How to submit an application to App Sotre

[New tutorial] How to submit an application to the App Store

When you finally develop your own App after overcome the difficulties, the next step is to submit the App to the App Store. What should you do? Is my App ready to submit? I'm sure these questions will come to your mind. Based on this tutorial, I will tell you

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Author: Bart jacbs

When you finally develop your own App after overcome the difficulties, the next step is to submit the App to the App Store. What should you do? Is my App ready to submit? I'm sure these questions will come to your mind. Based on this tutorial, I will tell you a complete submission process.

 

Recommended reading:App Store submission for launch and marketing topics

 

Introduction
We all know that Apple's review process is like a "black box" operation, but this does not prevent you from preparing for this review process. Apple's App Store review guide has told you which ones are allowed and which ones are not allowed. When you submit your application to apple for the first time, this is an exciting but frustrating process. Even experienced developers will be caught off guard. After all, this is not like writing code every day.

 

Prerequisites
Before submitting an application to the App Store, you have become a member of the apple iOS developer project. You have paid $99/year to Apple. You can register as a member of the iOS developer project through this link. ClickEnroll NowButton.

Figure 1. Register as an iOS developer

1. Are your applications ready?

Step1. Test
Writing the last line of code or executing the last function does not mean that your App has been completed. Have you asked your application to be tested on multiple devices? Does your application have memory leakage problems? Does your application always crash? In the past few years, the iOS device market has grown rapidly. You must ensure that your applications have passed the test on as many devices as possible. For example, if you have passed the test on the iPhone 5 4-inch screen to the iPad Mini 7.9-inch screen.

 

The iOS simulator is very useful, but it runs on Mac. The memory and processing capabilities are much more powerful than the phone in your pocket, the performance difference between an iPhone 3GS and an iPhone 5 is not to mention. As an iOS developer, you may not risk using an outdated iOS device to create and maintain an App for a long time, even if the App can run well on an old iOS device, but it does not mean it can run smoothly on new devices.

 

Apple's review is closed, but it can reduce the poor health check caused by imperfect performance. If your application crashes frequently or the running of express delivery slows down shortly after startup, you still have a lot to do before submitting it to the App Store. Even if Apple reviewers cannot find problems with the App, they will find that. If the user experience is poor, the user will give you negative feedback or low score, further affecting the application sales and download.

 

Step 2. rules and guidelines
As I mentioned earlier, Apple provides developers with a lot of documentation. Developers should pay special attention to the iOS Human-Computer Interaction guide and App Store review guide, however, if many developers do not have the energy or difficulty to study these documents, your applications will be rejected because of the requirements listed in these documents.

 

Further, even if you have not studied the iOS Human-Computer Interaction guide and App Store review guide, developers must also understand the rules that are commonly mentioned, the following lists the things that your application should and shouldn't do.

Your application:
Cannot crash
Private APIs cannot be used,
Native app features cannot be copied,
Use IAP (in-app payment) for financial transactions
You cannot use a camera or microphone without your knowledge.
Use copyrighted Images

 

These are only a small part of the document mentioned above. The iOS Human-Computer Interaction guide and App Store review guide are more trivial. But in some small places, you may inadvertently violate the rules. For example, before Apple uses its own map, MapKit framework uses Google maps, and users know that Google's logo will be placed in the lower left corner of each map, if your application's user interface covers Google's logo, Apple will reject your application. Although this is very trivial, it is also a place where many developers often "Make Mistakes.

2. Preparations

Before you begin submitting a program to the App Store, you need an App ID, a valid publishing certificate, and a valid Provisioning profile. Let's take a look at their respective functions.

 

Step 1: App ID (App ID)
An App ID is a unique identifier that identifies different applications. Each app requires an App ID or app ID. Currently, there are two types of App IDs: one is the exact App ID (Explicit App ID), One is the wildcard App ID (Wildcard App ID). The App ID that uses the wildcard can be used to build and Install multiple programs. Although the wildcard App ID is very convenient, a precise App ID is also required, especially when the App uses iCloud or other iOS functions, such as Game Center, Push Notifications, or IAP.

 

If you are not sure what kind of App ID is suitable for your project, I suggest you read Apple's document on this topic: Technical Note QA1713.

 

Step 2: Distribution Certificate (publish a Certificate)
Each iOS app has a security certificate used to verify the developer's identity and signature. To submit an App to the app Store, you need to create an iOS provisioning profile. First, you need to create a distribution certificate (publish certificate). The process is similar to creating a development certificate (develop certificate ). If you have already tested your App on a physical device, you are familiar with creating the development certificate.

 

If you are not familiar with this, I suggest you read Apple's detailed instructions on signing certificates and provisioning profiles.

 

Step 3: Provisioning Profile (configuration file)
Once you have created the App ID and distribution certificate, you can create an iOS provisioning profile to easily sell your App in the App Store. However, you cannot use the same provisioning profile as ad hoc distribution. You need to create a separate provisioning profile for App Store distribution. If you use the wildcard App ID, multiple apps can use the same provisioning profile.

 

Step 4: Build Settings)
The App ID, distribution certificate, and provisioning profile have been configured. It is time to configure the build settings of the target in Xcode. In XcodeProject NavigatorSelect a target from the targets List to openBuild SettingsOption, and then update it.Code SigningTo match the previously created distribution provisioning profile. Recently Added provisioning profiles are sometimes not immediately built in settingsCode SigningAnd restart Xcode to solve the problem.

