Uploading your app on platforms like Google Play Store or App Store open it to a massive audience and increase it reach and visibility worldwide.
Whether you are a developer or a business owner, uploading your app to these platforms is an important step towards making your app more visible to potential users.
However, uploading an app on these platforms can be difficult, especially for a first timer, so this guide will show you the necessary steps to upload any app on Google Play Store and Apple Store, making sure the app meets all the necessary requirements and is ready for users to download and use immediately.
Full details on how to Upload any App on Google Play Store
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to upload any app on Google Play Store in 2025:
Step 1: Create a Developer Account
The main step in uploading an app on Google Play Store is creating a Google Developer Account on Google Play Console.
Go to Google Play Counsel website and sign in with your Google account.
After signing in, you have to choose an account type. This is to know whether it is own by an Individual Developer or an Organization. The account type you choose will determine the necessary information to fill so as to proceed to the next step.
After filling necessary details, you will pay a one time registration fee of $25 through credit cards or online banking methods.
Finally, ensure to fill all information while creating the console account and wait for 48 hours to get your account approved.
Step 2: Create a Google Merchant Account
If the app you are uploading to Google Play Store have in-app purchase, the next step is to create a merchant account and link it to your developer account.
To create a merchant account, sign in to Google Play Console account and click Report option, then click Financial option. Then you click on Set up a merchant account option and fill out your necessary details.
After creating your merchant account, it will automatically get linked to your Google Play Console account. This enables you to maintain, monitor and analyze app sales and also generate report.
Step 3: Create Application
Whats next step after linking your merchant account to your Google Play Console, is to Create Application on your console account.
To create an application follow this steps:
- Once you logged in to your developer account, Click on Menu option, then click on All Application
- Select the ‘Create Application‘ option
- Next, you will be asked to fill some basic app details like App Name, Default language, App or Game and whether it is Free or Paid
- After filling all details, and it is verified, Google Play Console will enquire an affirmation from you.
- Make sure that your app is in line with Google policies of the Developer Program and Accepts US export laws.
- Finally, after agreeing to the terms and condition click Create app
Step 4: App Store Listing
The next step when uploading an app on Google Play Store is filling the important information about the app which is called Application listing.
After clicking create app, Google Play Console will automatically take you to a dashboard, where you will fill the necessary details to set up the app.
Then Google Play Console will ask about the following details:
- App name: Since you have set your app name while creating the app, there is no need to enter the name again, unless you want to change it
- Short Description: This is where you description that best describe your app. The description should be 80-character-long.
- Full Description: This is where you explain your app in details. You can expand the word limit up to 4000 characters.
Ensure to use appropriate keywords while describing your app to increase the chances of your app showing up in searches.
After you have added all information to Google Play Console, the next step is adding app graphics, category of the app and the privacy policy. It is important to keep high quality images before starting the app uploading process. Once you are done with the uploading details, click on Save button.
Step 5: Content Rating
Content rating is an important step in uploading your app. Google will consider your app Underrated if you do not rate your app content, and your app might be removed from Google Play Store.
To add content rating, go to the main Dashboard, then click Set up your app, and select Content Rating option.
Next, a dashboard pop up and then click on Start Questionnaire button to get started. You will fill basic information about your app in the content rating section. The section is divided into three section- Categories, Questionnaire and Summary
In the category section, you fill an email address that users can communicate to you with and also the category of the app you are uploading. After filling, you click on Next button
After clicking next, questionnaire section comes up. This section allows Google to explore more about your app to understand your target audience.
After all details have been filled, you can check the content rating summary and click on Submit button to apply changes.
Step 6: Upload App Bundles or App APK to Google Play
Uploading APK (Android Application Package) or Aab (android app bundle) to Google Play Console is one of the important steps in the uploading process. This is where you upload and submit your app for Google to review and make it available to the public for download.
Before the app is being uploaded, you have to make a decision on the type of app release you want. There are four types of release: Internal test, close test, production release and open test.
Once you have made a choice, go to the dashboard and select Create a new release. After, you will be directed to another dashboard where you will upload the app bundles and the release details.
After entering all correct details, the next step is adding the application to the platform. Go to App Release tab and select Manage Production, then click Edit Release. After click on Review and then click on Start rollout to production option.
Lastly, select the Confirmation option and you are done with the successful upload of your app to the Google Play Store account for free
After the app upload is done, you will have to wait for your application to get reviewed and approved by Google. The approval might take up to few hours to 7 days.
