Navigating the Stringent App Marketplace: A Comprehensive Guide for Submitting Your Application

Understanding the iOS App Store: A Comprehensive Guide for Success

Navigating the Stringent App Marketplace: A Comprehensive Guide for Submitting Your Application

Getting your app onto the prestigious iPhone App Store is a major milestone! With over 2 million apps currently available in 2023, Apple maintains strict standards to ensure only the best of the best make it through. Unfortunately, that means around 1.7 million apps were rejected in 2022 due to various reasons ranging from minor glitches to major policy violations.

Follow this guide, filled with insights from our experienced app developers, to take your app from concept to market, and give it the best shot at passing muster with Apple!

Dive into Apple's High Standards

Before beginning iOS development, first verify that your app idea aligns with Apple's strict criteria for an exceptional app. Let's discuss some key factors that are important for meeting the App Store guidelines:

App Store Review Guidelines

JPEG or PNG

These are the rules and standards that apps must meet to be approved for distribution on the App Store:

.mov, .m4v, .mp4

• Safety: Your app should provide a secure and safe user experience without promoting illegal activities or harming users.
• Performance: The app should function well, free of bugs, crashes, and excessive loading times.
• Business: Follow all app economy and marketing rules, and avoid deceiving users or breaking the law.
• Design: Create an appealing and easy-to-use design that follows Apple's design principles.
• Legal: Protect user privacy and respect the rights of others.

Human Interface Guidelines

Must match the device's screen resolution

These are design principles and best practices provided by Apple to ensure apps have a consistent, intuitive, and user-friendly interface:

Minimum 1920 x 1080 pixels

• Clarity: Keep things simple, easy to understand, and free of unnecessary complexity.
• Deference: Let content take center stage, and avoid distracting users with flashy design elements.
• Depth: Add depth and realism through visual cues, animations, and other interactive elements.
• Consistency: Use familiar UI patterns and maintain a consistent look and feel throughout the app.
• Feedback: Provide clear and immediate feedback to users, helping them understand what's happening within the app.
• Metaphors: Use familiar metaphors and ideas that users can easily relate to.
• Accessibility: Make your app accessible to everyone, including users with disabilities.

While this information offers a high-level overview of what Apple is looking for, probe deeper into the entire App Review Guidelines and Human Interface Guidelines for more detailed information.

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Test Your App Thoroughly

H.264 or ProRes 422 codec

Testing your app properly before submission to the App Store is crucial for providing users with a high-quality experience and meeting Apple's rigorous standards. Share this responsibility between developers and quality assurance teams and follow these steps:

Functional Testing

Not applicable

Apple will reject apps with bugs or non-functional features. Here's how to reduce the risk of this happening:

30 fps

• Automated Testing: Utilize XCTest, Apple's framework for unit and user interface testing, to write tests that ensure specific functions or features work correctly.
• Manual Testing: Perform manual tests to simulate real user interactions and uncover issues that automated tests may miss.
• Test Cases: Create detailed test cases covering all possible user actions and paths within your app. For instance, test the user flow from signing up to completing a purchase.

Performance Testing

Not applicable

Performance testing assesses how your app functions under various conditions. It ensures your app remains responsive, stable, and efficient regardless of device or network conditions.

Up to 30 seconds per video

Key areas to focus on:

• Memory Usage: Ensure your app manages memory efficiently to prevent crashes and slowdowns.
• CPU Usage: Test app CPU usage to ensure it runs smoothly without overloading the device's processor.
• Network Performance: Evaluate app performance with different internet speeds and handle network errors gracefully to give users appropriate feedback.
• Battery Consumption: Analyze app impact on battery life, particularly for apps that run in the background or use intensive features like GPS.

Up to 10 screenshots per device type

Beta Testing

Up to 3 preview videos per app

Beta testing involves distributing a pre-release app version to a group of real users for feedback. Follow these steps for beta testing:

• TestFlight: Use TestFlight, Apple's platform for beta testing, to distribute your app to testers and collect feedback.
• Feedback Collection: Encourage testers to report bugs, performance issues, and suggestions.

