Apple Developer Account
To distribute your app beyond your own device, you need an Apple Developer Program membership. Here’s everything you need to know.Why You Need It
| Capability | Free Apple ID | Developer Account |
|---|---|---|
| Run on your iPhone | ✓ (7-day limit) | ✓ (1 year) |
| TestFlight distribution | ✗ | ✓ |
| App Store distribution | ✗ | ✓ |
| Push notifications | ✗ | ✓ |
| Sign in with Apple | ✗ | ✓ |
| App Groups | ✗ | ✓ |
Cost
$99 per year (USD)- Charged annually
- Can be cancelled anytime
- Price varies by country
The fee is per developer account, not per app. You can publish unlimited apps with one account.
Account Types
Individual
Best for: Solo developers, personal projects- Uses your personal name
- You appear as the seller on App Store
- Easier approval process
Organization
Best for: Companies, teams, businesses- Uses company/organization name
- Requires D-U-N-S number (free to obtain)
- Can add team members with different roles
- Longer approval process
Enrollment Requirements
For Individuals
- Apple ID with two-factor authentication
- Valid credit card
- Government-issued ID (for verification)
- 18 years or older
For Organizations
- Everything above, plus:
- D-U-N-S number (takes 1-2 weeks to obtain)
- Legal entity information
- Authority to bind the organization
How to Enroll
Sign in to Apple ID
Go to developer.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID
Identity Verification
Apple verifies all developers to prevent fraud. This process varies:Automatic Verification
If your Apple ID has payment history and matches your ID, verification may be instant.Manual Verification
You may be asked to:- Upload a photo of government-issued ID
- Take a selfie for comparison
- Have a phone or video call with Apple
D-U-N-S Number (Organizations Only)
A D-U-N-S number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses issued by Dun & Bradstreet.Checking for Existing Number
Many businesses already have one. Check at dnb.comRequesting a New Number
- Go to Apple’s D-U-N-S lookup
- Search for your organization
- If not found, request a free D-U-N-S number
- Takes 1-2 weeks to process
After Enrollment
Once approved, you can:Access Developer Resources
- App Store Connect (manage apps)
- Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
- Developer documentation
- Technical support incidents (2/year)
Start Distributing
- Upload builds to TestFlight
- Submit apps to App Store
- Configure push notifications
- Use advanced capabilities
Managing Your Account
Renewal
- Apple sends reminders before expiration
- Auto-renewal available
- If expired, your apps remain on App Store but you can’t submit updates
Adding Team Members
Organizations can add team members with roles:| Role | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Admin | Full access, manage team |
| App Manager | Manage apps, TestFlight |
| Developer | Upload builds, access dev tools |
| Marketing | App Store listing, analytics |
| Finance | Financial reports, agreements |
Common Issues
Enrollment stuck in review
Enrollment stuck in review
This can take up to 2 weeks for organizations. Ensure all documents are clear and information matches exactly.
Identity verification failing
Identity verification failing
Make sure your Apple ID name exactly matches your government ID. Contact Apple Developer support if issues persist.
D-U-N-S number not found
D-U-N-S number not found
Request a new one through Apple’s portal. It’s free but takes 1-2 weeks.
Wrong account type
Wrong account type
You cannot convert between Individual and Organization. You’d need to create a new account.
Enterprise Program
For large companies distributing internally only (not on App Store):- Apple Developer Enterprise Program
- $299/year
- Distribute to employees only
- Not for public apps