Apple App On Private Store And Apple Business Manager

App was design and develop to be use by a specific organization or business, including its partners or employees. Apple team suggests, Custom app distribution through Apple Business Manager is the best way to make these kinds of business apps available to your target audience.

Availability is one of the key Non-functional requirements while designing mobile Apps. App should be easily accessible to download on individual device from respective app store but what If?

1. App is not available on public App store.
2. App was rejected on Public Appstore by Apple or Google Review team.
3. What is private Appstore?
4. What is Apple Business Manager?
5. What is Custom App Distribution?
6. What does Guideline 3.2 – Business is all about?

If you are keen to know the answers to the above questions then this is the blog, which will help you to guide and get those answers.

Once you are done with implementation phase and ready to release the iOS app on Apple store developed using mobile cross platform technology or Native app. Next step is we need to deploy the App first in Test flight through Xcode editor and then the same build we have used to submit the app for Apple Review to publish on Appstore. Once the app was, send for review Apple usually takes 1 to 2 days to provide approval on Apple store.

During the App review process, Apple may need more information related with your business model. Apple needs this information to help users to help you find the best distribution option for your app.

Below are some of the probable questions, which we need to answer during Apple review process in case if Apple requested for reviews process (Questions may vary for each individual Apple review process)

1. Is your app restricted to users who are part of a single company? This may include users of the company’s partners, employees, and contractors.
2. Is your app designed for use by a limited or specific group of companies?
   1. If yes, which companies use this app?
   2. If not, can any company become a client and utilize this app?
3. What features in the app, if any, are intended for use by the general public?
4. Identify the specific countries or regions where you plan to distribute your app.
5. How do users obtain an account?
6. Is there are any paid content in the app? For example, do users pay for opening an account or using certain features in the app?
7. Who pays for the paid content and how do users access it?

Based on your answer to above questions if Apple team realize that if App was designed and development to be used by a specific organization or business, including its partners or employees. Apple team suggests, Custom app distribution through Apple Business Manager is the best way to make these kinds of business apps available to your target audience. Eventually, Apple rejects your uploaded Metadata based on Guideline 3.2 – Business

Now, if we have hard wish to have our App only on public Appstore we will need to try our luck again and to re-submit the app for Apple review process by replying to the metadata Reject message in Resolution Center. Apple will continue the review process again. Here we do not need to upload new build on TestFlight or Appstore. We just need to reply to the Resolution Center and same old build will automatically used for apple review process. Here onwards everything is completely in the hands of Apple review team to make a decision whether Reject or approve the build.

In case if Apple rejects the app realizing that your app is better suited for Private Appstore and not suitable for public general use then you can always make appeal to Apple Review Team. We can always contact Apple review team using Apple Developer support. Select App Review => Appeal an App Rejection or App removal option => Contact App review. Below are reference screenshots

Here if Apple appeal team rejects your appeal again based on Guideline 3.2 – Business with same reason “As your app is designed to be used by a specific organization or business, including its partners or employees” Your wish to go through Apple Public App store will not be fulfilled at this point using same Apple Developer account. Apple eventually suggests you to follow Custom app distribution through Apple Business Manager is the best way to make these kinds of business apps available to your target audience.

By distributing custom apps through Apple Business Manager, you will be able to:

• Distribute apps to personal and company-owned devices.
• Enjoy an App Review process designed with business needs in mind, in locations where custom app distribution is available.
• Keep using Apple Developer Program tools like App Store Connect for app management and TestFlight for beta testing.

What is Apple Business Manager?

Apple Business Manager is a web-based portal that helps you deploy iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. In addition, you can easily provide employees with access to Apple services, set up device enrolment, and distribute apps, books and software — all from one place.

Process to deploy App in Apple Business Manager

Follow these steps to distribute your business app using custom app distribution and Apple Business Manager:

1. Have the business or organization your app was designed for enrolling in Apple Business Manager.
2. Change your Pricing and Availability setting in App Store Connect to make your app available to specific businesses or organizations.
3. Resubmit your app for review. Once the app has been published, businesses and organizations will be able to find your app on Apple Business Manager.

In my next blog, I will cover Apple Business manager pre-requisite, UI interface and more details…until then keep reading stay up-to-date.