App LaunchGuides
The Complete First Mobile App Release Checklist
August 15, 2026
Use this launch checklist to review your mobile app, backend, store listing, analytics, security, and support before your first public release.
Product
- The first user outcome is clear
- Onboarding gets users to value quickly
- Empty, loading, error, and offline states are useful
- The core action works after a fresh install
- The app does not claim features it does not have
Technical
- Production API and database settings are correct
- Authorization is enforced on the backend
- Secrets are not in source code or the app bundle
- Crash reporting and logs avoid personal data
- Database migrations are applied and backed up
Store and legal
- App icon and screenshots are final
- Privacy policy and support pages are live
- Account deletion behavior is documented
- Subscription and purchase details are accurate
- Reviewer credentials and notes are ready
Launch operations
- A version number and release notes are prepared
- A rollback or hotfix plan exists
- Someone is watching support after launch
- Analytics events for activation and core value are working
- Five or more testers have completed the main flow
AI agents can turn this checklist into project-specific tasks. Ask Codex, Claude Code, Cursor, or Copilot to inspect the repository and report which items have evidence. Do not accept “looks good” as proof; link each item to a test, screenshot, command, or manual verification.
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