Are you ready to launch an iOS app for your business but unsure where to start? At Lampa.dev, we bring extensive expertise in iOS app development services and the publication of digital products on the App Store. The submission process involves numerous nuances, as it's essential to prepare everything before submitting applications.
Lampa.dev assists startups and established businesses worldwide in creating apps and navigating the Apple app approval process. Let us share our experience and highlight potential challenges you might face along the way.
Navigating the Apple App Store Submission Procedure
How to publish an app to the App Store? Apple offers comprehensive instructions to guide you through this process. The documentation explicitly outlines stringent standards for interface design, technical and functional features, and acceptable app categories.
By familiarizing yourself with these guidelines and understanding how the App Store approval process works, Lampa.dev significantly reduces the risk of rejection and ensures the overall quality and usability of the product.
How Does the Apple Approval Process Work?
When we fully test your application, and it is ready for launch, we upload it to the App Store and submit it for review by Apple. In the process of submission, we determine its category, search keywords, and pricing policy.
How to get an application on the App Store? A digital product developed in compliance with Apple's strict requirements and quality standards can navigate the approval process without unnecessary complications. If Apple rejects the application, they will send an email explaining the reasons for the rejection. You’ll then need to address the identified issues and resubmit the application.
What Is the Reason Behind Apple's Strict Regulations?
“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”
Steve Jobs
How to put an app on the App Store? Apple expects its partners to adhere to principles of honesty, respect, privacy, and compliance, as well as to follow all applicable policies when providing goods or services or conducting activities on its behalf.
The guidelines establish strict rules for developing iOS applications to maintain device reliability and ensure a secure and user-friendly environment on its platform.
Crucial Steps for Publishing an iOS Application on the App Store
Following these recommendations during development not only simplifies obtaining approval but also increases the likelihood of positive feedback for the newly created application in the competitive App Store.
By paying close attention to correctly fulfilling all requirements from the outset, developers at Lampa.dev avoid issues and potential delays caused by rejections and the need for resubmission.
Step 1: Set Up an Apple Developer Account
In order to submit an app to the App Store, you need to be a member of the Apple Developer Program and set up a developer account.
This necessitates an Apple ID with two-factor authentication activated. The system will request personal details, a DUNS number, legal entity status, authority to enter legally binding agreements, and the company’s website.
Membership is paid, costing $99 per year, and provides access to Apple’s unique tools and developer services.
With this account, you can manage apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Membership also grants access to beta software versions, analytics tools, and testing platforms like TestFlight.
Step 2: Configure App Store Connect
App Store Connect is a platform that allows you to manage and access complete application information, control updates, monitor performance, and utilize analytics tools.
In the Connect dashboard, navigate to the My Apps section, click the + icon in the upper-left corner, and choose New App. Then, input the following data: platform, name, primary language, bundle identifier, and Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). This information cannot be changed after submission.
Step 3: Get the App Ready for Submission
Before submission, the next step is to specify the version number in the format [Major Version] [Minor Update] [Patch], for example, 9.12.1, along with the build string.
Define the application category to help users find it easily in the Store, such as Books, Business, Developer Tools, etc. The category should accurately reflect the app’s primary function and purpose to avoid rejection.
Prepare the icon and launch screen, a visual element displayed during launch that disappears when the main interface loads.
Create screenshots, either direct captures from the application or presentation images using mockups. These showcase the app’s features and functionality to potential users.
Previews are short videos (up to 30 seconds) that, at the customer's request, must be added to showcase the key features of the applications. Up to three such videos can be added. Like screenshots, previews can be adapted for different languages.
Step 4: Submit App Build
At this stage, configure and update the bundle identifier in Xcode’s project editor, which uniquely identifies the digital product in the system.
This completes the submission process, allowing you to proceed to the next stage.
Step 5: Conduct Application Testing
After you upload your application to App Store Connect, navigate to the TestFlight section and add Apple quality assurance specialists to the team. This will enable them to test the application and identify potential issues.
Additionally, Apple TestFlight is a convenient tool that allows you to invite users for beta testing, gathering valuable feedback before the official launch. This preliminary analysis helps identify possible improvements and ensures the application meets both Apple’s requirements and user expectations.
Step 6. Submit App for Evaluation
The final step before submitting the application for review involves setting the app’s age rating. Complete the questionnaire in the respective section, and Apple will automatically assign the rating based on your responses.
It’s now time to submit the application for review. In the TestFlight section, select the verified build, fill in the review information, and set the release date.
After submitting for review, it enters Apple’s queue for evaluation and certification.
You’ll need to choose one of the following release methods:
manually;
automatically;
automatically with a specified date.
This ensures that the review results will be available soon.
