App launch checklist for the App Store and Google Play

Use this list in the weeks before you submit. Ticks are saved in your browser, so you can come back to it. Most rejections and launch-day surprises come from something on this list.

Accounts and ownership

• Apple Developer account in your company's name (organisation, not personal)
• Google Play Console account in your company's name
• Your domain, hosting and email accounts are owned by you, not by a freelancer or agency
• Every team member has their own access with the right role, no shared passwords

Product readiness

• Tested on a small phone, a large phone and an iPad (iPhone apps also run on iPads during review)
• Tested on the oldest OS version you support
• Works on a slow connection and shows a clear message when offline
• No placeholder text, test data or debug screens left in
• Every button and link goes somewhere
• Crash reporting is switched on

Accounts and privacy

• A privacy policy, linked in the app and in both stores
• Users can delete their account from inside the app (required by Apple if they can create one)
• Every permission request explains the benefit in plain words
• App Store privacy details and Google Play data safety form match what the app really does
• If you offer social logins, an equivalent privacy-friendly login is also offered

Payments

• Digital content and features sold inside the app use in-app purchase
• Physical goods and real-world services use your own payment provider
• Subscription terms, price and renewal are shown before purchase
• Restore purchases works

Store listings

• App name that is short, real and not stuffed with keywords
• Subtitle and keywords researched
• Screenshots that show the real app, for every required device size
• Description that matches this version, with no mention of other platforms
• Support URL and marketing URL that work
• Age rating questionnaire answered honestly

Review submission

• A demo account with sample data, written in the review notes
• Notes that explain anything unusual: location requirements, hardware, real-world services
• A short screen recording for complex flows
• Contact details of someone who can answer quickly during review

Launch day

• Release set to manual, so you choose the moment
• Staged rollout on Google Play for the first days
• Website updated with store badges and links
• Someone watching crash reports and reviews for the first 48 hours
• A plan for the first update within two weeks

Got rejected anyway? Paste the message into our App Store rejection explainer, or let us handle the launch.