Publishing to App Stores

Guide to submitting Capacitor apps to Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

When to Use This Skill

User is ready to publish app
User asks about app store submission
User needs app store screenshots
User has app rejection issues
User needs to update app listing

Pre-Submission Checklist

Universal Requirements

[ ] App icon in all required sizes
[ ] Splash screen configured
[ ] App name and bundle ID set
[ ] Version and build numbers set
[ ] Privacy policy URL
[ ] Terms of service URL
[ ] Support email/URL
[ ] Age rating content questionnaire
[ ] App description (short and long)
[ ] Keywords/tags
[ ] Screenshots for all device sizes
[ ] Feature graphic (Android)
[ ] App preview video (optional)

iOS-Specific

[ ] Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year)
[ ] App Store Connect app created
[ ] Signing certificates and profiles
[ ] Info.plist usage descriptions
[ ] App Tracking Transparency (if applicable)
[ ] Sign in with Apple (if social login used)
[ ] Export compliance (encryption)

Android-Specific

[ ] Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time)
[ ] App signed with release keystore
[ ] Target SDK level (API 34+)
[ ] 64-bit support
[ ] Permissions declared in manifest
[ ] Data safety form completed
[ ] Content rating questionnaire

App Store Configuration

Version and Build Numbers

// capacitor.config.ts - Not stored here, just for reference

// iOS: Info.plist
// CFBundleShortVersionString = "1.2.3" (user-visible)
// CFBundleVersion = "45" (build number, increment each upload)

// Android: build.gradle
// versionName = "1.2.3" (user-visible)
// versionCode = 45 (must increment each upload)

iOS Info.plist

<!-- ios/App/App/Info.plist -->
<key>CFBundleDisplayName</key>
<string>My App</string>

<key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
<string>1.0.0</string>

<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
<string>1</string>

<!-- Privacy descriptions - REQUIRED for permissions -->
<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Take photos for your profile</string>

<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
<string>Select photos from your library</string>

<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Find nearby locations</string>

<key>NSFaceIDUsageDescription</key>
<string>Secure login with Face ID</string>

<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
<string>Record voice messages</string>

<!-- App Tracking Transparency -->
<key>NSUserTrackingUsageDescription</key>
<string>Allow tracking for personalized ads</string>

<!-- Export compliance -->
<key>ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption</key>
<false/>

Android build.gradle

// android/app/build.gradle
android {
    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.yourcompany.yourapp"
        minSdkVersion 22
        targetSdkVersion 34
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0.0"

        // 64-bit support
        ndk {
            abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled true
            shrinkResources true
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }

    bundle {
        language {
            enableSplit = true
        }
        density {
            enableSplit = true
        }
        abi {
            enableSplit = true
        }
    }
}

App Icons

iOS App Icons

Required sizes (place in Assets.xcassets):

| Size | Scale | Usage | |------|-------|-------| | 20pt | 2x, 3x | Notification | | 29pt | 2x, 3x | Settings | | 40pt | 2x, 3x | Spotlight | | 60pt | 2x, 3x | App Icon | | 76pt | 1x, 2x | iPad | | 83.5pt | 2x | iPad Pro | | 1024pt | 1x | App Store |

Android App Icons

Required sizes (place in res/mipmap-*):

| Density | Size | Folder | |---------|------|--------| | mdpi | 48x48 | mipmap-mdpi | | hdpi | 72x72 | mipmap-hdpi | | xhdpi | 96x96 | mipmap-xhdpi | | xxhdpi | 144x144 | mipmap-xxhdpi | | xxxhdpi | 192x192 | mipmap-xxxhdpi |

Also needed:

Adaptive icon (foreground + background layers)
Play Store icon: 512x512

Generate Icons

# Use capacitor-assets
npm install -D @capacitor/assets
npx capacitor-assets generate --iconBackgroundColor '#ffffff'

Screenshots

iOS Screenshot Sizes

| Device | Size | Required | |--------|------|----------| | iPhone 6.7" | 1290x2796 | Yes | | iPhone 6.5" | 1284x2778 | Yes | | iPhone 5.5" | 1242x2208 | Yes | | iPad Pro 12.9" | 2048x2732 | If supporting iPad | | iPad Pro 11" | 1668x2388 | If supporting iPad |

Android Screenshot Sizes

| Type | Size | Required | |------|------|----------| | Phone | 1080x1920 to 1080x2400 | Yes (2-8) | | 7" Tablet | 1200x1920 | If supporting | | 10" Tablet | 1600x2560 | If supporting |

Feature Graphic (Android)

Size: 1024x500
Required for Play Store listing

Generating Screenshots

// Use Playwright for automated screenshots
import { test } from '@playwright/test';

const devices = [
  { name: 'iPhone 14 Pro Max', viewport: { width: 430, height: 932 } },
  { name: 'iPhone 14', viewport: { width: 390, height: 844 } },
  { name: 'Pixel 7', viewport: { width: 412, height: 915 } },
];

test('generate screenshots', async ({ page }) => {
  for (const device of devices) {
    await page.setViewportSize(device.viewport);

