📱 Free Guide

Submit Your App to the App Store & Google Play

First time? No experience needed. This guide walks you through every step for both Apple and Android — what to prepare, what costs what, and how to avoid the rejections that trip up first-timers.

🍎 Apple App Store — What You Need
Developer Account$99 / year
App submissionFree
Review time (new app)1–3 days
Apple's cut (paid apps)15–30%
🤖 Google Play — What You Need
Developer Account$25 one-time
App submissionFree
Review time (new app)1–7 days
Google's cut (paid apps)15–30%
🍎

Apple App Store — 7 Steps

From zero to live on the App Store. Budget ~2 hours for your first submission.

1
Create an Apple Developer Account
Sign up at developer.apple.com — $99/year. This gets you access to App Store Connect and the ability to distribute apps. Use your real name; Apple uses this for identity verification. Keep the credentials somewhere safe — you'll need them every year.
💡 If you're a company, use an Apple Developer Enterprise Account or a business Apple ID — not your personal one.
2
Create Your App Record in App Store Connect
Log in at appstoreconnect.apple.com. Click "My Apps" → "+" → "New App". You'll need: a unique app name, bundle ID (e.g., com.yourcompany.appname), SKU (internal reference, any string), and primary language. Your bundle ID must match exactly what's in your app's build.
3
Prepare Your Screenshots & Store Listing
Apple requires screenshots in specific sizes. You must include 6.5" iPhone (1284×2778px) and 5.5" iPhone (1242×2208px) at minimum. iPad screenshots optional unless you support iPad. Write a compelling description — the first 3 lines show without "more". Add keywords (100 chars max, comma-separated, no spaces after commas). Set your privacy policy URL.
💡 Use a tool like Canva or Figma to create polished screenshots. They are the #1 factor in conversion.
4
Export Your App Build (.ipa)
Your App Dev In A Box export ZIP includes the iOS build files. You'll use these with Apple's Transporter app (free on Mac App Store) to upload your .ipa to App Store Connect. On Windows, use Apple's Application Loader or Xcode via a virtual machine — or have a Mac-owning friend upload it for you.
💡 Our Master License ($49/yr) automates this step entirely — we sign and submit your build for you.
5
Upload Via Transporter & Link to App Record
Open Transporter, sign in with your Apple ID, drag in your .ipa. It validates the build, then uploads. Once processed (usually 10–30 minutes), go back to App Store Connect → your app → version → "Select a Build" and choose the build you just uploaded.
6
Fill In All Required Fields
App Store Connect will show warnings for anything missing. Required: app description, screenshots, keywords, support URL, privacy policy URL, version number, and export compliance declaration (just answer the questions honestly). Check every section — missing items block submission.
7
Submit for Review & Wait
Click "Add for Review" → "Submit to App Review". First-time submissions typically take 1–3 business days. Apple will email you when approved or if there's feedback. If rejected, read the rejection reason carefully — most are for minor fixes. You can resubmit immediately after fixing.
🎉 Approved apps go live within 24 hours of you clicking "Release This Version".
🤖

Google Play — 7 Steps

Generally faster than Apple and only $25 one-time. Budget ~1.5 hours for your first submission.

1
Create a Google Play Developer Account
Go to play.google.com/console. Sign in with a Google account (use a business account if possible). Pay the one-time $25 registration fee. Fill in your developer name and email. That's it — you'll have console access within minutes.
2
Create a New App
In the Play Console, click "Create app". Enter your app name, select whether it's an app or game, free or paid, and accept the policies. This creates the app record — you'll fill in everything else in the next steps.
3
Set Up Your Store Listing
Go to "Store presence" → "Main store listing". Required: short description (80 chars), full description (4000 chars), minimum 2 screenshots (recommend 8), a hi-res icon (512×512px), and a feature graphic (1024×500px). The feature graphic appears at the top of your Play Store page — make it count.
💡 Use screenshots with device frames and captions — they outperform plain screenshots in A/B tests.
4
Complete Content Rating & Data Safety
Go to "Policy" → "App content". Complete the content rating questionnaire (5–10 minutes). Then fill in the Data safety form — what data your app collects, why, and whether it's shared. This is required. Be accurate; misrepresentation can get your app removed.
5
Upload Your Android App Bundle (.aab)
Your App Dev In A Box export ZIP includes the .aab file. In the Play Console, go to "Release" → "Production" → "Create new release". Upload your .aab. Google handles the rest of the build optimization. Add release notes (what's new in this version).
💡 Google requires .aab format (not .apk) for new apps since August 2021.
6
Review the Pre-Launch Report
After uploading, Google runs automated testing on real devices and generates a pre-launch report. Check for any crashes or warnings. Most issues are minor and don't block submission, but fix critical crashes before continuing.
7
Start Rollout to Production
Click "Review release" → "Start rollout to Production". Confirm. New apps are reviewed by the Play team — typically 1–7 days. You'll get an email when approved. Unlike Apple, Google Play rarely rejects apps for subjective reasons; most rejections are policy violations or crashes.
🎉 Once live, your app appears in search results within a few hours.
⚠️

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections

These trip up 60%+ of first-time submitters. All easily avoidable.

🔒
No Privacy Policy
Both stores require a privacy policy URL. Fix: Use a free generator (privacypolicygenerator.info) and host it on a GitHub page or Notion — just needs to be a live URL.
📸
Wrong Screenshot Sizes
Apple requires exact dimensions for each device class. Fix: Use a Figma template or an app like ScreenshotCreator to generate all required sizes in one shot.
🏷️
Bundle ID Mismatch
The bundle ID in your app must exactly match the one registered in App Store Connect. Fix: Copy-paste — don't type it. One typo causes a hard block.
💥
Crashes on Launch
Apple tests your app on real devices. A crash on launch is instant rejection. Fix: Test on a real device before submitting — not just the simulator.
📝
Vague App Description
Both stores penalize generic descriptions in search ranking. Fix: Be specific about what the app does, who it's for, and what makes it different.
🔑
No Demo Account for Review
If your app requires login, reviewers need test credentials. Fix: Always include a demo account in your review notes field — or enable reviewer bypass.
🤝

Want Someone to Handle the Whole Thing?

Recommended submission services — they handle the entire process on your behalf.

AppSubmitPro Recommended
Full-service submission team. They handle screenshots, metadata, certificate management, and submission for both stores. White-glove service, fast turnaround.
Learn more →
SubmitKit
Template-based submission workflow. Good for DIY users who want a structured checklist and someone to review their submission before it goes to Apple/Google.
Learn more →
Fiverr — App Submission
Budget-friendly option. Search "app store submission" on Fiverr — dozens of verified freelancers. Look for sellers with 100+ 5-star reviews and 24hr delivery.
Browse freelancers →
🤖

Automated Submission — Coming to App Dev In A Box

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🚀 V2 Feature

One-Click App Store Publishing

Our EAS (Expo Application Services) pipeline will handle everything — build signing, certificate management, and submission to both stores — directly from your dashboard. Zero command line. Zero manual steps.

Automatic code signing
Apple + Google Play submission
Screenshot generation
Version management
Review status tracking
✓ You're on the list! We'll reach out when it's ready.

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