Publishing to the Apple App Store

If you haven’t yet published your iOS app, we strongly advise you to use the BuddyBoss Publishing Service. 
The BuddyBoss Publishing Team will handle the process of reviewing and ensuring that your mobile app is compliant with Apple App Store guidelines. When your app is ready, the team will get your app live in the Apple App Store using your own developer account. Find out how to use the BuddyBoss Publishing Service

In this tutorial, you will learn how to publish your app to the Apple App Store. Before you begin, please complete all steps in the Apple App Store Publishing Checklist.

Then, follow these steps to download the IPA file for your iOS Release App build:

  1. In your WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss App > Builds

  2. Locate the build you want to publish and click Download IPA File

  3. Save the IPA file to your computer

Upload Build to App Store Connect

Next, you will need to upload your build to the TestFlight section of your app in App Store Connect. You can view our documentation about Uploading iOS Builds to App Store Connect for a more in-depth tutorial.

Once in TestFlight, you can assign the build to an app version, which can then be submitted to Apple for review. Follow these steps to upload a build:

  1. In your WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss App > Upload > Apple App Store

  2. Select the iOS Release App build to upload to App Store Connect

    • You cannot upload builds that have not already been uploaded to App Store Connect

    • You cannot upload builds that have a build version and code higher than any other build uploaded to App Store Connect

  3. Click Upload Build

Your upload will be completed within 15 minutes. You can check the status at anytime on the Upload History page in your WordPress admin.

Submit to Apple for Review

Once your build is uploaded to Apple, follow these steps to send it to Apple for review:

  1. Log into App Store Connect

  2. Click on My Apps, and then click on your app

  3. In the sidebar, click the app version you want to submit

  4. On the right, scroll down to the Build section and click the + symbol

  5. Select the Release App build you wish to attach to this app version and click Done

  6. In the upper-right corner, click Submit for Review

  7. If necessary, respond to the export compliance questions and upload encryption authorization documents.

    • Because all apps are loaded on Apple servers in the United States, they are subject to U.S. export laws

  8. Click Submit

After you submit the app, the app status changes to Waiting for Review. When the review process starts, the app status changes to In Review.

Respond to Apple Rejections

Apple may reject your submission if they believe your app is out of compliance with their App Store Review Guidelines. 

You can correspond with Apple through the Resolution Center until you resubmit the build to App Review. You can include attachments in your replies, such as screenshots and supporting documents. If your app has been rejected because of a metadata issue (such as screenshots or store descriptions), you can resolve the issue and resubmit the same build.

To read and reply to communications from Apple, follow these steps

  1. Log into App Store Connect

  2. Click on My Apps, and then click on your app

  3. At the top of the page, click the link that indicates there is one or more unresolved issues

The Resolution Center appears showing communications in the left column and the selected communication on the right.

  1. In the left column, choose a communication to view the details

    • The communications are grouped by thread with App Store App Review communications appearing before Beta App Review communications

  2. To reply, enter text in the Reply field

  3. To include a file, click Attach File and in the dialog that appears, choose a file

  4. Click Send

For a smooth approval process, review the common missteps for various guidelines that can slow down the review process or trigger a rejection. Here’s a list of solutions for some common app review guidelines.

After Approval by Apple

If you chose to automatically release your app version to the Apple App Store, your app should now be released. Please note that it can take up to 24 hours for your app to be available on the Apple App Store.

If you select to automatically release your app version on a specific date, then it will be available on the Apple App Store on that date.

If you chose to manually release your app version into the Apple App Store, you can now log into your App Store Connect account and do so. 

Submitting New Versions of Your App

To publish new versions of your app, create a new version of your app inside of App Store Connect by repeating the steps in the Apple App Store Publishing Checklist.

Then, repeat the steps above to upload your new build and submit it to Apple for review.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create, upload your new app build and submit it to Apple for review.

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