How to Create an Apple Developer Account

Introduction

Creating and enrolling in an Apple Developer account is essential for publishing your iOS app to the App Store and setting up TestFlight builds. This guide walks you through registering an Apple ID (if needed), selecting your enrollment type, verifying organizational details, accepting the license agreement, completing the annual membership purchase, and accessing App Store Connect.

Tutorial Video

Creating an Apple ID

1. Navigate to https://appleid.apple.com/.
   
2. Click Create Your Apple ID and follow the prompts to enter your name, email, and security settings.
   
3. Verify your email address when prompted.
   
4. Sign in at https://developer.apple.com/ with your new Apple ID, including any two-factor authentication.
   

Starting Enrollment in the Developer Program

1. On developer.apple.com, click Enroll in the top-right corner.
   
2. Confirm you have an active Apple ID and click Continue.
   

Choosing Your Enrollment Type

1. In Entity Type, select Individual/Sole Proprietor if you’re a one-person business or Company/Organization if you have a registered legal entity.
   
2. Review the differences:
   
   • Individual accounts list apps under your personal name.
     
   • Organization accounts list apps under your company name and allow account sharing with team members.
     
3. Click Continue.
   

Verifying Organization Information (Organization Only)

1. Obtain your D-U-N-S Number via Apple’s Look Up Your D-U-N-S Numbers tool; request one free from Dun & Bradstreet if needed (allow up to 5 days, plus 2 days for Apple validation).
   
2. On the enrollment form, enter your Legal Entity Name, D-U-N-S Number, website URL, phone number, and confirm you have Legal Binding Authority.
   
3. Complete the CAPTCHA and click Continue.
   
4. Enter and verify your Work Email Address, then click Continue to submit.
   

Reviewing and Accepting the License Agreement

1. After Apple emails your Enrollment ID, sign back in and click Review and Accept.
   
2. Read the Apple Developer Program License Agreement, check I Agree to the Terms and Conditions, and click Continue.
   

Completing Your Membership Purchase

1. On the purchase screen, confirm Membership Type: Apple Developer Program, your Enrollment ID, Cost (US$99/year), and Duration.
   
2. Check the confirmation box and click Purchase.
   
3. Sign in if prompted, select a Payment Method, and click Continue to Review.
   
4. Verify details, then click Place Your Order.
   

Note: Non-profits and accredited educational institutions may qualify for a fee waiver.

Accessing App Store Connect

1. Allow up to 48 hours for Apple to process your purchase.
   
2. Go to https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/ and sign in with your Apple ID.
   
3. Explore My Apps, Users and Access, TestFlight, and other dashboard features to begin managing your apps.
   

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: I don’t have an Apple ID, how can I enroll?
A: Create one at https://appleid.apple.com/ before starting your Developer Program enrollment.

Q: Can I switch from an Individual to an Organization account later?
A: Yes. After enrollment, contact Apple Developer Support to convert your account type.

Q: Why am I not seeing the “Enroll” button?
A: Make sure you’re signed in with a valid Apple ID and visit developer.apple.com; clear browser cache or try another browser if the option doesn’t appear.

Q: My payment didn’t go through, what should I do?
A: Verify your card supports international transactions, then retry the purchase. Contact Apple Support if issues persist.