    // Screenshot 1: Home
    await page.goto('/');
    await page.screenshot({
      path: `screenshots/${device.name}-home.png`,
      fullPage: false,
    });

    // Screenshot 2: Feature
    await page.goto('/feature');
    await page.screenshot({
      path: `screenshots/${device.name}-feature.png`,
    });
  }
});

App Store Connect Submission

1. Create App

Go to https://appstoreconnect.apple.com
My Apps > + > New App
Fill in:
- Platform: iOS
- Name: Your App Name
- Primary Language
- Bundle ID
- SKU (unique identifier)

2. App Information

Category (primary and secondary)
Content Rights
Age Rating (complete questionnaire)

3. Pricing and Availability

Price (Free or paid tier)
Availability (countries)

4. App Privacy

Privacy Policy URL (required)
Data collection types:
- Contact Info
- Health & Fitness
- Financial Info
- Location
- Identifiers
- Usage Data
- etc.

5. Version Information

Screenshots (all sizes)
Promotional Text (170 chars)
Description (4000 chars)
Keywords (100 chars, comma-separated)
Support URL
Marketing URL (optional)
What's New (for updates)

6. Build Upload

# Using Xcode
# Product > Archive > Distribute App > App Store Connect

# Using Fastlane
fastlane ios release

# Using xcrun
xcrun altool --upload-app --type ios --file App.ipa \
  --apiKey KEY_ID --apiIssuer ISSUER_ID

7. Submit for Review

Answer export compliance questions
Add notes for reviewer (if needed)
Submit

Google Play Console Submission

1. Create App

Go to https://play.google.com/console
All apps > Create app
Fill in:
- App name
- Default language
- App or game
- Free or paid

2. Store Listing

Short description (80 chars)
Full description (4000 chars)
Screenshots (2-8 per device type)
Feature graphic (1024x500)
App icon (512x512)
Video URL (optional, YouTube)

3. Content Rating

Complete the questionnaire for IARC rating

4. Target Audience

Target age group
Ads declaration

5. Data Safety

Data collection
Data sharing
Security practices
Data deletion request handling

6. App Content

Ads (yes/no)
App category
Contact details
Privacy policy

7. Release

# Build AAB (required for new apps)
cd android && ./gradlew bundleRelease

# Upload via Play Console or API
# Production > Create new release > Upload AAB

Release Tracks

| Track | Purpose | |-------|---------| | Internal testing | Up to 100 testers, instant | | Closed testing | Invite-only, review | | Open testing | Public beta | | Production | Full release |

Common Rejection Reasons

iOS Rejections

| Reason | Solution | |--------|----------| | Crashes | Test on real devices, fix bugs | | Broken links | Verify all URLs work | | Incomplete metadata | Fill all required fields | | Missing privacy info | Complete App Privacy section | | Login issues | Provide demo account | | Guideline 4.2 (Minimum Functionality) | Add meaningful features | | Guideline 5.1.1 (Data Collection) | Justify data usage |

Android Rejections

| Reason | Solution | |--------|----------| | Crashes/ANRs | Fix stability issues | | Policy violation | Review Play policies | | Deceptive behavior | Be transparent about features | | Sensitive permissions | Justify in-app | | Target SDK too low | Update to API 34+ |

Updates and Versioning

Version Incrementing

# Increment patch (1.0.0 -> 1.0.1)
npm version patch

# Increment minor (1.0.0 -> 1.1.0)
npm version minor

# Increment major (1.0.0 -> 2.0.0)
npm version major

Phased Rollout

iOS:

Enable phased release in App Store Connect
7-day gradual rollout (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, 100%)

Android:

Set rollout percentage in release
Monitor crash rate before increasing

Resources

App Store Review Guidelines: https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines
Google Play Policy Center: https://play.google.com/about/developer-content-policy
App Store Connect: https://appstoreconnect.apple.com
Google Play Console: https://play.google.com/console
Capacitor Assets: https://github.com/ionic-team/capacitor-assets

capacitor-app-store

Publishing to App Stores

When to Use This Skill

Pre-Submission Checklist

Universal Requirements

iOS-Specific

Android-Specific

App Store Configuration

Version and Build Numbers

iOS Info.plist

Android build.gradle

App Icons

iOS App Icons

Android App Icons

Generate Icons

Screenshots

iOS Screenshot Sizes

Android Screenshot Sizes

Feature Graphic (Android)

Generating Screenshots

App Store Connect Submission

1. Create App

2. App Information

3. Pricing and Availability

4. App Privacy

5. Version Information

6. Build Upload

7. Submit for Review

Google Play Console Submission

1. Create App

2. Store Listing

3. Content Rating

4. Target Audience

5. Data Safety

6. App Content

7. Release

Release Tracks

Common Rejection Reasons

iOS Rejections

Android Rejections

Updates and Versioning

Version Incrementing

Phased Rollout

Resources