App Store Publishing Checklist: Everything You Need Before Submitting

Submitting an app to the App Store for the first time can be overwhelming. Apple's review process is strict, and a rejection costs you days of waiting. This checklist covers everything you need to have in place before you hit "Submit for Review" — so you get approved on the first try.

1. Apple Developer Account — Active and Ready

Before anything else, make sure your Apple Developer account is active and in good standing. Your annual subscription ($99) must be current. If you need an account fast — without going through Apple's lengthy registration — you can order a ready-made account from us and receive it the same day.

• Account status: Active ✓
• App Store Connect access: confirmed ✓
• Certificates and provisioning profiles: generated ✓

2. App Binary — Build Ready

Your app must be uploaded as an archive through Xcode or Transporter. Before uploading:

• Build version and bundle ID match your App Store Connect record
• No debug symbols or test code left in the production build
• Tested on a real device (not just simulator)
• Minimum iOS version set correctly
• App doesn't crash on launch
• All features work without an internet connection (or gracefully handle offline state)

3. App Metadata in App Store Connect

This is what users see in the App Store. Apple reviewers also check it for accuracy.

• App name — up to 30 characters, no keyword stuffing
• Subtitle — up to 30 characters, appears below the name
• Description — up to 4000 characters, first 3 lines visible without "more"
• Keywords — up to 100 characters total, comma-separated
• Category — primary (and optionally secondary)
• Support URL — a working URL, not a placeholder
• Privacy Policy URL — required for all apps

4. Screenshots and App Preview

Screenshots are often the reason for rejection. Required sizes vary by device:

• iPhone 6.9" (required) — 1320×2868 or 1290×2796
• iPhone 6.5" (required) — 1284×2778 or 1242×2688
• iPad Pro 12.9" (required if iPad supported) — 2048×2732
• Up to 10 screenshots per device size
• App Preview video: 15–30 seconds, captured on device

Screenshots must show the actual app UI — no mockup frames that misrepresent functionality.

5. App Icon

• 1024×1024 px, PNG format, no transparency, no rounded corners (Apple applies them)
• Must match the icon inside the app binary
• No Apple logos, trademarked symbols, or prices in the icon

6. Privacy and Data Collection

Apple requires full transparency about data collection. In App Store Connect, you must complete the Privacy Nutrition Labels:

• What data is collected (location, contacts, usage data, etc.)
• Whether it's linked to the user's identity
• Whether it's used for tracking
• App Tracking Transparency (ATT) prompt if you collect any tracking data

7. Age Rating

Fill out the age rating questionnaire honestly. Apple automatically assigns a rating based on your answers. Incorrect ratings (e.g., marking adult content as 4+) are grounds for removal from the App Store.

8. In-App Purchases (if applicable)

• All IAPs created and approved in App Store Connect before submission
• Subscription terms clearly disclosed in the app
• Restore purchases button implemented
• No mention of other payment methods (PayPal, Stripe, etc.) for digital goods

9. Review Notes for Apple

If your app requires login to access features, provide a test account. If there's a specific flow the reviewer needs to follow, explain it clearly in the review notes. This alone prevents many rejections.

10. Final Sanity Check

• No broken links or placeholder text in the app
• No references to competitors (Google Play, Android) in the UI
• No non-public APIs used
• Permissions (camera, location, etc.) have clear usage descriptions in Info.plist
• The app does what the description says