Creating your Branded Mobile App involves a few setup steps before the GroupApp team can build and submit your app. This guide brings the complete process together in one place and links to the detailed instructions you'll need at each stage.
The process is divided into four parts:
Part 1: Set up your developer accounts: Create and verify the Apple and Google developer accounts required to publish your app.
Part 2: Give GroupApp access: Add the GroupApp team to your developer accounts so we can build, configure, and submit your app.
Part 3: Prepare your brand and store listing: Gather the branding, app information, and store listing content we'll need.
Part 4: Send everything to GroupApp: Submit your information so our team can begin setting up and building your app.
Tip: Start with Part 1 as early as possible. Creating and verifying developer accounts can take longer than the other steps, particularly if you need to request a D-U-N-S number. You can work on your brand assets and store listing information in Part 3 while your accounts are being verified.
If you'd first like an overview of why developer access is required and what access GroupApp needs, see Giving GroupApp Developer Access: What We Need and Why.
Your branded app needs developer accounts with Apple and Google before it can be published to their app stores. These accounts are created and owned by you, while GroupApp is given the access needed to build and publish the app on your behalf. Any developer account fees are also paid directly to Apple and Google.
Here are the steps you'll need to complete:
A D-U-N-S number is a unique business identification number issued by Dun & Bradstreet. Apple and Google use it to verify businesses registering for organization developer accounts.
Requesting a D-U-N-S number is free, but processing can take up to 30 days. If your business does not already have one, request it early so it doesn't delay the rest of your developer account setup.
Note: You can skip this step if you're registering your developer accounts as an individual rather than a business.
Learn more: How to Set Up Your D-U-N-S Number for Your Branded App
Next, create the Apple Developer Program account that will be used to publish and manage the iOS version of your app.
We recommend enrolling as an Organization. Organization accounts allow you to give the GroupApp team the access required to manage the signing and publishing resources needed to build your app. Individual memberships have limitations on the access that can be provided to our team.
The Apple Developer Program costs $99 USD per year, paid directly to Apple.
Learn more: How to Create an Apple Developer Account
You'll also need a Google Play Console developer account to publish and manage the Android version of your app.
We recommend registering as an Organization here as well. Personal developer accounts are subject to Google's closed testing requirements, which require a minimum of 12 testers to remain opted in for 14 continuous days before the app can apply for production access. This can add additional time to your launch process.
A Google Play Console developer account has a $25 USD one-time registration fee, paid directly to Google.
Learn more: How to Create a Google Developer Account
After creating your Google Play Console account, you'll need to complete Google's developer verification process before your app can be published.
Google will ask you to provide verification documents, and the information on those documents must match the details associated with your payments profile.
For the required documents and complete verification process, see:
Learn more: How to Verify Your Google Developer Account
Once your developer accounts are created and verified, the next step is to give the GroupApp team access.
This access allows us to handle the technical work involved in configuring, building, signing, submitting, and maintaining your branded app. You remain the owner of both developer accounts. GroupApp is added as an admin so our team can manage the parts of the app publishing process required on your behalf.
Add [email protected] as an Admin in App Store Connect.
As part of the setup, you'll also need to enable App Store Connect API access and make sure there are no pending Apple agreements that require your acceptance. These account-level actions need to be completed by the account owner before our team can proceed with the relevant parts of your app setup.
Learn more: How to Add GroupApp to Your Apple Developer Account (App Store Connect)
Add [email protected] to your Google Play Console with Admin (all permissions) access at the account level. When setting up the access, leave the expiry date blank so our team can continue managing app updates and releases after your initial launch.
Learn more: How to Add GroupApp as an Admin to Your Google Play Console
You may come across app development instructions that mention creating a Google Cloud project, Firebase project, or Codemagic account. You do not need to create or configure these for your GroupApp Branded Mobile App.
GroupApp manages the build and release infrastructure required for your app. If you've previously received or seen older setup instructions that ask you to create these accounts or projects, you can ignore those steps.
While your Apple and Google developer accounts are being created or verified, you can start preparing the brand assets and store listing information we'll need to create and publish your app.
The complete specifications, character limits, file requirements, examples, and recommendations are covered here:
Learn more: GroupApp Brand Identity & Store Listing Guidelines
We recommend reviewing that guide before preparing your final files and content. Here's an overview of what you'll need.
App Name: The primary name of your app. It can be up to 30 characters. If you already have a GroupApp community, use the same name or something closely connected to it so members can easily recognize your app.
Display Name: The shorter name displayed for your app on a member's device home screen. It can be up to 12 characters. If you leave it blank, your App Name will be used instead.
Tagline: A short supporting line of up to 50 characters that appears beneath your app name on the App Store.
App Icon: A square PNG image of at least 1024 × 1024 px, with no rounded corners, transparency, or text.
Logo: An SVG file up to 2 MB. Your logo is separate from your app icon and is used on areas such as your splash and login screens.
Brand Color: Your primary brand color, which is used to apply your visual identity throughout the app.
You'll also need to prepare the information used to present your app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, including:
Short and full app descriptions
App Store keywords
App category and age rating
Support URL
Privacy Policy URL
Terms of Service URL
Make sure your required URLs are live and accessible before submission. In particular, a working Privacy Policy URL is required for your store listing and should be prepared early to avoid delays during the review process.
Your app name also needs to follow Apple and Google's naming requirements. Before finalizing it, see Branded Mobile App Naming Guidelines for the naming rules, recommendations, and examples to follow.
Once your developer accounts are ready, GroupApp has been given the required access, and you've prepared your branding and store listing information, you're ready to send everything to our team.
Complete the following form:
Submit Your Branded App Details Form
Once submitted, the GroupApp team will use this information and your developer account access to complete the technical setup including your app listing screens. This includes registering your app's bundle ID and package name, creating the required app records, configuring signing and build requirements, and producing your first app build for testing before your app goes live.
Before handing the process over to the GroupApp team, use this checklist to make sure you've completed the required setup:
D-U-N-S number requested or available, if registering as a business
Apple Developer Program account created and active
Google Play Console account created and verified
[email protected] added as an Admin in App Store Connect
App Store Connect API access enabled and pending Apple agreements cleared
[email protected] added to Google Play Console with Admin (all permissions) access
App name and display name prepared
Tagline prepared
App icon (PNG) and logo (SVG) ready
Brand color selected
Store descriptions, keywords, category, and age rating prepared
Support, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service URLs live
Branded App details form submitted
If you need help with any part of the setup, contact us at [email protected], and our team can guide you through the process.
