Flutter app on the App Store: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to make a Flutter app on the App Store? Are you a Flutter developer who has created an amazing app and wants to share it with the world? One of the best ways to do so is by publishing it on the App Store. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of how to publish a Flutter app on the App Store. Let’s get started!

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source framework developed by Google that allows developers to create high-performance, cross-platform mobile applications for Android and iOS. Flutter uses the Dart programming language and offers a wide range of widgets and tools to create visually stunning and functional apps.

Why Publish on the App Store?

The App Store is a platform that provides a vast audience for your Flutter app. By publishing your app on the App Store, you can reach millions of potential users worldwide, including those who prefer using iOS devices. Additionally, publishing on the App Store gives your app credibility and trustworthiness, as users associate the App Store with high-quality and secure apps.

Requirements for Publishing on the App Store

Before we dive into the process of publishing your Flutter app on the App Store, there are a few requirements that you need to meet:

1. You need to have a Mac computer running macOS.
2. You need to have an Apple Developer account.
3. You need to have the latest version of Xcode installed on your Mac.
4. You need to have a physical iOS device for testing your app.

How to Publish Flutter App in Appstore

Now that you have met the requirements for publishing on the App Store, let’s move on to the step-by-step guide on how to publish your Flutter app on the App Store:

1. Create an App ID

The first step is to create an App ID for your app. An App ID is a unique identifier that is used to identify your app on the App Store. To create an App ID, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Apple Developer account.
2. Go to the “Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles” section.
3. Click on “App IDs” and then click on the “+” button.
4. Enter a name for your App ID and select the appropriate options for your app.
5. Click on “Continue” and then “Register” to create your App ID.

2. Generate a Distribution Certificate

To distribute your app on the App Store, you need to generate a Distribution Certificate. A Distribution Certificate is used to sign your app before uploading it to the App Store. To generate a Distribution Certificate, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Apple Developer account.
2. Go to the “Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles” section.
3. Click on “Certificates” and then click on the “+” button.
4. Select “App Store and Ad Hoc” and then click on “Continue”.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your Distribution Certificate.

3. Create a Provisioning Profile

A Provisioning Profile is used to allow your app to run on a physical iOS device for testing purposes. To create a Provisioning Profile, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Apple Developer account.
2. Go to the “Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles” section.
3. Click on “Provisioning Profiles” and then click on the “+” button.
4. Select “App Store” and then click on “Continue”.
5. Select the App ID that you created earlier and then click on “Continue”.
6. Select the Distribution Certificate that you created earlier and then click on “Continue”.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your Provisioning Profile.

4. Configure Flutter for iOS

Before you can publish your Flutter app on the App Store, you need to configure Flutter for iOS. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac and navigate to the directory where your Flutter project is located.
2. Run the following command to switch to the beta channel:

flutter channel beta

3. Run the following command to upgrade Flutter to the latest beta version:

flutter upgrade

4. Run the following command to install the required dependencies:

flutter doctor --ios

5. Run the following command to create a new iOS project:

flutter create --ios-language swift .

5. Build and Archive Your App

Now that you have configured Flutter for iOS, it’s time to build and archive your app. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open Xcode on your Mac and select “Open Another Project…” from the “File” menu.
2. Navigate to the directory where your Flutter project is located and select the “Runner.xcworkspace” file.
3. Select your target device from the dropdown menu in the top left corner.
4. Select “Generic iOS Device” from the target device dropdown menu.
5. Click on “Product” in the top menu and select “Archive”.
6. Wait for Xcode to finish building and archiving your app.

6. Upload Your App to the App Store

The final step is to upload your app to the App Store. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Open Xcode on your Mac and select “Organizer” from the “Window” menu.
2. Select your archived app from the list of archives.
3. Click on the “Upload to App Store” button.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to upload your app to the App Store.

Congratulations! You have successfully published your Flutter app on the App Store.

FAQs

Q1. How much does it cost to publish an app on the App Store?

A1. To publish an app on the App Store, you need to have an Apple Developer account, which costs $99 per year.

Q2. How long does it take for an app to be reviewed and approved on the App Store?

A2. The review process for apps on the App Store typically takes 1-2 weeks.

Q3. Can I publish my Flutter app on both the App Store and Google Play Store?

A3. Yes, Flutter allows you to create cross-platform apps that can be published on both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Q4. Do I need a physical iOS device to publish my app on the App Store?

A4. No, you can use a simulator to test and publish your app on the App Store. However, it is recommended to test your app on a physical iOS device before publishing.

Q5. Can I update my app after it has been published on the App Store?

A5. Yes, you can update your app on the App Store at any time by submitting a new version of your app.

Q6. Do I need to have a separate App ID for each app that I publish on the App Store?

A6. Yes, you need to create a separate App ID for each app that you publish on the App Store.

Conclusion

Publishing your Flutter app on the App Store is a great way to reach a vast audience of potential users. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully publish your app on the App Store and share it with the world. Good luck!

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