Is Your Business AI-Ready?
Nearly 1.9 million app submissions got rejected by Apple in 2024 alone, out of 7.7 million total, a rejection rate close to 25%. Most of those rejections weren't caused by broken code, they were caused by missing a checklist item nobody bothered to read properly. So before you learn the hard way, here's a complete guide to publishing an Android and iOS app, covering exactly what the Google Play Store app submission process requires, what changes once you try to publish an app to Google Play Store versus the App Store, and how to avoid becoming another rejection statistic. Whether your goal is to submit your app to Google Play for the first time or to publish app to App Store as a second launch platform, the fundamentals below apply either way.
Together, these two platforms are still where the vast majority of mobile users actually discover and install apps. Skipping either one, or getting the submission wrong, means a working product with no real path to its audience. Getting this part right is just as much a part of mobile app deployment as the development work that came before it, since a technically excellent app still fails if it never clears review.
There's also a growing regulatory dimension worth knowing about. Since June 2025, EU app rules have opened the door to alternative distribution and external payment options outside Apple's own ecosystem, and from January 2026, Apple's old per-install Core Technology Fee was replaced with a unified Core Technology Commission. None of this changes how review itself works, but it does change how pricing and distribution strategy should be planned before submission, particularly for apps targeting European markets.
Before submitting an app to either store, complete these essential app development steps. Proper preparation helps reduce approval delays and ensures the app delivers a smooth experience from the first download. It also helps identify technical, security and compliance issues before the app reaches users.
Completing these steps before submission helps reduce delays and ensures the app is ready for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store review processes.
Apple's requirements have tightened considerably through 2026. Key points to check off:
Google's process is generally lighter on paperwork but has its own specific gates:
Our teams building on Android App Development treat these requirements as part of the build plan from day one, not an afterthought tackled the week before launch.
For the App Store:
For Google Play:
Teams working across iOS App Development generally build submission prep into the same sprint as final QA, since compliance issues caught late in the process cost far more time to fix than ones caught early.
|
Factor |
Apple App Store |
Google Play Store |
|
Developer fee |
$99/year |
$25 one-time |
|
Review timeline |
4-7 days typical, 2-4 weeks for flagged categories |
Often faster, but Data Safety enforcement is strict |
|
Rejection rate |
Roughly 25% on first submission |
Lower reported rate, but stricter permissions enforcement |
|
Build format |
Xcode archive via App Store Connect |
Android App Bundle (AAB) |
|
Commission on purchases |
15-30% (15% under Small Business Program) |
Similar tiered structure, varies by revenue |
|
New account restrictions |
Standard account verification |
Mandatory 14-day closed testing for new personal accounts |
The same handful of issues account for most rejections on both platforms:
Getting the foundation right earlier in the process matters more than most teams expect. Our breakdown of app development steps covers how submission prep fits into a proper build timeline from the start, and our look at why mobile apps matter for business explains why getting this launch step right is worth the extra care.
Pushing an app up to Google Play and the App Store shouldn't solely rely on that final button after completing development! There are various procedures, real limitations, and there's also a chance that if you're not careful your app may be rejected - so be prepared! Rather than thinking about compliance and preparation for submission as only the final touches, which are just put in place one week before launching, consider that the build should include such things from the beginning. Once you get the review process to feel almost normal you won't think of it as a major problem that's really between the users and your app. It doesn't matter if you're just about starting with the release or it's already your fifth one, the platforms have a habit of updating their requirements annually, Because of this it is quite as important to get your checklist updated for every major release as getting it right the first time!
July 23, 2026Discover how to publish your Android and iOS app successfully. Learn Google Play and Apple App Store submission process, requirements, and approval tips
Keep Reading
July 23, 2026Learn the cost of hosting a web app on AWS. Explore AWS pricing, monthly hosting costs, key services, and tips for AWS.
Keep Reading
July 23, 2026Learn how an AI maturity assessment measures your business readiness, identifies gaps in data, governance & technology to builds a roadmap for AI growth.
Keep Reading