How to Prepare Your First App for the App Store and Google Play

Prepare the store basics

Collect your app name, subtitle or short description, full description, category, icon, screenshots, age rating answers, support URL, privacy policy URL, and contact email. Write for a person who has never seen the app, not for the developer who built it.

Match screenshots to the promise

The first screenshot should communicate the main outcome. Use readable captions, real data that does not expose personal information, and a consistent visual style. Do not show features that are unavailable in the submitted build.

Explain permissions honestly

Only request permissions when the feature needs them. Explain the benefit before the system prompt appears. If your app does not need location, contacts, microphone, or background activity, remove those requests from the project.

Test the review path

Provide demo credentials when the store requires them. Check that the reviewer can sign in, reach the core feature, and understand any subscription or account-deletion flow. A boilerplate can help with repeatable setup, but you remain responsible for the final build.

Use AI for preparation, not misrepresentation

Ask Codex or another agent to draft metadata, identify missing states, and check consistency between screenshots and the app. Review every claim yourself. Never use generated copy to hide limitations or promise functionality the product does not provide.