--- title: "How to Create an Apple Developer Account" description: "Set up an Apple Account and enroll in the Apple Developer Program to publish your Branded Mobile App on the App Store. Learn about account types, required documents, D-U-N-S numbers, identity verification, and common enrollment issues." url: https://help.group.app/en/articles/121-how-to-create-an-apple-developer-account collection: "Branded Mobile App" updated: 2026-10-12 language: en --- # How to Create an Apple Developer Account Set up an Apple Account and enroll in the Apple Developer Program to publish your Branded Mobile App on the App Store. Learn about account types, required documents, D-U-N-S numbers, identity verification, and common enrollment issues. Your Branded Mobile App is published to the App Store through your own Apple Developer Program account. You must complete enrollment before your app can be published. The Apple Developer Program costs $99 USD per year, billed directly by Apple. We strongly recommend enrolling as an organization rather than as an individual so your business name appears on the App Store and you can grant the GroupApp team the access needed to build and publish your app. ## **What You Need Before You Start** **Prepare the following before starting enrollment.** - **Apple Account:** An Apple Account with two-factor authentication enabled. If you're enrolling as an organization, create a new Apple Account using your company's email domain instead of using a personal Apple Account. - **Legal Name and Photo ID:** Your legal name as it appears on your government-issued identification and a photo ID to upload for verification. - **Payment Method:** A credit or debit card. Apple does not accept P.O. box addresses. - **D-U-N-S Number:** Required for organization enrollment. Start this process first because it can take several days or weeks. Your Apple Developer enrollment cannot proceed until the necessary business information is available. [Learn more about D-U-N-S numbers for your Branded Mobile App.](https://help.group.app/en/articles/127-how-to-set-up-your-d-u-n-s-number-for-your-branded-app.md) - **Business Email and Website:** Organization enrollment requires a work email using your organization's domain and a publicly accessible website on your own domain. **Note for applicants in India:** Apple supports enrollment through the Apple Developer app in India, not through the website. ## **Two Types of Apple Developer Accounts** Apple offers **TWO** types of developer memberships. Choose the one that matches your situation before starting enrollment, as changing your account type later requires additional steps. ### **Individual Account** An individual account is registered in your personal legal name. Your personal name appears publicly as the seller on the App Store. - No D-U-N-S number is required. - Apple recommends this option for sole proprietors and single-person businesses. - You must use your own payment card when enrolling as an individual. ### **Organization Account (Recommmended)** An organization account is registered to an eligible legal entity. Your business name appears publicly as the seller on the App Store. - A D-U-N-S number is required. - Your business must be a legal entity that can enter into contracts. - You must provide a work email on your organization's domain and a public website on your own domain. - You can add team members and grant role-based access to signing resources. **We recommend an organization account for businesses.** It displays your business name on the App Store and allows you to give the GroupApp team the access needed to build, sign, and publish your app on your behalf. ### **Please Note** - Granting the GroupApp team access does not transfer ownership or control of your developer account. You retain control of your account and remain the Account Holder. - Apple does not accept DBAs, fictitious business names, trade names, or branches as organizations. Your business must be an eligible legal entity, such as a corporation, LLC, or limited partnership. - You must also be the owner, founder, an executive, a senior project lead, or an employee with legal authority granted by a senior employee. Apple may ask for a reference contact to confirm your authority. ## **Step 1: Open the Apple Developer Website** 1. Go to [developer.apple.com](https://developer.apple.com). 2. Click Account in the top-right corner. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/cJpzqeEuqcWwPU0WC6WHyIgmXxDSVHFwI7PNo2ieQ5EH7iOWlC6HKCmGqr9fOf9hL00VUPRewKI.png) ## Step 2: Sign In to Your Apple Account 1. Enter your Apple Account email and password. If you don't have an account, click Create yours now. 2. Complete two-factor authentication. Apple requires it for enrollment. 3. Enter your legal first and last name. Use your legal name exactly as it appears on your identification. Do not enter an alias, nickname, or company name in the name fields, as this is a common cause of enrollment delays. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/jJGyGznArt4BFKEiX8kS1tzXNUwxvLBX3oa34sqB3B2QvDOJkvIn2FPBIEql10LuRF4LWJmGkO1.png) ## Step 3: Accept the Apple Developer Agreement 1. Review the agreement. 2. Select the confirmation checkbox. 3. Click Submit. You now have a free Apple Account with access to the developer account area. This is not yet a paid Apple Developer Program membership, so you cannot publish your app on the App Store at this stage. