How To Get an App on the App Store: A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Adalo Makes App Store Publishing Simple

Getting your app published on the Apple App Store doesn't have to be a complicated, code-heavy process. Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This means you can focus on your app idea rather than wrestling with technical hurdles during the submission process.

Having your app available on the App Store opens the door to millions of potential users and gives your product instant credibility. With Adalo, you can build a polished, professional app that meets Apple's strict guidelines while also enabling push notifications to keep your users engaged long after they've downloaded your app.

Getting your app published on the Apple App Store doesn't have to be a complicated, code-heavy process. Adalo is an AI-powered app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. This means you can focus on your app idea rather than wrestling with technical hurdles during the submission process.

Having your app available on the App Store opens the door to millions of potential users and gives your product instant credibility. With Adalo, you can build a polished, professional app that meets Apple's strict guidelines while also enabling push notifications to keep your users engaged long after they've downloaded your app.

Why Adalo Is Ideal for Getting Your App on the App Store

The App Store submission process intimidates many aspiring app creators. Between certificates, provisioning profiles, and Apple's strict review guidelines, the technical requirements alone can derail a promising app idea. Adalo removes these barriers by handling the complex submission infrastructure while you focus on building something users will love.

With over 3 million apps created on the platform, Adalo has proven its ability to guide creators through successful App Store launches. The visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," making it accessible to anyone regardless of technical background. And with the AI features Builder promising vibe-coding creation speed, the gap between idea and published app continues to shrink.

Do You Have an App That's Ready To Submit?

Apple's App Store is known for its rigorous standards, ensuring only the highest-quality apps make the cut.

Any app that falls short—whether due to technical glitches, poor design, or lackluster content—is at risk of being rejected by Apple's review team.

If you're starting from scratch or refining your existing app, Adalo can help you build a high-quality app that meets Apple's standards.

Build Your High-Quality App with Adalo

Adalo is an intuitive and powerful AI-assisted app builder that requires absolutely zero coding or technical experience to create and publish an app on the App Store.

Ada, Adalo's AI builder, lets you describe what you want and generates your app. Magic Start creates complete app foundations from a description, while Magic Add adds features through natural language.

It functions like moving desktop icons around on your computer, and it's easy enough to start using immediately after signing up. You can start building by choosing from about 40 templates that you can customize to your precise needs and tastes. Or use Magic Start to generate a complete app foundation from a simple description—tell it you need a fitness tracking app, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically.

While it's simple to get started, Adalo is packed with considerable power: You can add slick plugins like a messaging feature, a connection to Stripe for Payments, a powerful integration with Zapier, and many more features. Magic Add lets you describe new features in plain language and have them built into your app instantly.

The platform's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users, with no upper ceiling. Following the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, apps now run 3-4x faster than before, and paid plans include unlimited database records—no data caps to worry about as your user base grows.

Of course, Adalo lets you publish your app to the Apple App Store, simplifying the publishing process with unlimited updates to your published apps.

Sign up for Adalo's free version and get started.

Apple App Store Submission Requirements

Before we begin our step-by-step guide, let's look into the 3 things you'll need to prepare before starting the submission process:

Prerequisite 1: Create an Apple Developer Account

Go to the iOS developer page and open an account with Apple. You'll also need to create an Apple ID if you don't have one already. Agree to all the terms and conditions and choose whether to register your account as a business or an individual.

If you register your developer account as a business, you'll need to provide a DUNS number. Don't have one? Navigate to the DUNS site and register for a number. The approval process can take up to 14 days. It's important to note that individuals don't need a DUNS number to register.

Once you've set up your developer account, pay the annual Apple App Store fee of $99. You'll need to pay this fee yearly, so make sure you don't forget. Failure to pay might result in your app getting pulled from the App Store.

Prerequisite 2: Follow the App Review Guidelines

Apple's App Review Guidelines aim to ensure that all apps published are high-quality, genuine apps without viruses or other nasty malware. Ultimately, Apple (wisely) realizes that part of its brand identity depends on the quality of the apps it allows in its store.

Apple has set the bar high when it comes to publishing standards. To avoid any issues publishing your app, optimally position your app with the following:

1. Content quality: Your app must provide meaningful, engaging, relevant, and substantial content. Ultimately, it should serve as a legitimate tool or game that betters users' lives. These requirements help weed out low-quality, advertising-heavy apps.

2. Functional requirements: Apple insists that all apps in its store must perform without crashing, freezing, or posing any other functionality issues, such as not draining a device's battery or handling data inefficiently. Adalo's X-Ray feature helps identify performance issues before they affect users, making it easier to meet these requirements.

3. Design standards: You'll need an intuitive and easy-to-navigate app with a design that supports Apple's human interface guidelines. Apps that follow iOS design standards provide a seamless and pleasant user experience (UX), two attributes that Apple prefers all apps in the store to feature.

