Prepare Your iOS Branded Mobile App

Ready to create and set up your own branded app on iOS? This article will walk you through the necessary steps to help you submit your branded mobile app to the Apple App Store.

About This Feature

Branded Mobile fits into your audience’s existing routines, making it easier for them to learn and engage with your content — all on their own schedule. This means higher course completion rates, improved student satisfaction, and more revenue opportunities for your business.

The Thinkific team will work with you to build your own branded app and ensure that it is approved by Apple and Google. However, there are certain steps that need to be completed by you. These steps are outlined below.

Important Considerations

We strongly recommend creating your Apple Developer account as soon as possible. Creating a developer account in advance can help shorten the time it takes to submit the app.
The Thinkific team will work closely with you on ensuring that the app is approved, but it is up to you to decide when you want the app launched and available for your audience. Unlike the Google Play Store, the Apple App Store allows you to make your app available to your audience separately from the app approval. See more: Branded Mobile: What is the Difference between App Submission and App Launch?
For the Google Play Store instructions, see: Prepare and Submit Your Android Branded Mobile App.

Step 1: Prepare and Grant Access to Your iOS Branded Mobile App

First things first, you'll need to create an Apple Developer Account account! This is where the Thinkific team will build your iOS mobile app and where you'll manage it.

Create an Apple Developer Account

Before you can create an Apple Developer Account, you'll need an Apple ID account. If you don't have one, see How to Create a New Apple ID and set up two-factor authentication.

You will need to enroll in Apple Developer Account as an Organization. Enroll in the Apple Developer Program here.

For more information about enrolling into the program as an Organization, see: Branded Mobile: Why Do I Need an Apple Organization Account?

There is an annual membership fee associated with an Apple Developer account. A paid membership is required in order to distribute your app on the App Store.

Grant Thinkific Access to Your Developer Account

To help build and submit your app to the Apple App store, Thinkific will need access to your account.

In the top navigation of your developer account, click Program resources
Under App Store Connect, select Users and Access
Click the add button (+)
In the window that appears, enter the following:
First Name: Thinkific
Last Name: Admin
Email: svc-mobileapp-mgt@thinkific.com
Roles: Admin
Apps: Leave as default All Apps
Click Invite.

You can also see instructions on how to invite team members here.

Step 2: Retrieve Your Apple API Keys

The Apple API key information allows Thinkific to upload apps via our systems without requiring manual input.

Create and Upload Your App Store Connect Private Key

Go to App Store Connect
Navigate to Users and Access > Integrations
1. If you have not created an App Store Connect API key in your account yet, you will see the screen below. If you are not seeing the Request Access button, proceed to step 3.
  1. Click Request Access
  2. In the pop-up modal, click the checkbox to accept the API terms, then click Submit
On the Team Keys tab, click on the add button (+) to generate a new API Key
In the 'Generate API Key' modal that pops up, fill in the details as:
1. Name: Your App Name
2. Access: App Manager
Click Generate
Download the key
In your Thinkific admin, navigate to the Mobile App page
Select the Connect tab
Under Apple App Store, upload the file in the App Store Connect API key field
1. Tip: the file name of the key will look something like AuthKey_AM01H2BLY3.p8
Click Save

Copy your Key ID

Go to App Store Connect
Navigate to Users and Access > Integrations
Under App Store Connect API find the API Key you created in the previous step
Click Copy next to the Key Identifier (Key ID)
In your Thinkific admin, navigate to the Mobile App page
Select the Connect tab
Under Apple App Store, paste the Key Identifier in the corresponding field
Click Save

Key ID Example: Q4GLVL365M

Copy Your Issuer ID

Go to App Store Connect
Navigate to Users and Access > Integrations
Under App Store Connect API find the API Key you created in the previous step
Click Copy next to the Issuer ID
In your Thinkific admin, navigate to the Mobile App page
Select the Connect tab
Under Apple App Store, paste the Issuer ID in the corresponding field
Click Save

Issuer ID Example: 907c7d07-818d-49d5-ac47-c55a5292ec5d

Retrieve and Upload Your Push Notification Key

Open your Apple Developer account
In the Certificates, IDs & Profiles section select Keys
Click Create a key
Under Key Name, enter “Apple Push Notifications”
Select the Apple Push Notifications service (APNs) checkbox
Click Configure
Under Environment, select Production & Sandbox
Click Save
Click Continue
Click Register
Click Download
Click Done
In your Thinkific admin, navigate to the Mobile App page
Select the Connect tab
Under Apple App Store, upload the file in the Apple Push Notifications Key field
1. Tip: the file name of the key will look something like AuthKey_RM12A2B123.p8, which is similar to the App Store Connect key - ensure the Apple Push Notifications key is not the same one
Click Save

Step 3: Set Up In-App Purchases in the Apple App Store

If your website offers paid digital content to the general public, you will be required by Apple to include In-App Purchases. If all of your courses are free, are sold primarily to businesses (B2B), or are bundled with physical goods or services, you may be exempt from this requirement - please let Thinkific know as soon as possible if you think you may be exempt from requiring In-App Purchases.

Accept Apple App Store Agreements

Go to App Store Connect
Select Business
Select the business entity associated with your app (if prompted)
If required, you will see notification banners regarding Digital Services Act requirements and the Paid Apps Agreement

Enter EU Digital Services Act compliance information

Scroll down to the Compliance section
Next to Digital Services Act, click Complete Compliance Requirements
Follow the prompts as required for your business
1. For more information, see: Manage European Union Digital Services Act trader requirements

Sign the Paid Apps Agreement

Under Agreements, find the Paid Apps row and select View and Agree to Terms
Read and accept the terms, then click Agree
1. For more information, see: Sign a paid agreement

Note: for the Paid Apps Agreement to be processed you will need to complete the tax forms as requested by Apple.

Provide Tax Information

On the same page, under the Tax Forms section, click Add Tax Info next to requested tax forms
1. For more information, see: Tax forms overview

Enter Banking Information

To receive payments from Apple, you must add a bank account.

On the same page, under the Bank Accounts section and click Add Bank Account
1. For more information, see: Enter banking information

Reduce Your App Store Fees

This optional step allows you to reduce your app store fees from 30% to 15%. The Apple App Store offers reduced rates to qualified businesses. To enrol in this program, follow the instructions outlined here: Apple Store Small Business Program.