capacitor-app-store

What this skill does

# Publishing to App Stores

Guide to submitting Capacitor apps to Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

## When to Use This Skill

- User is ready to publish app
- User asks about app store submission
- User needs app store screenshots
- User has app rejection issues
- User needs to update app listing

## Pre-Submission Checklist

### Universal Requirements

- [ ] App icon in all required sizes
- [ ] Splash screen configured
- [ ] App name and bundle ID set
- [ ] Version and build numbers set
- [ ] Privacy policy URL
- [ ] Terms of service URL
- [ ] Support email/URL
- [ ] Age rating content questionnaire
- [ ] App description (short and long)
- [ ] Keywords/tags
- [ ] Screenshots for all device sizes
- [ ] Feature graphic (Android)
- [ ] App preview video (optional)

### iOS-Specific

- [ ] Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year)
- [ ] App Store Connect app created
- [ ] Signing certificates and profiles
- [ ] Info.plist usage descriptions
- [ ] App Tracking Transparency (if applicable)
- [ ] Sign in with Apple (if social login used)
- [ ] Export compliance (encryption)

### Android-Specific

- [ ] Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time)
- [ ] App signed with release keystore
- [ ] Target SDK level (API 34+)
- [ ] 64-bit support
- [ ] Permissions declared in manifest
- [ ] Data safety form completed
- [ ] Content rating questionnaire

## App Store Configuration

### Version and Build Numbers

```typescript
// capacitor.config.ts - Not stored here, just for reference

// iOS: Info.plist
// CFBundleShortVersionString = "1.2.3" (user-visible)
// CFBundleVersion = "45" (build number, increment each upload)

// Android: build.gradle
// versionName = "1.2.3" (user-visible)
// versionCode = 45 (must increment each upload)
```

### iOS Info.plist

```xml
<!-- ios/App/App/Info.plist -->
<key>CFBundleDisplayName</key>
<string>My App</string>

<key>CFBundleShortVersionString</key>
<string>1.0.0</string>

<key>CFBundleVersion</key>
<string>1</string>

<!-- Privacy descriptions - REQUIRED for permissions -->
<key>NSCameraUsageDescription</key>
<string>Take photos for your profile</string>

<key>NSPhotoLibraryUsageDescription</key>
<string>Select photos from your library</string>

<key>NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription</key>
<string>Find nearby locations</string>

<key>NSFaceIDUsageDescription</key>
<string>Secure login with Face ID</string>

<key>NSMicrophoneUsageDescription</key>
<string>Record voice messages</string>

<!-- App Tracking Transparency -->
<key>NSUserTrackingUsageDescription</key>
<string>Allow tracking for personalized ads</string>

<!-- Export compliance -->
<key>ITSAppUsesNonExemptEncryption</key>
<false/>
```

### Android build.gradle

```groovy
// android/app/build.gradle
android {
    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.yourcompany.yourapp"
        minSdkVersion 22
        targetSdkVersion 34
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0.0"

        // 64-bit support
        ndk {
            abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'
        }
    }

    buildTypes {
        release {
            minifyEnabled true
            shrinkResources true
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }

    bundle {
        language {
            enableSplit = true
        }
        density {
            enableSplit = true
        }
        abi {
            enableSplit = true
        }
    }
}
```

## App Icons

### iOS App Icons

Required sizes (place in Assets.xcassets):

| Size | Scale | Usage |
|------|-------|-------|
| 20pt | 2x, 3x | Notification |
| 29pt | 2x, 3x | Settings |
| 40pt | 2x, 3x | Spotlight |
| 60pt | 2x, 3x | App Icon |
| 76pt | 1x, 2x | iPad |
| 83.5pt | 2x | iPad Pro |
| 1024pt | 1x | App Store |

### Android App Icons

Required sizes (place in res/mipmap-*):

| Density | Size | Folder |
|---------|------|--------|
| mdpi | 48x48 | mipmap-mdpi |
| hdpi | 72x72 | mipmap-hdpi |
| xhdpi | 96x96 | mipmap-xhdpi |
| xxhdpi | 144x144 | mipmap-xxhdpi |
| xxxhdpi | 192x192 | mipmap-xxxhdpi |

