iOS First Release VS Update

[oo7ml]

Hi, i'm almost finished developing my first app (very basic) and i've looked at a few YouTube videos which show you how to submit your app to the App Store (which seems fine but overly complicated).

QUESTION
- when you release a new version / update for your app (minor bug fixes), what process is involved in rolling out the new update... is it as demanding as submitting the app itself at the start?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[D.T.]

Most of it is the same.

iTunesConnect to setup the new version with the same workflow: create new version, upload, wait. Of course you’ll do things like iterate the version/build numbers.

You have an option to update most of the meta-data (store display name, description, screenshots), but if not, it simply carries forward. There’s a “new in this version” block where you can list all your cool new features (and/or bug fixes).

When you setup a new version in ITC, there’s some update specific questions about why (mostly legal concerns like changes in the cryptography or content ownership).

You’ll see the existing version and the new version concurrently in ITC, and when the new version approves it’ll replace the old, though now Apple continues to offer a previous version if not the same iOS spec as the new, but I haven’t seen that yet (our iOS spec has remained the same, 6+)

The review process may or may not be quicker as you release new versions - I would think internally they track as you revise and if you show a history of updates without issues, it’s quicker, but that’s a mysterious black box. I will say that we just (like last night) had an update, that was simple some meta-data changes and renaming, and it went into review and came out in just an hour or so.

 

[oo7ml]

Ok great, thanks for the info.

I presume you don't have to fill out so many forms again and create certs, when releasing an update?

 

[D.T.]

No, none of that initial setup. The workflow is more or less:

- Setup via ITC the new version, confirm a few update questions (super simple)
- Change meta-data as wanted/needed, including version
- Update code in XC, iterate version number to match ITC
- Set Ready for Upload
- Archive/upload to waiting version upload via XC

That’s really it!

 

[oo7ml]

Ok great, thanks DT