Deploy to App Store

Publish your Vibecode app to the Apple App Store with Expo Launch

Ready to share your app with the world? Vibecode makes it easy to publish your app directly to the Apple App Store. Follow this step-by-step guide to submit your first build.

Before You Start

You’ll need the following before submitting your app:

1. Apple Developer Program Membership ($99/year)

   • Sign up at developer.apple.com/programs
   • Make sure you’ve completed payment and received confirmation

2. App Store Connect Access

   • Sign all required agreements at appstoreconnect.apple.com
   • Accept all terms and conditions

3. Expo Account

   • Create a free account at expo.dev/signup
   • Vibecode uses Expo Launch to start the App Store build flow

4. Apple Device for 2FA

   • Have your iPhone, iPad, or Mac nearby to receive two-factor authentication codes

Run Preflight Before Submitting

Before uploading your app, we recommend running Preflight — an automated check that scans your app for common issues that could cause Apple to reject it (missing icons, incorrect configurations, metadata problems, etc.).

How to run Preflight:

1. Open the Deploy dropdown for your project
2. Hover over the App Store submission section — the Preflight button will slide in next to “Submit to App Store”
3. Click Preflight — this runs the /appstore-preflight skill in your chat
4. The AI agent will run through a checklist and flag anything that needs fixing

You can also run the /appstore-preflight skill directly in the chat at any time.

Running Preflight is optional but highly recommended, especially for your first submission. It can save you days of waiting for Apple to reject your build over a simple fix.

Step-by-Step Submission Process

Step 1: Start the Submission

On Mobile App:

1. Open your project in Vibecode
2. Tap the app name at the top
3. In the dropdown menu, select Publish on App Store
4. Tap Get Started on the welcome screen

On Web App:

1. Open your project in Vibecode
2. Click the Share button at the top right
3. Select Deploy to App Store
4. Click Get Started on the welcome screen

Step 2: Verify Prerequisites

Check all four boxes to confirm:

• I have paid for the Apple Developer Program
• I have signed all required agreements in App Store Connect
• I have an Expo account
• I have my Apple Device ready to receive 2FA codes

If you haven’t completed these steps, use the quick links provided to join the Apple Developer Program or access App Store Connect.

Step 3: Add Your Expo Access Token

Vibecode uses Expo Launch to handle the App Store build flow. Before starting, add your Expo access token:

1. Click Get access token from Expo
2. Sign into your Expo account
3. Go to Settings -> Access Tokens
4. Create a new access token
5. Copy the token and paste it into Vibecode

Use the paste button for quick entry of long tokens. Make sure your token is correct and there are no extra spaces or characters.

Step 4: Confirm App Details

Review and edit your app information:

• App Name - The name displayed in the App Store
• Version Number - Starting version like 1.0.0
• Support iPad - Toggle on if you want your app to work on iPad

You don’t usually need to update these details manually, because Vibecode can prefill them for you.

Step 5: Confirm Your App Icon

Review your app icon. Make sure it looks good and represents your app well. This is what users will see in the App Store. You can generate an icon inside the Vibecode app.

Step 6: Create a Bundle ID (First Build Only)

A bundle ID is a unique identifier for your app, like com.vibecode.yourapp.

Important: Once you submit your first build, you should treat your bundle ID as permanent.

• Vibecode automatically generates a suggested bundle ID
• You can customize it if needed
• Check the box to confirm you understand the bundle ID choice

The bundle ID format is typically: com.yourcompany.appname

Step 7: Start Expo Launch

Once your app details are confirmed, Vibecode prepares the submission and asks you to start Expo Launch.

When you click Start Expo Launch:

1. Vibecode opens the Expo Launch flow in a new tab
2. Expo Launch handles the Apple authentication and build setup flow
3. Expo starts the cloud build for your app
4. The build is uploaded to App Store Connect

The build usually starts quickly, but full Expo build times are typically around 20 minutes and can occasionally take much longer during busy periods.

Step 8: Monitor the Build

After Expo Launch starts successfully:

• Vibecode shows that the launch has started
• You can open the Expo Dashboard in a new tab
• You can close the Vibecode dialog once Expo has started the build
• The build continues in the cloud

Step 9: Build Complete

Once your build is finished:

• Your app is uploaded to App Store Connect
• Your app is available in TestFlight for testing
• You can submit for App Store review directly from App Store Connect

Subsequent Builds

After your first successful build, the process is faster:

1. You won’t need to create a new bundle ID
2. You can reuse the same Expo Launch flow
3. Start the launch again and monitor the new build from Expo/App Store Connect

App Store Review & Release

After your build completes, it is available in TestFlight for testing. If you want to submit for review:

1. Go to App Store Connect
2. Navigate to your app
3. Fill in your app metadata:
   • Description
   • Screenshots
   • Categories
   • Privacy policy
   • Pricing
4. Submit for review
5. Apple review usually takes a few days
6. Once approved, your app is live on the App Store

Troubleshooting

Build Failed?

• Verify your Expo token is valid and hasn’t expired
• Make sure you’ve signed all agreements in App Store Connect
• If Expo Launch opens but cannot continue, complete any Apple authentication or team selection steps there
• Contact support via Intercom chat in the app if you need help

Version Number Issues?

• Each new build must have a higher version number than the previous

Bundle ID Errors?

• Ensure your bundle ID is unique and not already taken
• Follow the format: com.company.appname
• Use only lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens, and periods

Need Help?

Request support via Intercom chat in the app. You can also join our Discord community.