Last Updated: February 1, 2026 Platforms: iOS, Android Version: 0.8.0

This checklist ensures a smooth, production-ready deployment of nChat mobile apps to the App Store and Play Store.

Estimated Time:

• iOS: 4-6 hours (first time), 2-3 hours (subsequent)
• Android: 3-5 hours (first time), 1-2 hours (subsequent)

iOS:

• Apple Developer account active ($99/year)
• Team ID and account holder identified
• Payment method on file
• Tax forms completed

Android:

• Google Play Developer account active ($25 one-time)
• Payment method on file
• Tax identification completed
• Organization verified (if applicable)

General:

• macOS 13+ (for iOS builds)
• Node.js 20+ installed
• pnpm 9.15.4+ installed
• Git repository access
• Code editor setup (VS Code, etc.)

iOS Specific:

• Xcode 15.0+ installed
• Xcode Command Line Tools installed
• CocoaPods 1.10+ installed
• Valid development certificate
• Valid distribution certificate

Android Specific:

• Android Studio Hedgehog+ installed
• Android SDK API 34 installed
• Java JDK 17 installed
• Gradle 8.0+ installed

• Firebase project created
• iOS app added to Firebase
  • Bundle ID: io.nself.chat
  • GoogleService-Info.plist downloaded
  • APNs key uploaded
• Android app added to Firebase
  • Package name: io.nself.chat
  • google-services.json downloaded
  • SHA-256 fingerprint added
• Analytics enabled
• Crashlytics enabled
• Cloud Messaging configured

• Sentry account created
• iOS project created
  • DSN obtained
  • Release tracking enabled
  • Source maps configured
• Android project created
  • DSN obtained
  • ProGuard mapping configured
  • Release tracking enabled

• .env.local configured:

  # Firebase
  NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_API_KEY=...
  NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID=...
  NEXT_PUBLIC_FIREBASE_APP_ID=...
  
  # Sentry
  NEXT_PUBLIC_SENTRY_DSN_IOS=...
  NEXT_PUBLIC_SENTRY_DSN_ANDROID=...
  
  # App Config
  CAPACITOR_APP_ID=io.nself.chat
  CAPACITOR_APP_NAME=nChat

• App ID created (io.nself.chat)
• Capabilities enabled:
  • Push Notifications
  • Associated Domains
  • Background Modes
  • App Groups (if needed)
• APNs key created and downloaded
  • Key ID saved
  • Team ID saved
  • .p8 file stored securely
• Development provisioning profile
• Distribution provisioning profile (App Store)
• Ad-hoc provisioning profile (optional)

• App created in App Store Connect
  • App name: nChat
  • Bundle ID: io.nself.chat
  • SKU: nchat-ios-v080
  • Primary language: English (U.S.)
• App information completed:
  • Privacy policy URL
  • Support URL
  • Marketing URL
  • Category: Social Networking
  • Secondary category: Productivity
• Tax and banking information
• Contracts and agreements signed

• Web app built:

  pnpm build && pnpm export

• Capacitor synced:

  cd platforms/capacitor
  npx cap sync ios

• CocoaPods installed:

  cd ios/App && pod install

• Xcode project opens without errors
• GoogleService-Info.plist added
• Info.plist configured:
  • All permissions with descriptions
  • URL schemes
  • Associated domains
  • Background modes
• Entitlements configured
• Build number incremented (800+)
• Version set to 0.8.0

• Builds on simulator (iPhone 14 Pro)
• Builds on simulator (iPad Pro)
• Runs on physical device:
  • iPhone (smaller screen)
  • iPhone (larger screen)
  • iPad (if supporting)
• Core features tested:
  • Login/signup
  • Send message
  • Upload photo
  • Record voice message
  • Push notifications
  • Offline mode
  • Background sync
  • Biometric auth
  • Deep linking
  • Camera access
  • Photo library access
• Performance verified:
  • Launch time <2s
  • Memory <100 MB idle
  • 60 FPS scrolling
  • Battery <5% per hour
• No crashes or critical bugs
• All console warnings resolved

