Publishing an app is one of the most exciting stages in the mobile app development process. In order to ensure your mobile app success, it is essential to present your product in app markets. There, it can have maximum exposure, downloads, and revenues. Publishing your mobile app in a particular market will allow you to present your products and services to millions of people. It is also vital to showcase your product innovatively to stand out among thousands of apps released daily. You should precisely follow all of the legal and technical requirements of app markets.

Two of the largest app markets globally are Google Play and Apple App Store. Both app markets have distinct policies and restrictions for publishing mobile apps. Some of which may seem sophisticated at first glance. 

 Below, you will find detailed information about the publishing processes in Google Play and Apple App Store. 

Publishing an app on Google Play

Google Play is the biggest app market in the world, with over 3.4 million mobile apps. Due to the massive user audience, Google Play is one of the best platforms for Android mobile applications. One of the first suggestions before the publishing process is never leaving essential tasks to the last minute. It is significant to have everything complete before the release date of your mobile app. This will help to avoid unnecessary stress and delays. 

Creating a Developer Account

The first step of publishing your app on Google Play is to create a developer account. You may use your private Google Account, create a brand new one, or use a corporate account. Next, you will need to accept the Google Play Developer distribution agreement and make a registration payment of $25. For the final step, you may fill in essential account details about your mobile app and complete the registration. Remember that you can always edit your account and add more information. Overall, the navigation of the registration process is relatively straightforward, so you should not meet any obstacles. 

Link a Merchant Account

If you are publishing a paid app or an app that involves in-app purchases, you need to create a Google Merchant account. Google Merchant Center will help you reach hundreds of millions of people looking for the products and services you offer. The platform will allow you to attain loyal customers and track the performance and growth of your business. Consider that your developer account will be automatically linked to your Google Merchant account after completing your profile.

Make sure to study Google Developer Policies.

For this stage of the mobile app publishing process, it is essential to thoroughly go through the Google Developer Policies. Keep in mind that skipping or neglecting this part can have a detrimental effect on the overall success of your app. Reading the policies will allow you to have a profound understanding of how to develop apps and market them to comply with the standards of the app market. Remember, your mobile application may be equipped with advanced features and functionalities, but if it violates policies, Google may decline and even delete your app from the market. 

Preparing Technical requirements 

It is crucial for the publication process for you to complete all the necessary technical prerequisites carefully.

For publishing your app, it is essential to

• Set your Unique Bundle ID, also known as a unique identifier for all Android applications.
• Digitally sign the developer certificate, which verifies the author of the app.
• Upload an APK(Android Package Kit) expansion files if your mobile app exceeds 100MB

Completing Store Listing

Consider that you can always take a break throughout the registration process and save as a draft what you already have. 

Submitting Product Details

For the publication of your app, you will need to fill out the necessary information about your mobile app consisting of three main categories title/app name(50 characters), short description(80 characters), full description(4,000 characters). Use this opportunity wisely to incorporate necessary keywords related to your area to enhance App Store Optimisation(ASO). Make sure that users will be able to find your mobile app among millions of others easily. 

Adding Appealing Visuals

The app icon and at least two screenshots are mandatory for mobile app publication. In addition, you may add up to 8 screenshots and link promotional videos. Make sure to select high-quality screenshots that showcase the advanced functionalities of your app. Find all of the relevant information on preview assets of your mobile app here. 

Selecting languages

If your app is for a global audience, you may want to add translations in several languages to localize your product. You may also add screenshots in different languages.

Picking categorization 

You will be required to choose the categorization and type of your mobile app. Also,you will be provided with various options, so make sure to choose a category that fits your mobile app objectives best. In addition,you can select up to 5 optional tags relevant to your services and products.

Ensuring Privacy for Users

Google Play will want to make sure that your mobile app will provide users secure and safe environment. For this next stage, you will need to provide detailed information on how you will treat your users’ private data. Check out a guideline that will give you a profound understanding of all the requirements. 

Content Rating 

On the left of your screen, you will find the content rating section, which is vital for representing your mobile app. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the content of your app. Keep in mind that deception about your content can lead to app removal.

Setting the app pricing 

It is essential to have a precise monetization strategy and determine how your mobile app will generate money. Consider that you may always change your mobile app from paid to free, but you cannot do the opposite. If you later choose to distribute your mobile app for money, you will need to create another application. It is also vital to select the countries where you would wish your app to be distributed. 

Final Step

For the final step, you will need to review all of the sections, make sure that you uploaded all of the necessary files, and filled out all of the required details. If everything is set and done, you can finally press on Start rollout to production. The reviewing process of your application by Google may take from two to seven days. 

Publishing an app on Apple App Store

The Apple App Store is another large app market, with nearly 2.2 million apps available for iOS. The number of available apps is constantly changing as Apple continually removes apps that do not follow the privacy and quality requirements.

Creating a Developer Account

The first step to submit your mobile app is to be enrolled in Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 annually. The cost includes the benefits of publishing apps on various Apple platforms, access to advanced app analytics, testing tools like TestFlight, and more. 

App Store Connect

In order to submit your application for review, it is vital to have access to App Store Connect, where you will be provided with the necessary tools to manage all the tasks related to the Apple Store.

Meeting all of the Legal Requirements 

Your mobile application must follow all App Store Review Guidelines to be published in the app store. Apple especially prioritizes the treatment of sensitive, private data, so it is essential to meet the prerequisites of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement.

 App Store Listing in App Store Connect

First, you need to log in to App Store Connect. Then you will need to go to the My Apps menu and click the + button to create a new app. To publish your application, you will need to indicate the platforms on which you plan to release your application, specify the name of your mobile application with 30 characters limit, select the primary language of your application. You also need to choose Bundle ID, SKU(Stock Keeping Unit) in case you need to keep track of inventory, and finally, specify your target audience. Also, do not forget that all apps must submit a URL for a privacy policy. 

The pricing and availability of your app

For this stage, you will be required to specify the price which users need to pay to use your mobile app. Apple will allow you to define the cost of your mobile app for a specific amount of time if you plan to change the price in the future. You will also need to specify the countries where your mobile app will be available for users. Pick carefully to ensure that you select countries where you can have more audience and avoid regions where your mobile application may not be supported by law.

Adding app previews and screenshots

App previews and screenshots are crucial for marketing your product. Apple will allow you to publish 30 seconds long promotional short videos that will showcase your app’s core features and functionalities. You will also be required to submit up to 10 screenshots so users can get a feel for what your mobile app looks like visually. You can find official guidelines for specific size and quality requirements for app previews and screenshots here.

Writing description of your mobile app

It is essential to list and elaborate on the advanced functionalities and objectives of your mobile app in this field. Make sure to use specific keywords to enhance your App Store Optimization and help users find your app easier on the app market.

Uploading your app using Xcode

For this next stage of the publishing process, you will need to add your Developer Program account to Xcode. First, head to Xcode, go to the Preferences section, and then select Accounts. Here you can Sign In by entering the Apple ID and password you use for the Apple Developer Program. 

To create a complete archive of an application.

• Choose Generic iOS Device from the list of simulators.
• Head to Product from the top menu and click on Archive. Consider that depending on the size of your app; it may be a time-consuming process. 
• Xcode Organizer will start, showcasing all the archives you created earlier.
• Next, click on the archive and select Distribute App, where you will need to choose distribution through iOS App Store.
• If Xcode finds no errors in the archive, your mobile app will upload successfully.

Now that you completed all of the requirements, you may finally click the “Submit for Review” button. Consider that it may take days to review and approve your mobile app.