Also needed:
- Adaptive icon (foreground + background layers)
- Play Store icon: 512x512

### Generate Icons

```bash
# Use capacitor-assets
npm install -D @capacitor/assets
npx capacitor-assets generate --iconBackgroundColor '#ffffff'
```

## Screenshots

### iOS Screenshot Sizes

| Device | Size | Required |
|--------|------|----------|
| iPhone 6.7" | 1290x2796 | Yes |
| iPhone 6.5" | 1284x2778 | Yes |
| iPhone 5.5" | 1242x2208 | Yes |
| iPad Pro 12.9" | 2048x2732 | If supporting iPad |
| iPad Pro 11" | 1668x2388 | If supporting iPad |

### Android Screenshot Sizes

| Type | Size | Required |
|------|------|----------|
| Phone | 1080x1920 to 1080x2400 | Yes (2-8) |
| 7" Tablet | 1200x1920 | If supporting |
| 10" Tablet | 1600x2560 | If supporting |

### Feature Graphic (Android)

- Size: 1024x500
- Required for Play Store listing

### Generating Screenshots

```typescript
// Use Playwright for automated screenshots
import { test } from '@playwright/test';

const devices = [
  { name: 'iPhone 14 Pro Max', viewport: { width: 430, height: 932 } },
  { name: 'iPhone 14', viewport: { width: 390, height: 844 } },
  { name: 'Pixel 7', viewport: { width: 412, height: 915 } },
];

test('generate screenshots', async ({ page }) => {
  for (const device of devices) {
    await page.setViewportSize(device.viewport);

    // Screenshot 1: Home
    await page.goto('/');
    await page.screenshot({
      path: `screenshots/${device.name}-home.png`,
      fullPage: false,
    });

    // Screenshot 2: Feature
    await page.goto('/feature');
    await page.screenshot({
      path: `screenshots/${device.name}-feature.png`,
    });
  }
});
```

## App Store Connect Submission

### 1. Create App

1. Go to https://appstoreconnect.apple.com
2. My Apps > + > New App
3. Fill in:
   - Platform: iOS
   - Name: Your App Name
   - Primary Language
   - Bundle ID
   - SKU (unique identifier)

### 2. App Information

- Category (primary and secondary)
- Content Rights
- Age Rating (complete questionnaire)

### 3. Pricing and Availability

- Price (Free or paid tier)
- Availability (countries)

### 4. App Privacy

- Privacy Policy URL (required)
- Data collection types:
  - Contact Info
  - Health & Fitness
  - Financial Info
  - Location
  - Identifiers
  - Usage Data
  - etc.

### 5. Version Information

- Screenshots (all sizes)
- Promotional Text (170 chars)
- Description (4000 chars)
- Keywords (100 chars, comma-separated)
- Support URL
- Marketing URL (optional)
- What's New (for updates)

### 6. Build Upload

```bash
# Using Xcode
# Product > Archive > Distribute App > App Store Connect

# Using Fastlane
fastlane ios release

# Using xcrun
xcrun altool --upload-app --type ios --file App.ipa \
  --apiKey KEY_ID --apiIssuer ISSUER_ID
```

### 7. Submit for Review

- Answer export compliance questions
- Add notes for reviewer (if needed)
- Submit

## Google Play Console Submission

### 1. Create App

1. Go to https://play.google.com/console
2. All apps > Create app
3. Fill in:
   - App name
   - Default language
   - App or game
   - Free or paid

### 2. Store Listing

- Short description (80 chars)
- Full description (4000 chars)
- Screenshots (2-8 per device type)
- Feature graphic (1024x500)
- App icon (512x512)
- Video URL (optional, YouTube)

### 3. Content Rating

Complete the questionnaire for IARC rating

### 4. Target Audience

- Target age group
- Ads declaration

### 5. Data Safety

- Data collection
- Data sharing
- Security practices
- Data deletion request handling

### 6. App Content

- Ads (yes/no)
- App category
- Contact details
- Privacy policy

### 7. Release

```bash
# Build AAB (required for new apps)
cd android && ./gradlew bundleRelease

# Upload via Play Console or API
# Production > Create new release > Upload AAB
```

### Release Tracks

| Track | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| Internal testing | Up to 100 testers, instant |
| Closed testing