To publish a mobile app you need a developer account on both stores: a one-time $25 fee for Google Play and a $99/year membership for the Apple App Store. Once the account is approved, you upload the app package (AAB for Android, IPA for iOS), fill in the store listing (screenshots, description, privacy details) and submit for review. Google Play review typically takes a few hours to a few days; App Store review averages 1-3 days. Because the process is full of technical details, most companies hand it to their mobile app development partner — we handle publishing for every project we deliver.
Pre-Launch Preparation: What Do You Need?
Before uploading, a set of technical and content assets must be ready. Missing assets are the most common reason the timeline slips:
- Developer accounts: Google Play Console ($25 one-time) and the Apple Developer Program ($99/year). Company accounts require a DUNS number and official business details.
- App package: a signed AAB (Android App Bundle) for Android, an archived build via Xcode for iOS.
- Store assets: app icon, phone and tablet screenshots, plus a feature graphic for Google Play.
- Copy: app name, short and long descriptions, keywords (App Store) — these drive your ranking in store search (ASO).
- Privacy policy URL and data safety forms: both stores require you to declare what data the app collects and how it is processed.
Publishing on Google Play, Step by Step
In Google Play Console you create the app, complete the store listing and upload the signed AAB to the production track. You cannot submit until the data safety form, content rating questionnaire and target audience declaration are done. For new developer accounts, Google requires a closed test with a minimum number of testers before production access — a step that is often missed in planning and adds at least two weeks to the schedule. We covered the full development lifecycle in the stages of mobile app development.
Publishing on the App Store, Step by Step
On iOS the process runs through App Store Connect: create the app record, upload the build via Xcode or Transporter, add version details and screenshots, then hit "Submit for Review". Apple reviews are done by humans; the app must not crash, must match its description exactly and must follow Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. If your app requires login, providing a working demo account for the review team is mandatory.
Roughly a quarter of apps submitted to the App Store are rejected on first review — and most rejections stem not from technical bugs but from missing information, broken demo accounts or inconsistent privacy declarations.
Cost and Timeline Summary
- Google Play: $25 one-time account fee; review takes a few hours to 7 days; new accounts must complete a mandatory closed test first.
- App Store: $99/year account fee; review averages 24-72 hours; a rejection adds a fix-and-resubmit cycle.
- Overall schedule: with all assets ready, going live on both stores typically takes 1-3 weeks.
- After launch: every update goes through the same review process — plan your release cycle accordingly.
The Most Common Rejection Reasons
Both stores reject for surprisingly similar reasons: the app crashing during review, declared data collection not matching actual behavior, missing or broken demo accounts, "wrapper" apps that merely mirror a website without adding app value, and copyrighted content. Every one of these is preventable with a proper pre-launch checklist. If you are budgeting the end-to-end process including publishing, see how much a mobile app costs.
Conclusion
Publishing an app is not a one-click action; it is a process of account setup, asset preparation, declaration forms and review cycles. With the right preparation you can go live on both stores within 1-3 weeks. If you want development and publishing handled end to end, request a quote and let us manage the process for you.