Apple Developer Program
Requirements
To enroll in the Apple Developer Program, you need:
- An Apple ID with two-factor authentication enabled
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- A credit card for the annual fee
- For organizations: a D-U-N-S Number (free from Dun & Bradstreet)
Cost
- $99/year for individuals and organizations
- $0/year for the Apple Developer Enterprise Program (organizations with 100+ employees, by invitation)
Enrollment Steps (Individual)
- Go to developer.apple.com/enroll
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Select "Individual / Sole Proprietor"
- Enter your legal name and address
- Agree to the Apple Developer Agreement
- Pay $99
- Apple verifies your identity (may take 24-48 hours)
Enrollment Steps (Organization)
- Obtain a D-U-N-S Number (apply at dnb.com, free but takes up to 7 business days)
- Enroll at developer.apple.com/enroll
- Select "Company / Organization"
- Enter organization details matching your D-U-N-S listing
- A verification call from Apple will follow (they call the number listed in your D-U-N-S profile)
- Complete enrollment and pay $99
- Approval takes 1-2 weeks for organizations
Individual vs Organization
| Feature | Individual | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| App publishing | Yes | Yes |
| Team management | No | Yes (multiple roles) |
| Custom B2B apps | No | Yes |
| Display name | Your legal name | Company name |
| Cost | $99/year | $99/year |
For most indie developers, an individual account works fine. Choose organization if you want your company name displayed on the store or need team member access.
Google Play Developer Account
Requirements
- A Google account (Gmail or Workspace)
- A valid government-issued ID for identity verification
- A credit/debit card for the registration fee
- For organizations: business documentation
Cost
- $25 one-time registration fee
Enrollment Steps
- Go to play.google.com/console/signup
- Sign in with your Google account
- Choose account type: Personal or Organization
- Enter your developer name (this appears on the Play Store)
- Pay the $25 registration fee
- Complete identity verification
Identity Verification (2026)
Google has significantly tightened verification requirements:
- Personal accounts: Government ID verification required, plus a selfie for face matching
- Organization accounts: Business registration documents, D-U-N-S Number, and contact verification
- Verification takes 2-7 business days
- You must verify before you can publish any app
Important Restrictions for New Accounts
- Must complete closed testing (12 testers, 14 days) before production publishing
- New personal accounts are limited in app publishing velocity
- Some app categories (finance, health, VPN) require additional verification
Account Management Tips
Apple
- Enable auto-renew to avoid losing your account (and your apps going offline)
- Set up App Store Connect users with appropriate roles early
- Keep your D-U-N-S information up to date if using an organization account
- Use a dedicated Google account for your Play Console (not your personal Gmail)
- Set up a developer page with your website, email, and physical address
- Link your Google Ads account early if you plan to run campaigns
- Enable two-step verification on your Google account
What Happens If Your Account Lapses
Apple
- Your apps are removed from the App Store
- Existing users keep the app but cannot re-download it
- TestFlight builds stop working
- You have a grace period to renew before Apple deletes everything
- Apps remain on the store (it is a one-time fee)
- If your account is terminated for policy violations, all apps are removed permanently
- You cannot create a new account after termination (Google tracks this)