How to Publish a Flutter App to the App Store (2026 Guide)

Publishing a Flutter app to the iOS App Store involves 8 steps: enrolling in the Apple Developer Program, creating a Bundle ID, configuring code signing in Xcode, adding Info.plist privacy strings, building the release IPA, uploading to App Store Connect, completing app metadata, and submitting for review. This guide walks through each step with the specific commands and settings you need.

Prerequisites

• A Mac computer with Xcode 26 or later
• An Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year)
• A Flutter project that builds successfully
• An app icon (1024x1024 PNG)
• App Store screenshots (1290x2796 for 6.7-inch)

Step 1: Enroll in Apple Developer Program

Go to developer.apple.com/programs and enroll. The membership costs $99/year and gives you access to App Store Connect, certificates, and provisioning profiles. You need an Apple ID and identity verification.

Step 2: Register a Bundle ID

In the Apple Developer Portal, register an App ID with your Bundle ID (e.g., com.yourcompany.appname). Enable capabilities you need: Push Notifications, In-App Purchase, Sign in with Apple, etc.

Step 3: Configure code signing in Xcode

Open ios/Runner.xcworkspace in Xcode. In the Runner target's Signing & Capabilities tab, select your Development Team and enable Automatically manage signing. Xcode will create the necessary certificates and provisioning profiles.

For a complete walkthrough of certificates, profiles, and common signing errors, see our Flutter Code Signing guide.

Step 4: Add Info.plist privacy strings

Every permission your app requests needs a usage description in Info.plist. Missing these is a common rejection reason:

Permission	Info.plist Key
Camera	NSCameraUsageDescription
Photo Library	NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription
Location	NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription
Microphone	NSMicrophoneUsageDescription

Step 5: Build the release IPA

flutter build ipa --release

This creates build/ios/ipa/your_app.ipa. If the build fails, check your signing configuration and Bundle ID.

Step 6: Upload to App Store Connect

Upload using Xcode or the command line:

xcrun altool --upload-app --type ios --file build/ios/ipa/your_app.ipa --apiKey YOUR_KEY --apiIssuer YOUR_ISSUER

Or open Xcode → Window → Organizer → Distribute App → App Store Connect.

Step 7: Complete app metadata in App Store Connect

In App Store Connect, fill in:

• App name, subtitle, and description
• App Store screenshots (at least one size set)
• App privacy labels (data collection disclosures)
• App category and age rating
• Support URL and marketing URL
• Review notes (explain non-obvious features)

For a detailed walkthrough of each field, see our App Store Connect Setup guide.

Step 8: Submit for review

Select the build, add it to your App Store submission, and click Submit for Review. Apple typically reviews new apps within 2-5 days. You'll get an email when the review is complete or if changes are needed.

For expected review timelines, see our App Store Review Time guide.

Common rejection reasons

• Missing Sign in with Apple — required if you offer third-party login. See our Sign in with Apple guide.
• No account deletion — required if users can create accounts. See our Account Deletion guide.
• API keys in client code — see our API key security guide.
• Missing privacy labels — must match actual SDK behavior.

For the full list of rejection reasons and fixes, see our Flutter App Store Rejection Checklist.

Before you submit

Run a free Launch Score check to audit your app for the 15 most common rejection reasons before submitting.

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