How To Publish an App on The App Store: A Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide (2025)

Apple’s App Store is widely accepted and known for launching iOS applications. App Store is complex and fast-moving in its functionality, rules, and specifications when it comes to publishing an iOS app step by step. Mobile service businesses or mobile applications are growing day by day; businesses and individuals are coming up with applications of every kind.

 Many look into step-by-step app publishing guides to get a fair understanding of App Store application publishing. App Store has many categories for mobile applications, and your application needs to pass their specific requirements. In this blog, you will understand how to publish an app on the App Store and publish an iOS app step by step, covering all details.

App Store, what is it?

We see lots of guides for Apple App Store submissions, but before delving into that, what exactly is an App Store? The Apple App Store is a digital application distribution platform for iOS applications developed and maintained by Apple Inc. You can browse and download any applications you like. 

How to publish an app on the App Store?

You no longer need to contemplate how to publish an app on the App Store. Just follow these 7 steps vigilantly. 

Sign up for the Apple Developer Program

Since the introduction of the App Store, you may be eager to get a guide for Apple App Store submissions. Not everyone can publish an application on the App Store; you need to be a part of the Apple developer program. If you are not part of the Apple developer community, you can sign up for the same.

• Apple ID and dual-factor authentication for solopreneurs and individuals
• For a business, you need an Apple ID as well as two-factor authentication along with the following:

1. D-U-N-S Number
2. Legal Entity Status
3. Legal Binding Authority
4. Website

Submit iOS app to App Store

By following the guide for Apple App Store submissions, you can easily submit the latest version of an iOS application to the App Store. First of all, you need to give your application a unique ID by logging into Xcode. Xcode contains Apple platform SDKs. Once your application is uploaded, the bundle ID cannot be changed. As a final step, set your version number, displayed to users, as the CFBundleShortVersionString for iOS, which is managed through App Store Connect. 

Apple App Store categories

All these listed App Store categories can be seen as representatives of mobile service sectors and are visible in any published app-to-app store tutorial guide. The highest number of applications is found in games and the least in weather. The growth categories differ from one to another as per the App Store optimization guide.

• Developer tools – These are tools for app development in a full-fledged manner, low-code app examples.

• Books – Informative books of traditional and interactive can be enjoyed here.

• Lifestyle – All content related to various topics such as fashion, home, hobbies, and so on

• Food and drink – Apps that provide an overview of food and drinks

• Graphic Design – Apps that help designers create vector images and vivid graphics.

• Health and wellness – Apps that provide information related to health and fitness.

• Kids – Games, stories, educational materials and more for kids

• Medical – Apps for the medical field and intended for healthcare professionals

• News – Latest news can be accessed via applications

• Shopping – Apps that make shopping fun and entertaining

• Social networking – Apps that help you social network with peers and loved ones.

• Games – Apps that provide all sorts of games

• Magazines and Newspapers – Apps that help you easily access magazines and newspapers with auto subscriptions.

• Photos & Videos – Apps that help you to create and edit photos and videos using interactive elements

• Navigation  – Apps that help you reach a place by providing navigational information.

• Music – Listen, create and share music of all sorts made easy with these applications.

• Reference – Just like a Google Play store guide, apps that let you get lots of references on various topics.

• Browser Add-ons – Browser add-ons apps contribute to an optimal browser experience.

• Productivity – Apps that help with organization, decluttering and productivity management.

• Sports  – Apps all about vivid kinds of sports, whether professional or amateur.

• Travel – Apps that can make your travel easy and hassle-free.

• Utilities – Apps that help with problem-solving.

• Weather – Apps for weather forecasts.

• Education – Apps for the interactive online learning experience.

• Entertainment –Apps designed to entertain people with all sorts of content.

• Business – Apps that help run a business and its operations.

• Finance – Apps help you manage your money and savings

Create A Listing Via App Store Connect

Listing for the App Store comprises certain steps. First, you need to sign in and click on My Apps and then + New App. At last, provide all details, namely SKU, your bundle ID, the Application’s primary language, and the application’s name. You can also provide a URL and set your pricing. Remember, your pricing affects user satisfaction. If Apple approves, you can immediately release the application or take your own time. Though the iOS app submission process is easy, you need to follow all steps. 

App Screenshot is necessary

When you think of how to publish an app on the App Store, screenshots are a must-have requisite. It boasts about your applications and the whole content. 

Use Xcode for publishing your application

Xcode is suitable for all iOS applications. It helps you ensure your application is bug-free and provides a convenient experience for people. Once a successful upload, you can see a confirmation message.

To upload your app using Xcode, first, ensure your project is set up for distribution, then archive your app, select “Distribute App” in the Organizer, choose “App Store Connect” as the distribution method, and follow the prompts to upload and validate your app. 

Review Process

Apple executes a manual review of applications to ensure the application’s health and quality. Once Xcode’s archive is processed, you can click on “submit for review”. Usually, you can hear back from Apple’s team within two days. 

Things to remember

• You should have a developer account for the iOS app submission process
• Adhere to the guide for Apple App Store submissions
• Create a compelling metadata with the help of the publish app to app store tutorial
• A thorough test of the application is necessary before publishing

So you have a comprehensive idea about how to publish an app on the App Store. Gaining a competitive edge in the mobile marketplace is an achievable goal you can attain with the help of a digital marketing agency in UAE. Just like the Google Play Store guide, they follow App Store guidelines while publishing your iOS application. The mobile ecosystem will continue to grow, and so will the App Store. It will be beneficial for developers, service providers, platform owners and content providers to have a comprehensive understanding of ‘publish app to app store tutorial’.