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/Zg63K52XtfqGlK8yDE9NSTpP2WONv0X6QQXtf2Z2YHJitTvl6vk7KHiYQZ7gjQz4GC22DvKvGT0.png) ## Step 4: Start Your Apple Developer Program Enrollment The Apple Developer Program is Apple's paid membership program that provides the tools and access needed to develop, test, sign, and distribute apps on Apple platforms, including publishing your Branded Mobile App on the App Store. To enroll: 1. On your account page, find Join the Apple Developer Program and click Enroll Today. You can also go directly to [developer.apple.com/programs/enroll](https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll). 2. Click Continue Enrollment to enroll through the website. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/5j7QioMiW934ZQ1SsvaMHJJUnmjui6920bN399xA5SolW5Iu9fPt647niRN3HgH85yAajhgxFra.png) You can also enroll through the Apple Developer app on an iPhone or iPad. Some applicants find this easier because the app can use the device's camera for identity verification. If you enroll through the app, use the same device throughout the process. Make sure it has Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode enabled and is signed in to iCloud. This guide follows the website enrollment process. ## Step 5: Enter Your Personal Information - Enter your legal first and last name, phone number, and address. - Use your actual address. Apple does not accept P.O. box addresses. - Click Continue. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/8XlmxRheAiaQ4NHK4JGUdAhE591GRI8TtsVqA8TL8IUNaJs7l3zFROo2sptMN8qVBKW0jy7curA.png) ## Step 6: Select Your Entity Type Choose the entity type that matches your enrollment: - Individual or sole proprietor: If you're enrolling personally. - Organization: If you're enrolling a company, nonprofit, educational institution, or government body. If you choose an organization, Apple will ask for your D-U-N-S number, legal entity name, and website. [Learn more about getting a D-U-N-S number for your Branded Mobile App.](https://help.group.app/en/articles/127-how-to-set-up-your-d-u-n-s-number-for-your-branded-app.md) **Click Continue.** ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/EJdwR0mZFuwSAIB2zgpuvLKeTZRRxp9jrCrKKGchluTLK6A5wtIDBY56bTBn0Ja0CfWQLlqLk8r.png) **Important: The remaining steps may appear in a different order depending on your account type.** Apple reviews and verifies organization enrollments before allowing you to purchase a membership. You'll receive an email once your information has been verified, and you can then proceed with payment. Individual applicants can generally complete identity verification and payment in one sitting. Follow the steps below in the order Apple presents them. ## Step 7: Accept the Program Licence Agreement 1. Review the Apple Developer Program License Agreement. 2. Confirm that you accept the terms and meet the legal age requirement. 3. Click Continue. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/nxHFJfTOLPdtxidETymJrFsiKsy6q7NYB1m5mmlQCbCW865jf8HTjHoKPSd2qX82eCW3EToTPwd.png) ## Step 8: Purchase Your Membership The Apple Developer Program membership costs $99 USD per year and renews annually. 1. Choose whether to enable automatic annual renewal. We strongly recommend keeping it enabled. If your membership expires, your app will be removed from the App Store until the membership is renewed. 2. Click Purchase. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/UhPifalwvrY6Oo9aYIp7dPW8mdZkOnGUxEQIiJECClH2EJAFo92gD7jDnW1DdP7fSMzVK4Ybjek.png) 1. Sign in again if prompted. 2. Enter your payment details under Credit or Debit Card. 3. Click **Continue** to Review. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/FTCaZcuroVSjx6MPyPYmxCezpo7BouSRJC5VkG8inkv9st2lcXVtgKH1I7kQSTOojvzgdvX4U8v.png) Review your information and **click Place Your Order.** If you're enrolling as an individual, Apple requires you to use your own card. Apple will email you to confirm that your order is being processed. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/b7ZfkjxT9Ohzon0xtiQWOTSmGJM45sX39nU951gAwm0zjfpMwd7WwlPTJ1YbwJdGjxs5F2ssyM7.png) ### **Membership Fee Waivers** - Nonprofits, accredited educational institutions, and government entities may qualify for a waiver of the $99 annual fee. - To qualify, you must be a legal entity with the relevant official status. Sole proprietors and single-person businesses do not qualify, and your apps must not sell digital goods or services. - If eligible, select the fee waiver option during enrollment. A waiver is not compatible with selling paid content through your app, so it generally isn't suitable if you plan to sell memberships through the app. ## Step 9: Complete Identity Verification Apple must verify the identity of the person enrolling. Depending on your account type and enrollment method, you'll either be prompted during enrollment or receive an email asking you to upload identification. Complete this step promptly. Your enrollment will remain pending until the required verification is complete. **To upload your ID:** 1. Photograph your government-issued photo ID and save it to your device. Apple accepts passports in most regions, while some regions also accept a driver's license or other government-issued identification. 