If you are getting ready to launch a new mobile app, then you will need to go through the process of submitting the app to the app store. It is important to ensure that you submit the app correctly to the App Store as it is the first step for app exposure. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can submit your app to the App Store.

Sign up for App Developer Program

To submit your app to the App Store you will need to sign up for the App Developer Program. Enrolling in this program can give you access to many benefits such as:

• Access to submit apps to the App Stores on various Apple platforms
• Enables you to create Safari extensions and list them in the extensions gallery
• Access to various testing tools
• App analytics and advanced app features

If you want to submit your app to the app store then sign up for this program.

Gather app information

The first step is to gather all the information about your app before you submit it to the App Store. This information includes the the following:

• App name and description
• Screenshots
• Keywords
• Category
• Privacy policy, support and marketing URL
• App icon
• Rating
• Copyright

If you have your own website you can also add that in your app information. 

Follow the App Store guidelines

The app you want to submit has to go through an app certification process before it goes live. This process just tests your app and ensures that it follows all the App Store guidelines before it is published. 

Before submitting the app it is important to go through all these guidelines so that you would not have any issues while you publish your app. Knowing these guidelines prior to submission saves you time.

Test your app

After reviewing the guidelines you also need to ensure that your app is bug free and crash free. If your app crashes easily then it will not be approved for publishing. While testing your app, test it under various circumstances such as on low network or on different devices.This can help you gauge whether your app is truly ready for launch. 

Testing your app beforehand can help you tackle any issues that crop up. This can save you a lot of time and resources when your app is launch ready.

App privacy policy

You will need to create a URL to a privacy policy. If you are not sure about how to write a privacy policy then you can look up different samples online and privacy policy generators that can help you generate one.

App release options

After the certification process you need to decide how your app should be released. Here are some options you can consider:

Manually: With this option you will have to go to App Store Connect and manually release your app.

Immediately: Release as soon as the app passes the certification

On a date: After clearing the certification, release on a specific date.

In-app purchases

If your app will offer virtual products to users such as points or access to features, you can define them here. There are four types of in-app purchases:

• Consumable
• Non-consumable
• Auto-Renewable Subscriptions
• Non-Renewing Subscription

App screenshots

Screenshots are an important part of your app’s information. Users need to see clear screenshots of what your app looks like. Moreover, Apple has its own screenshot specifications that you need to follow when uploading your screenshots.

Use mock templates

You will need to create mockups of these screenshots on various devices and in different angles. You can use various graphic designing tools such as Adobe, Sketch or Figma. To make it easy you can also use free mock-up generator tools like FluidUI, Moqups, AppCooker and more. 

You can try different screen orientations like portrait or landscape. Then you can add text over these screenshots. 

Use app store screenshot generator

If you don't want all the fuss of graphic design and using mock-ups you can try app store screenshot generator tools. There are various tools like DaVinci Apps, Shotbot etc,.That can help you prepare your screenshots.

Upload your App Store Screenshots

Go to your app store listing and upload the screenshots you have created.

Upload your app to App Store

To upload your app first you need to ensure that it is error free. Next, you need to have your Signing and Team information set up in Xcode. Ensure that your app version is set to 1.0.0 if you are submitting a new app. Increase the build version if you are submitting an update. 

Publishing an app with Xcode is simple. You do not need to take multiple steps, certificates, profiles etc. Xcode can enable or create all of it on its own. 

Go to Product > Archive to enable it to bundle your app. This can be a lengthy process depending on the size of your app. 

Once this is complete the Archive window will open and you can manage all the archives generated by Xcode. After you select the archive you can choose Distribute App. After you select from the options it will run a few checks to ensure that your app is not broken. If Xcode does not find any errors then the upload process will follow. 

Submit app for review

Scroll to the “Build” section in your App Store Connect record. Click on “Select a build before you submit your app”. Select the build that you uploaded through Xcode and then submit for review.

Those are all the steps you will need to complete to submit your app to the App Store. Most apps can be rejected due to poor performance. In this case you will need to fix the errors before re-submitting your app. You can also raise any queries you may have with Apple. Moreover, if you feel that your app was unfairly rejected you can submit an appeal. Again, to avoid such errors ensure that you test your app correctly before submitting. 

After your app is successfully submitted you can view your app’s sales, downloads, ratings and reviews in App Store Connect.