Publishing apps to stores like Apple and Google is challenging but manageable if you understand the rules. Here's what you need to know:
- Costs: Apple charges $99/year, while Google requires a one-time $25 fee for developer accounts.
- Apple's New Rules: Starting April 2026, apps must use the iOS 26 SDK.
- Submission Process: Prepare icons, screenshots, privacy policies, and demo credentials. Over 40% of rejections happen due to incomplete or broken submissions.
- Review Times: Apple reviews 90% of apps within 24 hours; Google takes 1–7 days.
- Maintenance: Apps need regular updates to fix bugs, stay compatible with OS changes, and meet evolving policies.
Platforms like Adalo simplify this process by automating technical tasks, compliance checks, and updates. You can build and deploy apps for iOS, Android, and as PWAs without rebuilding for each platform. This reduces time and effort, making app publishing and maintenance more efficient.
The Challenges of Publishing to App Stores
Developer Account Setup and Fees
To publish your app, the first step is setting up developer accounts, which comes with some costs. For Apple’s Developer Program, you’ll need to pay $99 per year, while Google Play Console charges a one-time fee of $25. These fees are essentially your ticket to getting your app in front of iOS and Android users. Once your accounts are ready, the next hurdle is ensuring your app aligns with the strict technical and asset requirements.
Submission Process and Technical Requirements
Meeting technical requirements can be a meticulous process. Starting April 2026, all apps submitted to the Apple App Store must be built using the iOS 26 SDK or later. This means you'll need to work with Xcode 26 to ensure compatibility with Apple’s latest platforms. If your app doesn’t meet these standards, it won’t make it through.
You’ll also need to prepare a range of assets, including app icons, screenshots tailored for different devices, accurate video previews, a live privacy policy, and functional links. Placeholder content like "lorem ipsum" or broken links? Those are instant red flags.
For apps requiring user logins, don’t forget to include demo account credentials in the App Review Information section. Missing this step is a common reason for delays. App reviewers need full access to test every feature, so make it easy for them.
Review Times and Rejection Reasons
Once your app is submitted, the review process begins. Here’s some good news: 90% of Apple App Store submissions are reviewed within 24 hours. On the Google Play Store, reviews typically take 1–7 days. While these quick turnaround times are helpful, they also mean errors in your submission will be spotted fast.
A significant portion - over 40% - of rejections stem from technical issues like incomplete assets or missing demo credentials. Other frequent pitfalls include inadequate privacy policies or apps that are essentially just websites disguised as apps.
If your app includes user-generated content or social features, you’ll need to implement tools for filtering objectionable material, reporting offensive behavior, and blocking abusive users. For apps in regulated industries like healthcare, banking, or gambling, submissions must come from the legal entity offering the service - not an individual developer. Both Apple and Google enforce strict safety and compliance standards, and failing to meet them will result in rejection.
Platforms like Adalo are designed to simplify this entire process. With Adalo, you can deploy your app as a PWA or natively to iOS and Android without needing to rebuild. These challenges underscore the importance of using a streamlined platform to make app deployment as smooth as possible.
App Store Submission Guide (2025): Publish Your iOS App to the Store (Xcode & App Store Connect)
How Adalo Simplifies Publishing to iOS and Android
Traditional vs Adalo App Publishing: Time and Effort Comparison
One-Click Publishing with Adalo
Adalo takes the hassle out of app publishing by removing the technical roadblocks that often complicate the process. Instead of relying on tools like Xcode or Android Studio, you can create native iOS and Android builds directly from your browser. The platform handles complex tasks like code compilation, signing, and packaging automatically - saving hours of manual work.
For iOS, Adalo streamlines the entire process by generating and managing provisioning profiles and certificates within its dashboard. This eliminates the need to navigate Xcode or the Apple Developer Portal. When you're ready to publish, Adalo uploads signed builds straight to App Store Connect and the Google Play Console. The whole process takes less than 7 minutes, and you can initiate new builds for Apple TestFlight or the Google Play Store directly from the "Launch" tab in the Adalo toolbar.