2. Open the email from Apple and **click Upload ID.** ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/fAGk8BbhQC8T1VDgcqaJuUtIgjTF4RqYdaJUQkp7amA7Ba7XPiqM18trd5hXnPrEbiDu18W04Dr.png) Sign in, then click **Browse** to upload your document and click **Continue**. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/2UUajFVfLmGRKacp2o8bfyOP9NK9mpgLvjI3bUlSr7N0YblAmYEWtqmMW3vXRsgwHm9zX1srXuR.png) - Click **Submit** in the confirmation dialog. ![](https://staticfiles.gleap.io/ghelparticle/gatFl0tE9ihuvngKBOIGjIOgkzyjEPyLoYIsOPq7uymqxb1HEMZxzWyMbCvkKWW6GmBqGiiKKyy.png) Apple reads your name and address from the photo and does not retain the image, according to its stated verification process. A third-party identity verification provider may be involved. **Important:** Identity verification is tied to the Apple Account you used. You cannot redo the verification with a different Apple Account, so make sure you're signed in to the account that will own the developer membership. Organization applicants may also be asked to provide notarized business documents and a reference contact who can confirm their authority to sign on the company's behalf. ## Step 10: Wait For Activation Apple will email you when your membership is activated. Once activated, you can access App Store Connect. To check your enrollment status: 1. Go to [developer.apple.com/account](https://developer.apple.com/account). 2. Sign in with the same Apple Account you used during enrollment. If you haven't received confirmation within 24 hours of purchasing your membership, Apple advises contacting its support team and providing your Enrollment ID. ## **Declare Your EU Trader Status** Since February 2025, Apple has required developers to declare their trader status under the EU Digital Services Act, even if they don't distribute their apps in the European Union. Apps without a declared trader status are removed from the App Store in the EU. If you declare yourself as a trader, you'll need to verify your email address and phone number and upload a document confirming your business name and address. For organization accounts, the address displayed publicly on your App Store product page comes from your D-U-N-S record. You complete this process in App Store Connect. Learn how to declare your EU trader status in App Store Connect. [ How to Complete Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance for Your Branded App This guide shows you how to complete the Digital Services Act (DSA) compliance requirements in your Apple App Store Connect account for your Branded Mobile App. ](https://help.group.app/en/articles/259-how-to-complete-digital-services-act-dsa-compliance-for-your-branded-app.md) _The GroupApp team can guide you through this step when setting up your app._ ## Troubleshooting **My enrollment was rejected or is stuck in review.** The most common causes are a name that does not match your ID, a D-U-N-S record that does not match the legal entity name you entered, or a website that does not meet Apple's requirements. Fix the underlying detail first, then contact Apple with your Enrollment ID. **My website was rejected.** Apple requires a publicly available, functional website on a domain associated with your organization. Social media pages, sites with minimal content, and domain-registrar parking pages are explicitly not accepted. A simple one-page site on your own domain describing your business is enough. **Apple says my organization is not listed as a legal entity.** This is a D-U-N-S issue, not an Apple one. See **How to Set Up Your D-U-N-S Number for Your Branded App** for how to get D&B to correct your record. **I enrolled as an individual but need my company name shown.** An individual membership always shows your personal legal name as the seller. Contact Apple about converting the membership to an organization — it is supported, but requires a D-U-N-S number and a fresh review. Talk to us first so we can time it around your release. **I used the wrong Apple Account.** Because identity verification is bound to the Apple Account you used, this is painful to unwind. Contact Apple support before starting a second enrollment. ## **Next Steps: Prepare Your Account for App Release** Once your Apple Developer Program membership is active, complete these two steps before your app can be released: 1. Add GroupApp to your Apple Developer Account (App Store Connect). Invite the GroupApp team so we can create your app record, handle signing, and publish your app on your behalf. 2. Accept Apple's agreements. Go to the Business section in App Store Connect and accept the required agreements. Only you, as the Account Holder, can complete this step. Follow the guide How to Add GroupApp to Your Apple Developer Account (App Store Connect) to complete these steps. [ How to Add GroupApp to Your Apple Developer Account (App Store Connect) Invite the GroupApp team to your Apple Developer Program account as an Admin, switch on App Store Connect API access, and clear any pending Apple agreements, so we can build, sign, and publish your Branded Mobile App. ](https://help.group.app/en/articles/253-how-to-add-groupapp-to-your-apple-developer-account-app-store-connect.md) If you get stuck at any point, contact us at [support@group.app](mailto:support@group.app). We'll help you through the process.