Skip to main content

How to Set Up a Apple Developer Account (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step-by-step instructions to creating an Apple Developer Account Apple ID first → Apple Developer Account second → enroll.

J
Written by Jackie Parks
Updated this week


Quick checklist before you create your Apple Developer Account

  • ✅ Business legal name + address + phone

  • ✅ Business owner/officer info (Account Holder)

  • ✅ Email address to use as Apple ID

  • ✅ Phone number for 2FA (must be reachable)

  • ✅ D-U-N-S number (if enrolling as Organization)


Part 1: Create an Apple ID (the login that will own the Developer Account)

  1. Go to Apple ID signup

    • On a computer, open Apple’s Apple ID creation page.
      ​

  2. Enter your information

    • First/Last name

    • Country/Region

    • Birthday

    • Email address (this becomes your Apple ID)

    • Password + security questions (or Apple’s updated security prompts)
      ​

  3. Verify your email

    • Apple will send a verification code to the email you entered.

    • Enter that code to confirm your Apple ID.
      ​

  4. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (if prompted)

    • Apple typically requires 2FA for developer-related access.

    • Use a phone number that the business owner can reliably access (text or call).

✅ Important notes

  • Use a business-controlled email (not a web vendor’s email).

  • Save the Apple ID email + password somewhere secure (password manager recommended).

  • The business owner should keep access to the phone number used for 2FA.

Part 2: Enroll in the Apple Developer Program (tie it to that Apple ID)

  1. Sign in to the Apple Developer site

    • Log in using the Apple ID you just created.
      ​

  2. Start enrollment

    • Choose Enroll / Join the Apple Developer Program.
      ​

  3. Choose the correct account type

    • Company/Organization (recommended for businesses)

      • Allows the business name to appear as the seller/publisher in the App Store.

    • Individual (only if they truly don’t have a business entity)

      • The app will show a person’s name in the App Store.
        ​

  4. Enter business details (Organization enrollment)

    • Legal business name

    • Address and phone number

    • Website

    • Main contact details
      ​

  5. D-U-N-S Number (Organization enrollment)

    • Apple uses a D-U-N-S Number to verify organizations.

    • If they don’t know it, they’ll need to look it up or request one (Apple provides a process during enrollment).
      ​

  6. Add the Account Holder

    • The Account Holder must be someone with authority to sign legal agreements (usually the owner/officer).

    • This person should keep access to:

      • the Apple ID email inbox

      • the 2FA phone number
        ​

  7. Agree to terms + pay the annual fee

    • Complete Apple’s agreement steps.

    • Pay the annual Apple Developer Program fee (Apple will show the current amount during checkout).
      ​

  8. Wait for approval / verification

    • Organization accounts may take longer due to business verification.

    • Apple may call the business contact number to confirm details.

Part 3: After approval (so we can build & publish the app)

  1. Log in to App Store Connect

    • This is where the app listing, screenshots, and releases are managed.

  2. Invite us (your developer/vendor)
    ​

  3. In App Store Connect → Users and Access, add our team as a user.

    • Add the following E-Mails

    • Common roles: Admin (preferred) or App Manager/Developer (depends on what you want us to handle).
      ​

  4. Keep credentials safe

    • Do not share the Apple ID password by email.

    • Use “invite user access” instead (best practice).

Did this answer your question?