How to publish your app
Before you can publish your app, it is important that you add Store metadata in Settings → Store metadata section.
Store metadata section is where you should enter the pieces of information that we will be using to submit your app to the app stores.
iOS
- Title of the app – how the app will be named in the stores. Cannot be longer than 30 characters and shorter than 2.
- Description – a short overview of the app, its functionalities and purpose. Cannot be longer than 4000 characters and shorter than 10.
- Keywords – words that help the user to find the app easier in the stores. Need to be separated by a comma, cannot have more than 100 characters.
- Support URL – where users can reach out to the app’s owner for support; it can be pointed to the owner’s website or even a Facebook page, but it can’t be an email.
- Privacy Policy URL – for more information, click here.
- App screenshots – cannot be generic and need to accurately represent the app. At least 2 screenshots for each display are required. For more information on how to create screenshots, click here.
- iOS developer account information – username and password are required; the app-specific password is optional, however, it needs to be added for automatic deploy.
- Application price
- Application review contact information – first and last name, email, and phone of the app’s owner.
- Application category – Primary category is required, Secondary category is optional.
- Application rating – helps determine the targeted audience. By default, these are all set to None.
Short description is optional.
Android
- Title of the app – how the app will be named in the stores. Cannot be longer than 30 characters and shorter than 2.
- Short description – an introductory sentence to the app. Cannot have more than 30 characters.
- Description – a short overview of the app, its functionalities and purpose. Cannot be longer than 4000 characters and shorter than 10.
- Support URL – where users can reach out to the app’s owner for support. It can be pointed to the owner’s website or even a Facebook page, but it can’t be an email.
- Privacy Policy URL – for more information, click here.
- Artwork – an icon of the app that will be displayed in Google Play Store.
- Feature graphic – an image that is displayed next to the Artwork in Google Play Store.
- App screenshots – cannot be generic and need to accurately represent the app. At least 2 screenshots for each display are required. For more information on how to create screenshots, click here.
- Application category
- Application price
- Google Play Android Developer Account information – owner email and account name.
Application rating is not required.
DEVELOPER ACCOUNTS
To be able to publish your app to your App Store Connect and Google Play account, we need access to your iOS and Android Developer Account.
iOS – Your own paid organization-based iOS Developer account is mandatory. Sign up here in order to acquire an account: iOS Developer account
In case you choose to submit the app under your personal name and account, the app will most likely be rejected and you will not be able to submit the app.
In some cases, Apple does allow you to transfer your personal account to a business account, but for that, you would need to contact their support directly.
Please bear in mind that your business name should be the same, very similar or related to the name of the app itself.
To invite us to your iOS developer account, follow the steps from this article.
If you wish to distribute your iOS app internally, meaning outside of the App Store, you can acquire an iOS Enterprise Developer account for $299/year via this link: iOS Enterprise Developer account
Android – A paid Google Play developer account is necessary for your app to be published in the Play Store under your own developer name. You can sign up here: Google Play Developer account.
After that, you would just need to add Shoutem to your Google Play account as an administrator by following the steps from this article.
APP PRICE
When it comes to the pricing of your app, you are welcome to charge whatever you’d like for your app in stores. You are presented with the option to set a price before you initiate the publishing process. All paid app transactions are between yourself and the store and Shoutem takes no percentage of this income whatsoever.
All paid apps require contractual agreements with Apple and Google Play, as well as the exchange of bank account information. Be prepared to provide this information before they allow your paid app in the stores. As a note, you cannot begin with a paid app and move it to a free app later, however, you won’t be able to make a free app paid.
HIT THAT PUBLISH BUTTON!
If you’re confident in your final product, it’s time to send the app to Shoutem’s publishing team, so that we can submit your app to the stores. You can initiate this process by clicking the blue Publish button in the top right corner:
If you haven’t purchased a subscription, you will be prompted to do so first. Afterwards, click the Publish button again to confirm your decision.
As with any other question or inquiry, you can always Contact Us, or visit our Support Center for additional tips and answers.
And finally: Congrats! We hope you enjoy your new app and appreciate you choosing Shoutem to bring your app idea to life!