4. Privacy protection: Apple emphasizes user privacy, and there are no exceptions in the App Store. Apps must follow Apple's Privacy Rules, which include having clear privacy policies, requesting permissions appropriately, and using data responsibly.

5. Legal compliance: This goes without saying, but all apps must comply with all local and international laws. This includes adhering to copyright, privacy, and data protection laws.

You must also ensure that your app does not contain illegal content or promote illegal activity.

Prerequisite 3: Prepare the Required Assets

In addition to complying with Apple's guidelines, you'll need to prepare assets to help support your app if and when it's published in the App Store. These assets include the following:

• Icons: You'll need to create an icon and resize it for devices like iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, etc. Your icon will serve as your app's logo—if you already have a business logo, use it. If you don't have an icon, make your own with Looka.

• Screenshots: To help users understand what your app looks like and how it works, you'll need to provide 4-5 screenshots of functionalities featured in your app for each device type.

• Preview video: Although optional, a video can spotlight your app's capabilities and user interface in action, providing a platform to show off what makes your app special.

• Metadata: This is the written part of your app description, containing the following:

• App title and subtitle: Add a short title and an optional subtitle that displays your app's name and its purpose.

• Description: Add a written illustration of up to 4,000 characters showcasing your app's features and functionalities.

• Keywords: Put these in your title, subtitle, and description. They'll help your app rank higher in the App Store search results.

• Categories: What categories describe your app? For example, is your app a game, a travel app, or a booking tool?

• A link to your app's webpage: A link to your app's webpage will allow users to learn more about your app. You can use your webpage to share use cases, elaborate on your description, provide extra videos and photos, and more.

• A link to your privacy policy URL: Don't forget that Apple requires you to publish and follow your app's private policy. Write this up and provide users a link with where to find it.

Put all your assets aside in a separate document, as you'll need them for Step 3. Now, it's time to jump right into the steps to submit your app to the App Store for publishing.

How to Get Your App in the App Store: 8 Steps

This step-by-step guide needs to be followed to a T. Before moving on to the next step, ensure you have completed everything in the previous steps. Each step builds off the previous one, so if something is incomplete or wrong, you'll need to return to it.

Step 1: Testing and Preparation

Remember when we said you'd need to ensure your app is fully functional and bug-free? Now, it's time to put the rubber to the road. Give your app a final once-over and triple-check that you've provided all the necessary updates and bug fixes.

Adalo's X-Ray feature identifies performance issues before they affect users, helping you catch problems during development rather than after submission. This proactive approach significantly reduces the chance of rejection due to technical issues.

Conveniently, Apple allows you to enroll in Testflight, Apple's app-testing program. This program allows up to 100 internal Apple testers to download and use your app. They'll provide feedback about their user experience.

Additionally, you can invite up to 10,000 external testers, such as folks in your network, to download and test your app via Testflight. Send an invite to their email directly from your Testflight account, including a link to download your app.

Once your app is uploaded to Testflight, you'll have 90 days to conduct tests. We recommend you invite as many testers as possible. When your testers provide feedback about their UX, make necessary changes.

Step 2: Certificates and Profiles

While your app is out being tested, return to your Apple Developer Account and ensure that all your info is correct. Then, navigate to App Store Connect and create your certificate.

Create Your App Store Certificate

The certificate you provide ensures that the app you release on the iOS App Store is yours and that you are a trusted source. Create your certificate by doing the following:

1. Open the Keychain Access application from your Mac. If you don't have a Mac, you can access this application by renting server space from MacStadium or Amazon EC2.

2. Access the certificate assistant and choose "Request Certificate from Certificate Authority." Follow the instructions, and when you finish, generate a CSR file, which is your certificate.

3. Log into App Store Connect, select Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles, click the "Add New Certificate" option, and upload your CSR file. App Store Connect will generate a new certificate, which you must download.

4. Install your new certificate in your Keychain Access, which allows you to sign into your app as a developer. Now, you're all good!

Create Your App Store Profile

Now, you'll need to combine your Apple ID and your certificate in Provisioning Profiles.

Provisioning profiles specify which devices your app can run on and services it can access. There are 2 main types of provisioning profiles:

1. Development Provisioning Profile: These are used during the development phase, allowing apps to run on registered devices.

2. Distribution Provisioning Profile: These are used to distribute the app to the App Store or for ad-hoc distribution to specific devices.

You can create both profiles. Do this by logging into your development account and selecting "Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles" under your "Account" tab. Click "Profiles," scroll to "Development Profile," and follow the directions.

Now, go back to the Apple Development Website and download Xcode, a program that you'll need to run your Provisioning Profile. Then, download your Provisioning Profile to your computer, which will automatically open in Xcode.

Follow the same instructions for creating a Distribution Provisioning Profile.

