Necessity of paid Apple Developer Program

Question

Necessity of paid Apple Developer Program

Does one need a paid Developer account to publish iOS/iPadOS apps, like on the App Store? Even if it will be a free app to end users?

I’m stepping in the wonderful world of Swift programming, but there are still a lot of practical things that I have to figure out, as I go forward with this. The first programming goal is to develop this app idea for iPad, that a select group of others can use. (I don't mind others getting it, but it will be customized/tailored for this group/organisation.)

Is there anything like a checklist for beginners?

MacBook Pro with Touch Bar

Posted on Dec 5, 2019 1:24 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

etresoft

Level 9

50,352 points

Dec 5, 2019 12:42 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Yes. A paid developer account is required for iOS and iPadOS apps. It is pretty much required these days for Mac apps as well.

The price is irrelevant. A free app might even cause your account to be suspicious. There are an awful lot of developers deserving of suspicion these days.

I don’t know of any checklist. It is totally the Wild West, with Fool’s Gold in every mountain, miracle potions for sale in every town, and nary a sheriff in sight.

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