"When you're ready to release your app, click a button to send your final build to the app store. It can't get any simpler than Adalo." - Adalo
Built-In Compliance Features
Adalo also simplifies compliance with app store requirements. It offers customizable privacy policy templates that align with your app's data usage, ensuring you meet Apple's and Google's transparency standards. If your app needs permissions for features like camera access or location tracking, Adalo includes built-in fields for adding the necessary explanations - eliminating the need for manual configuration edits.
The platform stays up-to-date with mandatory SDK requirements, including the iOS 26 update scheduled for April 2026. Additionally, Adalo uses built-in UI validators to ensure your app adheres to safety, performance, and design guidelines, helping you avoid common rejection issues. No-code developers using Adalo report 40% fewer app rejections thanks to these pre-submission tools. These features not only make the initial publishing process smoother but also simplify ongoing app maintenance.
Traditional Publishing vs. Adalo
Adalo’s automated system stands in stark contrast to the time-intensive steps of traditional app publishing:
| Challenge | Traditional Effort (Time/Cost) | Adalo Effort (Time/Cost) |
|---|---|---|
| SDK Compliance | High (weeks of manual Xcode setup) | Low (minutes, automated) |
| Metadata Preparation | High (manual entry of icons, descriptions, screenshots) | Automated (one-click syncing) |
| Submission Workflow | Complex (manual archiving and distribution) | One-click (browser-based) |
| Rejection Mitigation | Manual fixes (after rejections) | Built-in compliance (proactive scanning) |
With traditional publishing, you’d need to manage bundle IDs, create distribution certificates, fill out tax forms, and manually upload builds via App Store Connect. Adalo automates these steps, cutting publishing time by 80–90%, according to user feedback. Every month, over 10,000 iPhone and iPad apps are created using Adalo, with 55% of all native app builds targeting iOS.
This streamlined, automated process not only speeds up publishing but also makes managing your app after launch much easier.
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Maintaining Apps After Publication
Managing Updates and Bug Fixes
Once your app is live, keeping it updated is essential to ensure smooth performance and a great user experience. With Adalo's single-codebase system, you can simultaneously push changes across iOS, Android, and web platforms. No need to create separate versions for each platform - this means a bug fix or feature update can reach all your users at the same time, saving you valuable maintenance time.
Adalo also offers Phased Release, which gradually rolls out updates over seven days. This approach gives you the chance to monitor performance and address any critical issues before the update reaches everyone. Tools like Apple's TestFlight allow up to 10,000 external testers to try out your app and provide feedback before going live. This is a great way to catch problems early. And don’t underestimate the importance of quick fixes - about 62% of users will uninstall an app if it crashes or freezes. Frequent updates are crucial, and with automated compliance tools, you can stay ahead of shifting policies without extra hassle.
Keeping Up with Policy and OS Changes
App stores frequently change their requirements, and staying compliant is a must. Adalo takes care of this by automatically updating your app to align with evolving OS and policy standards. This ongoing compliance is just as important as meeting the initial submission rules.
You’ll also need to keep your Privacy Nutrition Labels in App Store Connect accurate, detailing the data your app collects. Adalo's compliance monitoring tools help ensure you stay aligned with these guidelines. It’s worth noting that over 40% of app review issues are tied to App Completeness, such as crashes, broken links, or placeholder content. By automating compliance checks, Adalo helps you avoid these common pitfalls and reduces the risk of rejection before submission.
Using User Feedback for Improvements
Listening to your users is key to keeping them around. Acting on feedback quickly not only builds trust but also helps you identify what’s working and what isn’t. With only 24% of consumers continuing to use an app three months after downloading it, addressing pain points promptly can make a big difference in retention.
