What are the best ways to submit a mobile app to both iOS and Google Play stores?

1 Prepare your app for submission

Before you can submit your app to the stores, you need to make sure it meets the technical and quality requirements of each platform. For iOS, you need to register as a developer, create an app ID, generate a distribution certificate and a provisioning profile, and build your app using Xcode. For Google Play, you need to sign up for a developer account, create an app bundle or an APK file, and sign your app with a digital certificate. You also need to test your app on different devices and simulators, fix any bugs or issues, and optimize your app's performance and battery usage.

2 Create your app store listings

Once your app is ready for submission, you need to create your app store listings, which are the pages that showcase your app to potential users. For both iOS and Google Play, you need to provide basic information about your app, such as its name, description, category, keywords, screenshots, and icons. You also need to specify your app's pricing, availability, rating, and privacy policy. Additionally, for iOS, you need to fill out the app review information, such as the contact details, notes, and demo account for the reviewers. For Google Play, you need to complete the content rating questionnaire, which determines the age rating of your app.

3 Submit your app for review

The final step is to submit your app for review by the store's team, who will check if your app complies with the store's policies and guidelines. For iOS, you need to upload your app to App Store Connect, select the build you want to submit, and click on Submit for Review. For Google Play, you need to upload your app to the Play Console, select the release type (internal, closed, open, or production), and click on Review Release. The review time can vary depending on the store and the app, but it usually takes a few days or weeks. If your app is approved, it will be published on the store and ready for download. If your app is rejected, you will receive feedback on how to fix the issues and resubmit your app.

4 Update and maintain your app

After your app is published, you need to update and maintain it regularly to keep it relevant, secure, and functional. You can use the store's tools and analytics to monitor your app's performance, user feedback, and revenue. You can also use the store's features and services to enhance your app's functionality, such as push notifications, in-app purchases, subscriptions, and ads. To update your app, you need to follow the same steps as for submission, but with a new version number and a change log. You also need to comply with the store's policies and guidelines, which may change over time.

5 Promote and market your app

The last but not least way to submit a mobile app to both iOS and Google Play stores is to promote and market it effectively. You can use various strategies and channels to increase your app's visibility, downloads, and retention, such as social media, blogs, podcasts, videos, reviews, influencers, and referrals. You can also use the store's features and services to optimize your app's discovery, such as app store optimization, search ads, and featured sections. You can also measure and improve your app's performance and user satisfaction, such as by using analytics, feedback, ratings, and reviews.