Apple Developer Fee
cost & renewal FAQ.

No. You can download Xcode for free from the Mac App Store, write Swift / SwiftUI / Objective-C code, build apps and run them on iOS simulators — all without paying Apple anything. The paid programme is only needed when you want to distribute the app to other people, via App Store or TestFlight.

Yes — since Xcode 7. Sign in with your free Apple ID, connect your device, and Xcode will install the build on your own iPhone/iPad. Limitations: builds expire after 7 days, you can run at most 3 free-Apple-ID apps on the same device at once, certain entitlements (push notifications, iCloud, Sign in with Apple, App Groups) are not available without the paid programme.

The $99 Individual programme lets you distribute apps to the public via the App Store and to up to 100 testers via TestFlight. The $299 Enterprise programme lets you distribute apps only to your own staff, with no App Store review — useful for line-of-business apps. Enterprise eligibility: a registered legal entity with 100+ employees and a clear internal use case. App Store distribution is forbidden under the Enterprise programme.

Annual. The fee renews every 12 months. If your subscription lapses, your apps remain on the App Store for a grace period and then get removed. You also lose access to Apple's developer tools, beta builds and developer support during a lapse.

Yes — within 14 days of purchase if you have not yet downloaded any developer software or used the program services. Apple's standard 14-day cooling-off period applies in the EU and the UK under consumer law. Contact Apple Developer Support to request the refund.

For a UK business (Ltd company or sole trader) the fee is a normal business expense, deductible against corporation tax / income tax. UK VAT registered businesses can reclaim the 20% VAT through their VAT return. For non-VAT-registered individuals, the VAT is non-recoverable.

You cannot transfer the Apple Developer account itself, but you can transfer individual apps between Apple Developer accounts. The recipient must also be a paid Apple Developer Program member. The transfer covers ratings, reviews, ranking and in-app purchase history. Some restrictions apply: the app must not use iCloud, Apple Pay, Passbook, or Game Center.

Since 2021, developers earning under $1M/year in App Store sales qualify for a reduced 15% commission (vs the standard 30%). You opt in once your account is approved — eligibility is checked annually. For most UK startups this is the relevant rate from day one.

Yes. The free Apple ID tier does not grant access to entitlements like Sign in with Apple, Push Notifications, iCloud, App Groups, Apple Pay, Game Center or Universal Links. These all require the $99 paid programme.

Apple's average is currently 24-72 hours from submission to decision, though edge cases (regulated industries, AI capabilities, accessibility issues) can push to 7-10 days. Magora ships every release to TestFlight first, then submits to App Store — so internal stakeholders and beta users get the build immediately while review runs in parallel.

Standard practice: the account is in your name, not ours. We help you register, verify and configure the App Store Connect side, but ownership stays with you from day one. That keeps IP, App Store reviews and analytics in your control — and means switching agencies later doesn't require a transfer dance. See more on our iOS development page.