Managing an Apple Account is essential for keeping your branded app active and up-to-date in the App Store. Apple requires account owners to meet several compliance, verification, and licensing steps before any new app submission or update can move forward.
This article explains the most common issues that block branded app publishing and updates, such as the Trader Declaration, licensing agreements, and expired memberships. You’ll learn how to identify each issue and the steps the Apple Account owner must take to resolve them.
Please note that only the Apple Account owner can complete these steps, as Apple restricts specific actions to the primary account holder.
Summary
Understand the Apple Account requirements that can block branded app submissions.
Complete the mandatory Trader Declaration for EU compliance.
Accept updated Apple Program Licensing and Paid Apps agreements.
Renew an expired Apple Developer membership to restore App Store availability.
Learn where to find required Apple actions (Business tab in the Apple Developer portal).
Confirm which steps only the Apple Account Owner can complete.
Trader Declaration
The Trader Declaration is a mandatory requirement introduced as part of Apple’s EU policy under the Digital Markets Act. Apple must verify the contact information of traders for all apps distributed in the EU. This includes your business address, phone number, and email address, which Apple displays on your App Store product page.
For more details, visit: Manage European Union Digital Services Act trader requirements.
To complete the Trader Declaration:
From the Apple Developer home page, open the Business tab.
Next to Digital Services Act, click Complete Compliance Requirements.
Select one of the following options:
I'm a trader under the DSA
I'm not a trader under the DS or I don't plan to distribute in the EU
If you select "I'm not a trader under the DS or I don't plan to distribute in the EU", click Done, and no further steps are required.
If you select “I'm a trader under the DSA”, enter or confirm the required contact information and click Next.
Validate the email address using two-factor authentication.
Validate the phone number using two-factor authentication. If your number cannot receive verification codes, request manual verification.
Upload documentation that verifies your business name and address.
Acceptable documents include business or legal records.
If you display an alternate address (such as a P.O. Box), provide documentation that shows your connection to it (for example, a receipt or bill).
When you’re done, click Next.
Review the information and click Confirm.
Steps 4–7 are taken from Apple's official article on the Trader Declaration. However, some clients report that Apple may not require all the steps listed above. The workflow may vary depending on your account.
Program Licensing Agreement
Apple updates the Program Licensing Agreement several times a year. Every time a new version is released, the Apple Account Owner must accept it before app submissions and updates can proceed.
If you don’t see a prompt immediately, you can usually locate the agreement on the Business tab in the Apple Developer portal.
Expired Membership
An expired Apple Developer membership is a common reason why a branded app suddenly becomes unavailable in the App Store.
To resolve this issue, the Apple Account Owner must renew the membership. After renewal:
The app should return to the store.
The support team can resume submitting updates.
It may take up to 24 hours for the app to reappear. If it does not return after that period, contact Apple Developer Support.
Paid Apps Agreement
Even though your branded app is offered for free, some Apple Account Owners have previously accepted the Paid Apps Agreement.
If Apple updates the agreement and it isn’t accepted in time, the pending update may be blocked.
To resolve this:
Open the Business tab in the Apple Developer portal.
Review and accept the updated Paid Apps Agreement.