How to set up an Apple developer account for your business
What you need, the steps in order, and how to give your developer access without sharing your password.
What you get
- Fixed priceA set price for the build. No hourly surprises.
- You own itPublished under your name, in your store account.
- No platform feeYour app keeps working whether or not you pay us monthly.
- In writingEvery request, mockup and approval, written down.
- Not monthsMost apps launch within weeks of your approval.
The short version: get a free D-U-N-S number for your business, make sure you have a business website and an Apple Account with two-factor authentication, then enroll in the Apple Developer Program as an organization for $99 a year. It takes about an hour of your time, plus one to three weeks of waiting.
Why the account should be yours
Apple and Google expect a business app to be published by the business it represents. Publishing under your own account means your business name appears as the seller, you own the listing and its reviews, and you never depend on a developer to keep your app online. Your developer works inside your account as a team member, without your password.
Before you start
- A legal business. An LLC, corporation or similar. Sole proprietors and DBAs enroll as individuals instead, and the app then shows the owner's personal name as the seller.
- A D-U-N-S number. A free nine-digit business ID from Dun & Bradstreet. Apple uses it to confirm your business exists. Many businesses already have one without knowing it, and Apple's enrollment page has a lookup tool.
- A business website. A public site on your own domain that matches your business name.
- An Apple Account with two-factor authentication, owned by someone who has the legal authority to sign agreements for the business.
Step by step
- Look up or request your D-U-N-S number. Use the lookup on Apple's developer site. If you do not have one, request it there for free. A new number can take about five business days, sometimes longer.
- Check that your details match. Your legal business name and address should be the same in your D-U-N-S record, on your website and in your enrollment. Mismatches are the most common cause of delays.
- Enroll. Sign in to the Apple Developer app or developer.apple.com, choose to enroll as an organization, and enter your business details and D-U-N-S number.
- Confirm your authority. Apple may call or email to confirm that you can sign for the business. Answer promptly so your enrollment does not stall.
- Pay the $99 annual fee. Once Apple approves your business, you pay and the account becomes active, usually within a few days.
- Invite your developer. In App Store Connect, open Users and Access and invite your developer with the App Manager role. They can now upload and update your app without your password.
Google Play works the same way
A Google Play developer account costs $25 once. Choose an organization account, verify your identity, and use the same D-U-N-S number. Then invite your developer under Users and permissions in the Play Console. Organization accounts skip the extended closed testing that new personal accounts must complete before publishing.
Tips that save time
- Start on day one of your app project, so the waiting happens while the app is being built.
- Use a business email on your own domain, not a personal address.
- Keep your login and two-factor device somewhere safe. Losing access to your developer account can freeze updates to your app.
- Never share your Apple Account password with a developer. The team member invite is the safe way.
When we build an app for you, this setup is part of the service. We send you a written guide and handle everything we can on our side while we build. See how our custom app service works.
Requirements and fees change. Check Apple's and Google's current enrollment pages before you start. Checked November 2026.