As of this year, Apple requires that apps built on behalf of a client are built in that client's developer account. This means if you have an app or would like an app, you will need to create a Developer Account.
Having your own developer account will help when we need to update your app down the track, as it gives you greater control & allows us to create a better experience for your customers as well as ensuring that there is no drop in service in the likely event that Google and Apple change their requirements. Both Google and Apple have started enforcing identity protection of impersonation and intellectual property.
If you already have an existing Individual Developer Account, you can switch it over to a Company/Organisation account, which can provide more benefits than that of an Individual account.
Log In to your Apple Account
To convert your account type, Submit a request to Apple Developer Program Support.
- Open the Contact Us form from the Apple Developer Program
- Log in with the Apple ID and Password associated with your existing Apple Developer Program, if necessary
Fill out the form
- Select your Region
- Choose Account Updates and Renewals as your Subject
- Fill out the Message following this model:
"I would like to convert my account type from Individual to Organisation. My company currently does not hold an active Organisation membership.
Please refer to the information provided below. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the phone number listed. Thank you!"
- Name: CEO's First and Last Name.
- Organisation Name: Your Company Name, including the entity type Inc., Corp., LLC, LC, Ltd. Co., etc. This name will show up in the App Store as your app's seller/developer name.
- Account Type: Company / Organisation.
- D-U-N-S® Number: Your Company DUNS number.
- Address: Your Company Address.
- Phone Number: A phone number that Apple can reach you for additional questions or account verification.
- Click Send.
Within the next two weeks, Apple will call the phone number listed to verify your enrolment. Please make sure to notify the person who is going to answer the call.
Complete the process
After Apple calls and verifies your enrolment, you will receive an email from Apple asking you to fill out additional information about your organisation. Please follow the instructions in the email accordingly.
Note
If you haven't received the email from Apple after two weeks, please remember to check your Junk mail folder, just in-case.
Should I enrol as an individual or organisation?
If your company is a corporation (Corp., Inc.), limited liability company (LLC, LC, Ltd. Co.), or a legal entity (GmbH, AG, KG, oHg, etc.), you must enrol as an organisation or your app will be rejected.
Having an organisational membership with the Apple Developer Program gives you several advantages. For example, your company brand name will appear below the app name in the App Store, and you can invite additional developers to your team within your account.
However, if you are a sole proprietorship or a single person company, you must enrol as an individual.
Can I enrol as an individual and have my company appear as the seller on the App Store?
No. To have your company name appear as the seller, you must enrol as an organisation and your company must be recognised as a legal entity. If you are a sole proprietor/single person business, you must join as an individual and your legal name will appear as the seller.
How does the enrolment work?
When enrolling as an organisation, you can review the license agreement and purchase a membership after Apple Developer Support has verified your enrolment and sent you an email with the next steps. You can check your enrolment status in your Apple Developer Program. Be sure to sign in with the Apple ID you used to enrol.
Individuals and sole proprietors/single person businesses can review the license agreement and purchase a membership at the time of enrolment.
How much does a membership cost?
The Apple Developer Program membership is $99 per membership year in the United States and 99€ in Europe. This cost is the same for an individual membership and an organisational membership.
To provide a long-standing app, you must renew and pay for your membership every year.
What is a D-U-N-S® number and where can I find it?
The D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit number that identifies business entities on a location-specific basis. Assigned and maintained by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), the D-U-N-S Number is widely used as a standard business identifier.
While many types of businesses can receive a D-U-N-S Number, your business must be recognised as a legal entity (e.g. a corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company) to enter into the legal terms and obligations of Apple Developer Program agreements. DBAs, fictitious businesses, trade names, and branches are not accepted.
D&B may have already assigned your organisation a free D-U-N-S Number. Before enrolling, check if you already received one using the D-U-N-S Number lookup tool.
What should I do if I can't find my D-U-N-S number?
If your company is not listed here, you can submit your information to Dun & Bradstreet for a free D-U-N-S Number. You will be asked for the following information when requesting a D-U-N-S Number using the D-U-N-S Number lookup tool:
- Legal entity name
- Headquarters address
- Mailing address
- Your work contact information
As part of their verification process, a D&B representative may contact you for more information (e.g. type of business, the number of employees.) Please have your business registration documents ready.
If you would like more information on signing up for an Apple Developer account, please refer to this article.
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