iPhone Development 101

iPhone 101

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Updated for Xcode 4.5.2, Nov. 9, 2012 (previous versions)

This checklist is available as an interactive version, and a printable version, in the idev101 app!

You'll need to be a paid member of the Developer Program to distribute apps on the App Store. You'll also need to agree to all of the paid app contracts, and submit your tax and bank routing info. This should be done in iTunes Connect. For best results you should fill this out before you even begin working on any apps, because it can take several weeks (or more) for the contracts to be approved by Apple. If you're setting up a company account, you'll also need a D-U-N-S number (free to get but it takes over a month).

Adding The App To iTunes

What you'll need:

  • A name for your app (as it will appear on the App Store. Up to 255 bytes.) Your app name must be unique - you can't use the same name as another app on the App Store.
  • SKU number (must be unique among your apps; can include letters, numbers, hyphens, periods, and underscores)
  • Bundle ID (must match the one you set up in your app's Info.plist file)
  • Support URL - a web page for your app.
  • App description - up to 4000 characters.
  • Large App Icon (1024 x 1024 JPG, TIFF, or PNG ) - this image is for displaying in iTunes and on the App Store. It should match the icon in your app.
  • At least one screenshot for each device type that your app supports.

Log into iTunes Connect. Go to Manage Your Applications, and click on Add New App.

2. Enter the App Information:

  • Default language
  • App Name
  • SKU
  • Bundle ID

3. Pricing and availability: this is where you set the price and release date for your app. (Click on the pricing matrix link to view the app prices for different tiers.)

  • Tier 0 = Free
  • Tier 1 = 0.99
  • Tier 2 = 1.99
  • Tier 3 = 2.99
  • Tier 4 = 3.99
  • etc.

Release date: This defaults to the current date, but you can set it to a date in the future if you like. If your app is approved before the release date you've set, then it won't be available in the App Store until that date.

4. Version Info and Category
  • App Version Number (you probably want 1.0 here). This can't be changed once the app is in review.
  • Copyright info (for example, "2012 YourCompanyName"
  • Primary Category - choose the category that best describes your app. This can't be changed once your app is in review.
  • Secondary Category - an optional second category for your app. This can't be changed once the app is in review.

If your app is a game, then you'll also be able to select two game subcategories.

5. Enter Metadata:

  • App description - up to 4000 characters. This can be edited any time, even after your app is approved.
  • Keywords - up to 100 characters; separate multiple keywords with commas. Keywords can't be changed after the app is in review.
  • Support URL (required) - the web page for your app. This should include contact info for users who have questions about your app.
  • Marketing URL (optional) - a web page with more info for your app.
  • Privacy Policy URL (currently optional, but that may change...) If your app collects personal data from users, you should post a privacy policy on your website. (If you live in California, that state now requires app makers to post a privacy policy if they collect personal information on users.)

6. App Review Information:

Apple now requires a name, e-mail address, and contact phone# for someone who can be contacted if the App Review team has questions about your app. This info will not be published to the App Store; it's only for internal use at Apple.

7. Upload the following:

  • Large App Icon (1024 x 1024) - for iTunes and the App Store
  • At least one screenshot. You can have up to five screenshots for each device type (iPhone, iPhone 5, and iPad).

Once all of these are added, click "Save" to add your app.

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Ready to Upload?

Once you've added the app to iTunes Connect, it'll show the status "Prepare for Upload" on the app summary page. Click on View Details, then on the app info page, click Ready to Upload Binary.

You'll be asked if your app contains encryption; select yes or no and click Save. Now on the app summary page, your app status should be "Waiting for Upload":

Now you're ready to Build the App for Distribution. The rest of the app submission process happens from within Xcode.


Additional References:

Version History

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