Finishing the code is not the same as launching the app. Both Google Play and the Apple App Store have requirements for accounts, listings, privacy and testing, and missing one can delay your release by days. Use this checklist to prepare, and keep in mind that store policies change, so always confirm the latest details in the official developer documentation.
1. Set up your developer accounts early
- Google Play Console: requires a developer account with a one-time registration fee. Newly created personal accounts may face extra testing requirements before production release, so check the current rules early.
- Apple Developer Program: requires an annual membership. Organisation accounts need a verified legal entity and a D-U-N-S number, which can take time to arrange.
Start this step weeks before launch. Account verification is the most common source of delay.
2. Prepare store listing content
- App name, short description and full description, written for people and search
- Screenshots for each required device size, ideally showing real features
- App icon in the required sizes
- Optional promo video or preview
- Category, keywords and contact details
- Support URL and, where required, a marketing URL
3. Publish a privacy policy
Both stores expect a clear privacy policy, and it is essential if you collect any personal data, use analytics, ads or third-party SDKs. Host it on a public web page and link it in your listing and inside the app. It should describe what you collect, why, who it is shared with and how users can request deletion.
4. Complete the data and content declarations
Google Play asks you to complete a Data safety form, and Apple requires privacy details for your app. Answer them accurately, including data collected by third-party libraries. Inaccurate answers can lead to rejection or removal. Also complete content ratings questionnaires honestly.
5. Meet technical requirements
- Android: upload an Android App Bundle, target a recent Android API level as required, and manage your signing keys safely.
- iOS: build with a supported Xcode version, configure certificates and provisioning profiles, and submit through App Store Connect.
- Support the required permissions only, and explain each in plain language inside the app.
6. Test thoroughly before submission
- Test on real devices across screen sizes and OS versions.
- Run through every flow: sign-up, login, payment, password reset and logout.
- Test poor connectivity and interruptions such as calls and notifications.
- Use internal testing and closed testing on Google Play and TestFlight on iOS to gather feedback before release.
7. Prepare review accounts and notes
If your app requires sign-in, give reviewers working demo credentials and short instructions. Apps that reviewers cannot access are frequently rejected. Explain any feature that is not obvious, such as hardware requirements or location use.
8. Check payments and policies
Stores have specific rules about digital goods and subscriptions, which must generally use the platform’s billing system, and about physical goods and services, which can use other gateways. If you offer account creation, also provide a way for users to delete their account and data. Review the current guidelines before you design the payment flow.
9. Plan your rollout
- Use staged rollouts on Google Play to release to a percentage of users first.
- Set up crash reporting and analytics before launch so you can see problems immediately.
- Prepare support channels and an FAQ.
- Decide how you will announce the launch and encourage early reviews.
10. Common reasons for rejection
- Crashes or broken features during review
- Missing or inaccurate privacy information
- Requesting permissions the app does not need
- Placeholder content or incomplete features
- Misleading screenshots or descriptions
- Payment flows that break store rules
After launch
Monitor crashes and reviews daily at first, respond to users and ship fixes quickly. Plan regular updates for new operating-system versions and features. Launch is the start of the app’s life, not the end.
We can manage the process for you
Our mobile app team handles store set-up, builds, testing and submissions as part of every project, including Android and iOS apps. Contact us if you would like help getting your app live.
