App Store and Google Play Launch Checklist for UAE Apps

An App Store and Google Play launch checklist saves weeks of delay. Many apps are finished but not ready: the developer account is not verified, the privacy answers are wrong, the screenshots are missing or the review team cannot sign in. This checklist walks you through everything to prepare, from accounts to the first week after release, with extra points for UAE and Arabic-speaking audiences.

1. Set up your developer accounts

• Apple Developer Program. Register in your company's name. Organisations are typically asked for a D-U-N-S number and business details, and approval can take time.
• Google Play Console. Create an account and complete the identity and business verification the console asks for.
• Use company details, not a personal account, so the app stays with the business if staff change.
• Check current fees and requirements on each store, because they change.

Source: Arka Softwares typical timelines, from kick-off to launch. Scope changes the timeline.

2. Prepare your store listing

• App name and subtitle. Clear, memorable and relevant to what people search.
• Description. Lead with the main benefit, use simple language and include your key search phrases naturally.
• Icon and screenshots. Show the main benefit in the first two screenshots. Use the sizes each store asks for.
• Preview video (optional but helpful) showing the app in use.
• Category and keywords. Choose the category that fits best and research the words your customers use.
• Arabic listing. Add Arabic text and screenshots for the UAE, since many users search in Arabic.
• Support and marketing links. A working support email or page and a website.

3. Complete privacy and compliance information

• Privacy policy URL. A public page that explains what you collect, why and how users can contact you.
• Data collection answers. Apple's privacy details and Google's data safety form must match what the app and its third-party tools really do.
• Age rating. Answer the content questionnaire honestly.
• Permissions. Ask only for permissions you need, and explain why at the moment you ask.
• Legal terms. Terms of use and, where relevant, rules for contests or user content.

Read our guide to mobile app security and data protection in the UAE for more on privacy.

4. Test before you submit

• Test on real devices, across screen sizes and recent OS versions, in both Arabic and English.
• Use the stores' testing tools. Apple offers TestFlight for beta testing, and Google Play offers internal and other testing tracks.
• Run complete journeys, including sign-up, payment, refunds and account deletion.
• Check the release build, not only the development build, because behaviour can differ.
• Check crash reporting and analytics are working, so you see problems from day one.

5. Prepare for the review

• Provide demo access. If the app needs sign-in, give reviewers a working test account and any one-time codes they need.
• Write clear review notes explaining features that are hard to find or that need special conditions, such as location.
• Make sure everything works. Broken links, placeholder text and crashes are common causes of rejection.
• Follow payment rules. Digital goods and subscriptions sold inside the app usually must use the store's payment system.
• Check sign-in rules. If you offer social sign-in, review the stores' current requirements for alternatives.
• Offer account deletion inside the app where accounts can be created, as the stores require.

Source: Arka Softwares guidance for maintenance after launch.

Common reasons for rejection

• The app crashes or has obvious bugs.
• Reviewers cannot sign in or reach the main features.
• The listing and the app do not match, or the description makes misleading claims.
• Privacy answers do not match what the app collects.
• Payments for digital content avoid the store's system.
• The app is too thin, copies another app or is unfinished.

Rejections are common for first submissions. Read the message carefully, fix the issue and resubmit quickly.

6. Plan your release

• Soft launch. Release to a small group or a limited audience first, and collect feedback and reviews.
• Staged rollout. Both stores let you release to a percentage of users and increase it as you gain confidence.
• Choose your date. Avoid launching right before a holiday when your team is away, and allow time for review.
• Prepare support. Have people ready to answer questions in Arabic and English.

7. After launch

• Watch crashes, ratings and reviews daily during the first week, and reply to feedback.
• Track installs, activation and retention, not only downloads.
• Fix serious problems quickly with a patch release.
• Ask happy users for a rating at a natural moment, not on first open.
• Plan the first update, based on what real users do.

Launch checklist at a glance

• Developer accounts are verified in the company name.
• Listings are complete in English and Arabic, with screenshots and an icon.
• Privacy policy, data answers and age rating are accurate.
• The release build is tested on real devices.
• Reviewers have demo access and clear notes.
• Payments and sign-in follow store rules, and account deletion works.
• Crash reporting and analytics are live.
• A staged rollout and support plan are ready.

We handle store preparation and submission for every app we build. See our iOS and Android services, or read iOS vs Android: which to build first in the UAE.

For the full picture, read our complete guide to mobile app development in UAE. When you are ready, see our mobile app development services in Dubai or book a free consultation.