iOS Deployment & App Store Submission

This guide covers the simplified iOS deployment process for AeroKites Edu. All build configurations are pre-optimized for App Store submission.

🖥️ Deployment Environment:

Flutter Version: 3.35.1 Latest Stable
Xcode Version: 16.x (Latest)
macOS: Sequoia 15.6
iOS Deployment Target: 13.0+
Build Configuration: Release (Optimized)

✅ Pre-Configured for Success

Your iOS project is already optimized for deployment:

Build Settings: ✅ Pre-configured for App Store
Code Signing: ✅ Ready for your certificates
Performance: ✅ Release build optimizations
Compatibility: ✅ iOS 13.0+ support

Step 14: iOS Deployment & App Store Submission

Prerequisites

Apple Developer Account - Paid membership required
App Store Connect Access - For app submission
Code Signing Certificates - Development and Distribution
Provisioning Profiles - For your app bundle ID
Xcode 16.x - Latest version recommended

💡 Why Deployment is Simplified

Our project includes all build optimizations pre-configured in the ios/ folder, so you can focus on code signing and submission rather than complex build setting configurations.

Deployment Steps

Step 1: Configure Code Signing

Open your project in Xcode and configure signing:

# Open project in Xcode
open ios/Runner.xcworkspace

In Xcode:

Select Runner project in the navigator
Select Runner target
Go to Signing & Capabilities tab
Check Automatically manage signing
Select your Team (Apple Developer Account)
Ensure Bundle Identifier is unique

⚠️ Important: The bundle identifier must match what you configured in Firebase Console for iOS.

Step 2: Build Release Version

Build the release version of your app:

flutter build ios --release

🎉 Build Success!

If the build completes without errors, your app is ready for testing and submission.

Step 3: Archive for App Store

In Xcode:

Select Any iOS Device (arm64) as the target
Go to Product > Archive
Wait for the archive process to complete
The Organizer window will open automatically

Step 4: Upload to App Store Connect

From the Organizer window:

Select your archived app
Click Distribute App
Choose App Store Connect
Select Upload (not Export)
Follow the signing steps
Click Upload

Testing Before Submission

TestFlight Testing

Before App Store submission, test with TestFlight:

Upload your build to App Store Connect
Wait for processing (usually 10-30 minutes)
Add internal testers in App Store Connect
Testers receive email invitations
Test the app thoroughly

Device Testing

Test on physical devices before submission:

flutter run --release -d [DEVICE_ID]

App Store Submission

Prepare App Store Listing

In App Store Connect, prepare your listing:

App Information: Name, subtitle, description
Screenshots: iPhone and iPad screenshots
App Icon: 1024x1024 PNG format
Keywords: SEO optimization
Pricing: Set your app price

Submit for Review

Once your listing is complete:

Select your build in TestFlight
Click Submit to App Store
Answer App Review questions
Submit for review
Wait for Apple's review (1-7 days typically)

Common Commands

Clean Release Build

flutter clean
flutter pub get
cd ios && pod install && cd ..
flutter build ios --release

Check Build Status

flutter build ios --release --verbose

Troubleshooting

🔧 Common Deployment Issues

Since build issues are pre-fixed, most problems are configuration-related:

Code Signing: Verify certificates and provisioning profiles
Bundle ID: Ensure it matches Firebase configuration
Team Selection: Verify Apple Developer account access
Archive Issues: Clean build and try again

What's Pre-Configured

The included ios/ folder contains:

Build Settings - Optimized for App Store submission
Performance Flags - Release build optimizations
Architecture Support - ARM64 optimization
Firebase Integration - Production-ready configuration
Security Settings - App Transport Security configured

Post-Submission

Monitor Review Status

Track your app's review progress in App Store Connect:

In Review: Apple is reviewing your app
Ready for Sale: App approved and available
Rejected: Review feedback provided

Update Management

For future updates:

Increment version number in pubspec.yaml
Build and archive new version
Upload to App Store Connect
Submit for review

🚀 Deployment Complete!

Your iOS app is now ready for:

✅ App Store distribution
✅ User downloads and reviews
✅ Revenue generation
✅ Future updates