App Store Connect Workflow

Metadata, screenshots, review notes, and expedited review - the App Store Connect checklist for shipping Expo SDK 57 IPAs built with EAS. Upload automation lives in EAS Submit; this page covers everything reviewers and users see before and after binary processing.

How to Use This Checklist

• Run Tier 1 before the first eas submit - missing agreements or tax forms block all releases.
• Complete Tier 2 on every version bump - metadata drift is a top rejection cause.
• Tier 3 is submission day - attach review notes and select release strategy.
• Tier 4 is post-approval - phased release, pricing, and EU trader compliance.
• Pair with App Store Review Guidelines for rejection context.

Tier 1: Account & App Record (before first upload)

• Apple Developer Program membership active; team role includes App Manager or Admin
• App Store Connect agreements signed (Paid Applications if IAP; free apps still need base agreement)
• Tax and banking complete if selling digital goods or subscriptions
• Bundle ID registered in Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles - matches ios.bundleIdentifier in app.config.ts
• App record created in App Store Connect with correct primary language and SKU
• ASC App ID (ascAppId) copied into eas.json submit profile
• App Privacy questionnaire started - answers must match SDK inventory (see Compliance: ATT & Privacy Labels)
• Privacy policy URL public, HTTPS, no login wall
• Export compliance answered in Connect - encryption self-classification consistent with ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption in config
• TestFlight enabled - first upload processes through TestFlight before App Review selection

Tier 2: Metadata & Creative (every release)

Listing copy

• App name ≤ 30 characters; no competitor trademarks or keyword stuffing
• Subtitle ≤ 30 characters; describes primary value, not generic "best app ever"
• Promotional text updated (can change without new binary - use for timely campaigns)
• Description accurate - features listed must exist in the submitted build
• Keywords comma-separated, no spaces, no repeat of app name, ≤ 100 bytes total
• Support URL loads; Marketing URL optional but recommended
• What's New describes user-visible changes - not internal refactors or "bug fixes" only
• Copyright string current year and legal entity
• Age rating questionnaire re-run if content, chat, UGC, or gambling mechanics changed
• Category primary + secondary still accurate

Screenshots & preview assets

• 6.7" (iPhone 15 Pro Max) screenshot set required - other sizes optional but recommended
• 6.5" and 5.5" if supporting older devices in marketing
• iPad Pro 12.9" if supportsTablet: true in config
• Screenshots show current build UI - not Figma mocks or last year's redesign
• Status bar clean - full battery, reasonable time, no debug banners
• Localized screenshot sets per locale you ship (EN, DE, JA, etc.)
• App Preview video optional - must be screen capture, not motion graphics only
• App icon 1024×1024 without alpha channel uploaded in Connect (or pulled from build)

# Optional: Fastlane snapshot or custom Detox script → store/screenshots/ios/
# Commit locale folders: en-US/, de-DE/

Pricing & availability

• Price tier or free confirmed
• Territories list matches legal/compliance sign-off (EU, UK, CN require extra forms)
• Pre-orders disabled unless intentionally configured
• In-App Purchases and subscriptions in Ready to Submit state if referenced in app

Tier 3: Submission Day

Build selection

• Correct build number selected - matches ios.buildNumber from EAS build you QA'd
• Build processed (not "Processing" or "Invalid Binary")
• No ITMS email errors - privacy manifest, entitlements, or icon issues resolved (see iOS Privacy Manifests)

App Review Information

• Sign-in required toggle accurate
• Demo account username + password tested within last 24 hours
• Contact info - phone number that rings during US business hours if possible
• Notes field includes:
  • Step-by-step path to core feature
  • Hardware requirements (camera, NFC, Apple Watch companion)
  • Feature flags or A/B tests disabled for review
  • ATT behavior ("not shown" vs "shown on second launch")
  • Backend environment (production vs staging)
• Attachment optional - PDF with screenshots of hidden admin flows

<!-- store/review-notes-ios.md - paste into Connect -->
Demo: reviewer@example.com / ReviewDemo2026!
Path: Sign In → Home → Scan tab → grant Camera → scan any barcode
Account deletion: Profile → Settings → Delete Account
No cross-app tracking; ATT not displayed.

Compliance toggles on version record

• IDFA / tracking declaration matches app behavior
• Encryption export compliance answers consistent with prior submissions
• Content rights - third-party content licensed if app streams music/video/UGC
• EU Digital Services Act trader status complete if distributing in EU

Submit for review

• Release option chosen:
  • Manually release after approval (safest for coordinated launches)
  • Automatically release after approval
  • Scheduled release date/time for marketing alignment
• Phased release enabled (recommended) - 7-day gradual rollout
• Click Submit for Review - status moves to Waiting for Review

Tier 4: After Approval

• Confirm Ready for Sale or trigger manual release
• Monitor Phased Release progress (App Store Connect → Activity → phased release)
• Watch Crashlytics / Sentry for build number tied to phased cohort
• Respond to App Review messages within 24 hours if metadata dispute arises
• Update TestFlight groups - expire old builds per 90-day limit
• Archive screenshot PNGs in git tag store/ios/2.4.0

Expedited Review Checklist

Apple grants expedited review sparingly - misuse burns credibility. Use only when delay causes measurable user harm or revenue loss.

Before requesting

• Issue is blocking live users (checkout broken, auth outage) - not "we promised marketing a date"
• Fix is in submitted or about-to-submit binary - not a metadata-only hope
• Standard review already waiting or rejected with fix uploaded
• No policy gray area - expedite will not bypass Guideline 4.2 or 5.1.1 disputes

Request package

• App Store Connect → Contact Us → App Review → Expedited App Review Request
• Concise explanation (≤ 1 paragraph): user impact, timeline, why standard queue is insufficient
• Evidence: crash rate graph, support ticket volume, press embargo date (if contractual)
• No duplicate requests - one open expedite per app at a time

Subject: Expedited Review - ShopApp 2.4.1 auth fix
 
Users cannot complete checkout since 2026-07-08 14:00 UTC due to OAuth redirect regression.
~12,000 DAU affected; support tickets +340%. Fix in build 240013, submitted today.
Standard queue would miss contractual SLA with enterprise customers.

After decision

• If approved - monitor review status hourly; be available for reviewer questions
• If denied - proceed on standard queue; do not re-request same day without new facts
• Document outcome in postmortem - expedite is emergency tool, not release planning

FAQs

Related

• Store Operations Basics - build → live overview
• App Store Review Guidelines - rejection cookbook
• TestFlight Distribution - pre-review QA
• Compliance: ATT & Privacy Labels - privacy forms
• Phased Release & Rollback - pause iOS rollout
• EAS Submit - IPA upload automation
• Store Rejection Playbook - triage templates

Stack versions: This page was written for React 19.2.3, React Native 0.86.0, and Expo SDK 57 (expo ~57.0.4).