Summary: This guide provides the complete checklist and step-by-step instructions needed to prepare and submit your custom church app, detailing the mandatory steps of creating Apple and Google Developer Accounts, granting Tithely admin access, gathering 501c3/Charitable ID documentation, and providing the loading screen design.
Before You Begin
- Tithely Handles Submission: Our team manages the complex building and submission process to the App Stores.
- Timeline: The process typically takes 4–6 weeks, primarily dependent on Apple and Google approval times.
- Warning: If you have an existing developer app from a different provider, discuss it with your onboarding coach first to confirm a smooth app update.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Developer App Checklist (Mandatory Steps)
1. Sign Up for an Apple Developer Account:
- Action: Follow the instructions in the related article, Creating An Apple Developer Account
- Note: Apple requires yearly membership renewal.
2. Sign Up for a Google Play Developer Account:
- Action: Follow the instructions in the related article, Creating An Android Developer Account
- Note: Google requires minimal oversight after the initial setup.
3. Add Tithely as an Admin:
- Action: Follow the instructions in the related article, Giving Tithely Access to Your Developer Accounts
- Required: Invite appdeployment@yourgiving.co as an Admin to both accounts.
4. Gather Documentation:
- Action: Collect a copy of your church/organization's 501c3 (US Accounts) or your Charitable ID documentation (International Accounts). [Apple & Google require this for verification.]
5. Loading Screen Design:
- Action: Design your own loading screen, or let Tithely create it with your logo and a colored background. Designing a Custom Loading Screen For Your App.
6. Complete the Developer Account Form.
- Action: Submit the form with all the gathered information.
Existing Developer App Checklist:
Warning
If you have an existing developer app from a different app provider, please talk with your onboarding coach to confirm that we can push an app update on top of your existing app, then follow the checklist below.
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Add Tithely as an Admin to your Apple and Google developer accounts
We'll guide you through this in Giving Tithely Access to Your Developer Accounts - If you have an existing app on Google Play, there is additional information we’ll need.
We'll guide you through this in Updating Your Existing Android App -
Gather the information needed to submit the Developer Account Form
A copy of your church/organization's 501c3 (US Accounts) or your Charitable ID documentation (International Accounts).
Apple & Google will need a copy of your 501c3/Charitable ID documentation before releasing your app into their stores.Loading Screen Design
You can design this on your own, or we can create this for you with your logo and a colored background. For more information on designing your own loading screen, see Designing a Custom Loading Screen For Your App.
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Complete the Developer Account Form.
Once we receive your form and confirm we have all of the above information, our team will handle the rest! This includes building and submitting your Developer App to the App Stores. This step typically takes 4 - 6 weeks. This timeline is primarily dependent on how long it takes both Apple & Google to accept and approve your app.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
- How long does the app submission take? The process typically takes 4–6 weeks, depending on the time Apple and Google require to accept and approve the app.
- Why does Tithely need admin access to my developer account? Tithely needs admin access to build and submit your Developer App to the App Stores on your behalf, managing the technical submission requirements. Giving Tithely Access to Your Developer Accounts
- What if I need to update an existing Android app? If you have an existing app on Google Play, there is additional information (like the original keystore file details) that Tithely will need to obtain, as detailed in the Updating Your Existing Android App.