App Store Submission Checklist — Apple and Google Requirements
Submitting to app stores requires: developer account ($99 Apple, $25 Google), app icon and screenshots, privacy policy URL, category selection, age rating, and compliance with store guidelines. Rejection is common — plan for it.
Both Apple and Google require a developer account, app icon, screenshots, privacy policy URL, category selection, age rating and compliance with their respective guidelines before your app goes live. Apple charges $99/year, Google charges a one-time $25 fee. Budget for at least one rejection — it is rare to be accepted on the first try. Prepare your metadata, test on real devices, and read the guidelines cover to cover before submitting.
Pre-submission checklist
Before you submit to either store, verify every item in this table:
| Requirement | Apple App Store | Google Play Store |
|---|---|---|
| Developer account | $99/year | $25 one-time |
| App icon | 1024x1024px, no transparency | 512x512px, 32-bit PNG |
| Screenshots | 6.7" and 5.5" required | Minimum 2 per supported device |
| Privacy policy URL | Required | Required |
| Category selection | Primary + optional secondary | Primary + optional secondary |
| Age rating | Self-assessment questionnaire | Self-assessment questionnaire |
| Content guidelines | App Store Review Guidelines | Developer Program Policies |
Apple requires screenshots for the two largest device sizes. Google requires screenshots for each device type you target. Both require a privacy policy URL even if your app collects no data — you need a policy that explicitly says no data collection.
Common rejection reasons
The most frequent reasons for rejection are the same across both stores. Design rejections: placeholder content, broken links, and poor UI that does not meet platform standards. Privacy rejections: missing or incomplete privacy policy, requesting permissions without explaining why. Performance rejections: crashes during review, slow load times, excessive battery drain. Content rejections: misleading metadata, inappropriate content, or copyright violations.
Apple is stricter about design and UI polish. Google is stricter about content policies and permissions. The best way to avoid rejection is to test on real devices (not just simulators) and read the full guidelines before submitting. For more on building an app that is ready for submission, see our SaaS MVP checklist.
Submission process
For Apple, you submit through App Store Connect. Upload the build via Xcode, complete the metadata, select the version and submit for review. For Google, you upload through the Google Play Console. Upload an AAB or APK, complete the store listing, set pricing and distribution, and submit. Apple reviews every submission manually. Google uses automated review for most apps with manual review for higher-risk categories.
Timeline and planning
Plan for the full submission process to take 1-2 weeks, even though review times are shorter. The bottleneck is usually preparation: getting the privacy policy written, preparing screenshots in the right sizes, fixing issues found during pre-submission testing. If you are building a cross-platform app, see our native vs cross-platform comparison. For cost planning, our guide to app development costs covers the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
Apple charges $99 per year for the Apple Developer Program. Google charges a one-time $25 fee for a Google Play Developer account. Both are required before you can submit.
Apple's review typically takes 24-48 hours. Google Play review is usually faster, at a few hours to 24 hours. First submissions often take longer than updates.
The most common rejections are: incomplete or missing privacy policy, broken links or placeholder content, poor UI or user experience, crashes on launch, and metadata issues like incorrect category or missing screenshots.
Yes, both Apple and Google require a privacy policy URL for any app that collects user data. This includes email addresses, analytics data, device identifiers, and crash logs.
Yes, you can submit to both simultaneously. However, prepare the store listings separately — Apple and Google have different requirements for screenshots, descriptions, and promotional text.