Step 3: Provide Assets and Configure Your App

Now, it's time to start your official application. In the App Store Connect, click the "My Apps" section and scroll down to "Add New App," which will help you create an app entry.

Then, begin uploading your assets from Prerequisite 3 straight to your account. This is a relatively simple step, as you'll follow directions and enter data and the assets you've previously prepared.

Step 4: Preparing Your App for Submission

We're very close to submitting your app to the App Store. On your computer, open your app in Xcode and ensure that all your build settings match the App Store's requirements. Then, follow the directions and perform a quick cleaning of your app to get rid of any glitches or bugs.

From the "Product" function, select "Archive." Doing this will bundle your app into an archive package you'll submit to the App Store. Ensure your bundle identifier, version build number, and build number are all correct.

Distribute the bundle by opening the Organizer Window in Xcode, clicking on the new archive, and then selecting "Distribute App."

Upload your build to App Store Connect by following these steps:

1. Select distribution options: Click the "Upload" option.

2. Review and upload: Carefully read your app's entitlements and distribution details. Is everything good? Then confirm by clicking "Upload," which will send your build to App Store Connect.

3. Confirmation: Once the upload is complete, you'll receive a confirmation that your app has been successfully uploaded—this can take anywhere from under a minute to an hour.

Step 5: Submit Your App for Review

You read that right! It's submission time. Find your app build from your App Store Connect account and drag it over to the app version number matching your build. Fill out all the necessary information.

Choose how you want your app to be released to the iOS App Store. Apple gives you the option of 3 release types:

1. Manual Release: You release your app manually after approval.

2. Automatic Release: After approval, the app is automatically released to the App Store.

3. Phased Release: The app is released gradually over 7 days. Doing this monitors performance and ensures that critical issues are addressed before reaching the entire audience.

The type of release you choose ultimately depends on your preferences. If you want to be careful and ensure your app reaches users smoothly, go for Phased Release. You'll be able to find issues within 7 days and nip them in the bud before your app reaches the masses.

If you're trying to beat a competitor to the punch, you might want to have Apple release your app automatically, as approval should trigger release. Just be sure to monitor your app so you can find any problems right off the bat.

Once you choose your release method, click "Submit Your App For Review." Now, the waiting begins.

Step 6: Responding to Feedback

Apple's review process can take a few hours to several weeks. From your Connect Account, you'll be able to see your app's status, like "Waiting for Review," "In Review," "Rejected," and "Approved."

If your app is rejected, the team will provide you with specific feedback explaining why. Respond quickly to the feedback, telling Apple you're working on an update. Follow the input and implement changes carefully.

One advantage of building with Adalo is the speed of iteration. When Apple requests changes, you can make updates in the visual builder and resubmit quickly—paid plans include unlimited updates to published apps, so there's no additional cost for revisions.

Step 7: Optimize Your App Store Listing

Just like optimizing a website for Google, you can optimize your app for the Apple App Store. This can help it rank at the top of the Apple App Store search results, increasing its chances of getting more downloads.

App Store Optimization (ASO) is a process that involves competitor research, using tools, and much more. We wrote an article dedicated to it. You'll find enough info to implement an optimization strategy properly.

Step 8: Launch, Market, and Monitor Your App

Once your app is published, you'll need to maintain it and ensure it's always humming and never crashing. Your users will be delighted if your app always works bug-free. Maintain your app by scheduling and following through with periodic updates.

With Adalo's infrastructure, your app can scale as your user base grows. The platform's modular architecture supports apps with over 1 million monthly active users, and with no record limits on paid plans, you won't hit data caps as you add more users and content.

After publishing your app, launch a campaign on your social media channels to drive popularity. If you want more traction, consider promoting your app with paid ads on Google and all your socials. Doing this can get your app in front of millions of eyeballs, which may result in more downloads.

Be sure to check your app's analytics so you can track your downloads and learn about your users. Your analytics tools can reveal where your users are based, demographic info, and more. Leverage this data to reach new audiences.

Marketing your app is a process that will take some time, which is why we wrote an in-depth app marketing guide to help.

How Adalo Compares to Other App Building Options

When choosing a platform to build your App Store-ready app, understanding the alternatives helps you make an informed decision.

Adalo vs. Bubble

Bubble is a visual web app builder that focuses primarily on web applications. While Bubble offers mobile apps, these are wrappers for web apps rather than true native applications. This distinction matters for App Store publishing because web wrappers can introduce performance challenges at scale and don't automatically update across web, Android, and iOS deployments simultaneously.

Bubble's pricing starts at $59/month with usage-based charges through Workload Units, which can create unpredictable billing. Adalo's comparable plan starts at $36/month with unlimited usage—no surprise charges as your app grows. Bubble also imposes record limits due to Workload Units, while Adalo's paid plans have no database record caps.

