[Xcode 26] [2025 Edition] How to Publish an iOS App to the App Store

Hello, I'm Gyori.
I've released iOS apps a few times and finally got the hang of the quickest way to release, so I wrote this as a memo. I hope it helps.

What I won't cover

• Steps to create an app in Xcode
• How to register for the Apple Developer Program
• How to prepare various required documents
• Settings required for medium-to-large scale apps

Preparation in Xcode

1. Set the App Icon

First, set the app icon. You need to prepare a 1024×1024 image.
https://www.appicon.co/
It's convenient because it resizes images to the required sizes.
Place the appstore.png from the downloaded zip into the AppIcon slot in Xcode's Assets.xcassets.

2. Set the Bundle Identifier

Set the Bundle Identifier. The Bundle Identifier is a unique ID assigned to each app.
It might be hard to find, but click the project root folder to enter the settings screen.
It's common to set it in the format com.organizationName.appName, so we'll follow this.
Select the account registered with the Apple Developer Program for Team.

3. Set App Information

On the same screen, open General to set the app information.

1. Supported Destinations are the supported devices. For an iOS app, add just iPhone and iPad.
2. Minimum Deployments is the minimum supported iOS version. Set the lowest version you have tested.
3. In Identity, set the app's category and name. Choose an appropriate category. The name is displayed under the app icon on the home screen. Set Build Identifier to the one you just set. Leave the ones below untouched for the first time.
   

4. Set Localization

Set the localization.
If you want to publish on the Japanese App Store, set Japanese as the default.

5. Prepare Screenshots

Build with the simulator and take at least one screenshot each for iPhone and iPad.
These images will be displayed on the App Store. It's even better to edit the images by adding promotional text.
You can also take screenshots on the simulator by pressing command+S.

6. Archive the App

Create an archive by going to Products > Archive.

Make sure the Team and Identifier match, then press Distribute App if there are no issues.
Select a method for distribution > App Store Connect > Distribute > Next, proceed in that order. When done, press Show in App Store Connect to move forward.

Registering Information for the App Store

Open App Store Connect to register the information needed to submit to the App Store.
https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/

Select "Apps" to open it. The app you archived earlier should appear. Click it to register the information.

7. Register Metadata

Make sure the iOS 1.0 Prepare for Submission tab on the left is selected, then proceed with the following:

1. Preview and Screenshots
   Register the screenshots you took earlier.
   The image size check is strict, so if it doesn't match, resize the images to the specified size using Preview or other apps.

2. Promotional Text
   This text appears on the app's page in the App Store.
   It can be changed at any time independently of app updates and is not included in the app review.

3. Description
   This text is displayed in the "Description" section of the App Store app page.
   You can update the content with each app update, and it also affects App Store search (important for SEO), so write a detailed explanation of the app's features and characteristics. This part is subject to review.
   ▼Difference between Promotional Text and Description (the pink section is likely the Promotional Text, and the part below it is the Description)
   

4. Keywords
   Search keywords for the App Store. Enter them separated by commas.

5. Support URL
   Enter the URL of a web page where users can make inquiries about the app. If you don't have an official website, using X (formerly Twitter) or a page created with Google Forms is fine.

6. Marketing URL
   Leave this blank.

7. Version
   Leave it as 1.0.

8. Copyright
   Write it in the format © 2025 John Titor.

9. Routing App Coverage File
   This file indicates which regions the app supports for route guidance.
   This seems to be specific information used for map-related apps, so leave it blank.

8. Register Build Information

The app you archived earlier should be displayed. Select it.
Also, press "Manage" to register the "Export Compliance Information."
If the app has no login, no custom encryption, uses only standard Apple APIs, and is primarily offline, selecting "No" should be fine. A detailed explanation is omitted here.

9. App Review Information

1. Sign-In Information
   If the app requires login, add test account information.
   If login is not required, uncheck the "Sign-in required" option.

2. Contact Information
   Enter your contact information.
   Enter the phone number including the country code.

3. Notes and Attachments
   Enter any information necessary for the review if applicable.
   If none, leave it blank.

10. App Store Version Release

Unless you have specific requirements, selecting "Automatically release this version" is fine.

Once the above is complete, press "Save" in the top right corner to check if the entered information is correct.

11. Configure App Information

Select "App Information" from the left tab.

1. Name
   The app name displayed on the App Store. Note that you cannot use a name identical to another app.

2. Subtitle
   Text displayed below the app name.
   

3. Content Rights
   Set the content rights appropriately.
   If you are not using third-party content, select "No."

4. Categories
   Set an appropriate primary category and subcategory.

5. Age Rating
   Answer the questions, and it will be set automatically.

6. App Encryption Document
   This may be necessary if the app uses login functionality or external APIs. A detailed explanation is omitted here.
   Other settings are also omitted here (they are not required for simple apps).

Press "Save" to complete.

Press "Save" to complete.

12. Set Pricing and Availability

Select "Pricing and Availability" from the left tab.

1. Price Tier
   Set the price tier.

2. App Availability
   Set the countries where the app will be distributed.

13. App Privacy

Select "App Privacy" from the left tab.

1. Privacy Policy
   Attach a link to a web page containing the privacy policy. If you don't have a personal website, publishing via GitHub Pages or Google Docs is also acceptable.

For writing the policy, the following tool is convenient:
https://app-privacy-policy-generator.firebaseapp.com/

2. Product Page Preview
   Answer the questions accordingly.

Press "Publish" to complete.

14. Submit

Once all steps are complete, return to the "iOS 1.0 Prepare for Submission" screen on the left tab and press the "Review" button in the top right. If there are no issues with the entered information, the "Submit for Review" button will appear on the right. Press it to submit the app for review. That's it!

Thank you for your hard work!

Conclusion

If there are any typos, omissions, or more efficient methods, please feel free to contact me!