Full program: analyses, beta versions and code support
You are a developer and would like to finally distribute your app in the App Store? Then there's no way to avoid joining Apple's
Developer Program. A membership includes a variety of benefits and valuable resources that are important in developing a
successful app. Developed software can be seamlessly integrated with the latest operating systems such as macOS, iOS or even
watchOS. You get extended access to Apple's own SDK including kits to create, test and later issue passes and cards to your
users e.g. with ARKit Augmented Reality or just with PassKit and Apple Pay together with Kortpress.
Talking about testing: The app TestFlight can be downloaded from the App Store for free. Together with an
Apple Developer Program membership, you get the opportunity to share your software with up to 10,000 testers by sharing links to
your project. After successful testing, you will be given accurate analytics on user engagement, marketing campaigns and also
monetization. This is completely automated and requires no further technical implementation.
The fee for a year of membership is $99, but may even be waived depending on your organization or institution. As described
above, you then get access to all OS beta versions, advanced app features, and tools to develop, test, and distribute your
software. A Developer ID also lets you distribute plug-ins and installation packages via a certificate authenticated by Apple.
This means that your software can be released to devices as soon as your testers need to review the app or application. You also
need this Apple-issued certificate for Kortpress to create an Apple Wallet Pases. You can read more about Kortpress and their
required credentials below in the Kortpress and Apple Wallet
Section.
Another option to get into development first without the Apple Developer Program is to register for free with an Apple ID.
Developer tools like Xcode are available on the Mac in the App Store anyway. You can use them to run tests on devices, or
research solutions in the Apple Forum. But if you already know at the beginning of your project that you want to publish your
app, it is worth joining the Apple Developer Program from the beginning and take advantage of the benefits and support.
Figure 1: Apple Developer Program membership includes the App Store Connect.
Web application to get meaningful statistics of your app.
Kortpress and Apple Wallet
If you decide to use our product Kortpress, a
membership in Apple Developer Program is a requirement. But why is that? Well,
since you as a future publisher want to "access" your users' devices and load Passes and Cards into their wallets, you need an
encrypted certificate (P12 key) that is used by various security and encryption programs. You will receive this file only if you
are a member of the said program. It contains data about you, your company, but also about each team member. This is a security
level on the side of Apple, so that no fictitious companies or branches can install unauthorized apps on the devices of their
customers.
In addition to the security aspect, additional information for creating a passport or card is issued to you via the connected
Apple Developer Account. For iOS in particular, these are: a Team Identifier, the Pass Type Identifier, the Pass Certificate and
the associated Password. You will need these four files (or credentials) later in the Kortpress web app to create coupons,
tickets, or member passes, for example. If you want to create passes and cards for the Android operating system or for Google
Pay, you will also need similar files. If you have successfully joined the Apple Developer Program and created your credentials,
you can start creating many pass types right away! Feel free to take advantage of our free trial
package and benefit
from many advantages of digital passport creation. We are looking forward to
hear from you!
You can find more information about Kortpress at https://kortpress.io
You can also find help on how to create credentials in the help section.
Figure 2: Kortpress web application; for the creation of passes and cards, credentials and a
P12 key are required
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