App Store Deployment

Before You Submit

Both stores have requirements. Address these first:

Privacy Policy

Required by both stores.

Create a privacy policy that explains:

• What data you collect
• How you use it
• Third-party services you use
• How users can contact you

Host it on a public URL (e.g., yoursite.com/privacy).

App Icons

All required sizes:

Use tools like AppIcon Generator to create all sizes.

Screenshots

Both stores require screenshots:

• iOS: Multiple sizes for different devices
• Android: At least 2 screenshots per device type

Apple App Store (iOS)

Step 1: Apple Developer Program

1. Go to developer.apple.com
2. Enroll in the Apple Developer Program ($99/year)
3. Complete enrollment (may take 24-48 hours)

Step 2: Create App in App Store Connect

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Click My Apps → (+) → New App
3. Fill in:
   • Platform: iOS
   • Name: Your app's display name
   • Primary Language: English (or your language)
   • Bundle ID: Select from dropdown (matches your appId)
   • SKU: Unique identifier (e.g., mymobileapp001)
   • User Access: Full Access

Step 3: Configure App Information

In App Store Connect, fill out:

App Information:

• Category (e.g., Productivity, Lifestyle)
• Content Rights (confirm you have rights)
• Age Rating (questionnaire)

Pricing:

• Price tier (Free or paid)
• Availability (countries)

App Privacy:

• Link to your privacy policy
• Data collection questionnaire

Step 4: Prepare Screenshots & Description

Version Information:

• Description (up to 4000 characters)
• Keywords (100 characters, comma-separated)
• What's New (for updates)
• Screenshots for each device size
• App Preview videos (optional)

Screenshot requirements:

Step 5: Archive and Upload

In Xcode:

1. Remove development settings:

   typescript
   Copy
   // capacitor.config.ts - Remove or comment out:
   // server: { url: 'http://...', cleartext: true }
   

2. Build production:

   bash
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   npm run build
   npx cap sync ios
   

3. Set version numbers:

   • In Xcode, select your target
   • General → Version: 1.0.0
   • General → Build: 1

4. Create archive:

   • Select "Any iOS Device" (not a simulator)
   • Product → Archive
   • Wait for build to complete

5. Upload to App Store Connect:

   • In Organizer (Window → Organizer)
   • Select your archive
   • Click "Distribute App"
   • Choose "App Store Connect"
   • Follow prompts

Step 6: Submit for Review

1. In App Store Connect, go to your app
2. Select the build you uploaded
3. Fill in any remaining required fields
4. Click "Submit for Review"

Review times:

• Usually 24-48 hours
• Can be longer for first submission
• You'll receive email updates

Common iOS Rejection Reasons

Google Play Store (Android)

Step 1: Create Developer Account

1. Go to Play Console
2. Pay one-time $25 registration fee
3. Complete identity verification

Step 2: Create Application

1. Click "Create app"
2. Fill in:
   • App name
   • Default language
   • App or game
   • Free or paid
3. Accept policies

Step 3: Store Listing

Fill out your store listing:

Main store listing:

• Short description (80 characters)
• Full description (4000 characters)
• App icon (512 × 512)
• Feature graphic (1024 × 500)
• Screenshots (2-8 per device type)
• Video URL (optional)

Categorization:

• App category
• Tags (up to 5)
• Contact email/website

Step 4: App Content

Complete the content questionnaire:

Privacy Policy:

• Add your privacy policy URL

App Access:

• Does app require login?
• Provide test credentials if needed

Ads:

• Does app contain ads?

Content Rating:

• Complete IARC questionnaire
• Get content ratings

Target Audience:

• Age groups
• Appeals to children? (additional requirements)

News App:

• Is this a news app?

Data Safety:

• What data do you collect?
• How is it shared/used?
• Security practices

Step 5: Build Signed AAB

1. Remove development settings:

   typescript
   Copy
   // capacitor.config.ts - Remove:
   // server: { url: 'http://...', cleartext: true }
   

2. Build production:

   bash
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   npm run build
   npx cap sync android
   

3. Generate signing key (one time):

   bash
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   keytool -genkey -v \
     -keystore my-release-key.jks \
     -keyalg RSA \
     -keysize 2048 \
     -validity 10000 \
     -alias my-key-alias
   

   Warning

   CRITICAL: Back up your keystore file and remember your password! If you lose it, you cannot update your app.

4. Configure signing in Gradle:

   Create android/keystore.properties:

   properties
   Copy
   storePassword=your-store-password
   keyPassword=your-key-password
   keyAlias=my-key-alias
   storeFile=../my-release-key.jks
   

   Add to .gitignore:

   keystore.properties
   *.jks
   

   Update android/app/build.gradle:

   groovy
   Copy
   def keystorePropertiesFile = rootProject.file("keystore.properties")
   def keystoreProperties = new Properties()
   keystoreProperties.load(new FileInputStream(keystorePropertiesFile))
   
   android {
       signingConfigs {
           release {
               keyAlias keystoreProperties['keyAlias']
               keyPassword keystoreProperties['keyPassword']
               storeFile file(keystoreProperties['storeFile'])
               storePassword keystoreProperties['storePassword']
           }
       }
       buildTypes {
           release {
               signingConfig signingConfigs.release
           }
       }
   }
   

5. Build AAB:

   • In Android Studio: Build → Generate Signed Bundle / APK
   • Choose "Android App Bundle"
   • Select your keystore
   • Choose "release" build variant

Step 6: Upload and Release

1. In Play Console, go to Release → Production
2. Click "Create new release"
3. Upload your .aab file
4. Add release notes
5. Click "Review release"
6. Click "Start rollout to Production"

Review times:

• First app: 1-3 days (can be longer)
• Updates: Usually < 24 hours
• Some apps get instant publishing after track record

Common Android Rejection Reasons

TestFlight & Internal Testing

iOS: TestFlight

Test with users before public release:

1. In App Store Connect, go to TestFlight
2. Add internal testers (up to 100)
3. Add external testers (up to 10,000)
4. Upload builds and invite testers

Android: Testing Tracks

1. Internal testing: Up to 100 testers, instant rollout
2. Closed testing: Invite-only, good for beta
3. Open testing: Anyone can join

In Play Console:

1. Release → Testing → Create track
2. Upload AAB
3. Add testers by email or list

Updating Your App

iOS Updates

1. Increment version/build numbers in Xcode
2. Archive and upload new build
3. In App Store Connect, create new version
4. Submit for review

Android Updates

1. Increment versionCode and versionName in android/app/build.gradle
2. Build new signed AAB
3. Upload to production (or testing) track
4. Write release notes

groovy
Copy
// android/app/build.gradle
android {
    defaultConfig {
        versionCode 2          // Increment for each release
        versionName "1.1.0"    // User-visible version
    }
}

Common Issues

Deployment Checklist

Before submitting:

Both Platforms

• Privacy policy published and linked
• App icons in all required sizes
• Screenshots prepared
• Development settings removed
• Tested on real devices
• Version numbers set

iOS Specific

• App Store Connect listing complete
• Age rating questionnaire complete
• Archive uploaded via Xcode
• Build selected in App Store Connect

Android Specific

• Play Console listing complete
• Data safety section complete
• Content rating obtained
• Signed AAB uploaded
• Keystore backed up securely

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Congratulations! You've completed the Capacitor track. You now know how to build, test, and deploy native mobile apps using web technologies.