learning_ai_common_plat/docs/_MobileApps/APPLE

Apple Developer — App Store & TestFlight Guide

API Key

Field	Value
Key ID	PPATU9GL73
Issuer ID	1dbc2980-1621-4fb9-940b-e28257e6322c
Role	App Manager
File	AuthKey_PPATU9GL73.p8

⚠️ The .p8 file is NOT checked into git (blocked by secret scanner). It lives at ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys/AuthKey_PPATU9GL73.p8 on each machine. Copy it manually between machines or re-download from App Store Connect (one-time download only — keep a backup).

Setup on any machine

mkdir -p ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys
# Copy the .p8 from another machine or your backup
cp /path/to/AuthKey_PPATU9GL73.p8 ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys/
chmod 600 ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys/AuthKey_PPATU9GL73.p8

---

Apple Developer Account

Field	Value
Team ID	748N7QPX7J
Apple ID	saravanakumardb1@gmail.com
Portal	developer.apple.com/account
App Store Connect	appstoreconnect.apple.com

---

Registered Apps

Product	Bundle ID	App Store Connect	SKU	Status
LysnrAI	com.bytelyst.LysnrAI	✅ Created	lysnrai	In TestFlight (build 59)
ChronoMind	com.saravana.chronomind	❌ Needs creation	chronomind	Bundle ID registered, pending app creation
ChronoMind Widgets	com.saravana.chronomind.widgets	N/A (extension)	—	Bundle ID registered

---

App Store Connect — Creating a New App

1. Go to App Store Connect → My Apps
2. Click "+" → "New App"
3. Fill in:
   • Platforms: iOS
   • Name: Product display name (e.g., ChronoMind)
   • Primary Language: English (U.S.)
   • Bundle ID: Select from dropdown (must be registered first — see below)
   • SKU: Lowercase product ID (e.g., chronomind)
   • User Access: Full Access
4. Click Create

---

Registering a New Bundle ID

Via API (preferred)

import jwt, time, json, urllib.request

with open('AuthKey_PPATU9GL73.p8', 'r') as f:
    key = f.read()

token = jwt.encode(
    {'iss': '1dbc2980-1621-4fb9-940b-e28257e6322c', 'iat': int(time.time()),
     'exp': int(time.time()) + 1200, 'aud': 'appstoreconnect-v1'},
    key, algorithm='ES256', headers={'kid': 'PPATU9GL73', 'typ': 'JWT'}
)

data = json.dumps({'data': {'type': 'bundleIds', 'attributes': {
    'identifier': 'com.saravana.PRODUCT',
    'name': 'ProductName',
    'platform': 'IOS'
}}}).encode()

req = urllib.request.Request(
    'https://api.appstoreconnect.apple.com/v1/bundleIds',
    data=data,
    headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {token}', 'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
    method='POST'
)
resp = urllib.request.urlopen(req)
print(json.loads(resp.read())['data']['id'])

Via Portal

1. Go to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles → Identifiers
2. Click "+" → App IDs → App
3. Enter description + bundle ID
4. Enable capabilities (App Groups, Push Notifications, etc.)
5. Click Register

---

TestFlight — Uploading a Build

Automated (recommended)

Each product repo has a release-testflight.sh script:

# LysnrAI
cd learning_voice_ai_agent/mobile_app/ios
# (uses manual pbxproj — see .windsurf/workflows/release-testflight.md)

# ChronoMind
cd learning_ai_clock/ios
bash release-testflight.sh

Manual CLI

# 1. Archive
xcodebuild archive \
  -project MyApp.xcodeproj \
  -scheme MyApp \
  -configuration Release \
  -archivePath /tmp/MyApp.xcarchive \
  -destination 'generic/platform=iOS'

# 2. Export + Upload
xcodebuild -exportArchive \
  -archivePath /tmp/MyApp.xcarchive \
  -exportPath /tmp/MyApp_export \
  -exportOptionsPlist ExportOptions.plist \
  -allowProvisioningUpdates \
  -authenticationKeyPath ~/.appstoreconnect/private_keys/AuthKey_PPATU9GL73.p8 \
  -authenticationKeyID PPATU9GL73 \
  -authenticationKeyIssuerID 1dbc2980-1621-4fb9-940b-e28257e6322c

