App Store Connect submission in iOS Swift - Build, Publish & Deploy

Build & Publish - App Store Connect submission

Performance Impact

Submitting your app to App Store Connect does not directly affect app runtime performance like frame rate or memory. However, preparing your app for submission encourages you to optimize your app's startup time and resource usage, which improves user experience and battery life.

Ensuring your app runs smoothly at 60fps and uses memory efficiently helps pass Apple's review and provides a better user experience.

Optimization Tips

Before submission, optimize your app by:

• Profiling startup time and reducing unnecessary work on launch.
• Minimizing memory usage to avoid app crashes.
• Using asset catalogs and image compression to reduce load times.
• Testing on real devices to ensure smooth animations and responsiveness.
• Removing unused code and resources to keep the app lean.

App Bundle Size and Startup Time

App Store Connect requires you to upload a signed app bundle (IPA). Large bundles increase download time and storage use on devices.

Keep your app size small by:

• Using app thinning and on-demand resources.
• Compressing images and assets.
• Removing unused frameworks and code.

Smaller apps start faster and are more likely to be downloaded by users.

iOS vs Android Differences

App Store Connect is specific to iOS apps. Key differences include:

• iOS requires code signing with a valid Apple Developer certificate before submission.
• App Store review typically takes 24-48 hours, sometimes longer.
• Android uses Google Play Console with faster review times and different signing requirements.
• iOS apps use .ipa bundles; Android apps use APK or AAB files.

Store Review Checklist

Before submitting to App Store Connect, ensure:

• Your app complies with Apple's App Store Review Guidelines.
• All required metadata (app name, description, screenshots) is complete and accurate.
• Your app supports required device orientations and accessibility features.
• Privacy policies and user data handling meet Apple's requirements.
• You have tested the app on real devices and fixed crashes or bugs.

Self-Check Question

Your app takes 5 seconds to load this screen. What's likely wrong?

• Too much work is done on the main thread during startup.
• Large images or resources are loaded synchronously.
• Unoptimized code or heavy network calls block UI rendering.
• Missing lazy loading or deferred initialization.

Key Result

Submitting your iOS app via App Store Connect requires careful preparation including code signing, app optimization for smooth performance, and compliance with Apple's guidelines to ensure a smooth review and great user experience.

Practice

1. What is the first step to submit your iOS app to the App Store using App Store Connect?

easy

A. Archive your app in Xcode

B. Fill in app details on App Store Connect website

C. Submit your app for review

D. Create a marketing plan

Solution

1. Step 1: Archive your app in Xcode

   Before submitting, you must create an archive of your app using Xcode's Archive feature.

2. Step 2: Upload the archive to App Store Connect

   After archiving, you upload the archive through Xcode Organizer to App Store Connect.

3. Final Answer:

   Archive your app in Xcode -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   First step = Archive app [OK]

Hint: Start by archiving your app in Xcode before anything else [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to submit without archiving
• Filling app details before uploading
• Skipping the archive step

2. Which of the following is the correct way to upload your app archive to App Store Connect using Xcode?

easy

A. Use the Terminal command 'upload-app' with the archive path

B. Drag and drop the archive file into the App Store Connect website

C. Email the archive file to Apple support

D. Use the Organizer window and select 'Distribute App'

Solution

1. Step 1: Open Organizer in Xcode

   After archiving, open the Organizer window to manage archives.

2. Step 2: Select 'Distribute App' to upload

   Use the 'Distribute App' option to upload your archive to App Store Connect.

3. Final Answer:

   Use the Organizer window and select 'Distribute App' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Upload via Organizer = Use the Organizer window and select 'Distribute App' [OK]

Hint: Upload archives only through Xcode Organizer's distribute option [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to upload by dragging files on website
• Sending archive by email
• Using unsupported terminal commands

3. After uploading your app archive, what must you do next on the App Store Connect website before submitting for review?

medium

A. Fill in app metadata like description and screenshots

B. Delete the uploaded archive

C. Immediately submit without any details

D. Change your app's bundle identifier

Solution

1. Step 1: Access your app's page on App Store Connect

   After upload, go to your app's page to manage its details.

2. Step 2: Enter metadata such as description, screenshots, and keywords

   These details are required for App Store listing and review.

3. Final Answer:

   Fill in app metadata like description and screenshots -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Metadata entry before submission = Fill in app metadata like description and screenshots [OK]

Hint: Always fill app details before submitting for review [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping metadata entry
• Deleting archive after upload
• Changing bundle ID after upload

4. You uploaded your app archive but the 'Submit for Review' button is disabled on App Store Connect. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You did not archive your app in Xcode

B. Your app archive is corrupted

C. You have not filled all required app information fields

D. Your Apple developer account is expired

Solution

1. Step 1: Check required app information fields

   App Store Connect disables submission if required fields like description or screenshots are missing.

2. Step 2: Confirm archive upload and account status

   If archive is uploaded and account is active, missing info is the cause.

3. Final Answer:

   You have not filled all required app information fields -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Missing info disables submit button = You have not filled all required app information fields [OK]

Hint: Complete all required fields to enable submission button [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming archive corruption disables button
• Ignoring missing metadata
• Not checking account status

5. You want to submit an app update but accidentally uploaded an archive with the wrong version number. What is the best way to fix this before submission?

hard

A. Submit the wrong version and update later

B. Rebuild and archive the app with the correct version number, then upload again

C. Edit the version number directly on App Store Connect after upload

D. Delete the app from App Store Connect and start over

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand version number is set in app build

   The version number is part of the app bundle and cannot be changed on App Store Connect after upload.

2. Step 2: Rebuild and archive with correct version

   You must update the version in Xcode, then archive and upload the new build.

3. Step 3: Upload the corrected archive and submit

   After uploading the correct version, fill details and submit for review.

4. Final Answer:

   Rebuild and archive the app with the correct version number, then upload again -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Fix version by rebuilding and uploading new archive [OK]

Hint: Version changes require new archive upload, not website edits [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to edit version on App Store Connect
• Submitting wrong version hoping to fix later
• Deleting app instead of fixing version