1# Submitting to iOS App Store
2 
3## Prerequisites
4 
51. **Apple Developer Account** - Enroll at [developer.apple.com](https://developer.apple.com)
62. **App Store Connect App** - Create your app record before first submission
73. **Apple Credentials** - Configure via EAS or environment variables
8 
9## Credential Setup
10 
11### Using EAS Credentials
12 
13```bash
14eas credentials -p ios
15```
16 
17This interactive flow helps you:
18- Create or select a distribution certificate
19- Create or select a provisioning profile
20- Configure App Store Connect API key (recommended)
21 
22### App Store Connect API Key (Recommended)
23 
24API keys avoid 2FA prompts in CI/CD:
25 
261. Go to App Store Connect → Users and Access → Keys
272. Click "+" to create a new key
283. Select "App Manager" role (minimum for submissions)
294. Download the `.p8` key file
30 
31Configure in `eas.json`:
32 
33```json
34{
35  "submit": {
36    "production": {
37      "ios": {
38        "ascApiKeyPath": "./AuthKey_XXXXX.p8",
39        "ascApiKeyIssuerId": "xxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxx",
40        "ascApiKeyId": "XXXXXXXXXX"
41      }
42    }
43  }
44}
45```
46 
47Or use environment variables:
48 
49```bash
50EXPO_ASC_API_KEY_PATH=./AuthKey.p8
51EXPO_ASC_API_KEY_ISSUER_ID=xxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxx
52EXPO_ASC_API_KEY_ID=XXXXXXXXXX
53```
54 
55### Apple ID Authentication (Alternative)
56 
57For manual submissions, you can use Apple ID:
58 
59```bash
60[email protected]
61EXPO_APPLE_TEAM_ID=XXXXXXXXXX
62```
63 
64Note: Requires app-specific password for accounts with 2FA.
65 
66## Submission Commands
67 
68```bash
69# Build and submit to App Store Connect
70eas build -p ios --profile production --submit
71 
72# Submit latest build
73eas submit -p ios --latest
74 
75# Submit specific build
76eas submit -p ios --id BUILD_ID
77 
78# Quick TestFlight submission
79npx testflight
80```
81 
82## App Store Connect Configuration
83 
84### First-Time Setup
85 
86Before submitting, complete in App Store Connect:
87 
881. **App Information**
89   - Primary language
90   - Bundle ID (must match `app.json`)
91   - SKU (unique identifier)
92 
932. **Pricing and Availability**
94   - Price tier
95   - Available countries
96 
973. **App Privacy**
98   - Privacy policy URL
99   - Data collection declarations
100 
1014. **App Review Information**
102   - Contact information
103   - Demo account (if login required)
104   - Notes for reviewers
105 
106### EAS Configuration
107 
108```json
109{
110  "cli": {
111    "version": ">= 16.0.1",
112    "appVersionSource": "remote"
113  },
114  "build": {
115    "production": {
116      "ios": {
117        "resourceClass": "m-medium",
118        "autoIncrement": true
119      }
120    }
121  },
122  "submit": {
123    "production": {
124      "ios": {
125        "appleId": "[email protected]",
126        "ascAppId": "1234567890",
127        "appleTeamId": "XXXXXXXXXX"
128      }
129    }
130  }
131}
132```
133 
134Find `ascAppId` in App Store Connect → App Information → Apple ID.
135 
136## TestFlight vs App Store
137 
138### TestFlight (Beta Testing)
139 
140- Builds go to TestFlight automatically after submission
141- Internal testers (up to 100) - immediate access
142- External testers (up to 10,000) - requires beta review
143- Builds expire after 90 days
144 
145### App Store (Production)
146 
147- Requires passing App Review
148- Submit for review from App Store Connect
149- Choose release timing (immediate, scheduled, manual)
150 
151## App Review Process
152 
153### What Reviewers Check
154 
1551. **Functionality** - App works as described
1562. **UI/UX** - Follows Human Interface Guidelines
1573. **Content** - Appropriate and accurate
1584. **Privacy** - Data handling matches declarations
1595. **Legal** - Complies with local laws
160 
161### Common Rejection Reasons
162 
163| Issue | Solution |
164|-------|----------|
165| Crashes/bugs | Test thoroughly before submission |
166| Incomplete metadata | Fill all required fields |
167| Placeholder content | Remove "lorem ipsum" and test data |
168| Missing login credentials | Provide demo account |
169| Privacy policy missing | Add URL in App Store Connect |
170| Guideline 4.2 (minimum functionality) | Ensure app provides value |
171 
172### Expedited Review
173 
174Request expedited review for:
175- Critical bug fixes
176- Time-sensitive events
177- Security issues
178 
179Go to App Store Connect → your app → App Review → Request Expedited Review.
