App Store Deployment
Getting your app into users' hands requires navigating app store requirements and review processes. Both Apple and Google have specific guidelines, and understanding them upfront saves rejection headaches later. Planning for this process from the start makes launches smoother.
Apple App Store
Publishing to iOS requires an Apple Developer account costing $99 per year. This gives you access to development tools, beta testing through TestFlight, and App Store distribution.
Apple's App Review process typically takes one to seven days, though it can vary. Reviewers check that your app follows Apple's Human Interface Guidelines, doesn't crash, and complies with content policies. Apps that access sensitive data like health information or payments face additional scrutiny.
TestFlight lets you distribute beta versions to up to 10,000 testers before public release. This helps catch issues that only appear with real users on diverse devices. Internal testing with your team is unlimited.
Google Play Store
Google requires a one-time $25 developer account fee. Review times are generally faster than Apple — often hours to a few days — though new developer accounts may face longer initial reviews.
Google Play offers multiple testing tracks. Internal testing reaches up to 100 testers instantly without review. Closed testing (formerly alpha) allows up to 100,000 testers with a quick review. Open testing (formerly beta) is publicly discoverable but marked as early access.
Submission Checklist
Both stores require similar assets, though specifications differ. Prepare these before submission:
App icons must be provided in multiple sizes. Apple requires a 1024x1024 pixel icon; Google needs a 512x512 pixel version. Both generate smaller sizes automatically, but your icon must look good at all scales.
Screenshots showcase your app's features. Apple requires screenshots for each device size you support. Google needs at least two screenshots. Include your best features and make them visually compelling.
Description and keywords help users find your app. Write clear, honest descriptions of what your app does. Apple has a separate keywords field; Google extracts keywords from your description.
A privacy policy is mandatory for both stores, especially if your app collects any user data. Host this on a publicly accessible URL.
Content ratings require completing questionnaires about your app's content — violence, language, user-generated content, and similar factors. Both stores use these to determine age appropriateness.
Planning for Updates
Your first release is just the beginning. Plan your update strategy early. Both stores allow staged rollouts — releasing updates to a percentage of users first to catch problems before full deployment.
Version numbering follows semantic versioning conventions. Users see your version number, so keep it meaningful and incrementing logically.