Apple has stopped support for XML feed updates as of November 9, 2022. Apple's XML feed was used to update the metadata of your app in the App Store, as well as to upload the IPA file of your app to Apple. 

Due to XML feed support being stopped, the Classic iOS app publishing process in AppMachine has been adjusted to a partially manual process. This article explains which steps you'll have to take in order to publish or update your Classic AppMachine app in the App Store.

Publishing your Classic iOS app

Previously, the metadata of your app (description, screenshots, etc) could be updated through the App Store section of the Publish page in AppMachine, and a new app version could be uploaded to Apple via the AppMachine publishing process. Due to Apple's changes however, updating the metadata of your app, as well as uploading a new app version, is something that you will now have to perform manually, directly in the App Store Connect portal.

As of November 9, 2022, the publishing process for a Classic AppMachine iOS app consists of the following steps:

1. Publish the app using the AppMachine publishing process.
   Start the publishing process via the Publish/Update button in AppMachine. The process will now only execute the first three steps of the process, meaning:
   • A new content version will be created for the app.
     
     
   • The certificates of the app will be created or renewed if needed.
     
     
   • A new store version of your app (.ipa file) will be created.
     
     
2. Download the .ipa file.
   Once the publishing process is finished, you will be able to download the .ipa file of your iOS app from the publish page in AppMachine.
   
   
3. Create a new app version in App Store Connect.
   From this point onwards, you'll have to perform manual actions which were previously performed automatically by our system. Creating a new app version can be done by following these steps:
   
   
   • Login on https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/ with your Apple developer account.
     
     
   • Open your app via the My Apps section. This will send you to the app version details page.
     
     
   • On the version details page you'll see a blue '+' button next to 'iOS App' in the top-left corner of the screen. Click this button to create a new app version for your app.
     
     Note: If the '+' button is not visible, then you won't have to create a new app version. In that case your current app version should be editable.
     
     
4. Update app metadata in App Store Connect. (optional)
   As indicated in the step, updating the app's metadata is optional. If you wish to do this, then follow the steps listed above to open the app in App Store Connect. Once opened, you'll find various pages in the left-side menu. The pages used for your app by AppMachine are listed below, including an explanation of what information can be updated on each page:
   
   
   • App version. This page is open by default and contains information that is listed with your app in the App Store. This information includes the screenshots, description, keywords, release notes, etc.
     
     
   • App Information. On this page you can edit the main app information, like the app's title, subtitle, primary language, and categories.
     
     
   • Pricing and Availability. On this page you can edit the app's price tier, as well as the countries and/or regions in which the app should be available.
     
     
   • App Privacy. On this page you can edit the privacy policy url, as well as update the app privacy details of your app. More information on the App Privacy details can be found in this help center article.
     
     
     
5. Upload the .ipa file to Apple. (requires MacOS)
   In order to upload the .ipa file to Apple you'll need the Transporter application. This application can only be downloaded from the MacOS App Store, and therefor requires either an iMac or a MacBook.
   
   If you're not in possession of an iMac or Macbook and a store update for your app is vital, then please contact [email protected].
   
   
   
6. Submit the app into review with Apple.
   When you've uploaded the .ipa file and updated your app metadata if needed, you're now ready to submit your app into review with Apple. You will be able to submit your app into review by following these steps:
   
   
   • Login on https://appstoreconnect.apple.com/ with your Apple developer account.
     
     
   • Open the 'My Apps' section and select your app.
     
     
   • Scroll down the version details page to the section that says 'Build'.
     
     
   • Click the + icon next to Build. 
     Note: If the + icon is not available then hover over the currently selected build (hyperlink) and remove it using the - button. After removing the currently selected build, the + icon should re-appear.
     
     
   • Select the build version that corresponds to the version that you've uploaded during the previous step.
     
     
   • Click the Save button in the top-right corner of the screen to save your changes.
     
     
   • Click the Add for Review button to start the submission process.
     
     
   • On the next page, click the Submit to Review button to submit the app into review with Apple.
     
     

After completing the steps listed above, your app should now be in a Waiting for Review state with Apple. If another state is displayed, or if you've ran into issues during the publishing process, then please contact us via [email protected].