Using the BuddyBoss Publishing Service

Introduction

Publish your apps using the BuddyBoss Publishing Service. The BuddyBoss Publishing Team manages the review process to ensure your mobile app meets Apple App Store and Google Play Store guidelines. Follow this guide to get your app published efficiently.

The app publishing service includes:

• Having a dedicated member of the publishing team assigned to your publish request to manually review your app and its store listing information first to assess your submission and guide you through any recommended changes necessary to meet the app store’s strict guidelines, helping you get a smooth publishing experience.
• After your app passes our internal review process, we submit your build to the app stores for you. It is then reviewed again by Apple or Google who will verify it meets their requirements.
• If the app submission requires any further revisions, we manage all communication with the app store review team for you and recommend any final adjustments you might need to make.

Before You Begin

Ensure all app customizations are finalized because app screenshots must be generated as part of the publishing checklists for your white-label app.

Note: The video tutorials are currently being updated to match the current requirements and interfaces of the involved platforms. In the meantime, refer to the PDF version for assistance.

Publishing Your iOS App

Complete the Apple App Store Publishing Checklist

1. Before you begin, complete all steps in the Apple App Store Publishing Checklist. Once complete, follow these steps to submit a publish request:

Access the Publishing Service

2. In your WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss App > Publishing Service > Apple App Store.

Submit Your Publish Request

1. Complete the Publishing Checklist questionnaire, then click Confirm.
   

• Select Yes to all options; all steps in the checklist are required for the BuddyBoss Publishing Team to complete your request.
  

2. Select the Build Version you wish to publish to the Apple App Store, then click Confirm Build.
   
   • This build will be uploaded to App Store Connect by the BuddyBoss Publishing Team.
     
   • Only Release App builds of your iOS app can be published.
     
3. Review the App Store Version, then click Confirm Version.
   
   • Ensure you have fully prepared a new version for release in App Store Connect before publishing.
     
   • If any information is missing, enter it in App Store Connect and click Check Again.
     
4. In the Review Options section, choose how you want the BuddyBoss Publishing Team to process your request:
   
   • Decide if you want BuddyBoss to respond to Apple on your behalf.
     
   • Alternatively, you may choose to respond yourself.
     
5. Click Submit for Review.
   

Note: To avoid delays, refrain from changing your app or version information in App Store Connect while your request is in progress.

Publishing Your Android App

Complete the Google Play Store Publishing Checklist

1. Before you begin, complete all steps in the Google Play Store Publishing Checklist. Once complete, follow these steps to submit a publish request:

Access the Publishing Service

1. In your WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss App > Publishing Service > Google Play Store.

 Submit Your Publish Request

1. Complete the Publishing Checklist questionnaire, then click Confirm.
   

• Select Yes to all options; all steps in the checklist are required for the BuddyBoss Publishing Team to complete your request.
  

2. Select the Build Version you wish to publish to the Google Play Store, then click Confirm Build.
   
   • This build will be uploaded to Google Play Console by the BuddyBoss Publishing Team.
     
   • Only Release App builds of your Android app can be published.

Enter Google Play Details

1. In the Google Play Details section:
   

• Enter your Google Developer Account ID.
  
  • Log in to the Google Play Console
    
  • In the sidebar, go to Settings > Developer account > Account details.
    
  • Click Copy ID and paste it into the Developer ID field.
    
• Confirm your Release Name and Release Notes.
  
  • This information will define the latest release in the Production track.
    
• Click Confirm Details.
  

3. In the Review Options section, choose how you want the BuddyBoss Publishing Team to process your request:
   
   • Decide if you want BuddyBoss to respond to Google on your behalf.
     
   • Alternatively, you may choose to respond yourself.
     
4. Click Submit for Review.
   

Note: To avoid delays, refrain from changing your app or release information in Google Play Console while your request is in progress.

Responding to Recommended Changes

After submitting a publish request, the BuddyBoss Publishing Team will keep you updated via email. If we identify changes necessary for approval by Apple or Google, you will receive an email detailing the recommended adjustments. 

To respond to these changes:

1. In your WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss App > Publish > Apple App Store or BuddyBoss App > Publish > Google Play Store, depending on which request you are addressing.
   
2. Under Have you made the recommended changes?, select the appropriate answer:
   
   • Yes, please review the changes – select this if you have implemented the recommended changes. The BuddyBoss team will review these changes before resubmitting to Apple or Google.
     
   • No, please submit to Apple/Google with the current information – select this if you choose not to make the changes. Note that this may increase your chance of rejection by Apple or Google.
     
3. Under Do you want to change the build version?, select the appropriate answer:
   
   • Select Yes if the recommended changes require a new build, then specify the new build to use.
     
   • Select No if the changes do not require a new build.
     
4. Press Submit Response.
   

Responding to Apple and Google

Apple or Google may reject your app during their review. 

If your app is rejected, you will receive an email outlining the reasons for rejections and the steps to resolve their objections.

If you opted for the BuddyBoss Publishing Team to manage communications, we will respond to all correspondence on your behalf until your app is approved. Should further changes be necessary, we will notify you with the recommended adjustments.

Publishing New Versions of Your Apps

Once your apps are live on the app stores, you can publish new versions by following these dedicated tutorials:

• Publishing to the Apple App Store 
• Publishing to the Google Play Store