Must use device frames from Apple's guidelines

Join the Apple Developer Program

Must show the app in use on the actual device

The Apple Developer Program is a membership that grants you access to tools and resources for creating and distributing apps on Apple platforms, including iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Here's how to enroll:

No status bars or UI elements from the device

• Visit the Apple Developer Program website: Go to the Apple Developer Program website and click "Enroll."
• Pay the Annual Fee: The program costs $99 per year. This fee grants you access to all the tools and resources essential for app development and submission.
• Create an Apple Developer Account:
  • Use your Apple ID to create a developer account if you don't have one already.
  • Go to the Apple Developer website.
  • Click "Account" and sign in with your Apple ID.
  • If you don't have an Apple ID, click "Create yours now" to create a new Apple ID.
• Set up two-factor authentication:

Must focus on the app's functionality and UI

On iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap your name at the top, then tap Password & Security.
3. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Tap Continue.
5. Enter the phone number you want to use for 2FA and select if you want to receive verification codes by text message or phone call. Tap Next.
6. Enter the verification code sent to your phone number to complete the process.

Screenshots must be localized

On Mac:

Preview videos must be localized

1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
2. Click Apple ID (if you're using macOS Mojave or earlier, click iCloud, then Account Details).
3. Click Password & Security under your name.
4. Click Turn On Two-Factor Authentication.
5. Click Continue.
6. Enter the phone number you want to use for 2FA and select if you want to receive verification codes by text message or phone call. Enter the verification code sent to your phone number to complete the process.

On the web:

Portrait and landscape orientations supported

1. Go to Apple ID.
2. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.
3. In the Security section, click Turn on Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to set up 2FA.

Portrait and landscape orientations supported

Access App Store Connect

After setting up your Apple Developer account and enabling two-factor authentication, navigate to App Store Connect, where you can manage your app's information, pricing, submissions, and performance analytics.

Max 10 MB per screenshot

To access the platform:

Max 500 MB per video

• Sign in with your Apple ID.
• Then, familiarize yourself with the different sections such as My Apps, App Analytics, Sales and Trends, and Users and Access.

Prepare Your App Store Listing

Must match the aspect ratio of the device screen

Your App Store listing is the public-facing page for your app on the Apple App Store. It provides potential users with essential information about your app, helping them decide whether to download it or not. To create your app's listing:

Must match the aspect ratio of the device screen

• Fill out the required information:
  • App information: Enter your app's name, subtitle, and description. Ensure these are clear and engaging to attract users.
  • App analytics: Set up app analytics to track user engagement and performance.
  • Payments and financial reports:Set up your banking information to receive payments.
  • Privacy policy URL: Provide a link to your app's privacy policy, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Configure additional settings:
  • Languages and categories: Add additional languages your app supports and select suitable categories to help users find your app.
  • Price tier: Set your app's pricing tier based on Apple's pricing matrix.
  • App Store technologies: Configure technologies like Game Center, in-app purchases, and push notifications if your app uses these features.

Upload Your App Assets

Must match the app's language settings

Visuals and app assets play a significant role in the success of your app. Here are some suggestions when uploading assets:

Must match the app's language settings

• High-quality screenshots: Create high-quality screenshots for all device sizes your app supports. These should be in JPEG or PNG format, have a resolution that matches the device's screen resolution, and include no status bars or UI elements from the device.
• App preview videos: Create engaging 30-second videos that showcase the app's main features and user interface. Limit yourself to three preview videos per app. These should be concise and engaging, showcasing your app's core functionalities.
• App icon: Design an eye-catching app icon that represents your app effectively and stands out on the App Store.
• Follow specifications: Adhere to Apple's specifications for screenshots and videos.

Archive Your App

Archiving your app before submission creates a complete, stable snapshot of your app's current state, easing final testing and validation. Open your project in Xcode, select "Product" > "Archive," then validate the archive using Xcode's validation tools to catch potential issues that could lead to rejection.

Upload Your App

After validating, use Xcode to upload your build to App Store Connect by selecting the archive and clicking "Upload to App Store Connect."