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Step By Step Guide on How to Upload any Apple on AppStore
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to upload any app on Apple AppStore in 2025:
Step 1: Join the Apple Developer Program
To upload an app on the App store, you must be a member of Apple Developer Program. To join you can sign up for an Apple developer account.
You can use your Apple ID and enable a two-factor authentication, if you are submitting your app as an individual, also Apple will ask you for personal information like address and name.
To be a member in the developer program as an organization, you will need an Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled. With the Apple ID, you will also add D-U-N-S Number, Legal Entity Status, Legal Binding Authority and Website. Click here to Start Your Enrollment to become a member.
You have to pay a membership price which starts at $99 per year and you have access to other exclusive Apple developer tools and services.
The Account can be used to manage your apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Also, the membership comes with beta software, app analytics, testing tools, and tools to manage your App Store listing.
Step 2: Prepare for App Submission
To upload your app on Apple Store, you will need to set bundle ID in Xcode. This help you to specifically identify your app. Xcode will give you a default identifier after creating a project from a template, but it is necessary to create one that is specifically for you
Note that you cannot change the bundle ID after it has been uploaded to App Store Connect.
You can adjust these settings in the General menu of your project editor in Xcode.
The next step is configuring your app version and build strong, the version number will appear in the App store and it has to be in a format of [Major].[Minor].[Patch].
You will be required to set an app category and the informations with your submission to allow users discover your app in the Apple Store. Some of the options include: Books, Music, Education, News, Finance, Games, etc.
The primary categories you set for your app must match the primary purpose and function of the app. Also, you need to prepare an app icon and provide a launch screen too.
The launch screen is the UI that you see when your app launches and quickly disappears when the first screen loads. The purpose of a launch screen is to enhance the UX by offering some visuals while the app is loading.
You can Review all of Apple’s official guidelines to prepare your app for distribution.
Step 3: Create a Listing Through Apple Store Connect
App Store Connect is where members of Apple Developer Program upload and submit apps as well as manage apps post-launch.
To create a listing for Apple Store:
- Log into your account
- Select the “+” button from the “My Apps” menu
- Add the platform (iOS), primary language, bundle ID, and SKU
- Add the app name and category
- Provide a URL to your app’s privacy policy
- Choose your app’s pricing
You can choose to decide how your app is released after review information is approved. You can sign back manually into Apple Store Connect and release the app when you are ready, or set it to be published on a certain date (if you app passes certification).
Step 4: Capture App Store Screenshots
The next step is to prepare your screenshots for the App Store. There are two approaches that you can follow: either use raw screenshots from your app or use a mockup template to showcase your app.
These screenshots are the best way to help show users what your app does and how it works when they find your app in Apple Store.
Step 5: Upload the App Using Xcode
This is the time to actually upload your app from Xcode. Before you continue with this step, you have to ensure that your app is bug-free and it runs the way it ought to. If the app does not function, it won’t be approved for the App Store.
To Upload your App using Xcode:
- First, start by creating a full app archive. Go to your list of simulators in Xcode and select Generic iOS Device from the menu.
- After select Product and then Archive. This will prompt Xcode to bundle your app. It can take a lot of time depending on the size of the app.
- Once you have complete the process, go to Archives tab, and click Distribute App on the right side of your screen. Then select iOS App Store when it asks for your method of distribution.
After uploading your app, Xcode will go through a few steps to ensure that the app you are uploading is not broken and if something is missing, Xcode might stop uploading the app and ask you to fill the missing information.
You will get a type of confirmation message on your screen when the upload is successful.
Step 6: Submit the App for Review
After uploading your app, the next step is to submit the app for review. At this stage, the archive from Xcode has been sent to App Store Connect. But you will have to wait until App Store Connect actually processes the upload. So if your account is not showing up immediately, there is no need to panic.
When the archive is officially processed and ready, you should get an email. This can save you some time, so you don’t have to check manually.
Once the archive is available, select the archive and click Submit for Review button at the top right of the page.
50% of mobile apps get reviewed within 24 hours and 90% are reviewed in 48 hours, according to Apple. So if your submission is complete, there is a chance you will have an answer within two days.
The app’s status will get updated upon review, and you will receive a notification with the status change.
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Conclusion
Uploading an app to Google Play Store or Apple store needs careful preparation and full attentions to details. Make sure your app works well, meets the store rules and guidelines, and it is well described with good descriptions and appealing images.
By following the steps given in this guide, you will be able to successfully upload your app on google playstore and Appstore, with millions of users ready to download and use.
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