Launching your white-label's a collaborative process with the VTS team. An important requirement is registering your business as an Apple Developer and inviting VTS to the account to manage the app. This guide will walk you through the process step by step.
If you've already got an Apple Developer Account, you can use your existing account and assign us as Admin.
- Setting up the account
- Start your enrollment
- Complete your enrollment and purchase
- Enable the App Store Connect API
- Turn over management to VTS
- Your annual membership subscription
- Program license agreement updates
- FAQs
Setting up your Apple Developer Account
Setting up your account's quick and easy when you have your information ready. Check out the prerequisites below to get prepared and save some time.
| 💡 The person enrolling for your organization must have the legal authority to bind your organization to legal agreements. They should be the organization's owner or founder, an executive team member, a senior project lead, or an employee with legal authority granted to them by a senior employee. |
D-U-N-S number
This verifies your organization's identity and legal entity status. This process can take up to 30 business days if you don't have a D-U-N-S number—you can expedite for a fee with Dun & Bradstreet.
If you're not sure what your D-U-N-S number is, you can look it up for free.
Legal entity name
Apple doesn't accept DBA's, fictitious businesses, trade names, or branches. The legal entity name appears as the "seller" for your app, e.g. Seller: ABC Company, Inc.
Signing authority confirmation
Make sure you have the authority to bind your organization to legal agreements and provide the contact info of an employee that can verify your signature authority.
An Apple product
You'll need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Touch ID, Face ID, or a passcode enabled. You need to use the same device for the entire enrollment.
An Apple ID
It needs to be current, updated, and with two-factor verification enabled.
The Apple Developer App
Install the latest version on the device you're going to use.
iCloud
Make sure you're signed into iCloud on the device.
Government-issued photo ID
This needs to be for the account holder.
Credit Card
To complete the transaction.
Start your enrollment
The first step's to submit all of your information for Apple to review:
- Launch the Apple Developer App on the device you're going to use for enrollment, then select the Account tab.
- Sign in with your Apple ID. It can be different than the ID signed into the device, but it has to have two-factor authentication.
- Review the Apple Developer Agreement and Agree.
- Select Enroll Now and review requirements, then choose Continue.
- Enter your information as the Account Holder. When prompted, verify your identity using a government-issued photo ID by taking a photo of your photo ID and selecting Confirm. Don't enter an alias, nickname, or company name as your legal name—this causes a delay.
- Enter your organization’s information.
Here are a few tips to make sure your review goes smoothly:
- Legal Name: Apple doesn't accept DBAs, fictitious businesses, trade names, or branches. This legal name will appear as the seller for your app(s).
- D-U-N-S Number: This provides verification of your organizations identity and legal status.
- Website: This has to be a publicly available website and the domain name needs to be associated with your organization.
- Signing authority confirmation: Provide the contact information of an employee who can verify your signature authority.
Once you've submitted your enrollment information, Apple will review your submission and communicate next steps with you via email. This can take up to 72 business hours.
Complete your enrollment and purchase
Once your enrollment's verified and approved, you'll get a confirmation email from Apple directing you to complete the enrollment process:
- Using the same device you used for enrollment, open the Apple Developer App and select the Account tab.
- Sign in to your Apple ID— the same you used for enrollment—and select Continue.
- Review the terms of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement and select Agree.
- Review your annual membership subscription details and select Subscribe.
The Apple Developer Program's annual fee is $99 USD, in local currency where available. Prices might vary by region and are listed in local currency during the enrollment process.
Apple membership is annual as an auto-renewable subscription that renews until canceled. Your subscription purchase will need to be made using one of your Apple ID payment methods. Learn more about Apple ID payment methods here.
Enabling the App Store Connect API
After your account's created, configure your App Store Connect API. This step's critical to let VTS directly push app upgrades and improvements:
- Log into the App Store Connect.
- On the App Store Connect Homepage, select Users and Access.
- Select the Keys tab.
- You'll see the message Permission is required to access the App Store Connect API. Use the Request Access button.
- Review the terms, and if acceptable, select the checkbox and Submit.
Turn over management of your app to VTS
Once your developer account's been completed and approved by Apple, you'll need to hand over management of your app to VTS.
You'll still be the Owner on your Developer Account, but VTS needs Administrative Management of your app to push updates end enhancements to your app. If you don't grant management to VTS, your app won't be up to date for your users. Here's how:
Step 1
In your developer account, select Program Resources. Then select Users and Access, located under Additional Resources.
Step 2
Click or tap the add + button.