180 
181## Version and Build Numbers
182 
183iOS uses two version identifiers:
184 
185- **Version** (`CFBundleShortVersionString`): User-facing, e.g., "1.2.3"
186- **Build Number** (`CFBundleVersion`): Internal, must increment for each upload
187 
188Configure in `app.json`:
189 
190```json
191{
192  "expo": {
193    "version": "1.2.3",
194    "ios": {
195      "buildNumber": "1"
196    }
197  }
198}
199```
200 
201With `autoIncrement: true`, EAS handles build numbers automatically.
202 
203## Release Options
204 
205### Automatic Release
206 
207Release immediately when approved:
208 
209```json
210{
211  "apple": {
212    "release": {
213      "automaticRelease": true
214    }
215  }
216}
217```
218 
219### Scheduled Release
220 
221```json
222{
223  "apple": {
224    "release": {
225      "automaticRelease": "2025-03-01T10:00:00Z"
226    }
227  }
228}
229```
230 
231### Phased Release
232 
233Gradual rollout over 7 days:
234 
235```json
236{
237  "apple": {
238    "release": {
239      "phasedRelease": true
240    }
241  }
242}
243```
244 
245Rollout: Day 1 (1%) → Day 2 (2%) → Day 3 (5%) → Day 4 (10%) → Day 5 (20%) → Day 6 (50%) → Day 7 (100%)
246 
247## Certificates and Provisioning
248 
249### Distribution Certificate
250 
251- Required for App Store submissions
252- Limited to 3 per Apple Developer account
253- Valid for 1 year
254- EAS manages automatically
255 
256### Provisioning Profile
257 
258- Links app, certificate, and entitlements
259- App Store profiles don't include device UDIDs
260- EAS creates and manages automatically
261 
262### Check Current Credentials
263 
264```bash
265eas credentials -p ios
266 
267# Sync with Apple Developer Portal
268eas credentials -p ios --sync
269```
270 
271## App Store Metadata
272 
273Use EAS Metadata to manage App Store listing from code:
274 
275```bash
276# Pull existing metadata
277eas metadata:pull
278 
279# Push changes
280eas metadata:push
281```
282 
283See ./app-store-metadata.md for detailed configuration.
284 
285## Troubleshooting
286 
287### "No suitable application records found"
288 
289Create the app in App Store Connect first with matching bundle ID.
290 
291### "The bundle version must be higher"
292 
293Increment build number. With `autoIncrement: true`, this is automatic.
294 
295### "Missing compliance information"
296 
297Add export compliance to `app.json`:
298 
299```json
300{
301  "expo": {
302    "ios": {
303      "config": {
304        "usesNonExemptEncryption": false
305      }
306    }
307  }
308}
309```
310 
311### "Invalid provisioning profile"
312 
313```bash
314eas credentials -p ios --sync
315```
316 
317### Build stuck in "Processing"
318 
319App Store Connect processing can take 5-30 minutes. Check status in App Store Connect → TestFlight.
320 
321## CI/CD Integration
322 
323For automated submissions in CI/CD:
324 
325```yaml
326# .eas/workflows/release.yml
327name: Release to App Store
328 
329on:
330  push:
331    tags: ['v*']
332 
333jobs:
334  build:
335    type: build
336    params:
337      platform: ios
338      profile: production
339 
340  submit:
341    type: submit
342    needs: [build]
343    params:
344      platform: ios
345      profile: production
346```
347 
348## Tips
349 
350- Submit to TestFlight early and often for feedback
351- Use beta app review for external testers to catch issues before App Store review
352- Respond to reviewer questions promptly in App Store Connect
353- Keep demo account credentials up to date
354- Monitor App Store Connect notifications for review updates
355- Use phased release for major updates to catch issues early
356