ExportOptions.plist (template)

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
  "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>method</key>
    <string>app-store-connect</string>
    <key>teamID</key>
    <string>748N7QPX7J</string>
    <key>destination</key>
    <string>upload</string>
    <key>signingStyle</key>
    <string>automatic</string>
    <key>uploadSymbols</key>
    <true/>
</dict>
</plist>

---

App Store Submission Checklist

Before submitting for App Store review, ensure:

Required Assets

Asset	Spec	Notes
App Icon	1024×1024 PNG	No alpha channel, no rounded corners
Screenshots (6.7")	1290×2796	iPhone 15 Pro Max — required
Screenshots (6.5")	1284×2778	iPhone 14 Plus — required
Screenshots (5.5")	1242×2208	iPhone 8 Plus — optional but recommended
iPad Screenshots	2048×2732	Required if app supports iPad
App Preview Video	1920×1080 or device res	Optional, up to 30 seconds

Required Metadata

Field	Notes
App Name	Max 30 characters
Subtitle	Max 30 characters
Description	Required, no max (but first 3 lines matter most)
Keywords	Max 100 characters, comma-separated
Support URL	Must be a valid, reachable URL
Privacy Policy URL	Required — must be a valid, reachable URL
Category	Primary + optional secondary
Age Rating	Answer the questionnaire honestly
Copyright	e.g., © 2026 ByteLyst

Required for Review

Requirement	Details
Privacy Policy URL	Must be publicly accessible
App Review Information	Contact info (name, phone, email) for reviewer
Demo Account	If app requires login, provide test credentials
Notes for Review	Explain any non-obvious features or permissions
Content Rights	Confirm you have rights to all content
IDFA Declaration	If using AdSupport framework
Export Compliance	Encryption usage (most apps: standard encryption = YES, exempt)

Privacy & Permissions

For each permission your app uses, you must:

1. Add a usage description string in Info.plist (e.g., NSMicrophoneUsageDescription)
2. Declare it in App Store Connect → App Privacy

Common permissions for ByteLyst apps:

Permission	Info.plist Key	Apps
Microphone	NSMicrophoneUsageDescription	LysnrAI
Speech Recognition	NSSpeechRecognitionUsageDescription	LysnrAI
Location	NSLocationWhenInUseUsageDescription	PeakPulse
Health	NSHealthShareUsageDescription	PeakPulse, NomGap
Notifications	NSUserNotificationsUsageDescription	All
Camera	NSCameraUsageDescription	MindLyst

App Privacy (Data Collection)

In App Store Connect → App Privacy, declare:

• What data types your app collects
• Whether data is linked to user identity
• Whether data is used for tracking
• Purpose of each data type

---

TestFlight Beta Testing

Internal Testing (up to 100 testers)

1. Upload build (see above)
2. Wait ~15-30 min for processing
3. Go to App Store Connect → TestFlight → Internal Testing
4. Add testers by Apple ID email
5. Testers install via TestFlight app

External Testing (up to 10,000 testers)

1. Create a beta group in TestFlight
2. Add a build to the group
3. Submit for Beta App Review (required for external testers)
4. Review takes ~24-48 hours
5. Once approved, distribute via link or email

Beta App Review Requirements

• Same as App Store review but slightly more lenient
• Still needs: privacy policy URL, app description, contact info
• Crashes or obvious bugs will be rejected

---

Certificates & Signing

Type	Purpose	Managed By
Apple Development	Debug builds, simulator	Xcode (automatic)
Apple Distribution	App Store / TestFlight builds	Xcode (automatic with API key)

With -allowProvisioningUpdates and the API key, Xcode automatically manages certificates and provisioning profiles. No manual certificate management needed.

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Troubleshooting

Error	Fix
No signing certificate "iOS Distribution"	Use -allowProvisioningUpdates with API key
Authentication failed	Check .p8 key path, Key ID, Issuer ID
Error Downloading App Information	Create app record in App Store Connect first
App Groups capability	Register App Group in developer portal
FORBIDDEN_ERROR on app creation	API key needs Admin role (App Manager can't create apps)
Bundle ID not available	Someone else registered it — use a different one
Missing compliance	Set Export Compliance in App Store Connect
Build processing stuck	Wait up to 1 hour; check email for processing errors