Step 3
Enter the information for the new user and be sure to assign them Admin permissions under the Roles section:
- First name: VTS
- Last name: Apps
- Email: mobiledeveloper@vts.com
- Roles: Admin
Step 4
Select Invite. Anyone you invite to join your team receives an email prompting them to accept the invitation. The invitation link will expire after three days. If they miss the acceptance period, you'll need to invite them again.
Your annual membership subscription
Your membership will automatically renew using your default Apple ID payment method. Learn more about Apple ID payment methods.
You can cancel your developer subscription at any time and retain access to membership benefits until your membership expiration date, which you can view in the Account tab in the Apple Developer App.
You can renew your subscription at any time for up to one year after your membership expiration date.
Program license agreement updates
Occasionally your account holder might need to confirm license agreement updates. It only takes a few clicks, and then VTS can push new versions of your app in the store. Here's how:
- Log in to your Apple Developer Account.
- Click the Review agreement button.
- Review the agreement, then click Agree.
Make sure that all Apple Program License Agreements are complete by logging in at https://appstoreconnect.apple.com. If you still have a notice like the one below, just follow the steps provided to clear the notices.
FAQs
Why do I have to enroll as an Apple developer?
This is part of a larger effort by Apple to crack down on white-label apps produced with a templated model.
In keeping with Apple's revised app guidelines, VTS can't directly publish to the App Store using our developer account. Instead, you'll need to maintain your own account with Apple and invite VTS as a Manager user with permission to publish the app on your behalf.
You can read Apple’s full list of terms here.
What's a white-label app?
A white-label's any app that's built from a standard design.
Building, designing, and maintaining an app from the ground up is a pretty complicated and expensive process. By using a universal template, app developers like VTS can start with a configurable base design, then customize your app to meet your unique needs.
How do I know I've completed the process?
You'll get a confirmation email from Apple once you're done, and we’ll be able to publish your app on your behalf under your own business name. If you haven't received that email, reach out to your dedicated VTS contact for help.
Why do I have to register as a legal entity?
This is an Apple requirement. To enroll in the Developer program and launch an app, your business has to register with Dun & Bradstreet as a corporation, LLC, or other type of legal entity— after that, you'll mark yourself as a Company/Organization when you register with Apple.
Apple doesn't permit sole proprietors, sole traders, DBAs, fictitious business names, trade names, or branch names to register with their program.
Do I still have to complete these requirements if I find a different app developer?
Yes. These are universal rules issued by Apple that apply to all businesses and developers who want to operate on the App Store.
Will there be any difference or lag in the app while I'm working on this? Will clients notice a change?
Nope! Clients shouldn't notice a thing.
I need multiple apps. Do I need a developer account for each one?
No, you'll only need a single developer account—whether you’re planning on a single app across your portfolio or multiple unique apps. Each app can use your Apple developer account.
What if my company has multiple apps on our Developer Account?
You can give VTS access to specific apps with the role App Manager. VTS needs particular permissions within this role, so coordinate a call with your Implementation manager to walk through the process.
How long does it take to get a DUNS number?
If you've registered as a legal entity in the past, then it's possible a D-U-N-S number's already been assigned to you. The number's free to acquire and takes just a few minutes to look up through the Dun & Bradstreet website.
If you couldn't find your D-U-N-S number and you've completed all the prior steps in this article, then you'll need to register your business with Dun & Bradstreet. Click here to visit the D-U-N-S registration website and get started. This process typically takes 30 days, but you can expedite it to a week by paying an expedition fee.
Do I have to create a new Apple ID?
Not necessarily, but we recommend using one tied to your business rather than a personal account. Here is the link to learn how to create a new one.
Who do I contact for help?
VTS is here to guide you every step of the way. For questions specific to your D-U-N-S number, here’s a few resources:
- Dun & Bradstreet Customer Support: For questions concerning D-U-N-S lookup, registration, and related questions.
- Apple Customer Support: For questions concerning your Apple ID, account information, or registering with the Developer program. Click here to contact an Apple Developer.
What's the cost?
Apple charges an annual $99 USD fee to maintain your developer account. For clients outside the United States, this fee will vary by location and local currency.
What if our building(s) change ownership after launch?
If your building is sold or changes ownership, VTS will do one of two things:
- If the contract's being continued with VTS, we'll transfer the app to a new apple developer account that's owned by the new owners of the building(s).
- If you're leaving VTS contracted services, we'll remove your app from the app store.
What happens if I don't assign VTS Admin Privileges in the Developer Account?
If we don't have access to your Apple Developer Account, we can't publish your app. If we're removed from the Admin access to your Apple Developer Account, we can't publish updates, and your app will stay on the last version we had admin privileges to.
Can the company that manages the property be the owner of the Apple Developer Account?
Sure, as long as there's a direct contractual relationship between the the two parties.
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