How to Submit a New macOS App to the Apple App Store?

Launching a new macOS app and getting it onto the Apple App Store is a process that involves several steps. This guide walks you through each phase to help you publish your app smoothly and efficiently.

Prepare Your App for Submission

A macOS app is submitted to the Apple App Store by enrolling in the Apple Developer Program, configuring code signing and sandbox entitlements, archiving the app in Xcode (or packaging via command-line tools), uploading the build to App Store Connect, completing the product page metadata, and finally submitting for review and release. The process ensures your app meets Apple’s security, privacy, and usability standards before it becomes available to users worldwide.

Enroll in Apple Developer Program

An active Apple Developer Program membership is required to submit macOS apps and costs USD 99 per year. Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple ID and sign in at developer.apple.com to activate your membership.

Configure App ID and Certificates

In the Apple Developer Portal, create an explicit App ID matching your bundle identifier in reverse DNS notation (e.g., com.example.MyApp). Generate and download the “Apple Distribution” certificate for code signing and the “3rd Party Mac Developer Installer” certificate for packaging your installer package.

Prepare Project in Xcode

Open your macOS project in Xcode and select the Release build configuration for your target.

Enable the Hardened Runtime and App Sandbox in your target’s Signing & Capabilities tab, then export a .entitlements file listing required capabilities (e.g., com.apple.security.app-sandbox, com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-write).

Verify CFBundleShortVersionString, CFBundleVersion, and LSApplicationCategoryType keys are set correctly in your Info.plist, following Apple’s naming conventions and category identifiers.

Archive and Upload Build

In Xcode’s Product menu, choose Archive to create an .xcarchive of your app.

Open the Organizer, select your archive, click Distribute App, choose App Store Connect as the method, select Upload, and let Xcode manage signing and upload the build to App Store Connect.

Alternatively, use ‘xcrun altool’ or the Transporter app to upload a signed .pkg created with productbuild and your “3rd Party Mac Developer Installer” certificate.

Configure App Store Connect Listing

In App Store Connect’s My Apps section, click the “+” to create a new macOS app record using the same bundle identifier and primary language.

Complete the product page fields: app name, subtitle, description, keywords, support URL, marketing URL, and upload screenshots and preview videos for required Mac display sizes.

Enter App Privacy details for your own data collection practices and third-party SDKs to populate the Privacy Nutrition Label.

Set Availability and Pricing

Under Availability, choose territories and set device requirements (e.g., minimum macOS version, Apple silicon only) by editing the info.plist’s UISupportedDeviceFamilies and Architectures build settings.

Select Pricing and assign the appropriate App Store price tier; complete banking, tax, and contact information to enable paid applications.

Submit for Review and Release

In the App Store Connect version details, select the uploaded build under the Builds section to associate it with your app version.

Answer compliance questions (export compliance, encryption, content rights) and provide reviewer contact information and demo credentials if applicable. Click Submit for Review; choose Manual or Automatic release post-approval to control when your app becomes available.

After submission, monitor the app’s review status in App Store Connect, respond promptly to any App Review inquiries, and, once approved, release your app to users worldwide.

AppmacOSApp store

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