"To improve retention, developers need to build up value for the user that increases with usage." - Tom Hume, Founder, Future Platforms
Adalo makes it easy to act on feedback in real time. Its visual editor allows you to make updates without needing deep technical expertise, and you can push changes instantly without going through a full resubmission process. Speed matters here - no-code platforms like Adalo are up to 90% faster than traditional development methods. This means you can respond to real user needs quickly, without waiting weeks for a developer to make updates.
Adalo is designed to streamline the entire process, enabling your app to launch as a progressive web app (PWA) while also being deployed natively to iOS and Android app stores - all without requiring a rebuild.
Conclusion
Key Takeaways
Adalo simplifies the app publishing and maintenance process by removing the technical hurdles that typically make launching apps a lengthy and complex endeavor. With Adalo, you can publish across platforms without juggling multiple codebases or diving into tools like Xcode or Android Studio.
The platform’s built-in compliance features ensure your app aligns with Apple's Human Interface Guidelines and privacy standards, while automated updates keep it compatible with the latest operating systems. Adalo’s draft environment makes it easy to roll out updates without disrupting users, and phased releases allow for a controlled seven-day rollout to catch and address any issues early.
Maintenance is streamlined through a single dashboard where bug fixes are deployed instantly across platforms. The visual editor enables you to act on user feedback in real time, making app management straightforward and efficient.
Why Choose Adalo for No-Code App Development
Adalo offers a seamless way to create production-ready apps without the usual complexities. With store fees as the only external cost , it’s a cost-effective solution for app development.
Serving a massive audience of over 650 million potential weekly visitors on the Apple App Store alone, Adalo enables you to take your app from concept to live in just days - most apps are approved within 48 hours . The platform’s automated compliance tools and rapid update capabilities ensure your app remains top-notch. Whether you’re building an MVP, creating mobile interfaces for existing data, or delivering client apps, Adalo handles the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on crafting features your users will love.
With Adalo, you can launch on all platforms from a single dashboard. The platform lets you deploy your app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) and publish natively to iOS and Android app stores - all from one build. Adalo combines simplicity and efficiency, making it the ideal choice for scaling your app development journey.
FAQs
What are the main reasons apps get rejected by app stores?
Apps often get rejected for a variety of reasons, but the most common ones fall into a few key areas. Policy violations are a major culprit - this could mean including prohibited content or failing to align with age-appropriate guidelines. Technical issues are another frequent problem, such as app crashes, missing required APIs, or poor overall performance. Even small details, like incomplete or inaccurate metadata (think app descriptions, screenshots, or keywords), can lead to rejection. And don’t overlook design or user experience problems; apps that don’t meet platform standards or have confusing navigation are also at risk of being turned away.
To steer clear of these issues, take the time to carefully review the submission guidelines for both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Test your app thoroughly to catch any bugs or performance hiccups, and double-check that all required information is accurate and complete before hitting submit. A little extra effort upfront can save you a lot of headaches later.
How does Adalo make publishing and maintaining apps easier?
Adalo takes the stress out of app publishing by removing the need for coding or dealing with technical complexities. Forget about writing code, handling certificates, or building platform-specific versions. With Adalo’s drag-and-drop builder, you can design your app effortlessly and publish it with a single click. The platform takes care of generating all the necessary files for both iOS and Android and even submits them to the app stores on your behalf.
Updating your app is just as straightforward. Any changes you make in Adalo’s builder can be pushed live instantly, with no need to rebuild or resubmit to the app stores. This user-friendly, no-code approach saves time, eliminates technical barriers, and makes app publishing and updates simple for everyone.
What kind of maintenance is needed after publishing an app to the app stores?
Once your app is live on the app stores, keeping it running smoothly requires regular maintenance. This means rolling out updates to fix bugs, refining features based on what users are saying, and making sure it works seamlessly with the latest operating system updates.
You'll also need to stay on top of any changes to app store policies to avoid the risk of your app being removed. Consistent upkeep not only ensures your app stays functional but also improves the overall experience for users, helping to strengthen their trust in your product.
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