Frequent Causes of App Store Rejection
Rejection during the publication process can become a significant obstacle. However, understanding the most common reasons for rejection can help avoid issues and accelerate the app's availability on users' devices. Let’s examine some key causes:
Technical Problems
Before submitting the app for review, it is crucial to ensure that it operates stably, free of crashes or errors that might occur during the review process. An application that frequently crashes or has serious bugs negatively affects user experience and may be flagged as problematic by reviewers.
All links within the application must function correctly, and one of them should direct users to customer support with contact information. If you offer free subscriptions with automatic renewal or develop an app for the "Kids" category, it is mandatory to include a link to the privacy policy.
If account creation is required to use the application, a test account must be provided for the Apple review team.
Privacy and Data Protection Issues
Apple places significant emphasis on user privacy. If an application lacks a clear and comprehensible privacy policy or mishandles personal data, it will be rejected.
We always openly disclose how we collect and use information — this not only helps avoid rejection but also builds trust.
Insufficient or Deceptive Details
The app's description and metadata must contain all the necessary information for users.
If the application requires special equipment or interacts with external services, it must be explicitly stated.
Incomplete or unclear information can confuse users and is one of the common reasons for rejection.
The app name, description, and keywords should precisely represent its functionality. Using irrelevant phrases or misleading descriptions may result in rejection. We adhere to transparency and honesty when describing the features.
Top Guidelines to Guarantee Your Application Gets Approved
To speed up the approval process, you may request expedited review. This option is available only in urgent situations. Misuse of this feature may result in future requests being denied.
In regular situations, specialists follow tried-and-true recommendations we have gathered over the years of experience.
Adhere to Apple’s App Store Regulations
Apple places significant emphasis on the selection of apps for its store. Before an application becomes available in the App Store, it undergoes a detailed review process, assessed against several criteria, including:
technical performance;
design;
content quality.
Only apps that meet all the requirements receive approval for publication and become available for download by users. For this reason, we strictly follow the Apple Store guidelines.
Enhance UI/UX
To pass the initial review successfully, we strive for maximum simplicity in the app. Additional features can be integrated later, but in the initial phase, it is crucial to focus on executing the core aspects of clean UI effectively.
It is necessary to ensure that the user interface complies with Apple’s design requirements. Particular attention should be given to text size, contrast, image quality, spacing, and overall adherence to the design rules outlined in Apple’s guidelines.
Make Sure Your App Provides Real Value
The Apple Store prioritizes apps that offer uniqueness and value to its users.
We analyze other apps in the selected category and identify what makes our product stand out. App Review is more likely to approve an app if it meets the standards and expectations of its category.
The digital product should stand out, but not deviate excessively from established norms.
Resolve Errors and Perform Comprehensive Testing
Before submitting to the App Store, thorough testing is essential to identify and fix any errors or shortcomings.
It is crucial to test the application on real devices, not just on emulators or simulators. Virtual environments may fail to reveal certain bugs or performance issues that arise only on physical devices.
Every screen and feature should be reviewed to ensure proper functionality. Interaction with all interface elements is necessary: press buttons, enter text into fields, force-close the application, and restart it. Ensure all visual elements display correctly across various screen sizes.
Offer Clear and Precise Descriptions with Previews
A description is a key element that helps users understand the purpose and functionality of an app. Here are the main recommendations:
Write simply yet persuasively.
Avoid similarity with other apps in the selected category.
Highlight the app’s uniqueness and features.
A well-crafted description provides several advantages:
Helps engage users, marketers, and influencers.
Emphasizes the app's functionality.
Improves rankings and enhances search visibility.
By following these best practices, Lampa.dev ensures apps are successfully approved and published in the App Store.
How Lampa.dev Contributes to the Success of iOS App Development
At Lampa.dev, we take pride in our reputation as a reliable and experienced company specializing in developing high-quality iOS applications that meet Apple’s strict requirements. Whether it’s a business app or a product for end-users, we have the expertise and skills to bring your ideas to life. We also provide UI/UX design and testing services.
Our team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless iOS development process, delivering applications that operate flawlessly and meet Apple Store requirements for successful submission.
Contact us today for professional consultation and start bringing your project to life!
Summary
Releasing an application on the Apple App Store is a thrilling yet demanding process. To successfully navigate all stages, it’s essential to understand the Apple App Store requirements and follow them throughout the process.
It all begins with a valuable idea. First, create an Apple Developer account. Next, configure the technical details, including setting up the bundle ID, signing certificates, provisioning profiles, and other essential components to prepare for release.
The next crucial stage is developing the app’s Store page. Enter the app’s name, category, description, keywords, and screenshots. Before submitting the application for review, ensure comprehensive testing to guarantee flawless performance and adherence to privacy standards.
After submission, the Apple team will conduct a thorough review.
If you need consultation or assistance with app development, contact Lampa.dev! We’ll help you turn your idea into reality and succeed in the competitive mobile market. With clear planning, compliance with requirements, and continuous improvement, your application will have every chance to become popular in the Apple App Store.