• App archived in Xcode:
  • Product → Archive
  • Archive succeeded
  • Validate App (no errors)
• App uploaded to App Store Connect:
  • Distribute App → App Store Connect
  • Upload succeeded
  • Build appears in TestFlight
• Build processed successfully
• dSYM uploaded to Sentry (automatic)

• Screenshots captured:
  • 6.7" display (3-10 screenshots)
  • 6.5" display (3-10 screenshots)
  • 5.5" display (3-10 screenshots)
  • iPad 12.9" (optional, 3-10 screenshots)
• App description written (see template)
• Keywords researched and set
• Promotional text written
• Support URL live and tested
• Privacy policy URL live and tested
• Privacy practices completed
• Age rating completed (expected: 4+)
• App review information:
  • Demo account created
  • Contact information provided
  • Notes for reviewer written
• Export compliance answered
• Build selected for release
• Submitted for review

• TestFlight build available
• Test information completed
• Internal testers added (up to 100)
• External testers added (optional)
• Beta testing completed
• Feedback collected and addressed

• App created in Play Console
  • App name: nChat
  • Default language: English (United States)
  • Free or paid: Free
• Store presence configured:
  • App name
  • Short description (80 chars)
  • Full description (4000 chars)
  • App icon (512×512 PNG)
  • Feature graphic (1024×500)
  • Screenshots (phone required)
  • Category: Social & Communication
• Content rating completed:
  • IARC questionnaire filled
  • Rating certificate received
• Privacy policy URL set
• Data safety section completed

• Web app built:

  pnpm build && pnpm export

• Capacitor synced:

  cd platforms/capacitor
  npx cap sync android

• google-services.json added
• AndroidManifest.xml configured:
  • Permissions declared
  • Intent filters set
  • Metadata added
• ProGuard rules configured
• Build variants configured
• Version code incremented (800+)
• Version name set to 0.8.0

• Release keystore created:

  keytool -genkey -v \
    -keystore nchat-release.keystore \
    -alias nchat \
    -keyalg RSA \
    -keysize 2048 \
    -validity 10000

• keystore.properties created
• build.gradle configured for signing
• Keystore backed up securely
• Keystore password saved in password manager

• Builds in debug mode
• Runs on emulator:
  • Pixel 6 (1080x2400)
  • Pixel Tablet (2560x1600)
• Runs on physical devices:
  • Phone (smaller screen)
  • Phone (larger screen)
  • Tablet (if supporting)
• Core features tested:
  • Login/signup
  • Send message
  • Upload photo
  • Record voice message
  • Push notifications (FCM)
  • Offline mode
  • Background sync (WorkManager)
  • Biometric auth (fingerprint/face)
  • Deep linking (App Links)
  • Camera access
  • Gallery access
• Performance verified:
  • Launch time <2s
  • Memory <150 MB idle
  • 60 FPS scrolling
  • Battery <6% per hour
• No crashes or ANRs
• All lint warnings resolved

• Release bundle built:

  cd platforms/capacitor/android
  ./gradlew bundleRelease

• Bundle signed successfully
• Bundle optimized (ProGuard)
• Upload to Play Console:
  • Production track OR
  • Internal testing (recommended first)
• Release notes written
• Countries/regions selected
• Pricing confirmed (Free)

• Internal testing track created
• AAB uploaded to internal testing
• Release notes added
• Testers added (email list up to 100)
• Build distributed to testers
• Testing period (1-2 days minimum)
• Feedback collected
• Critical issues fixed
• Ready for production

• Production release created
• AAB uploaded
• Release notes completed
• Countries/regions confirmed
• Staged rollout configured:
  • Start with 5-10%
  • Monitor for 24-48 hours
  • Increase gradually
• Submitted for review

• All web features work on mobile
• iOS and Android feature parity
• No platform-specific bugs
• Consistent UI/UX across platforms

• Messages sync across devices
• Settings sync correctly
• Read receipts work
• Notifications work on all devices
• Offline changes sync when online

• Similar performance on both platforms
• Both meet target metrics
• No platform-specific slowdowns

iOS:

