Ship Your First App
Ship Your First App
Finalize your app for submission: verify the checklist, prepare store listing assets, and submit for App Review.
Pre-Submission Checklist
- App name, bundle ID, version number, build number
- App icons and marketing assets ready
- Privacy usage descriptions in Info.plist (camera, photos, location, etc.)
- App privacy details completed in App Store Connect
- Crash-free on latest devices and iOS versions
- Localization and accessibility pass (labels, Dynamic Type, contrast)
Store Listing
- Screenshots for all supported devices
- Clear description and keywords
- Support URL and marketing URL
- Contact and copyright information
Final QA & Testing
- Smoke test core flows on latest iOS and the oldest supported iOS.
- Test on small/large devices (e.g., SE and Max) and dark/light mode.
- Verify offline/airplane mode and poor network conditions.
- Accessibility pass: VoiceOver labels, Dynamic Type, contrast, hit targets.
- Localization strings fit; no truncation or hard-coded text.
- Push notifications, deep links, and widget behavior verified.
Performance & Crash Readiness
- App starts quickly; no jank in critical screens.
- Memory usage stable; images lazy-load and cache appropriately.
- Background tasks terminate gracefully; no main-thread blocking.
- Crash reporting enabled (Xcode Organizer and/or SDK like Firebase/Crashlytics).
- Analytics and critical events instrumented to measure adoption and failures.
Legal & Privacy
- Info.plist includes all required NS*UsageDescription keys (Camera, Photos, etc.).
- App Privacy details in App Store Connect are complete and accurate.
- Terms of Service and Privacy Policy URLs are published and reachable.
- Third-party SDKs reviewed; data collection disclosed; consent flows implemented if needed.
Launch Plan
- Decide on release strategy: immediate vs. phased release.
- Prepare release notes and support documentation/FAQ.
- Notify stakeholders and schedule communications (blog, social, email).
- Have a rollback/quick-fix plan for critical issues.
Post-Launch Monitoring
- Track crashes, ANR, and key metrics (activation, retention, conversion).
- Review App Review feedback and user reviews for quick iterations.
- Plan a 1-2 week follow-up release for bug fixes and polish.
Submission & Review
Upload with Xcode Organizer.
In App Store Connect select the build, complete compliance, and submit for review.
Respond quickly to review notes.
Example
1) Xcode → Product → Archive
2) Organizer → Distribute App → App Store Connect → Upload
3) App Store Connect → Select build → Submit for Review
4) After approval → Release (Immediate or Phased)Tip: Use phased release to roll out gradually, and enable crash/error reporting (e.g., Xcode Organizer, third-party SDKs) for fast follow-ups.
