Practice simulation by FreelanceSites: not the real Apple App Store app, no account is created, nothing leaves your device.
Apple App Store, practice simulation
Open a shop, create your first listing, wait for an order, pack and ship it, then get paid. A coach explains every step and can do it for you.
Apple App Store
The whole journey is written out step by step below, with the real-life time each part takes.
Your journey, in real-life terms
What you would need in real life
- A bank account
- A tax ID number
Next steps
This practice run at a glance
The real rules this practice run uses
From Apple App Store's published pages, as recorded on its platform page. Check the platform itself before you join.
- Fees
- $99 per year, 15%-30% commission
- Minimum payout
- Over $0.02 for US USD accounts, over $40 for unlisted bank and currency pairs, other thresholds vary
- Payout speed
- Within 45 days after fiscal month end
- Payout methods
- Bank transfer
- Approval
- Quick profile or ID review
- First pay
- Within 45 days of fiscal month end
- Good to know
- Enrollment requires the legal age of majority in your region and verified individual or organization details.
- You need
- A bank account and A tax ID number
Eligibility source: developer.apple.com
The journey, step by step
What happens on a real online shop seller from sign-up to your first withdrawal, and how long each part takes. In total: 5 months to 16 months.
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Create your Apple App Store account
Every earning app starts with an account tied to your real name and email. Here you sign up as a demo person, so nothing about you is used.
Typical estimate About 5 minutes
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Log in to Apple App Store
Real apps ask you to confirm your email and often turn on two-step login. Never reuse a password from another site, and only ever type it on the real site.
Typical estimate A minute
-
Complete your Apple App Store profile
Your profile is your shop window: photo, headline, skills and price. Players compare it with everyone else's before they pick you.
Typical estimate 1 to 2 hours to set up a shop
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Verify your identity
Most platforms check your ID before you can withdraw money. It stops fraud and is required by payment laws.
From Apple App Store's published rules ID checks often take minutes, sometimes a day or two
Apple App Store checks ID.
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Wait for Apple App Store to approve you
Platforms control who joins. Some let you in instantly, others review profiles, vet applications or keep a waitlist when they have enough people.
From Apple App Store's published rules A quick profile or ID review, usually 1 to 3 days
Apple App Store: Quick profile or ID review. Enrollment requires the legal age of majority in your region and verified individual or organization details.
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Build your game
Finish a playable, tested build with a trailer and screenshots. Stores review builds and store pages.
Typical estimate Making even a small game takes months
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Publish on the store and make a sale on Apple App Store
Players find games through store pages, wishlists and creators. Most games sell few copies, so budget carefully.
Typical estimate Store review, then launch
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Get approved and reviewed
The player confirms the sale is done and leaves a rating. Early reviews matter most: they decide who sees you next.
Typical estimate Players can refund within a short window
-
Apple App Store takes its fee
What the player pays is not what you keep. The platform fee comes off first, then your own costs.
From Apple App Store's published rules Instant
Fees on Apple App Store: $99 per year, 15%-30% commission
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Wait for Apple App Store to clear the money
New earnings sit as "pending" for a while so refunds and disputes can be handled. You cannot withdraw them yet.
From Apple App Store's published rules Within 45 days after fiscal month end
Payout speed on Apple App Store: Within 45 days after fiscal month end
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Reach the minimum payout
Many platforms only let you withdraw above a threshold. Small tasks may mean several sales before you can cash out.
From Apple App Store's published rules One sale is enough here
Minimum payout on Apple App Store: Over $0.02 for US USD accounts, over $40 for unlisted bank and currency pairs, other thresholds vary.
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Withdraw from Apple App Store
Pick a payout method and confirm. Bank transfers take a few days, wallets and instant cards can be faster but may charge a fee.
From Apple App Store's published rules Usually 1 to 5 days to arrive
Payout methods on Apple App Store: Bank transfer.
Where the money goes on one sale
| One copy of your game sold (illustrative) | $10.00 |
|---|---|
| Platform fee (22.5%) Middle of Apple App Store's published 15%–30% range | −$2.25 |
| What you keep | $7.75 |
This is an educational practice run by FreelanceSites. It is not Apple App Store's app and is not affiliated with Apple App Store: only its published rules are used, in our own simplified design. Amounts marked illustrative are examples, and real times vary by country, demand and your own effort.