• App Store Connect analytics enabled
• Sentry iOS monitoring active
• Firebase Analytics tracking
• TestFlight feedback reviewed

Android:

• Play Console vitals dashboard
• Sentry Android monitoring active
• Firebase Analytics tracking
• Pre-launch reports reviewed

Both Platforms:

• Crash rate (<1%)
• ANR rate (<0.5% Android)
• Ratings (target >4.0 stars)
• Reviews (respond within 48h)
• Daily active users (DAU)
• User retention (day 1, 7, 30)
• Session duration
• Feature usage

• Monitor app store reviews
• Respond to negative reviews
• Thank positive reviews
• Collect feature requests
• Track common issues
• Plan next update

• Announce on website
• Blog post published
• Social media posts:
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Discord/Slack
• Email to users:
  • Existing web users
  • Beta testers
  • Waitlist subscribers
• Press release (if major launch)
• Update documentation

When needed:

• Critical bug affecting >10% users
• Security vulnerability
• Data loss issue
• Crash on launch

Process:

1. Fix issue in codebase
2. Increment build number only
3. Test fix thoroughly
4. Upload to TestFlight/Internal testing
5. Verify fix works
6. Submit to stores (expedited if possible)
7. 100% rollout (urgent)

Includes:

• Bug fixes
• Small improvements
• Performance tweaks

Process:

1. Fix bugs reported by users
2. Implement small features
3. Increment build number
4. Follow full testing process
5. Staged rollout

Includes:

• New features
• UI changes
• Major improvements

Process:

1. Plan features
2. Implement changes
3. Increment version number (0.9.0)
4. Beta test extensively
5. Marketing campaign
6. Staged rollout

If critical issue found:

1. Don't panic - users on old version OK
2. Pull new version from sale (optional)
3. Fix issue immediately
4. Submit new build (expedited review)
5. Communicate with users

Note: Can't rollback on iOS, only replace with fixed version

If critical issue found:

1. Halt staged rollout immediately
2. Fix issue in code
3. Build new version (increment build)
4. Test thoroughly
5. Upload and resume rollout

Rollback option:

• Can rollback to previous version if needed
• Only affects users on staged rollout
• Previous version becomes active

• Both apps approved and live
• <1% crash rate on both platforms
• > 4.0 star rating (target)
• > 1000 downloads in first week
• <5% uninstall rate
• Positive user feedback

• > 10,000 downloads (both platforms)
• > 4.2 star average rating
• <0.5% crash rate
• 50%+ day-7 retention
• 30%+ day-30 retention
• Active user engagement

Build fails:

# Clean build
rm -rf ~/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData
cd platforms/capacitor/ios/App
rm -rf Pods Podfile.lock
pod install --repo-update

Signing issues:

• Check provisioning profiles in Xcode
• Verify certificate expiration
• Re-download profiles from developer portal

Upload fails:

• Validate app in Xcode before uploading
• Check bundle ID matches exactly
• Verify all info.plist entries

Build fails:

# Clean build
cd platforms/capacitor/android
./gradlew clean
./gradlew --stop
./gradlew build

Signing issues:

• Verify keystore password
• Check keystore.properties path
• Ensure build.gradle configured correctly

Upload fails:

• Verify package name matches exactly
• Check version code is higher than previous
• Ensure bundle is signed with release keystore

• iOS: https://developer.apple.com/documentation
• Android: https://developer.android.com
• Capacitor: https://capacitorjs.com/docs
• Firebase: https://firebase.google.com/docs

• Email: [email protected]
• Slack: #mobile-deployment
• Docs: https://docs.nchat.io/deployment
• GitHub: https://github.com/nself/nself-chat/issues

• All tests pass
• No critical bugs
• Performance benchmarks met
• All assets uploaded
• All information accurate
• Privacy policy live
• Support infrastructure ready
• Team notified
• Monitoring configured
• Rollback plan documented

• Confirmation received
• Monitor review status
• Respond to reviewer questions <24h
• Prepare launch announcement
• Monitor crash reports
• Track user feedback
• Plan next update

Ready to deploy? Follow this checklist step by step. Good luck! 🚀

Questions? Contact [email protected]