How do you submit your mobile app to the app store using your development framework?

1 Choose your platform

The first step is to decide which platform you want to target with your app. Depending on your framework, you may be able to build a cross-platform app that works on both iOS and Android, or you may need to create separate versions for each one. You should also consider the features, design, and audience of each platform, and how they align with your app's goals and functionality. For example, iOS has stricter guidelines and a higher quality bar, but also a more loyal and profitable user base. Android has more flexibility and diversity, but also more fragmentation and security issues.

2 Prepare your app

The next step is to prepare your app for submission by following the best practices and specifications of your chosen platform. You should test your app thoroughly on different devices and screen sizes, fix any bugs or errors, and optimize your app's performance and battery usage. You should also create a unique and catchy app name, a clear and concise app description, and an attractive and relevant app icon and screenshots. You should also add any necessary metadata, such as keywords, categories, ratings, and privacy policy.

3 Generate your app bundle

The third step is to generate your app bundle, which is the file that contains your app's code, resources, and configuration. Depending on your framework, you may need to use different tools and commands to create your app bundle. For example, if you use React Native, you can use the React Native CLI or Expo CLI to build your app bundle for iOS or Android. If you use Flutter, you can use the Flutter CLI to build your app bundle for iOS or Android. If you use Ionic, you can use the Ionic CLI or Capacitor CLI to build your app bundle for iOS or Android.

4 Create your developer account

The fourth step is to create your developer account, which is the account that allows you to submit and manage your app on the app store. You need to register as a developer on the platform that you want to publish your app on, and pay the annual or one-time fee. For example, if you want to publish your app on the iOS App Store, you need to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year. If you want to publish your app on the Google Play Store, you need to create a Google Play Developer account, which costs $25 once.

5 Upload your app bundle

The fifth step is to upload your app bundle to the app store using the appropriate tool or service. Depending on your framework, you may have different options for uploading your app bundle. For example, if you use React Native or Flutter, you can use the Transporter app or the Xcode tool to upload your app bundle to the iOS App Store. You can also use the fastlane tool to automate the process of uploading your app bundle to both the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. If you use Ionic, you can use the Appflow service to upload your app bundle to the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store.

6 Submit your app for review

The final step is to submit your app for review by the app store team. You should fill out the required information and fields, such as the app's title, description, category, keywords, screenshots, and rating. You should also provide any additional information or documents that may be requested by the app store team, such as the app's purpose, features, permissions, and privacy policy. You should also test your app using the app store's tools and services, such as TestFlight for iOS or Internal App Sharing for Android. Once you submit your app for review, you should wait for the approval or rejection notification, which may take from a few hours to a few days.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?