IOS Application: How to upload IOS applications to Apple Store?

7 min readJul 26, 2020

We already know that to use any third-party application in the IOS device users need to download the applications from the Apple Store. So the IOS developers need to know the process of Application upload to Apple Store.

Let us go through the steps which require to upload an IOS application to App Store

Step 1:

To upload an app to App Store first we need a valid Apple ID. To create an Apple ID visit the Apple developers site. After creating the ID Sign in with the credentials and click on “Join the Apple Developers Program”, after that click on the “Enroll” button then when a page will open click “Start your Enrollment” and complete the Enrollment Process. After successful enrollment, we can upload the app through that account.

Step 2:

After enrollment when you log in to Apple Developers Site it will appear like this.

Now we need to click on highlighted (Certificates, Identifiers & profile) block to create Certificate, Identifier & profile for the app.

Now we need to create a Certificate, Identifier & profile for the app.

Step 3:

In this step, we will create a new Certificate for the App.

Steps to create Certificate:

To create a certificate we need to create the Certificate Signing Request(CSR) from the Mac from where we would like to upload the application.
To create CSR go the Keychain Access from Applications->Utility of the Mac.
Now click on Keychain Access->Certificate Assistant->Request a Certificate from a Certificate Authority.

4. After that, a Certificate Assistant window will be open. In which you need to put the User Email and Common name(You can give the Application name). Then select Save to disk and click Continue. Now select the location to save the CSR file and click on Save.

5. Now let’s go the Apple Developers Site and click on Certificates -> Click on the “+” icon to create a new Certificate.

6. Now select the “Apple Distribution” option under the Software section and click Continue.

7. Now choose the CSR file which has created earlier to upload then click Continue.

8. The certificate is generated now click on Download to download the same. After downloading the certificate double click on to it to save the certificate in the Keychain.

The certificate creation process is completed. Now we’ll create the Application Identifier.

Step 4:

In this step, we will create a new Identifier for the App.

Steps to create Application Identifier:

Now click on Identifiers from the side menu of the console -> Click on the “+” icon to create a new Identifier.

2. Now select “App IDs” from below options and click Continue

3. Now select type “App” and click Continue

4. Add the Description of the identifier and select Bundle ID type “Explicit” then put the Bundle id in the below box. After that click on continue to create an Identifier.

5. Now confirm your App ID and click on Register to create a new identifier.

The New App Identifier creation process also completed. Now we need to create a Provisioning Profile.

Step 5:

In this step, we will create a new Provisioning Profile for the App.

Steps to create a Provisioning Profile:

Now click on Profiles from the side menu of the console -> Click on the “+” icon to create a new Profile.

2. Select “App Store” option under “Distribution” and click Continue

3. Now select the App ID (which we created earlier) from App ID dropdown then click Continue

4. Now select the appropriate certificate from Select Certificates section and click Continue

5. Now put the Provisioning Profile Name and click on Generate after that profile will be generated.

6. We need to download the profile now by clicking on Download and after downloading double click on to the file to install the profile into the system.

So we have completed Certificate, Identifier & profile creation steps. Next, we need to create a new Application on Itunes connect.

Step 6:

Go to the Itunes connect and Sign in with your apple id and password.

Steps to create a New Application:

After sign in into the Itunes connect console click the “My Apps” section.

2. After that click on ”+” icon beside Apps and select “New App”

3. A window will be visible after clicking on “New App”. Tick the “iOS” then put the application name, choose “Primary Language”, select “Bundle ID” from the dropdown (Bundle Id which we were created on Apple developers site) and put SKU (It’s a unique id of the app that is not visible on the App Store) then select “Full Access” option under “User Access” section and click on “Create” to create a new application.

Now we are ready to upload the build from Xcode

Step 7:

From Xcode now archive the project and after successfully achieving the project an Organizer window will be open. In the Organizer window under “Achieving Information” click on the “Distribute App” option. After that, a window will be open like this.

Now select “App Store Connect” option and click on the Next button

Then select the “Upload” option and click on the Next button.

After that, another window will be open like above. If your project support bitcode then check the “Include bitcode for iOS content” option else uncheck the same and you can continue with the other two options as ticked.

Now click on the Next button to proceed

Now you need to choose the “Automatically manage signing” option. After that click on the Next button. Now the project will start signing with App Store and post successful signing Upload option will appear on the screen.