Setting up shop on the App Store is a requirement for any “digital merchant” who wants to introduce their new mobile app to the world. Creating an Apple Developer Account is your app’s only chance of showing up in the store. Unfortunately, even if a tech vendor or a product building studio-like Tapptitude is developing your mobile app, the only person who can register for an account is you. Third-party companies cannot apply on your behalf, but we’ve created a very simple and intuitive guide to help you set up your own personal Apple Developer Account.
We want to make the process as easy and straightforward as possible for you with this step-by-step guide, so let’s jump right in!
Here’s what you need before creating an Apple Developer Account
1. An Apple Device
To get things started, you’ll need to grab an Apple device. To set up an Apple Developer Account, you’ll first need to create an Apple ID. For this, you’ll need to get your hands on an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or iMac.
2. An Apple ID
If you own an Apple device, you should already have an Apple ID. If you don’t, follow this link to Apple’s website and create your Apple ID. For most of its procedures, Apple requires two-factor authentication, which is an extra layer of security designed to ensure that you’re the only person who can access your account, even if someone knows your password.
3. An established company
As you’re looking to launch your product as a business, you need to have a legal, registered and established company. This means you cannot apply for an account with a DBA, a branch or a trade name. Apple is very strict with its rules.
4. A legal-binding authority
The person applying for the developer account must have the authority to engage in a legal contract with a company. We highly recommended that the person in charge of the company should do this, but senior management can also handle the enrolment.
5. Documents and personal ID readily available
For the upcoming step, you’ll need to have your organisation’s legal documents and your photo ID at hand.
6. A D-U-N-S Number
For Apple to verify your organisation’s identity and legal status, you must have a D-U-N-S Number. You can’t apply for an Apple Developer Account without it. If you already have a D-U-N-S Number, you can skip this step. If you need to sign up for a new number, keep reading.
How to obtain a D-U-N-S Number
Obtaining a D-U-N-S Number can take up to 2 weeks, so make sure you don’t put it off for too long. The only entities that don’t require a D-U-N-S Number are Educational Organisations and Government Organisations.
What is a D-U-N-S Number?
A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier that recognises business entities on a location-specific basis. The number is assigned and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). It is a standard business identifier.
How to request a D-U-N-S number
You can use Apple’s D-U-N-S lookup tool to see if D&B has already assigned your business a unique D-U-N-S Number. If your organisation is not listed, you can request a D-U-N-S Number within the tool. You’ll be asked for your business’ legal entity name, address, phone number, and your contact information. After you submit your request, a D&B representative may contact you directly for more information. Make sure you keep your business registration documents ready.
Receiving and managing your D-U-N-S Number
Apple claims it can take up to 5 business days to receive your D-U-N-S Number from D&B, but from our experience, it can take more. If it takes longer than two weeks, we advise you to contact D&B.
Managing your D-U-N-S Number
Once you receive your D-U-N-S Number, you have to wait an additional 2 days for your information to reach Apple via D&B. After this, you’re just a few steps away from creating your Apple Developer Account for your business.
7. A website
Before you can hop onto the App Store, make sure you have a website for your product. You have to provide the URL for Apple. The website’s domain name must be associated with your organisation, and it has to be public.
Let’s create and set up your Apple Developer Account
Now that you’ve completed all of the necessary above-mentioned steps, it’s time to create your developer account. Here’s what you need to do:
1. Head over to the Apple Developer Program Enrollment page
You can find the link to the Apple Developer Program Enrollment page here. Once you log in, you’ll be prompted for an end-user license agreement. Read it, accept it, and press continue.
2. Enter your details
Fill out the form with the necessary information, and hit continue. This is what the form should look like:
On the following page, select “Company/Organization” from the drop-down menu, and select continue.
The last step requires you to enter your legal entity name and D-U-N-S® Number.
3. Wait for Apple’s approval
Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll have to wait for Apple to approve it. It takes about two weeks for them to follow up and let you know that your submission has been approved. You can contact Apple any time via their contact page to check the status of your submission.
In two weeks, you can get one of the following responses:
- Approved
Congrats! You have been approved for an Apple Developer Account. You can now publish the latest build of your product.
- Denied
This rarely happens. In any case, if your application is denied, check Apple’s feedback as to why exactly it was denied, correct the issues, or get in touch with them.
Before you go
It’s time to get excited! Your app is launching!
Your team at Tapptitude will work hard to make the launch as seamless as possible. Nevertheless, App Store rejections can happen, as guidelines are always updated, and the feedback you receive should nudge your team’s efforts towards UX details that will make the product better. Don’t treat a possible rejection as an end-of-the-world occurrence, when it can be a learning experience or just an average day at work of fixing one more line of code.
Soon enough, launching a new product version with a couple of bug fixes or a new product feature will become part of your day-to-day. And we look forward to seeing you getting there!
Robert Demeter
Contributing Writer
A contributing writer at Tapptitude, Robert has a strong passion for technology and a sharp eye for detail. His research skills and tech-savvy approach to any topic guarantee that no stone is left unturned before he puts pen to paper. When he’s not juggling words on a screen, he is usually lost in a video game or movie, or playing his guitar. Robert’s greatest enemy is the blank page.
