How long does App Store review take?

Apple typically reviews within 24-48 hours, but first submissions or apps with sensitive categories can take up to a week. Submit at least one week before your target launch date.

Should I launch on iOS and Android simultaneously?

If resources allow, yes. Staggering launches complicates marketing and support. If you must choose one, pick the platform where your target audience is concentrated.

What app size is too large?

Apple warns at 200 MB and blocks cellular downloads over that. Google Play flags at 150 MB. Keep your initial download under 100 MB for the best install conversion.

Mobile App Launch Checklist

Everything you need before submitting to the App Store and Google Play, from crash reporting to deep linking.

Checklist: Mobile App Launch (launch)

Launching a mobile app requires navigating store review guidelines, optimizing assets for multiple device sizes, setting up crash reporting, and planning a coordinated release across iOS and Android. This checklist ensures your app is store-ready and production-hardened.

Checklist Items

Complete App Store and Play Store listings [critical]: Prepare screenshots, descriptions, keywords, and promotional graphics for both stores.
Configure crash reporting [critical]: Integrate Crashlytics or Sentry to capture crashes with symbolicated stack traces.
Test on real devices across OS versions [critical]: Verify functionality on at least three iOS and three Android device/OS combinations.
Implement deep linking and universal links [important]: Configure URL schemes and associated domains so marketing links open the correct in-app screen.
Set up push notification infrastructure [important]: Configure APNs and FCM, test notification delivery, and implement permission request flow.
Optimize app size and startup time [important]: Strip unused assets, enable code shrinking, and target cold start under two seconds.
Implement analytics events [important]: Track key user actions: onboarding completion, feature usage, and retention triggers.
Prepare forced-update mechanism [recommended]: Build a version-check flow that can force users to update when critical fixes ship.
Configure remote feature flags [recommended]: Use LaunchDarkly or Firebase Remote Config to toggle features without a store update.
Plan phased rollout [recommended]: Use staged rollout on Google Play and phased release on iOS to catch issues before 100% availability.

Common Mistakes

Submitting without testing store review guidelines: Read Apple and Google review guidelines end-to-end; rejection delays launch by days or weeks.
Missing privacy declarations: Complete the App Privacy nutrition label on iOS and the Data Safety section on Android before submission.
No offline fallback: Handle network errors gracefully with cached data and clear retry messaging instead of blank screens.
Ignoring accessibility: Test with VoiceOver and TalkBack; store reviewers and users both penalize inaccessible apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does App Store review take?: Apple typically reviews within 24-48 hours, but first submissions or apps with sensitive categories can take up to a week. Submit at least one week before your target launch date.
Should I launch on iOS and Android simultaneously?: If resources allow, yes. Staggering launches complicates marketing and support. If you must choose one, pick the platform where your target audience is concentrated.
What app size is too large?: Apple warns at 200 MB and blocks cellular downloads over that. Google Play flags at 150 MB. Keep your initial download under 100 MB for the best install conversion.