How to set up App Store Connect (2026)
Enroll and sign in
App Store Connect runs on top of an Apple Developer Program membership, so the first step is enrollment.
- Enroll in the Apple Developer Program with your Apple Account. It is a paid annual membership, available for individuals or organizations. Organization enrollment requires a D-U-N-S number and verification, which takes longer than an individual account.
- Sign in to App Store Connect at appstoreconnect.apple.com with the same Apple Account.
- Accept the agreements. Under Business, review and accept the Paid Apps Agreement if you plan to charge for the app or sell in-app purchases. Submissions can stall if the agreements are not accepted.
Two-factor authentication is required on the Apple Account, so set that up before you start.
Register a Bundle ID and create the app record
Every app needs a unique Bundle ID and an app record before it can receive a build.
- Register the Bundle ID. In the Developer portal under Certificates, Identifiers, and Profiles, create an App ID with a reverse-domain Bundle ID such as com.yourname.appname. Enable any capabilities the app needs, for example push notifications or App Groups.
- Create the app record. In App Store Connect under Apps, add a new app, choose iOS, select the Bundle ID, set the name and primary language, and assign an SKU and category.
- Fill in the basics. Add the subtitle, support URL, and a privacy policy URL. You can finish screenshots and the description later, but the app record has to exist first.
The app name has to be unique across the App Store, so have a backup in mind in case your first choice is taken.
Add your team and an API key
If more than one person works on the app, or you want to automate uploads, set up access.
- Add team members under Users and Access and assign roles such as Admin, App Manager, Developer, or Marketing, so each person has only the access they need.
- Generate an App Store Connect API key under Users and Access, Integrations, Keys. Give it a role, download the private key once, and store it securely with the Key ID and Issuer ID. Tools use this key to upload builds and manage metadata without a person signing in.
How AppFlight sets this up for you
AppFlight is a macOS app that turns a plain-English prompt into a native iOS app in Swift and SwiftUI and runs the journey to the App Store. For App Store Connect, it connects with your App Store Connect API key, then creates the app record, registers the Bundle ID where needed, sets metadata, and prepares the version so a build can be uploaded and submitted. You still enroll in the Apple Developer Program yourself, since that membership is your account with Apple. After the connection is in place, AppFlight handles the records, the upload, and the submission from inside the app, while Apple still reviews every app.
FAQ
Is App Store Connect free?
App Store Connect itself is free to use, but you can only access it with an Apple Developer Program membership, which is a paid annual membership. The membership is what unlocks the account.
What is the difference between an Apple Developer account and App Store Connect?
The Apple Developer account is your membership and identity with Apple, where you manage certificates and enrollment. App Store Connect is the portal where you create app records, upload builds, manage metadata, and submit for review. They use the same Apple Account to sign in.
Do I need an App Store Connect API key?
Not to work in the browser, but you need one for automation and tools that upload builds or manage metadata programmatically. You generate it under Users and Access, Integrations, and keep the private key safe because Apple only lets you download it once.