Bubble offers more customization options, but this flexibility often results in slower applications that can struggle under increased load. Many Bubble users end up hiring experts to optimize performance, adding significant cost. Claims of millions of MAU on Bubble typically require professional help to achieve.

Adalo vs. FlutterFlow

FlutterFlow is a low-code platform designed for technical users. Unlike Adalo's no-code approach, FlutterFlow requires users to set up and manage their own external database, which introduces significant learning complexity. This database setup becomes particularly challenging when scaling, as suboptimal configurations can create performance problems.

FlutterFlow's ecosystem is rich with consultants and experts precisely because so many users need help—and end up spending significant sums chasing scalability. The builder also limits your view to 2 screens at once, while Adalo can display up to 400 screens on one canvas for faster navigation and design work.

FlutterFlow pricing starts at $70/month per user for easy app store publishing, but this still doesn't include a database—you'll need to source, set up, and pay for that separately.

Adalo vs. Glide

Glide is heavily format-focused and restricted to set templates. This makes it fast to build and publish with, but creates generic, simplistic apps with limited creative freedom. Glide is a go-to for spreadsheet-based apps, but even that use case doesn't compare to the convenience of Adalo's SheetBridge, which lets you turn a Google Sheet into an actual database for the easiest control without database-related learning.

Glide pricing starts at $60/month for custom domain capability, but apps remain limited by update restrictions and data record rows that attract additional charges. Most importantly, Glide does not support Apple App Store or Google Play Store publishing—a critical limitation if your goal is getting your app in front of App Store users.

Adalo vs. Softr

Softr focuses on spreadsheet-based app building for web applications. Publishing a Progressive Web App requires their $167/month plan, which still restricts records per app and records per data source. Like Glide, Softr does not support Apple App Store or Google Play Store publishing, nor does it create native iOS and Android apps.

Adalo vs. Thunkable

Thunkable now offers an AI-drafted app build feature, but accessing a publishable Progressive Web App requires a $59/month plan with usage restrictions. Getting to a responsive app requires custom pricing beyond their advertised $189/month Advanced tier.

Next Steps

One of the first steps to take when publishing your app is to start building it. Don't know how to code? No worries! You can use an AI-powered app builder like Adalo, which requires no technical knowledge or programming skills.

After signing up with Adalo, familiarize yourself with the Apple ecosystem. Set up an Apple Developer Account and look into App Store Connect. Tinker with these for a bit each day as you build, and when it's time to publish, you'll have a solid foundation about how Apple works. This can increase your chances of successful publishing in one go. Best of luck!

FAQ

Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With unlimited database records on paid plans, no usage-based charges, and infrastructure that scales to millions of users, it handles the hardest part of launching an app automatically.

What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?

Adalo's drag-and-drop interface and AI-assisted building let you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from descriptions, and the platform handles the complex App Store submission process—certificates, provisioning profiles, and store guidelines—so you can focus on features and user experience.

How long does it take to build an app with Adalo?

Simple apps can be built in a few days, while more complex applications might take a few weeks. Magic Start accelerates the process by generating your database structure, screens, and user flows from a description. The visual builder has been described as "easy as PowerPoint," making iteration fast even for beginners.

Do I need coding experience to publish to the App Store?

No. Adalo is designed for non-technical users and handles all the code generation automatically. You build visually by dragging and dropping components, and the platform generates the native iOS and Android code needed for App Store submission.

How much does it cost to build and publish an app?

Adalo's paid plans start at $36/month with unlimited usage and App Store publishing. You'll also need an Apple Developer Account ($99/year) to publish to the App Store. Unlike some competitors, Adalo has no usage-based charges or record limits on paid plans, so your costs stay predictable as you grow.

Which is more affordable, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage, while Bubble starts at $59/month plus usage-based Workload Unit charges that can create unpredictable billing. Bubble also has record limits, while Adalo's paid plans include unlimited database records.

Which is better for mobile apps, Adalo or Bubble?

Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. Bubble's mobile apps are wrappers for web apps, which can introduce performance challenges at scale and don't update simultaneously across all platforms. For App Store publishing, Adalo's native approach typically provides better performance and user experience.

Can I publish to both the App Store and Google Play with one build?

Yes. Adalo creates one version of your app that publishes to web, iOS App Store, and Google Play Store. Updates you make in the builder automatically apply to all three platforms, eliminating the need to maintain separate codebases.

What happens if Apple rejects my app?

Apple provides specific feedback explaining why your app was rejected. With Adalo, you can make changes quickly in the visual builder and resubmit. Paid plans include unlimited updates to published apps, so there's no additional cost for revisions during the review process.

Can Adalo apps scale as my user base grows?

Yes. Adalo's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with over 1 million monthly active users, with no upper ceiling. Following the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, apps run 3-4x faster than before, and paid plans have no database record limits.