Publishing to App Stores

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Pre-Publishing Checklist

• App is tested on physical devices
• All features work correctly
• Performance is optimized
• Security best practices implemented
• App icons and splash screens created
• Privacy policy and terms of service ready
• App store descriptions prepared
• Screenshots and preview videos created
• Version number and build number set

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iOS App Store

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Prerequisites

1. Apple Developer Account: $99/year
2. Mac with Xcode: Latest version recommended
3. Test devices: Physical iOS devices for testing

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Step 1: App Store Connect Setup

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Click “My Apps” → ”+” → “New App”
3. Fill in app information:
   • Platform: iOS
   • App Name
   • Primary Language
   • Bundle ID
   • SKU (unique identifier)

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Step 2: Configure Xcode Project

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Bundle Identifier

1. Select project in navigator
2. Select target under “Targets”
3. In “General” tab, set Bundle Identifier
4. Must match App Store Connect bundle ID

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App Icons

• 1024×1024 (App Store)
• 180×180 (@3x iPhone)
• 120×120 (@2x iPhone)
• 87×87 (@3x iPhone Settings)
• 80×80 (@2x iPhone Spotlight)
• 58×58 (@2x iPhone Settings)

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Launch Screen

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Version and Build Number

<!-- ios/YourApp/Info.plist -->
<key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
<string>1.0.0</string>
<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
<string>1</string>

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Step 3: Code Signing

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Automatic Signing (Recommended)

1. In Xcode, select project
2. Under “Signing & Capabilities”
3. Check “Automatically manage signing”
4. Select your team

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Manual Signing

1. Create App ID in Apple Developer Portal
2. Create Distribution Certificate
3. Create Provisioning Profile
4. Download and install in Xcode

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Step 4: Build for Release

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Clean Build Folder

cd ios
xcodebuild clean

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Archive the App

1. In Xcode, select “Any iOS Device” as destination
2. Product → Archive
3. Wait for archive to complete
4. Organizer window opens automatically

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Step 5: Upload to App Store Connect

1. In Organizer, select your archive
2. Click “Distribute App”
3. Select “App Store Connect”
4. Choose “Upload”
5. Select signing options
6. Click “Upload”

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Step 6: TestFlight (Optional but Recommended)

1. In App Store Connect, go to “TestFlight” tab
2. Add internal testers (up to 100)
3. Add external testers (up to 10,000, requires App Review)
4. Share TestFlight link with testers

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Step 7: Submit for Review

1. In App Store Connect, go to “App Store” tab
2. Click ”+” next to “iOS App”
3. Fill in all required information:

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App Information

• Name
• Subtitle (30 characters)
• Privacy Policy URL
• Category (Primary and Secondary)
• Age Rating

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Pricing and Availability

• Price tier
• Availability regions
• Pre-orders (optional)

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Version Information

• What’s New (release notes)
• Promotional text
• Description
• Keywords (100 characters, comma-separated)
• Support URL
• Marketing URL (optional)

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Screenshots

• 6.5” Display (iPhone 14 Pro Max): 1290×2796
• 5.5” Display (iPhone 8 Plus): 1242×2208

• iPad Pro (3rd gen): 2048×2732

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App Review Information

• Contact information
• Demo account (if app requires login)
• Notes for reviewer

4. Select build from TestFlight
5. Answer export compliance questions
6. Click “Submit for Review”

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Google Play Store

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Prerequisites

1. Google Play Console Account: $25 one-time fee
2. Android Studio: For building and signing
3. Test devices: Physical Android devices

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Step 1: Generate Signing Key

cd android/app
keytool -genkeypair -v -storetype PKCS12 -keystore my-release-key.keystore -alias my-key-alias -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 10000

• Keystore password
• Key password
• Your name, organization, city, state, country

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Step 2: Configure Gradle

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Store Keystore Credentials

MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_FILE=my-release-key.keystore
MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_ALIAS=my-key-alias
MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_PASSWORD=****
MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_PASSWORD=****

