It is getting closer and closer to WWDC 2020, which will be held next Monday. In this event, countless developers will meet to learn about new Apple technologies to implement them in their projects. If you want to create an Apple developer account, here we will explain in a detailed and simple way how to do it.
To begin with, you will wonder what this type of account is for. You should know that Apple creates this functionality to create more advanced functionalities and distribute your apps in a more comfortable and simple way.
In addition, this will allow you to join the Apple Developer Program and be able to distribute your applications through the App Store, Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager although the latter two will depend on whether they are available at your place of residence.
Within these types of accounts, you have the option to join the Apple Developer Enterprise Program. In this program, you will be able to access many more options related to your membership, such as access to Certificates, identifiers and profiles or technical support on code, among other available options.
Apple also has a developer app that you can find out about here. In addition, on the occasion of WWDC 2020 (which you can continue here), it presents certain novelties.
How do i do it?
It’s easier than it seems to sign up as a developer. To start, you have to know that it is essential to have an Apple ID that has two-factor authentication activated. This requirement is necessary so that only you are the person who accesses said account. Once you have the authentication activated you must perform the following steps:
- Go to the website and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Enter all the data that the web requires. Here, you should know that it is not advisable to enter a nickname or a company instead of your name and surname, since this could generate an error and therefore a delay in the registration process.
- After this, you will have to choose according to whether you want to register as a natural person or as an organization . Here we must make a point; If you register as a natural person, your name will appear as a seller in the App Store. In the event that you register for example as an employee of a company or a non-profit organization, what will appear in the App Store as a seller will be the name of the organization that you are going to put.
- Finally, you will proceed to pay the membership , which has a cost of € 99 per year. If you choose to enroll in the Apple Developer Enterprise Program, the price of this subscription will be € 299 per year. Apple’s own page tells you that once inside your profile, you can choose whether you want to automatically update this membership.
If you register as an organization
If you register as an organization, Apple makes a series of points when registering as such. Within the verification process, Apple will ask you for your business name and D ‑ U ‑ N ‑ S number. Once you are a member, you can add additional members to your team. We detail what you will need to register as an organization:
- The status of legal entity as an organization in order to be able to sign contracts with Apple. The company does not accept “companies with trade names, shell companies, trade names, or branches.”
- D ‑ U ‑ N ‑ S number to verify your identity and legal entity status. These nine digit numbers are issued by Dun & Bradstreet and are often used as business identifiers. You may already have a D ‑ U ‑ N ‑ S number, although you can request one if necessary. In most cases these numbers are granted free of charge.
- Binding legal authority through legal agreements as a person who enrolls the organization in the Apple Developer Program. To do this, you must be the owner or founder of the organization, member of the executive committee, senior project leader or employee with legal authority granted by a senior employee
- A website where your organization must be available to the public. In addition, the web domain name will need to be associated with the organization.
What else should I know?
Before proceeding to enroll with an Apple developer account, you must comply with the following recommendations:
- You only have to register if you want to distribute apps, access beta versions of software or perform integration with certain features such as Siri, Apple Pay or iCloud. If you want to install apps or tools on a device, you can do it for free with Xcode.
- You must pay close attention to the points made by Apple about registering as a natural person or as an organization. If you have registered as an individual and have to convert your account into a corporate one, Apple advises you to contact them.
- The most advisable thing is that you have a Mac in order to develop better apps for the different Apple platforms. Anyone can count as long as they have an Intel processor and can run macOS High Sierra in version 10.13 or later. If you are looking for a Mac at an affordable price, you can look here.
- There is no program for students as such, but learning to develop apps is free. As we have pointed out before, accessing Xcode, you can download the various tools that will help you get started in app development. Later you can test them on your devices. If you are a student of an educational institution enrolled in the iOS Developer University Program that offers iOS development classes in which you are registered, you can access memories of the membership and benefits available. On the contrary, if you want to distribute your apps, you will have to access the Apple Developer Program. It is true that Apple has student programs like Swift to incentivize their training. In addition, it has discounts and offers for students in its services.
