What Opportunities Does the Apple Developer Program Offer Developers?
And when is it worth paying for?
Anyone can start programming their apps and tools for Apple’s operating systems. The only requirement is an Apple computer and a desire to learn. After that, it’s pretty simple: download the Xcode development environment directly from the Mac App Store and start developing your creations.
There’s virtually nothing to restrict you in this respect — so you can make as many apps as you like. So anyone can learn to code for iOS, macOS, tvOS or watchOS. Apple also offers a series of various tutorials that explain the basics and unique technologies or even demonstrate the development of some applications from A to Z.
Everyone will find something for themselves, regardless of whether they prefer to read the documentation or the so-called school of play. Even though the Xcode environment and the tutorials above or documentation are free, Apple will still ask for a subscription at some point, which can take you a bit further.
Any developer can join the so-called Apple Developer Program, for which Apple charges $99 per year. If you’re considering learning to program in Swift, for example, and are considering getting this license, then this article is for you. Together, we’ll look at the benefits of participating in the program and answer whether you need it.
What the Apple Developer Program offers
First of all, let’s take a look at what the Apple Developer Program offers. First and foremost, as a developer, you’ll get access to beta testing of new operating systems. You can help optimise them, take advantage of specific innovations, and incorporate them into your apps.
The solution will also give you access to a number of quite useful tools. You’ll have practically everything Apple offers its developers at your fingertips. Without a doubt, the main reason for joining the program is the possibility of subsequent distribution.
After you pay, you’ll become a verified developer, which makes you eligible to publish your creations to the (Mac) App Store. This is especially important when developing iOS apps. Within the iOS operating system, new software can only be installed from a single source — the official App Store — as sideloading is not supported.
So without the Apple Developer Program, you cannot get your creation to people. You can try it out in Simulator (macOS) or on your device. But there is no other option.
For distribution and subsequent management, there is specifically the so-called App Store Connect or the environment for developers who can completely manage their apps and development teams, respond to reviews, set prices and subscriptions, deal with updates or prepare software for beta testing/internal use.
This also includes access to detailed statistics with various metrics. This is one place where a developer can find everything for their software — whether in terms of management or analytics. In the case of macOS, however, the Mac App Store can be bypassed entirely.
However, you can still have your apps officially notarized by Apple, which will be signed directly with your Developer ID. When you try to install/run them, macOS won’t worry about security because it will know that the software is from a known developer.
Code-level support is also an ultimate benefit, where you can contact Apple’s software engineers directly to discuss any issues plaguing your creations.
When to join the Apple Developer Program
Finally, let’s turn to a rather fundamental question. When is a good time to join the Apple Developer Program and invest $99 a year? However, if you’re new to developing apps for Apple platforms and are just learning, it probably doesn’t make sense to join the program right away.
Once you’ve gained the necessary experience and a good idea that you’d like to get out to people, this option is already in place. However, you can get by without paying in the beginning.
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