. If users sign in using social media, provide information for an account we can use. Credentials must be valid and active for duration of review.

  3. Click Save in the upper right.

For additional guidance, see here: Apple: Creating your product page.

App Information

  1. Click App Information under the General heading in the sidebar.

  2. Complete the following fields:

    1. Subtitle - Subtitle Your app’s subtitle is intended to summarize your app in a concise phrase. (More details available here: Apple: Creating your product page.)

    2. Categories - Categories on the App Store help users discover new apps to meet their needs.

    3. Content Rights - Click Set Up Content Rights Information and answer the questions provided.

    4. Age Rating - Click Set Up Age Rating Across All Platforms and answer the questions provided.

  3. Click Save in the upper right.

Pricing and Availability

  1. Click Pricing and Availability under the General heading in the sidebar.

  2. Use this guide from Apple to complete your Pricing and Availability: Manage app pricing.

  3. Click Save in the upper right.

App Privacy

  1. Click App Privacy under the General heading in the sidebar.

  2. Click Edit next to Privacy Policy.

  3. Input your Privacy Policy URL.

  4. Click Save.

  5. Click Get Started to provide some information about your app's data collection practices. Depending on your answer to these questions, you may be asked to answer more quations and provide additional details.

    1. Please note that if your app contains one of the components that may track user data, you will need to disclose that your app collects data.

      For most third-party data, this will be collecting location data or device ID (e.g. Push Notifications by OneSignal) . If your app is collecting user data and saving it (i.e Name, email address, etc.) you will also need to disclose this information.

  6. When you've completed the the necessary fields, click Save in the upper right.

Submit for Review

When you have completed all of the sections above:

  1. Click [version] Prepare for Submission under the iOS App heading in the sidebar.

  2. Click Add for Review in the upper right.

  3. Apple will let you know if there are any incomplete fields. Address these errors and click Add for Review again.

  4. Confirm your submission is accurate and click Submit to App Review.

  5. You will receive emails updating you on the progress of your submission.

Design assets

The final section requires screenshots for both iPhone and iPad and a high resolution icon.

The high resolution icon will be featured in the App Store listing and must be 1024 x 1024 px with no transparency. To generate this icon, we recommend a tool like this.

You can see the screenshots you need in Apple's screenshot specifications document.

You can create your own iOS screenshots in your browser. Learn more here: Generate Screenshots

Export compliance

You may need to answer a question about export compliance. Select Yes when asked if your app uses encryption. See more: Overview of Export Compliance.

Advertising identifier

After submitting your app for review, you may be asked, "Does this app use the Advertising Identifier (IDFA)?"

The app will still be able to be published, but you will want to check the following three boxes:

Note, you should not check the box labelled Serve advertisements within the app.

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