Transfer your app to another iOS Developer Account

Apple states all apps must be submitted by the provider of the app’s content using their own, unique Apple Developer Account, this also applies to existing, already published apps.

If you currently have one or more apps published on your developer account, the Apple review will now include this check when you submit a store update. In order to avoid any disruptions in the availability of your app in the iOS store, please make sure all your apps are published on a matching developer account. If the app and the developer account do not match, Apple will potentially reject the update. Your older version of the app will remain available.

Fortunately it is possible, and relatively simple, to transfer the ownership of an app to another developer without removing the app from the App Store. When an app is transferred it will keep its reviews and ratings and users will still have access to future updates. You can transfer multiple apps, without limit, but all apps have to be transferred individually.

Step 1: Verify that the app can be transferred

The app must meet specific criteria to be transferable.

App transfer criteria

Before an app can be transferred it has to meet the following criteria:

  • Both accounts can’t be in a pending or changing state, and the latest version of the agreements in the Agreements, Tax, and Banking section must be accepted.
  • No version of the app can use an iCloud entitlement.
  • No version of the app can use a Passbook entitlement.
  • The App must have had at least one version that has been released to the App Store.
  • In-app purchase product IDs on the app can’t be the same as product IDs on any apps in the recipient’s account.
  • TestFlight beta testing should be turned off for all beta versions of the app.
  • Sandboxed Mac apps that share the Application Group Container Directory with other Mac apps cannot be transferred.

Step 2: Backup all app information

Because an app is removed from your account after an app transfer, we recommend you backup all information about the app before you transfer it. It’s a good idea to keep a record of your appʼs metadata and pricing, note dates the app was available on the App Store, and save sales and download information.

Step 3: Initiate the app transfer

The team agent in your organization initiates the app transfer.

Step 4: Accept the app transfer

The team agent in the recipient organization accepts the app transfer.

 Initiate an app transfer

Required role: Legal (Team Agent).

  1. Click "My Apps" on the homepage. A list of all apps will display. Select the app you want to transfer and scroll to the 'Additional Information' section, click "Transfer App,' then click "Done."

  2.  If your app meets all the criteria mentioned in the start of this article, click "Done." If the app doesn't meet all criteria you should resolve the issues.

  3. Enter the Apple ID and Team ID for the recipient’s team agent, and click "Continue."
  4. Read the terms, select “I have read and agree to the agreement presented above,” and click "Request Transfer."

  5. Click "Done" to return to the App Information page.

After you initiate the transfer, the app stays in its previous status, with the Pending App Transfer status added, until the recipient accepts it.

Accept an app transfer

1. Sign in to iTunes Connect as the Team Agent. A notice indicates that an app is ready to be transferred.

2. Click "Agreements, Tax and Banking."

3. Below "Transfer Agreements," click "Review" next to the app in the "Contracts In Process"  section.

  • Support URL
  • Atom feed URL (required if the app previously had an atom feed URL)
  • Marketing URL (required if the app previously had a marketing URL)
  • Privacy policy URL (required if the app previously had a privacy policy URL)
  • CCATS (a new CCATS form is required for apps that use export compliance)
  • App Review contact information
  • App Store contact information

5. Read the terms, select “I have read and agree to the agreement presented above,” and click "Accept."

It can take up to two business days for the app transfer to complete, during which the app status is "Processing App Transfer."