iOS to App Store

This guide walks you through submitting your iOS app to the App Store for review and distribution.

Prerequisites

Before submitting to the App Store, ensure you have:

• TestFlight tested build - We recommend testing via TestFlight first
• App Store Connect metadata - App description, screenshots, keywords
• App Store Connect credentials configured in MySigner
• Release configuration set in the MySigner dashboard

First time? Complete the Getting Started guide first.

Step 1: Prepare Your Release in Dashboard

Before shipping, configure your release metadata in MySigner:

1. Go to the MySigner dashboard
2. Navigate to iOS Apps → Select your app
3. Click New Release or Edit existing release

Configure Release Metadata

Release Types

Phased Release

Enable phased release to gradually roll out to users:

Phased release lets you monitor for issues before full rollout. You can pause or halt the release if problems arise.

Step 2: Verify App Store Readiness

Before submitting, check that your app is ready:

mysigner doctor

Ensure you have:

• ✓ App Store Connect credentials
• ✓ Valid distribution certificate
• ✓ App Store provisioning profile
• ✓ Bundle ID registered with correct capabilities

Step 3: Ship to App Store

From your Xcode project directory:

mysigner ship appstore

This command:

1. Builds your app for distribution
2. Exports an IPA with App Store signing
3. Uploads to App Store Connect
4. Waits for Apple to process the build (polls every 3 minutes)
5. Submits for App Store review (creates version, applies release config, and submits)

With Options

# Specify release type from CLI
mysigner ship appstore --release-type MANUAL

# Schedule release for a specific date
mysigner ship appstore --release-type SCHEDULED --scheduled-date 2026-04-01T10:00:00Z

# Specify scheme
mysigner ship appstore --scheme MyApp-Production

Step 4: Monitor Submission

The CLI shows detailed progress:

🚀 My Signer - Ship to App Store
================================================================================

This will:
  1️⃣  Detect and build your project
  2️⃣  Export IPA for App Store
  3️⃣  Upload to App Store
  4️⃣  Wait for Apple to process build
  5️⃣  Submit for App Store review

⏱️  Estimated time: 15-30 minutes

================================================================================
[1/5] Building Archive
================================================================================

✓ Found: MyApp.xcworkspace (Native iOS)

🎯 Target: MyApp
📦 Bundle ID: com.company.myapp
⏱️  Estimated: 2-5 minutes

🔍 Validating signing setup...
✓ Signing configuration valid

Building archive...

✓ Build complete in 3m 12s

================================================================================
[2/5] Exporting IPA
================================================================================

⏱️  Estimated: 30-90 seconds

✓ Export complete in 52s
📦 IPA: ~/Archives/MyApp.ipa

================================================================================
[3/5] Uploading to App Store
================================================================================

🔐 Fetching App Store Connect credentials...
✓ Credentials loaded

Uploading to App Store Connect...
▸ Validating IPA
▸ Uploading... 52.1 MB / 52.1 MB (100%)
▸ Upload complete

================================================================================
[4/5] Waiting for Apple to Process Build
================================================================================

⏳ Waiting for build #43 to sync (polls every 3min)...
   [3m] Latest: #42, waiting for #43...
   [6m] Latest: #42, waiting for #43...
✅ Build #43 synced! (VALID)

================================================================================
[5/5] Submitting for App Store Review
================================================================================

✓ Submitted successfully

================================================================================
🎉 SUCCESS! Your app is submitted for App Store review!
================================================================================

📊 Summary

  Project:     MyApp
  Bundle ID:   com.company.myapp
  Target:      MyApp
  IPA Size:    52.1 MB

⏱️  Time Breakdown

  Build:       3m 12s
  Export:      52s
  Upload:      1m 23s
  Submission:  8m 45s
  ──────────────────────────────
  Total:       14m 12s

🔮 Next Steps

  ✓ Your build is submitted for App Store review!

  Monitor review status:
     https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/apps

App Review typically takes 24-48 hours. During busy periods (holidays, WWDC), reviews may take longer.

Step 5: Track Review Status

In App Store Connect

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Navigate to My Apps → Your app
3. Check the App Store tab for review status

Review Statuses

Step 6: Handle Review Outcomes

If Approved

Your configured release type takes effect:

• Immediate: App goes live automatically
• Manual: Release from App Store Connect when ready
• Phased: Gradual rollout begins automatically

If Rejected

1. Read the rejection reason carefully in App Store Connect
2. Check Resolution Center for detailed feedback
3. Fix the issues in your app or metadata
4. Resubmit using mysigner ship appstore

Common rejection reasons:

Workflow Diagram

┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐
│   Configure  │────▶│    Build &   │────▶│   Upload &   │
│   Release    │     │    Export    │     │   Process    │
└──────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────┘
                                                 │
                                                 ▼
┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐
│   Release    │◀────│   Approved   │◀────│   Submit &   │
│   to Users   │     │   by Apple   │     │   Review     │
└──────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────┘

Time Estimates

Review times vary. During busy periods (holidays, WWDC), reviews may take longer.

Best Practices

Before Submission

1. Test on TestFlight with real users
2. Check analytics for crashes or issues
3. Update all metadata - screenshots, description, keywords
4. Verify privacy labels are accurate
5. Test in-app purchases if applicable

Release Strategy

1. Use phased release for major updates
2. Monitor crash rates during rollout
3. Prepare to pause if issues arise
4. Have a hotfix ready just in case

Expedited Reviews

For critical bug fixes, request an expedited review:

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Navigate to your pending submission
3. Click "Request Expedited Review"
4. Explain the critical issue

Common Issues

"Version already exists"

You're trying to submit the same version number that's already live or pending.

Fix: Increment your version number in Xcode or Info.plist.

"Missing compliance information"

Export compliance declaration needed.

Fix: 1. In App Store Connect, go to your build 2. Click "Provide Export Compliance Information" 3. Answer the encryption questions

"Missing required screenshots"

Screenshot requirements not met for all device sizes.

Fix: Upload screenshots for required device sizes in App Store Connect.

Build stuck in "Processing"

Processing usually takes 10-20 minutes.

Fix: Wait up to 1 hour. If still stuck, contact Apple Developer Support.

Next Steps

• GitHub Actions CI/CD - Automate App Store submissions
• Troubleshooting - More issue solutions
• Dashboard Releases - Configure release settings

Related Commands

• ship - Full ship command reference
• submit - Submit without building
• doctor - Diagnose issues
• sync - Refresh App Store Connect data

Related Dashboard Pages

• Releases - Configure release notes, run the AI translate / rewrite workflow, manage the release checklist before submission
• Screenshot Studio - Generate App Store screenshots and push them straight to App Store Connect
• Keywords & ASO (Pro+) - Edit the 100-character keywords field per locale and track ranking positions
• Custom Product Pages (Pro+) - Build CPP variants for marketing campaigns or A/B testing
• Reviews & Ratings - Reply to reviews and use response templates after release
• Analytics - Measure release impact (acquisition, retention, conversion)