Mobile App Ownership Checklist

Owning a mobile app is similar to owning real estate.
There are addresses, structures, and keys that define where your app lives and who can access it.

1. App IDs

Every app has a unique identifier that acts like the address of your property.

• iOS
  • Apple App ID (registered in Apple Developer portal)
    
  • Bundle Identifier (defined in Xcode project)
• Android
  • Google Play App ID (registered in Google Play Console)
    
  • Package Name (defined in AndroidManifest.xml)

These IDs must remain consistent across builds and updates.
Changing them creates a “new app” in the eyes of Apple/Google.

2. Keys & Certificates

Keys control access and ownership. Without them, you can’t publish, update, or send notifications.

• iOS
  • Distribution Certificates / Profiles – Required to publish apps to the App Store
    
  • APNs (.p12 or .p8 keys) – Required for push notifications
• Android
  • Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) Keys – Required for push notifications
    
  • Server API Keys – Used for backend services and app integrations
    
  • Keystore (.jks) – Cryptographic file required to sign Android builds. Without it, updates to the app cannot be published.

3. Code Transfers

When transferring code between developers or agencies:

• Preferred method for one-time handoff:
  • Provide a .zip archive containing the full project and dependencies.
    
  • Ensures a clean, complete snapshot without relying on outside repos.
• Preferred method for ongoing collaboration:
  • Use Git (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, etc.).
    
  • Allows version control, issue tracking, and team workflows.

4. Additional Considerations

• Store Accounts
  • Ensure ownership and access to the Apple Developer account and Google Play Console.
    
  • Avoid publishing apps under personal accounts if the app belongs to a company.
• Third-Party Services
  • Analytics (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Firebase Analytics)
    
  • Crash Reporting (Sentry, Crashlytics)
    
  • Payment Gateways (Stripe, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
• Documentation
  • Maintain an internal handover document listing all IDs, keys, and credentials.
    
  • Store in a secure location (e.g., password manager or encrypted vault).

✅ With App IDs, Keys, and Code properly managed, you retain full ownership and control of your app.