> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.bitbybit.studio/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# How to publish your app to the App Store and Google Play
> Submit your bitApp for production release, choose the developer account, and track submission status until your app goes live
Publishing sends your finished bitApp to the Apple App Store and Google Play for review. You complete your app information, confirm which developer account the app is published under, and submit — the bitbybit team handles the store submission and keeps you updated. Review typically takes 7 to 14 days.
## Prerequisites
* Your app design is finished and you have [previewed it in real time](/bitapp/how-to-preview-your-app-in-real-time).
* Your email address is verified. You cannot submit until it is.
* Your Shopify store is connected to bitApp.
* A 1024 × 1024 PNG app icon. The same image is used as your splash screen.
* Developer accounts, depending on which publishing option applies to you — see Step 3.
## Step 1: Open the Publish app page
* Go to the [bitApp dashboard](https://app.bitbybit.studio/bitapp/design) and open **Publish app**.
* The page is organized into three numbered steps: **App information**, **Developer account**, and **Submit your app**.
## Step 2: Complete your app information
Open **App information** and fill in every required field. This is the content that appears on your store listing, so write it the way you want customers to see it.
* **App name** (required) — the name shown under your app icon.
* **App subtitle** (required) — a short line describing what the app does.
* **App description** (required) — describe your app's features and function.
* **App icon** (required) — upload a 1024 × 1024 PNG. This image is also used as your splash screen.
* **Figma link** (optional) — share a link to your app design if you have one.
* **Branding color** — pick the primary color used throughout your app.
Changes are not saved automatically. When you edit a field, a **You have unsaved changes** banner appears — save your changes before moving on, or they will be lost.
## Step 3: Choose the developer account
Open **Developer account** to see which account your app is published under. There are two options.
| | bitbybit developer account | Your own developer account |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Who owns the store listing | bitbybit | Your business |
| Developer name shown on the listing | bitbybit | Your business name |
| Store accounts you need | None | One Apple Developer Program account and one Google Play developer account |
| Cost you pay to Apple and Google | None | \$99/year (Apple) and \$25 one-time (Google) |
| Available on | All plans | Pro Bundle |
### Publishing under the bitbybit developer account
This is the default. Your app is published under bitbybit's Apple and Google developer accounts, so you do not need your own store accounts and there are no Apple or Google fees to pay. No further setup is needed — continue to Step 4.
### Publishing under your own developer account
On the **Pro Bundle** plan, your app can be published under your own developer accounts instead, so your business appears as the developer on both stores. This option is not self-serve in the dashboard. To start, email [help@bitbybit.studio](mailto:help@bitbybit.studio) and ask to publish under your own developer account — an Implementation Specialist then guides you through the steps below.
You need **one developer account for each store**: an Apple Developer Program account for the App Store, and a Google Play developer account for Google Play. One account does not cover both stores. Set each account up, then invite bitbybit into it so the team can publish on your behalf.
1. [Create your Apple Developer account](/bitapp/how-to-create-your-apple-developer-account) — enroll as a Company/Organization.
2. [Invite bitApp to your Apple Developer account](/bitapp/inviting-bitapp-to-your-apple-developer-account) — grant App Manager and Developer access.
3. [Create your Google Play developer account](/bitapp/how-to-create-your-google-play-developer-account) — enroll as a company or business.
4. [Invite bitApp to your Google Play Console](/bitapp/inviting-bitapp-to-your-google-play-store) — grant Admin access.
Once bitbybit has access to both accounts, your Implementation Specialist submits your app on your behalf.
Keep bitbybit's access to both accounts in place after your app goes live. The team needs it to publish updates and resubmit your app. If the invitation is removed or a developer account lapses, updates cannot be published until you restore access.
Apple requires a Company/Organization account for full access. If you enrolled as an Individual or Sole Proprietor, migrate to a Company/Organization account first, or your personal name appears as the developer on the App Store.
## Step 4: Submit your app
* Open **Submit your app** and confirm you have completed the steps above.
* Click **Submit App**.
* Review the confirmation dialog carefully, then click **Submit**.
You cannot change your app information while a submission is in progress. Recheck every field before you confirm.
If your store is on the Free plan, an extra charge confirmation appears before submission: you are charged 2% of each successful order transaction made through the mobile app once it goes live.
## Step 5: Track your submission
After you submit, a submission tracker appears at the top of the Publish app page with a separate status for iOS and Android.
| Status | What it means |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Submitted | Your submission has been received and is being prepared or is with the store. |
| Require update | Something needs changing before the submission can continue. The reason is shown in the tracker. |
| Approved | The store approved your app. It goes live shortly. |
| Your app is now live! | Your app is published and downloadable. |
| Rejected | The store rejected the submission. The reason is shown in the tracker. |
If a submission is rejected or needs an update, fix the flagged items, save your changes, then click **Resubmit**.
## Step 6: Download and share your live app
Once your app is live, a **Download your app here** card appears on the Publish app page with buttons linking to your App Store and Google Play listings. Use these links to share your app with customers.
## Updating a published app
Editing your app after it is live does not update the store listing on its own. When you make changes, a banner appears prompting you to resubmit.
* Save your changes first. Unsaved changes block resubmission.
* Click **Update app** in the banner, or **Update App** in the **Submit your app** step.
* Your update goes through the same review process and timeline as the original submission.
* If you publish under your own developer accounts, bitbybit's access to both must still be active.
For further assistance, reach out to us at [help@bitbybit.studio](mailto:help@bitbybit.studio).
## Related articles
* [How to preview your app in real time](/bitapp/how-to-preview-your-app-in-real-time)
* [How to create your Apple Developer account](/bitapp/how-to-create-your-apple-developer-account)
* [Inviting bitApp to your Apple Developer account](/bitapp/inviting-bitapp-to-your-apple-developer-account)
* [How to create your Google Play developer account](/bitapp/how-to-create-your-google-play-developer-account)
* [Inviting bitApp to your Google Play Store](/bitapp/inviting-bitapp-to-your-google-play-store)