How to Submit Your First App to the App Store (Step-by-Step)

Submitting your first app to the App Store can feel overwhelming. There are certificates, provisioning profiles, screenshots, metadata, and review guidelines to navigate. This step-by-step guide breaks down the entire process so you can ship with confidence. For screenshot creation, start with our app store screenshot generator and the complete screenshot sizes guide.

Before You Start: Prerequisites #

Make sure you have:

  1. Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year) — Enroll here
  2. Xcode installed on your Mac
  3. A complete, tested app ready for release
  4. App Store screenshots for all required device sizes
  5. App icon (1024x1024 PNG, no transparency)

Step 1: Create an App Store Connect Record #

  1. Go to App Store Connect
  2. Click My Apps → + → New App
  3. Fill in the required information:
    • Platform: iOS, macOS, etc.
    • Name: Your app's display name (can be changed later)
    • Primary Language: Default language for metadata
    • Bundle ID: Must match your Xcode project
    • SKU: A unique identifier (for your reference only)

Step 2: Prepare Your App Metadata #

In App Store Connect, navigate to your app and fill out:

App Information #

  • Subtitle: A short tagline (30 characters max)
  • Category: Primary and secondary categories
  • Content Rights: Confirm you own the content

Pricing and Availability #

  • Set your price tier (or Free)
  • Choose available countries/regions

App Privacy #

  • Link to your privacy policy URL
  • Complete the privacy nutrition labels questionnaire

Step 3: Upload Screenshots and Preview Videos #

This is where many developers get stuck. App Store Connect requires specific screenshot sizes:

Device Required Size
6.7" iPhone 1290 x 2796
5.5" iPhone 1242 x 2208
12.9" iPad Pro 2048 x 2732

See the complete App Store screenshot sizes guide for all devices.

Pro tip: Creating screenshots for every device and language manually takes hours. Screenshot Studio generates all sizes automatically and can even upload directly to App Store Connect.

Screenshot Best Practices #

  • Use your first 3 screenshots to highlight key features
  • Add captions that communicate benefits, not just features
  • Keep a consistent visual style across all screenshots

Step 4: Write Your App Description #

Your description appears on your App Store listing. Make it count:

Structure That Works #

  1. Opening hook — What problem does your app solve?
  2. Key features — Bullet points work well
  3. Social proof — Reviews, awards, press mentions
  4. Call to action — Encourage the download

Keywords #

  • You get 100 characters for keywords (comma-separated)
  • Don't repeat words from your title
  • Include common misspellings and synonyms
  • Research competitor keywords

Step 5: Build and Archive in Xcode #

  1. In Xcode, select Any iOS Device as the build target
  2. Go to Product → Archive
  3. Once complete, the Organizer window opens
  4. Click Distribute App → App Store Connect → Upload

Common Issues #

  • Signing errors: Ensure your certificates and provisioning profiles are valid
  • Missing icons: Check your asset catalog includes all required sizes
  • Build version: Increment your build number for each upload

Step 6: Submit for Review #

Back in App Store Connect:

  1. Select the build you just uploaded
  2. Answer the Export Compliance questions
  3. Add any App Review notes (login credentials for test accounts, etc.)
  4. Click Submit for Review

Step 7: Wait for App Review #

Apple's review typically takes 24-48 hours, though it can be faster or slower.

If Your App Gets Rejected #

Don't panic. Common rejection reasons include:

  • Bugs or crashes — Test thoroughly before submitting
  • Incomplete metadata — Ensure all fields are filled
  • Guideline violations — Read the App Store Review Guidelines
  • Missing privacy details — Complete the privacy questionnaire accurately

You can respond to rejections in the Resolution Center and resubmit.

Checklist: Before You Submit #

Use this checklist to avoid common mistakes:

  • [ ] App tested on real devices
  • [ ] All required screenshot sizes uploaded
  • [ ] App icon is 1024x1024 with no transparency
  • [ ] Privacy policy URL is valid and accessible
  • [ ] App description is complete and compelling
  • [ ] Keywords are optimized (100 characters max)
  • [ ] Contact information is accurate
  • [ ] Build version is incremented
  • [ ] Export compliance questions answered

Save Hours on Screenshots #

The screenshot step is often the biggest time sink for first-time developers. Instead of manually creating screenshots for every device size:

Screenshot Studio is an app store screenshot generator that lets you:

  • Design once, export for all devices
  • Localize screenshots with AI translation
  • Upload directly to App Store Connect

Focus on building your app — let Screenshot Studio handle the screenshots.

👉 Download Screenshot Studio →