How to submit an application to iTunes App Store

This article explain the process to submit and an application to the iTunes App Store. We assume that you already passed all the process of development an test your application.

Requirements

• Create an account in a iOS Developer, the credential of this account will be use in the Create a certificate process.
• Create a XCode project an test the application.
• Configure your application for distribution. Apple adiciotnal info
• Tools: Provisioning Portal, XCode, Keychain Access utility and iTunes Connect.

Create unique App ID

• Open the Provisioning Portal.
• Select Identifier

• Press [+] "Add" button to create a new App id. [add image]
• Complete the form.

• Open XCode project and select Target.
• Write the Bundle Identifier.

Note: The Bundle Identifier (App ID + App ID suffix). example: com.gizra.publiceducation.newAppIdSuffix.

Create a secure Distribution Certificate

• Open Keychain Access in your mac.
• Open preferences.
• Turn off OCSP and CRL options.

• Select in the menu Keychain Access -> Certificate Assistant -> Request a Certificate From a Certificate Authority...

• Fill User Email Address with the same email information of account iOS Developer.
• Leave CA Email Address: in blank.
• Select "Save to disk" and Let me specify key pair information.

This save a request certificate file in your computer, with the extension .certSigningRequest.

Add certificate to Provisioning Portal

• Open the Provisioning Portal.
• Select Certificates.
• Press "Add" button to create a new iOS Certificate.
• Select "App Store and Ad Hoc" in the section Production.

• Press Continue to skip the information, because we already request the Certificate.
• Select the request certificate file saved in your computer. example: CertificateSigningRequest.certSigningRequest

• Select Continue to generate the certificate and download it.
• Double click the certificate file (*.cer) and this install the certificate.

(Optional) Backup certificate

• Open Keychain Access.
• Select in the menu File -> Export Items...

• Save the file (*.p12) on the disk.

Note: This file can be use, if need to reinstall the system or do the rest of the process in other computer, without repeat the certificate process.

Create A Distribution Provisioning Profile

• Open the Provisioning Portal.
• Select Provision Profiles.
• Press "Add" button to create a new Provisioning Profile.
• Select "App Store" in the section Production.

• Select App ID.

• Select Certificate (iOS Distribution).

• Write a name of your profile and generate.
• Download and double click to install the Provisioning Profile.

Check Code Signing & Build Settings

Configuration Project:

• Open XCode and select project and select tab "Build Settings".
• Select in the search filter "All" and "Combined".
• Look for "Deployment" -> "Skip install" and select "Yes".

Configuration Target - General:

• Select the target and tab "General".
• Check out you have define a valid "Bundle Identifier", this have to be App ID defined in the "Create unique App ID" step. (must include the App ID Suffix) example: com.gizra.publiceducation.1
• Select Team.

Note: Select the account used to create the certificate.

Configuration Target - General - App Icons:

• Source select "Don't use asset catalogs".

• Create a new assets catalog.

• Press the arrow and Drag and Drop the icons of your application.
• Select the new catalog in source.

Configuration Target - Build Settings:

• Select target and tab "Build Settings".
• Look for "Code Signing" -> "Code Signing Identify" -> "Release" -> "Any iOS SDK" and select the Certificate generated. (Must be associated to the Provisioning Profile)

• Look for "Code Signing" -> "Provisioning Profile" and select the Provisioning Profile generated.

• Look for "Deployment" -> "Skip install" and select "No".

Create an App in iTunes Connect

• Open the iTunes Connect site.
• Select "Manage Your Application"

• Select "Add new App"
• Complete the information of the application.

Note Must select the Bundle ID with the App ID Suffix created in "Create unique App ID" step.

Build and archive the application

• Select in the menu "Product" -> "Scheme" -> "Edit Scheme".

• Select "Archive".
• Select "Build Configuration" to "Release" and press OK button.

• Build the application selecting in the menu "Product" -> "Archive".

Note This step archive the application and open the "Organizer" tool of XCode.

Validate and Submit the application

• Select the application archived in the "Organizer" of XCode.
• Press button "Validate...".
• Select credential generated for the application.
• When the validate is complete, the application can be submitted press the "Distribute..." button..
• The state of the validate and submit process could be checked in iTunes Connect site.

Resolve Issues

You can check the official documentation of Apple to solve issues in the build and submit process https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/IDEs/Conceptual/AppDistributionGuide/Troubleshooting/Troubleshooting.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40012582-CH5-SW2