How to Submit Your iOS App to the Apple Store in 2025

Prerequisites Before Submitting Your iOS App

Before you begin the submission process, you need to prepare a few essential items:

• Apple Developer Program Membership: You must enrol in the Apple Developer Program. This costs $99 annually and gives you access to tools, certificates, and the App Store Connect portal.
• App Build in Xcode: Use Xcode (a system that manages the tools that transform your code and resource files into a finished app) to develop and test your app. Ensure it meets Apple’s performance and functionality standards.
• App Store Connect Account: This portal allows you to manage app metadata, submit builds, and track app analytics.
• App Screenshots and Description: Prepare clear screenshots, videos, keywords, search terms, and a compelling app description.

Taking care of these steps ensures a smooth submission process. If you’re uncertain about these tasks, consider hiring professionals. When you hire dedicated iOS app developers, they handle these technicalities for you.

Step-by-Step Process to Submit Your iOS App to the Apple Store

Submitting your app to the Apple Store requires a series of careful steps. Here’s a detailed walkthrough

Step 1: Test Your App Thoroughly

Before submission, test your app on multiple devices to ensure it does not have bugs or crashes. Use tools like TestFlight to invite beta testers and gather feedback.

Step 2: Create a Bundle Identifier

Each app on the Apple Store needs a unique identifier. To create one, navigate to your app’s settings in Xcode.

Step 3: Archive Your App

After finalising the app, archive it in Xcode. This step prepares your app for submission.

Step 4: Upload the App to App Store Connect

Use Xcode to upload your app directly to App Store Connect. You’ll need to log in with your developer credentials.

Step 5: Fill in App Details on App Store Connect

Provide accurate metadata, including:

• App name
• Category
• Description
• Keywords (ensure they’re relevant for visibility)

Step 6: Submit for Review

Once everything is ready, submit the app for Apple’s review. This process usually takes a few days.

To avoid rejection, ensure your app follows Apple’s guidelines. If this process feels overwhelming, you can hire offshore iOS app developers to manage it. Their expertise can save you time and reduce the risk of errors.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Submitting an app to the Apple Store can be tricky. Here are common issues developers face and tips to overcome them

1. Rejection Due to Guideline Violations: Apple has strict guidelines for app design, privacy, and functionality. Violations often lead to rejection. Hiring a professional team can help you navigate these requirements.
2. Poor User Experience: Ensure your app is user-friendly and visually appealing. Hiring remote iOS app developers with a strong portfolio can help enhance the UX design.
3. Incomplete Metadata: Apps with missing or incorrect metadata may face delays in approval. Always double-check your submissions before hitting “Submit.”
4. Hiring Incompetent Developers: Hiring developers with less experience in iOS app submission is one of the pitfalls where you lose all your efforts.
   You can sidestep these challenges by finding an iOS app developer with good experience under your budget through offshoring or hiring through an augmentation partner.

Benefits of Hiring Experts for iOS App Development

The submission process requires technical knowledge and experience. Here’s why hiring experts is a smart choice

1. Expertise in Apple Guidelines: Professional developers understand Apple’s ever-evolving guidelines. When you hire iOS app engineers, they ensure your app complies with these rules.
2. Time-Saving: Submitting an app can be time-consuming. Offshore iOS app developers can handle the workload while you focus on other aspects of your business.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Hiring offshore developers is often more affordable than building an in-house team. You can access global talent without breaking the bank.
Whether you hire a remote iOS app developer or a dedicated programmer, you gain peace of mind knowing the submission process is in capable hands.

Resources and Tools for iOS App Submission

Several tools and resources can simplify the submission process. These include

• Apple Developer Portal: Access this portal to manage developer certificates and provisioning profiles. 1
• TestFlight: Use it for beta testing and gathering user feedback. 2
• App Store Connect: This tool allows you to manage your app’s presence on the App Store 3..

Professionals leverage these tools efficiently. When you hire an iOS app engineer, they know how to use these resources to your advantage.

Conclusion

Max R.

Co-Founder

Max Rowse is a co-founder and operations expert known for his commitment to operational excellence and efficiency in the tech staffing industry.