The process of submitting a completed application designed for Apple’s mobile operating system to its official distribution platform involves several key stages. These stages include creating an Apple Developer account, configuring the app within App Store Connect, generating necessary certificates and provisioning profiles, building the application archive, and finally, uploading it via Xcode or Transporter. Successful completion allows the application to be reviewed by Apple and made available for download by users.
Gaining access to the App Store allows developers to reach a vast audience of iOS users. This centralized marketplace provides built-in tools for discovery, purchase, and installation, streamlining the process for both developers and end-users. Prior to the existence of official app stores, distributing applications was often more complex and involved side-loading, which carried security risks and lacked a consistent user experience.