ios-app-store

name	ios-app-store
description	App Store expert for iOS app submission and distribution. Use when preparing for App Store submission, review guidelines, metadata, screenshots, TestFlight, app signing, or resolving rejection issues.

iOS App Store

Expert guidance for App Store submission and distribution.

Pre-Submission Checklist

App Requirements

• Minimum iOS version set correctly
• All device sizes supported (or properly restricted)
• App icon in all required sizes
• Launch screen configured
• Privacy policy URL (if collecting data)
• App tested on physical devices
• No placeholder content
• No private API usage

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Crashes and bugs - Test thoroughly
2. Broken links - Verify all URLs
3. Placeholder content - Remove Lorem Ipsum, test images
4. Incomplete metadata - Fill all required fields
5. Misleading descriptions - Accurate feature descriptions
6. Privacy issues - Proper data handling disclosure

App Store Connect

App Information

# Required fields
- App Name (30 characters max)
- Subtitle (30 characters max)
- Privacy Policy URL
- Primary Category
- Secondary Category (optional)
- Content Rights
- Age Rating

Version Information

# Per version
- Version Number (1.0.0)
- What's New (4000 characters max)
- Description (4000 characters max)
- Keywords (100 characters max)
- Support URL
- Marketing URL (optional)

Screenshots Requirements

# iPhone
- 6.9" (iPhone 16 Pro Max): 1320 x 2868 or 1290 x 2796
- 6.5" (iPhone 14 Plus): 1284 x 2778 or 1242 x 2688
- 5.5" (iPhone 8 Plus): 1242 x 2208

# iPad
- 12.9" iPad Pro: 2048 x 2732
- 11" iPad Pro: 1668 x 2388

# Minimum: 2 screenshots per size
# Maximum: 10 screenshots per size

App Preview Videos

- 15-30 seconds
- App content only (no hands/devices)
- No pricing info
- Same dimensions as screenshots

Privacy & Data

App Privacy Details

// Types to declare:
// - Contact Info (name, email, phone)
// - Health & Fitness
// - Financial Info
// - Location
// - Contacts
// - User Content
// - Browsing History
// - Search History
// - Identifiers
// - Usage Data
// - Diagnostics

Privacy Manifest (iOS 17+)

// PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy
// Required for:
// - Apps using required reason APIs
// - SDKs

// Example APIs requiring declaration:
// - NSUserDefaults
// - File timestamp APIs
// - System boot time APIs
// - Disk space APIs

Required Reason APIs

<!-- PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy -->
<dict>
    <key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypes</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPIType</key>
            <string>NSPrivacyAccessedAPICategoryUserDefaults</string>
            <key>NSPrivacyAccessedAPITypeReasons</key>
            <array>
                <string>CA92.1</string>
            </array>
        </dict>
    </array>
</dict>

TestFlight

Internal Testing

- Up to 100 internal testers
- App Store Connect users only
- No review required
- Immediate availability

External Testing

- Up to 10,000 testers
- Public link option
- Beta App Review required
- 90-day expiration

TestFlight Best Practices

// Build number increment
// Format: YYYYMMDDHHMM or sequential

// What to Test notes
// - Clear testing instructions
// - Known issues
// - Features to focus on

// Feedback collection
// - In-app feedback mechanism
// - TestFlight feedback system

Code Signing

Certificates

# Development
- iOS App Development
- Installed on dev machine
- For development builds

# Distribution
- iOS Distribution (App Store)
- Required for App Store submission
- Or Ad Hoc for direct distribution

Provisioning Profiles

# Types
- Development: Testing on devices
- App Store: App Store submission
- Ad Hoc: Direct device distribution
- Enterprise: Internal distribution

# Automatic Signing (Recommended)
# Xcode manages profiles automatically

Entitlements

<!-- MyApp.entitlements -->
<dict>
    <key>aps-environment</key>
    <string>production</string>
    <key>com.apple.developer.icloud-container-identifiers</key>
    <array>
        <string>iCloud.com.myapp</string>
    </array>
</dict>

Archive & Upload

Build Settings

// Release configuration
// - Optimization: Fastest, Smallest
// - Debug Info: DWARF with dSYM
// - Strip Swift Symbols: Yes

// Version & Build
// CFBundleShortVersionString: 1.0.0 (marketing)
// CFBundleVersion: 1 (build number, increment each upload)

Archive Process

1. Select "Any iOS Device" destination
2. Product > Archive
3. Organizer opens
4. Validate App (catches common issues)
5. Distribute App > App Store Connect

Xcode Cloud

# ci_scripts/ci_post_clone.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Run after repository clone

# ci_scripts/ci_pre_xcodebuild.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Run before build

# ci_scripts/ci_post_xcodebuild.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Run after build

App Review Guidelines

Common Guidelines

# 1. Safety
- User Generated Content moderation
- Objectionable content filters
- Reporting mechanisms

# 2. Performance
- Accurate descriptions
- Complete functionality
- Stable performance

# 3. Business
- Clear pricing
- Subscription terms visible
- Refund information

# 4. Design
- Apple UI guidelines
- Proper permissions usage
- No misleading UI elements

# 5. Legal
- Privacy compliance
- Data handling transparency
- Terms of service

Permissions Usage

// Only request when needed
// Provide clear context

// Example: Camera permission
// Before: "Camera access needed"
// After: "Take photos for your profile picture"

// Info.plist descriptions must be meaningful
<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Take photos to create workout progress pictures</string>

Handling Rejection

1. Read rejection reason carefully
2. Check specific guideline cited
3. Options:
   - Fix and resubmit
   - Reply with clarification
   - Request phone call with reviewer
   - Appeal to App Review Board

In-App Purchases

Required for Digital Goods

- App features
- Subscriptions
- Digital content
- Virtual currencies

// NOT required for:
- Physical goods
- Real-world services
- Person-to-person services

Price Tiers

# Apple manages international pricing
# Select tier, Apple converts
# 30% commission (15% for small business)
# Subscriptions: 30% first year, 15% after

App Analytics

App Store Connect Analytics

- Impressions
- Product Page Views
- App Units (downloads)
- In-App Purchases
- Sales
- Crashes
- Retention

Responding to Reviews

# Best practices:
- Respond within 24-48 hours
- Be professional and helpful
- Offer solutions
- Don't be defensive
- Thank users for feedback

Updates & Maintenance

Version Updates

# When to update:
- Bug fixes
- New features
- iOS compatibility
- Security patches

# Update metadata:
- Update "What's New"
- Update screenshots if UI changed
- Update keywords if relevant

Phased Release

# Gradual rollout over 7 days:
# Day 1: 1%
# Day 2: 2%
# Day 3: 5%
# Day 4: 10%
# Day 5: 20%
# Day 6: 50%
# Day 7: 100%

# Can pause or expedite

Apple Documentation

• App Store Review Guidelines
• App Store Connect Help
• Human Interface Guidelines
• TestFlight
• Code Signing
• App Analytics