What an Apple Store Connect account is and who needs one

Apple Store Connect is the platform where you submit apps to the App Store, manage their pricing and availability, track sales and downloads, and handle payments from customers. If you want to distribute an iOS, macOS, tvOS, or watchOS app through Apple's official store, you need an account here.

You do not need Apple Store Connect just to develop apps locally on your Mac or test them on your own devices. You only need it when you are ready to publish to the App Store or when you want to use certain Apple services like TestFlight for beta testing or in-app purchase functionality.

The account is free to create, but Apple charges a one-time $99 USD developer program fee to publish apps. This fee covers a full year of access and is required before your first app submission.

Key Takeaways

  • You must enroll in the Apple Developer Program ($99 per year) before you can create an Apple Store Connect account and submit apps.
  • The enrollment process requires a valid Apple ID, a legal entity name (individual or business), and tax information that varies by country.
  • Apple reviews your enrollment application and may ask follow-up questions, which can take a few business days to a week.
  • Once approved, you create your Apple Store Connect account within the developer program and can begin submitting apps immediately.
  • You will need to set up App Store Connect certificates and provisioning profiles in Xcode to sign and submit your apps.

Step 1: Create or use an existing Apple ID

Start by going to appleid.apple.com and either signing in with an existing Apple ID or creating a new one. This Apple ID becomes the account owner for your developer program enrollment, so use an email address you control and check regularly. Apple will send important notifications and payment information to this address.

If you are enrolling as a business or organization, you can use a company email address. If you are an individual developer, a personal email works fine. You can add team members and assign different roles later, so the owner does not have to be the only person with access.

Step 2: Enroll in the Apple Developer Program

Go to developer.apple.com and click the "Account" link at the top. Sign in with your Apple ID, then look for the option to enroll in the Apple Developer Program. You will be asked whether you are enrolling as an individual, a sole proprietor, a company, or a government organization. Choose the category that matches your situation.

For individuals and sole proprietors, you will need your legal name and a government-issued ID number (Social Security Number in the US, or the equivalent in your country). For companies, you will need the company's legal name, address, and tax ID. Have this information ready before you start.

Apple will also ask for a contact phone number and the primary contact's name. This person does not have to be the Apple ID owner, but Apple may call this number to verify your enrollment if there are any questions.

Step 3: Provide tax and payment information

During enrollment, Apple will ask for your tax information so they can report your App Store earnings correctly. In the United States, this means providing your Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number (EIN). In other countries, the requirement varies — the enrollment form will tell you what your country requires.

You will also set up a payment method for the $99 annual fee. Apple accepts credit cards and debit cards. The charge appears on your statement as "Apple Developer Program" and renews automatically each year on the anniversary of your enrollment unless you cancel.

If you are in a country where Apple does not yet support direct payment, you may see a message during enrollment. In that case, contact Apple Developer Support through the developer website to complete your enrollment manually.

Step 4: Wait for Apple's review and approval

After you submit your enrollment information, Apple reviews your application. This usually takes a few business days, though it can take up to a week during busy periods. You will receive an email at your Apple ID address when your enrollment is approved.

In some cases, Apple may ask follow-up questions — for example, if your tax information does not match their records or if your address cannot be verified. If this happens, reply to the email with the requested information as soon as possible. Delays in responding can extend the review period.

Once approved, you will see a message in your developer account saying your membership is active. At this point, you can create your Apple Store Connect account.

Step 5: Access Apple Store Connect and create your first app record

After your developer program enrollment is approved, go to appstoreconnect.apple.com and sign in with the same Apple ID you used for enrollment. You will land on the main dashboard. Click "My Apps" or the plus icon to create a new app record.

You will be asked for the app's name, primary language, bundle ID, and SKU (a unique identifier you create for internal tracking). The bundle ID must be unique across the App Store and is usually formatted like com.yourcompany.appname. You can create bundle IDs in advance through the Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles section if you prefer.

After you create the app record, you can fill in screenshots, descriptions, pricing, and other metadata. You do not have to submit the app immediately — you can save your progress and come back later.

Step 6: Set up signing certificates and provisioning profiles in Xcode

Before you can submit an app to the App Store, you need to sign it with a certificate that proves you are the legitimate developer. In Xcode, go to Xcode menu > Preferences > Accounts, add your Apple ID, then click "Manage Certificates". Create an "App Store and Ad Hoc" certificate if you do not already have one.

Next, create a provisioning profile. Go back to the Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles section on the Apple Developer website, create a new App Store provisioning profile for your bundle ID, and download it. In Xcode, under your project's signing settings, select this provisioning profile and the certificate you just created.

If you are new to this process, Xcode can automate much of it. Under your project's signing settings, check "Automatically manage signing" and Xcode will create the certificates and profiles for you. This is the easiest route for first-time submissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the $99 fee before I can create an Apple Store Connect account?

Yes. You must complete Apple Developer Program enrollment and pay the $99 annual fee before you can access Apple Store Connect or submit any apps. The fee is charged immediately when your enrollment is approved, and your membership lasts for one year from that date.

Can I use the same Apple ID for multiple apps?

Yes. Once you have one app in Apple Store Connect, you can create as many additional apps as you want under the same account. You do not pay per app — the $99 annual fee covers all of your apps.

What if I enroll as an individual but later want to change to a company account?

You cannot change the enrollment type on an existing account. You would need to enroll again under a new Apple ID with the company information. Your existing apps would remain under the individual account unless you transfer them, which requires contacting Apple Developer Support.

How long does the Apple Developer Program approval usually take?

Most enrollments are approved within a few business days. In some cases it can take up to a week, especially if Apple needs to verify your information or if you are enrolling from a country with additional requirements. Check your email regularly for any requests from Apple.

Can I submit an app before my developer program membership renews?

No. Your membership must be active and current to submit or update apps on the App Store. If your membership expires, you can renew it immediately through your developer account settings, and your submission access will be restored within a few minutes.