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Configure Build

android {
    ...
    defaultConfig { ... }
    signingConfigs {
        release {
            if (project.hasProperty('MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_FILE')) {
                storeFile file(MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_FILE)
                storePassword MYAPP_UPLOAD_STORE_PASSWORD
                keyAlias MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_ALIAS
                keyPassword MYAPP_UPLOAD_KEY_PASSWORD
            }
        }
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            signingConfig signingConfigs.release
            minifyEnabled true
            shrinkResources true
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile("proguard-android.txt"), "proguard-rules.pro"
        }
    }
}

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Step 3: Build Release APK/AAB

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Android App Bundle (Recommended)

cd android
./gradlew bundleRelease

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APK (Alternative)

cd android
./gradlew assembleRelease

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Step 4: Google Play Console Setup

1. Go to Google Play Console
2. Click “Create app”
3. Fill in:
   • App name
   • Default language
   • App or game
   • Free or paid
   • Declarations (content policy, export laws)

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Step 5: Complete Store Listing

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App Details

• Short description (80 characters)
• Full description (4000 characters)
• App icon (512×512 PNG)
• Feature graphic (1024×500 JPG/PNG)
• Screenshots:
  • Phone: At least 2 (16:9 or 9:16 ratio)
  • 7” Tablet: Optional
  • 10” Tablet: Optional

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Categorization

• App category
• Content rating questionnaire
• Target audience
• News app (if applicable)

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Contact Details

• Email
• Website (optional)
• Phone (optional)
• Privacy policy URL

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Store Settings

• App name
• Default language
• External marketing

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Step 6: Content Rating

1. Go to “Content rating” section
2. Fill out IARC questionnaire
3. Receive ratings for various regions

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Step 7: Set Up Release

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Production Track

1. Go to “Production” under “Release”
2. Click “Create new release”
3. Upload AAB file
4. Fill in release notes
5. Set rollout percentage (optional)
6. Review and roll out

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Internal Testing (Recommended)

1. Set up internal testing track
2. Add testers by email
3. Upload build
4. Share testing link

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Closed/Open Testing

• Closed testing: Limited testers, private
• Open testing: Anyone with link can join

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Step 8: App Review

1. Complete all required sections in Play Console
2. Click “Send for review”
3. Wait for approval (typically 1-3 days)

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Post-Launch

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iOS

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Monitor Reviews

# Respond to user reviews in App Store Connect
# Reviews tab → Read and respond

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Analytics

• App Store Connect provides:
  • Downloads
  • Revenue
  • Crashes
  • Performance metrics

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Phased Release

• Day 1: 1% of users
• Day 2: 2% of users
• Day 3: 5% of users
• Day 4: 10% of users
• Day 5: 20% of users
• Day 6: 50% of users
• Day 7: 100% of users

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Android

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Staged Rollout

1. Production → Create release
2. Set rollout percentage (e.g., 10%)
3. Monitor for issues
4. Increase percentage gradually
5. Full rollout at 100%

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Monitor Health

• Crash reports
• ANRs (App Not Responding)
• User reviews
• Pre-launch reports

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Updates and Maintenance

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Version Numbering

MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH

1.0.0 → Initial release
1.0.1 → Bug fix
1.1.0 → New feature
2.0.0 → Breaking change

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iOS Updates

<!-- Increment version for each release -->
<key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
<string>1.1.0</string>

<!-- Increment build for each upload -->
<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
<string>2</string>

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Android Updates

android {
    defaultConfig {
        versionCode 2          // Increment for each release
        versionName "1.1.0"    // User-facing version
    }
}

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Common Rejection Reasons

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iOS

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Android

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Best Practices

1. Test extensively: Use TestFlight and internal testing
2. Prepare assets: High-quality icons and screenshots
3. Write clear descriptions: Highlight key features
4. Respond to reviews: Engage with users
5. Monitor crashes: Fix issues quickly
6. Use staged rollouts: Catch issues early
7. Keep credentials safe: Store keystore securely
8. Follow guidelines: Read app store policies
9. Update regularly: Fix bugs and add features
10. Track analytics: Understand user behavior

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Next Steps