Figure 2: Configure Build Settings of Target

Step 5: Deployment Target)
Deployment target. In Xcode, each target has a deployment target, which indicates the minimum version that the app can run. However, once the application takes effect in the App Store, you must modify the deployment target. If you increase the deployment target when updating the app, but the user who has purchased the app does not meet the new deployment target, the app cannot run on the user's mobile device. If a user downloads an updated app through iTunes (not a device), replaces the original version on the device, but finds that the new version cannot run on the device, this is indeed a problem.

 

I have two methods for this.
(1) When you decide to increase the deployment target of an existing app, you should describe it in the version notes of the new version. If you tell the user in advance, at least one thing, you have tried your best to prevent the problem from occurring.

 

(2) for a new app, I often set deployment target to the latest system version. Because after the release of the new iOS version, the penetration rate is incredible. Many people think that increasing deployment target will lose most of the market. This statement is not accurate. For example, more than 60% of devices have been updated one month after the release of iOS 6 and iOS 6. But for Android, it is another thing. Android users are not as keen as iOS users to update the operating system version.

3. Assets (Resource Package)

Step 1: Icons (icon)
Icon is an integral part of the App. Make sure that the icon size does not go wrong.
ITunes Artwork: 1024px x 1024px (required)
IPad/iPad Mini: 72px x 72pxAnd114px x 114px (required)
IPhone/iPod Touch: 57px x 57pxAnd114px x 114px (required)
Search Icon: 29px x 29pxAnd58px x 58px (optional)
Settings Application: 50px x 50pxAnd100px x 100px (optional)

 

Step 2: Screen
The function of the screen is self-evident. You can upload five images for each app. Although at least one image needs to be uploaded, few may upload only one image. In addition, you also need to prepare different screens for the iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad/iPad Mini respectively. This is not a small workload, but it can show the other side of the application. Shiny Development's $6.99 Mac software Status Magic can save you a lot of time. Status Magic can help you place the Status bar in the correct position.

 

The screen and icon are the first impressions of the application. They are directly related to whether the user will buy them. However, the screen you upload does not have to be practical either. Look at Where's My Water? You can use this policy to make it more attractive and persuasive.

 

Step 3: Metadata
Before submitting an application, you must manage the app metadata, including 1 Application name, 2 version number, 3 main categories, 4 concise descriptions, 5 keywords, and 6. URL support. If you need to update the application, you also need to provide the new version content.

 

If your application needs to be registered, you have to provide a test account or demo account to Apple so that reviewers can quickly access the app without having to register an account.

 

4. Submit preparation

After Xcode 4, the process for developers to submit applications is much simpler. You can directly use Xcode to submit applications. First, create an app in iTunes Connect, access iTunes Connect, log in with your iOS developer account, and click"Manage Your Apps", Click"Add New App", Select"IOS AppAnd then complete the table.

 
Figure 3. Browse the iTunes Connect page

Step 1: complete basic information
The name of the App that appears in the App Store must be unique. This name can be different from the name under the icon on the home screen, but the same name is recommended.

 

SKU NumberIs a special character string used to identify the app. I often use the app bundle identifier. The bottom is the app'sBundle IDYou can select a wildcard App ID or an accurate App ID from the menu.

Figure 4. specify the name, SKU Number, and Bundle ID

 
Step 2: price and Validity
Next, determine the price and validity of the app. Apple has determined the price gradient, so you do not need to select the app prices for each country separately. You only need to specify the country in which the app store to sell. After the App Store displays this application, the information entered in this process can also be modified, that is, you can change the price without submitting or updating.

Figure 5. Price and Validity

Step 3: Metadata
We have already talked about metadata, but we have not yet mentioned the application rating. Based on the content and functions of the application, Apple will rate the application. For example, many applications are 4 + and PX is 17 +. In addition to telling users about the content and features of the app, it can also reassure their parents.

 

If your application level does not match the content, Apple will reject your application.

Figure 6. Enter application metadata and rating

Step 4: Prepare to upload a binary file
After the app metadata is submitted, you will see some summary information about the app. You should check the app version before submission. Click"View Details"Button, and then click"Ready to Upload Binary". Then, the system will ask you one or more questions about the app. After you finish, you will see a prompt to tell you that you are preparing to upload a binary file. The app status changes to"Waiting for Upload".

Figure 7. App Overview

 5. Upload a binary file

To upload a program, you must create an archive for the program. You can only create oneArchive. If you select iOS Simulator in active scheme, the Archive option is gray in Xcode's Product menu. Connect an iOS device to a Mac machine, select this device in active scheme, and select Archive from the Product menu in Xcode.

Figure 8. Archiving applications using Xcode)

If everything works, now you will get an archive, andOrganizerThe generated archive is displayed automatically. Select archive in the list, and then click"Distribute"Button. Select"Submit to the iOS App Store". Enter your iOS developer account for authentication. Then selectApplicationAndCode Signing Identity.

 

The application's binary files will be uploaded to the Apple Server-in this process, your program also needs to be verified. If an error occurs during verification, the submission process of the program fails. Verification processing is very useful. If there are some errors in the program, the Apple App Store review will tell you the specific reason.

Figure 9. Archiving applications using Xcode)
Figure 10. submit the application to the iOS App Store
Figure 11. Enter the iOS developer
Figure 12. Select Application and Code Signing Identity
Figure 13. error message displayed when verification fails

6. Waiting
After the upload is complete, the app status changes to"Waiting for Review.

 

Summary
The submission process for new applications is long, but the update process will be fast. If your application needs to be localized, it will involve a lot, because some basic information needs to be localized. However, this process is worthwhile. After all, more users will bring you more downloads and profits.

Turn: http://www.cocoachina.com/newbie/tutorial/2013/0508/6155.html