How to submit an app to the App Store (2026)
What you need before you submit
Submission is the last step in a chain. Before you reach it you need a few things in place:
- An Apple Developer Program membership, which is a paid annual membership and the account that owns the app.
- A compiled, code signed build, an .ipa built for distribution with a valid certificate and provisioning profile.
- An app record in App Store Connect with a Bundle ID, app name, primary language, and category.
- Screenshots for the required device sizes, a description, keywords, a support URL, and a privacy policy URL.
- An age rating questionnaire and answers to the App Privacy questions about data collection.
If any of these is missing, App Store Connect blocks the submission until you supply it. Getting them ready before you start saves the most time.
The submission steps in order
Once the prerequisites are ready, the flow is:
- Create the app record. In App Store Connect, add a new app, choose the Bundle ID, set the name and primary language, and pick a category.
- Upload the build. Send the signed .ipa to App Store Connect, then wait for it to finish processing before you can attach it.
- Attach the build to a version. Create the version, for example 1.0, and select the processed build.
- Fill in metadata. Add the description, keywords, support URL, screenshots, and the privacy policy URL, then complete the age rating and App Privacy sections.
- Set pricing and availability. Choose free or a price tier and the countries where the app is available.
- Submit for review. Confirm export compliance and content rights, then submit the version for App Review.
After you submit, the version moves to Waiting for Review, then In Review, then either Approved or Rejected. A rejection comes with a message in Resolution Center explaining which guideline the app fell short of.
How AppFlight submits for you
AppFlight is a macOS app that turns a plain-English prompt into a native iOS app in Swift and SwiftUI, then runs the journey to the App Store in one place. For submission:
- It builds and runs your app in a live iOS simulator and puts it through an automated test gate.
- It handles code signing for distribution.
- It uploads to TestFlight and to App Store Connect.
- It creates the app record, sets metadata, attaches the build, and submits for full App Review from inside the app.
- If Apple rejects the build, it reads the rejection reason, works on the fix, and resubmits.
You bring your own AI, Claude Code or Codex, running locally on your Mac. You still need an Apple Developer account, and you are responsible for accurate metadata and a real privacy policy. AppFlight does not guarantee approval. Apple reviews every app, and submitted is not the same as approved.
FAQ
What do I need before I can submit an app to the App Store?
A paid Apple Developer Program membership, a compiled and code signed build, an app record in App Store Connect, complete metadata and screenshots, and a privacy policy URL. Once those are in place you can submit the version for App Review.
How long does it take to submit an app?
The submission itself takes minutes once the build and metadata are ready. The wait is App Review, which most teams see complete within about 24 hours, though it can take longer for complex apps or first submissions.
Does submitting an app guarantee it gets published?
No. Apple reviews every submission against the App Store Review Guidelines and can reject it. Submitted is not approved. If a build is rejected you fix the issue and resubmit.