Getting ready for release on the App Store. Instructions for beginners and life hacks

Prepared a guide for customers who are engaged in publishing the application on their own. We talk about prerelease troubles: how to create a developer account, how much time to put on the registration of the DUNS number, which screenshots to prepare for the store.

We must immediately warn: you can save a few weeks and your nerves if you delegate the publication of the application to developers. Of course, under proper control. They have more experience in release matters: they will do everything faster, correctly fill in all the fields and, most likely, will not run into a redject. Do not forget to only change the passwords from the account so that only you have the data.

Getting ready for publication

On average, the process takes a couple of weeks.

1. Create an Apple ID (10 minutes)
2. Register a developer account (1 day as a developer \ 19 days as a company, the DUNS number is to blame.)
3. Pay for the account (2-3 days)
4. Prepare marketing materials (1 day)

1. Create an Apple ID

If you already have an Apple ID, go to step 2. If not, create it.
We go to the Apple website . Click the Create Your Apple ID button.



A form with personal data opens.



Correctly fill out information about the account owner. Below is an example of filling out a profile.



We answer three mandatory questions in case of losing a password, without them you can’t create an account. It is better to write the data somewhere so as not to forget the background information after a few years.

The completed profile looks like this.



We agree to the privacy policy, unravel the captcha and click the "Continue" button. A form appears in which you need to enter a confirmation code. He will come to the mail tied to the account. There are 30 minutes to enter the code. Otherwise, you have to start all over again.



Done. Apple ID created.

2. Register a developer account

We go to the Apple website . Enter the Apple ID and password that we already have.



We agree with the user agreement. Click on the Submit button. We appear on the welcome-screen.



Click Join the Apple Developer Program. Go to the next screen.



Our goal is the blue Enroll button in the upper right corner. Push it.



Now there are two ways: to join the program as an individual (individual) or as a legal entity (Company / Government Organization). The cost is the same - $ 99, regardless of the type of developer. The difference is also one - status. In the column "seller" will be listed either Ivan Ivanov, or Touch Instinct, LCC. If the application has a piece of intellectual property, it is better to play it safe and put it on behalf of the company. It will be easier to prepare evidence for Apple in the event of a dispute.



As a developer,
select individual and click the Continue button.

On the next screen, they suggest filling out personal information.



We put a daw that we agree with the terms of the user agreement. Click the Continue button.

How company
If you want to register as a company, similar fields and a little hell are waiting for you. To pass the Apple test, you need to get the organization's DUNS number.

Duns can be obtained for free on the official website or purchased for 12,240 rubles . The latter is a punishment for those who do not know English. 14 days after receiving the number information will be with Apple. Pledge a minimum of 19 business days to wait. Please note that your company name on Apple and D&B sites must match exactly.

3. Pay for an account

Get to the payment! Click the Purchase button.



Fill in the information about the payer. A standard online purchase, nothing out of the ordinary. At this stage, we had a slight hitch. The name of the card holder was different from the name of the account holder - Apple was alert. The support service asked to send a scan of the passport of the account holder to confirm the identity. It took another four business days. Money was debited from the card instantly, but payment took another two days.

The final touch in history is a confirmation letter that will be sent to the post office. As soon as it comes to order, you can upload the application.

4. We prepare marketing materials

We prepare materials in advance so as not to lose time during the release.

1. The name of the application
will be displayed on the App Store. Up to 30 characters.

2. Keywords
One or more keywords that describe the application. Searching the App Store for keywords gives more accurate results. Separate keywords with commas. Up to 100 characters.

3. Description The
description of the application will also be used in the application for the Apple Watch.
Maximum 4000 characters.

4. E-mail support services
In the format support@touchin.ru.

5. Developer Name
It's simple.

6. Category
You need to choose the lesser of evils.
Business, Newspapers and magazines, Children, Food and Drink, Health and Fitness, Games, Catalogs, Books, Medicine, Music, Navigation, News, Lifestyle, Education, Weather, Shopping, Productivity, Travel, Entertainment, Social Networks, Sports, Directories, Utilities, Finance, Photo and video.

7. Version
number The version number of the application.

8. URL of the advertising site
URL with advertising information about the application. Will be displayed on the App Store.

9. Privacy Policy
If the application collects user data, you need a link to the privacy policy.

10. Screenshots
Screenshots must be in JPG or PNG format and RGB color space.
No more than five pictures for each type of device. There are four types of devices: iPhone 4, 5, 6, 6plus. Detailed information on graphics requirements is available on the Apple website .

Video about the application is optional. Requirements: M4V, MP4 or MOV format. No more than 500 MB.

11. Icon
In JPG or PNG format, in the RGB color space and with a resolution of at least 72 dpi. No rounded corners, Apple himself will do everything. Resolution 1024 x 1024 pixels.

12. Copyright
The name of the person or organization that owns the unique rights to the application. Indicated after the year of receipt of rights (if applicable). For example, “2008 IE Ivanov I.I.” or “Touch Instinct” ..

13.Support
URL The application support URL. Will be displayed on the App Store.

14. Contact information
An employee of your organization who can be contacted in case of questions during publication. Indicate the name, mail, telephone number of the employee.

15. Notes
Additional information about the application, which can help with verification. Up to 4000 characters.

16. User agreement
If it differs from the eplovsky.

17. What's New
Provide information about what's new in this assembly and what needs to be tested. Up to 3,600 characters.

18. Age limit
If any.

19.Demo Account
Provide the username and password for the full access account. If Apple fails to log in to the verification application, it will reject it. If authorization via SMS is provided, be sure to provide a phone number for Apple that the company can call and request a verification code to enter the application.

20. Description of the application
For beta testing. It should reflect the features and capabilities of the application.
Up to 6,000 characters.

Starting with iOS 11

21. Promotional text
Appears above the description in the App Store. Will be displayed for users of devices with iOS 11 and newer. Up to 170 characters.

22. Subheading
A brief description of the application that appears under its name in the App Store. Up to 30 characters.

For applications with Apple Watch

23. Icon for the App Store for Apple Watch
For applications built using Xcode 9 and later, the icon must be included in the assembly.

24. Apple Watch
Screenshots Screenshots must be in JPG or PNG format (RGB color space) 312 x 390 pixels.

Let me remind you what information your user will see. This will look like the web version.



And so - mobile.

Release soon

With the preparation finished. In the next article, we’ll show you how to publish an application and defeat Xcode. On our github, look for instructions for publishing the application on GooglePlay .