How to Enroll in the Apple Developer Program – Step‑by‑Step Tutorial 2026

Creating and enrolling in Apple Developer account is the first step if you want to publish your app to the Apple App Store. Whether you are an individual developer or a startup, this guide will help you create and enroll in Apple Developer account program, including common issues, eligibility requirements, and FAQs.

What is the Apple Developer Program?

The Apple Developer Program allows developers to publish their iOS apps on the App Store. It also helps in managing app listings, access certificates, provisioning profiles, and distribute app on the app stores. This is because enrollment is necessary for publishing iOS, watch OS, iPadOS, and macOS apps to the App Store.

Why You Need to Enroll in the Apple Developer Program?

You must enroll in Apple Developer Program if you want to:

• Publish your iOS apps on the Apple App Store
• Connection access for the app submission and updates
• Manage certificates, signing, and provision profiles
• Spread apps to the users outside of the local testing

Without enrollment, you can only develop and test the app, but cannot publish it on the App Stores.

Apple Developer Program Requirements and Cost

To enroll in the Apple Developer Program, you must have an Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled. You also need to be eligible for an individual or organization account according to Apple’s program eligibility requirements. Make sure that your account complies with Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines and a supported MacOS device for development and submission.

As part of the enrollment process, Apple requires a paid enrollment for the Apple Developer Program registration to activate developer features. You will see the applicable fee and payment details during your signup process. These may vary depending on the region and type of account you choose. Reviewing this information is important for your Apple Developer account setup ensure you understand all requirements before completing registration.

How to Create Apple Developer Account?

Step 1: Create or Log in with an Apple ID Go to the Apple Developer website and sign in to your Apple Account. If you do not have one, then create a new one first. Also, ensure that you have two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Apple ID.

Step 2: Enable Two-Factor Authentication As part of your Apple Developer account 2FA setup, Apple requires 2FA for all developer accounts. You will need to turn it on before continuing with enrollment.

Step3: Start Your Apple Developer Program Enrollment After logging in:

1. Go to the Apple Developer Program Enrollment section on the website
2. Click on Enroll
3. Choose the type of account you want to enroll: Individual or Organization

Step 4: Fill in Your Personal or Organization Details Depending on your account type:

• An individual account needs to provide personal details and an address

Organization needs to submit:

• Legal entity name
• D-U-N-S Number
• Business contact information

Before approval, Apple may verify the organization's details.

Step 5: Verify Your Identity Apple may ask you to:

• Confirm your identity via SMS or phone call
• Verify your Apple account using an Apple device

This step is crucial to prevent misuse of the Apple developer account.

Step 6: Pay the Enrollment Fee Once your identity verification is completed, you have to:

• Pay the annual Apple Developer Program fee
• Accept the terms and conditions of Apple

After completing the payment process, your account will be active.

Common Apple Developer Enrollment Issues and Solutions

1. Issue: Unable to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Fix: Sign in with Apple ID, go to account settings, and turn on 2FA.

2. Issue: Stuck at Organization Enrollment Review Fix: Double-check your D-U-N-S number and legal entity name

3. Payment Problem Fix: Try with a different payment method or contact Apple Support for help

4. Ineligible Apple ID Fix: Make sure that your Apple ID is not linked to any work or school account

Regional Limitations and Availability

Enrollment in Apple Developer Program may not be the same in every country. Some regions require additional documentation and verification steps. You can contact Apple Developer Support if you are struggling with the enrollment process.

Managing Apple Developer Account After Enrollment

Once your enrollment process is complete, you can:

• Sign in to App Store Connect
• Set up and manage app identifiers
• Create certificates and provisioning profiles
• Prepare the app for review

Ensure that your account and payment details are up-to-date to avoid further disruptions. For detailed information on how to upload and launch your app on Apple App Store, follow our iOS submission guide.

FAQs

Q1. How much time does Apple Developer Program Enrollment take? However, it takes a few hours and can be up to 48 hours, based on your verification requirements.

Q2. Can I enroll in the program without paying the fee? No, the Apple Developer Program annual fee is required to publish your apps on the Apple App Store.

Q3. What if I want to switch from an individual to an organization account? Yes, this is possible, but you must contact Apple Developer Support to make the changes.

Q4. Do I need to renew my Apple Developer Program membership every year? Yes, your Apple ID is required to renew your Apple Developer Program subscription each year.

Conclusion

In summary, you cannot publish your iOS apps on the Apple App Store until you enroll in Apple Developer Program. By understanding the above requirements, following the steps for the Apple Developer enrollment process, and preparing in advance for common issues, you can complete registration of Apple Developer Program more easily and quickly.