·3 min read

How to Get Your App into the App Store and Google Play

A step-by-step guide from someone who's done it multiple times. Developer accounts, certificates, screenshots, review rejections — the whole process.

iOSAndroidApp StoreGoogle Play

The development work is the easy part. Getting your app approved by Apple and Google is where people give up. I've submitted multiple apps and hit every rejection reason you can imagine. Here's the full process so you don't have to learn the hard way.

Step 1: Developer accounts

Apple Developer Account ($99/year)

  • Sign up at developer.apple.com
  • Requires a real identity verification (driver's license or passport)
  • Takes 24-48 hours to activate
  • You'll use App Store Connect to manage submissions

Google Play Developer Account ($25 one-time)

Step 2: Prepare your assets

Before you submit, you need:

  • Screenshots: 6.5" and 5.5" for iPhone, 12.9" and 11" for iPad (even if you don't support iPad)
  • App icon: 1024x1024 PNG, no transparency, no rounded corners (Apple adds them)
  • Description: 4000 characters max. First 170 characters are what people see before "Read More"
  • Privacy policy URL: Required for both stores. Even if your app doesn't collect data.
  • Support URL: A contact page or email

Step 3: Apple-specific setup

If you're building with Xcode:

// Make sure your Info.plist has these keys:
// NSAppTransportSecurity — if you make HTTP requests
// NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription — if you use location
// NSCameraUsageDescription — if you use the camera
 
// Each one needs a human-readable description.
// Apple WILL reject you if these are missing or generic.

You'll also need:

  • A provisioning profile matching your bundle ID
  • An App Store certificate (Distribution)
  • Archive your app via Product → Archive in Xcode

Step 4: Google Play submission

Google is simpler but has its own quirks:

  • Content rating questionnaire: Answer honestly about violence, language, user-generated content
  • Data safety section: Declare exactly what user data you collect
  • Target API level: Must target the latest Android API within 12 months of release
  • App signing: Let Google manage your signing key (you can opt out, but don't)

Step 5: The review process

AppleGoogle
Review time1-3 daysHours to 3 days
First submission2-5 days1-3 days
Rejection rate~40% first time~20% first time
Appeal processResolution CenterAppeals form

Common rejections I've hit

  1. "Guideline 2.1 - Performance — App Completeness" — Your app crashes on review. Test on a real device, not just the simulator.

  2. "Guideline 5.1.1 - Legal — Privacy — Data Collection and Storage" — You're collecting data you didn't declare in your privacy policy. Match your policy to your actual code.

  3. "Guideline 4.2 - Design — Minimum Functionality" — Your app doesn't do enough. Apple rejects apps that feel like a website wrapper. Add native features.

  4. Missing privacy policy — Both stores require this. Even a simple page saying "we don't collect any data" is enough if it's true.

Step 6: After approval

  • Apple: Your app goes live within 24 hours. You can set a manual release date or automatic.
  • Google: Usually live within 2 hours.

Your first version won't be perfect. Ship it, get user feedback, and iterate. The apps that succeed are the ones that keep updating.

Need help with the whole process?

I handle the full submission process for clients — from building the app to getting it approved. Get in touch.

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