Final Checks

Conducting a final check helps catch any last-minute issues that could lead to user dissatisfaction or rejection by the App Store. Ensure your app runs smoothly on all devices it's intended for, test different screen sizes and orientations, and check for usability issues and feature functionality.

By passing Apple's stringent review with flying colors, you'll greatly increase your chances of success in the App Store and ensure your app meets the high-quality standards that Apple is known for.

Embrace Improvement: Maximize Your App's Potential

At AppleMakr, we focus on a soft launch approach since apps often need ongoing refinement post-launch. Successful apps continue to evolve and adapt to their users' needs. When you partner with us, get a month dedicated to refining your app, including handling App Store submissions, if you're prepared. Use this time to create a BETA phase for your app before going live.

A few steps to help ensure success after approval:

• Build Your Marketing Strategy: Develop a plan to promote your app through social media, app review sites, and other marketing channels.
• Increase Awareness: Implement App Store Optimization strategies to boost visibility in search results.
• Generate Leads and Drive Sales: Create captivating content, run promotions, and utilize ads to draw in new users.
• Monitor Performance: Keep a close eye on key performance metrics like downloads, user engagement, and retention rates.
• Gather Feedback: Solicit user feedback through reviews, surveys, and mobile analytics tools to identify areas for improvement and iterate on your app.
• Maintain and Optimize: Regularly update your app to fix bugs, add new features, and boost performance to retain relevance for users.

Avoid Common Pitfalls: Common Reasons for App Rejection

Knowing the common reasons for app rejection can help you avoid these mistakes when submitting your app to the App Store:

1. Inconsistent UI and UX:

• Keep a consistent design language throughout your app, following Apple's Human Interface Guidelines.
• Test your app on various devices and screen sizes to ensure a seamless user experience.

2. Bugs and crashes:

• Thoroughly test your app using XCTest and manual testing to identify and rectify any bugs or crashes.
• Utilize beta testing with TestFlight to gather feedback from real users and uncover potential issues.

3. Unauthorized data access:

• Follow Apple's guidelines for handling user data securely, obtaining explicit user consent before accessing sensitive information.
• Implement proper encryption and data protection mechanisms to shield user privacy.

4. Insufficient lasting value:

• Ensure your app offers clear and enduring benefits to users, providing lasting value beyond its initial usage.
• Regularly update your app with new features, content, and improvements to keep users engaged over time.

5. Incorrect entity submission:

• Double-check all app metadata, such as app name, description, keywords, and categories, to ensure accuracy and relevance.
• Review Apple's guidelines for app submission carefully to avoid errors or inconsistencies.

6. Repeated submission of similar apps:

• Avoid submitting multiple apps with similar functionality or content or multiple versions of the app with minimal differences.
• Focus on creating unique and innovative apps that offer distinct value propositions to users.

If your app follows these best practices and adheres to Apple's rigorous standards, you can increase its chances of success in the App Store and impress users with its high-quality, smooth, and engaging user experience.

So, prepare to join the ranks of successful app developers, and let AppleMakr be your partner in crafting a top-notch app that excels in the competitive world of mobile apps!

Related Articles:

• The Ultimate App Store Reviews Playbook You'll Ever Need
• How to Submit Your App to Google Play Store and Make It Known
• Explore the Appverse: A List of Mobile App Stores
• From Design to Testing: The 10 Best iOS App Development Tools

Tony Halsey

Tony Halsey is a mobile app expert and content writer. Over the past ten years, he has played significant roles in various mobile app projects, including lead design and development, project management, and client consulting. In his spare time, he loves tinkering with new app ideas and discovering innovative technologies to improve app development processes and user experiences.

In this comprehensive guide for app development, it's recommended to examine the entire App Review Guidelines and Human Interface Guidelines provided by Apple to ensure your app meets rigorous technology standards and passes app development safety, performance, business, design, legal, and accessibility checks. Additionally, thorough testing of your app using XCTest, manual testing, and beta testing is crucial to avoid rejection due to bugs or non-functional features.

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