1. Preliminaries & Account Setup

• Join the Apple Developer Program: You must have an active membership, which typically costs $99 per year. This gives you access to the necessary tools and services, including App Store Connect.

• Prepare Your App:
  • Thorough Testing: Your app must be complete, fully functional, and tested for bugs and crashes on the latest iOS versions and devices. Apple often rejects apps for basic functionality issues.
  • Legal Compliance: Ensure you have a Privacy Policy URL. This is mandatory. You must also comply with the App Review Guidelines regarding content, performance, business model, and more.

• Gather Assets: Prepare all promotional materials for your App Store product page:
  • App Icon.
  • Screenshots: These must be for the required device sizes (e.g., iPhone and iPad).
  • App Description, Keywords, Support URL, and Marketing Text.

2. Configure Your App in App Store Connect

App Store Connect is the web portal where you manage all aspects of your app's submission and distribution.

• Create an App Record:
  • Log into App Store Connect and go to My Apps.
  • Click the + button to create a New App.
  • You will need to provide: App Name, Primary Language, a unique Bundle ID (which must match the one in your Xcode project), and an SKU (a unique identifier for internal tracking).

• Fill in Product Page Details:
  • Add your prepared Screenshots, Description, Keywords, Support URL, and Marketing URL.
  • Set the Age Rating and Pricing and Availability (e.g., countries where it will be available).
  • Provide your App Privacy details to generate the Privacy Nutrition Label.

3. Build and Upload Your App

This step is typically done using Xcode, Apple's integrated development environment (IDE).

• Configure Project in Xcode:
  • Ensure your Bundle ID in Xcode matches the one you registered in App Store Connect.
  • Set the correct Version Number (e.g., 1.0) and Build Number.
  • Make sure your project is signed with the correct Distribution Certificate and Provisioning Profile. (If "Automatic Signing" is enabled in Xcode, it often handles this for you.)

• Archive and Upload:
  • In Xcode, select your project's scheme and choose Generic iOS Device as the target.
  • Go to Product > Archive. This bundles your app for distribution.
  • In the Organizer window that appears, select the archive and click Distribute App.
  • Choose the App Store Connect method and follow the prompts to upload the build.

4. Final Submission for Review

Once the build is successfully processed and appears in App Store Connect (under the TestFlight tab and then the App Store tab for the version you are preparing):

• Select the Build: On your app's version page in App Store Connect, select the build you just uploaded from the list.

• Complete App Review Information: This is crucial.
  • If your app requires a login, you must provide a set of demo account credentials for the reviewer.
  • Add any notes that will help the reviewer, such as instructions for hidden features or specific configurations.

• Submit for Review: Once all sections are complete (indicated by a green light or checkmark), click Submit for Review.

5. Review and Release

• Wait for Review: Apple manually reviews every app. The average review time is usually less than 24 hours, but this can vary. You will receive an email notification for status changes.

• Handle Rejections (if any): If your app is rejected, you will receive a detailed message explaining which App Review Guideline was violated. Address the issue, upload a new build, and resubmit.

• Release: Once approved, you can choose to:
  • Manually Release: You click a button to release the app when you're ready.
  • Automatic Release: The app is released immediately after approval.