Release an iOS update to AppStore Connect
In order to release an update to AppStore Connect, you need to run a new build via your My AppPresser account and then inform Apple of the new update. (Do note that this is only for releasing an update, this is not for creating a new listing.)
To do this, we will go through the following steps.
- Running a build from your My AppPresser account.
- Creating a new release from inside AppStore Connect.
- Selecting the new app file for the release.
- Sending the updates through to Apple to review.
Running a build from your My AppPresser account.
After you have logged into your My AppPresser account and gone to your app, open the Customiser from the menu on the left hand side.
Go to the Build and Preview menu item.
Increase your version number and click Save. It is very important that you complete this step. If you do not, your build will fail due to trying to release what AppStore Connect considers the same version that is in your account.
Once saved, via the 'Device testing and app stores' section, select Submit to iOS App Store Connect and press Build App.
After 10 - 15 minutes, the build should complete and if successful, the file will be sent to your AppStore Connect account.
Creating a new release from inside AppStore Connect
Whilst the build is running from your My AppPresser account, you can log into your AppStore Connect account and start to make any relevant changes. To do this, log into https://appstoreconnect.apple.com.
After you have logged in, select your existing app from your list of apps and let the page load.
Once loaded, click on the blue plus icon at the top left hand side of the screen.
Increase the version to the required number when prompted and press Create.
Do note that this version number does not need to match the version number of the app from the first step. This is the version number that appears on the Store Listing. The version from earlier is the version of the file itself. Whilst it might be good practice to try keep these the same, it is not essential.
After you have increased the version, your status at the top left hand side will change to Prepare for Submission. Make the relevant changes to your description, screenshots, etc and then fill in the Whats New box.
Once happy, press Save in the top right hand corner of the screen.
Selecting the new app file for the release.
At this point, the build you were running from your My AppPresser account should have completed and uploaded to your AppStore Connect account. The build process usually takes 10 - 15 minutes and if successful, another 10 minutes should be give before you see the build inside AppStore Connect.
To access your build, make sure you are in the Prepare For Submission section and then scroll down to Build. If your app has successfully uploaded, you will see a blue plus icon.
Click on this and you will see the new build with the version number you gave the app in the first step.
Select this file and when asked about the Export Compliance, we suggest to say "No".
You can now press Save at the top right hand corner and once saved, Add For Review will become available.
If not, you will be presented with warnings detailing what as been skipped in the setup process. Complete these steps and try again.
After clicking Add For Review, you will now be directed to a final page to confirm your build for review.
At this point, you can now press Submit to App Review and at this point, you can now go and relax and wait for the wait for the review team to decide your app's fate.
Best of luck!