First App.
Your learning space A little progress, every day
CHAPTER 08Lesson 26 of 36

Understand Apple membership

You can keep learning and testing on your own iPhone for free. Join Apple’s paid programme when you are ready for TestFlight or the App Store.

On your Mac5 min read & do
By the end of this lesson

Decide whether to enrol now, and understand which name people will see.

Let’s do this

  1. 1
    On your Mac

    Know what membership adds

    Membership is what lets you use TestFlight with family, send the app to the App Store, and switch on features such as iCloud. It costs US$99 each year, or the price Apple shows for your country. Your ChatGPT payment does not cover it.

  2. 2
    On your Mac

    Choose individual or organisation

    For an individual enrolment, Apple uses your legal personal name as the App Store seller name. A nickname or an app name does not replace it. An organisation must be a recognised legal entity and meet Apple’s checks.

  3. 3
    On your Mac

    Check you are ready

    Have an Apple Account with two-factor authentication, a legal name and address, a way to verify your identity and a supported payment method. You must meet the legal age requirement in your region. Use your own account.

  4. 4
    On your Mac

    Make a deliberate choice

    Read Apple’s enrolment page and the local annual price. If you are still changing the basic idea, return to the free testing lessons and join later. Paying does not guarantee App Store approval.

    Apple Developer enrolment (opens a new tab)
Apple’s enrolment guide explaining Apple Account requirements and the legal seller name for individuals.View larger
Apple’s official enrolment guide, captured 7 September 2026. Read the Individuals section before deciding which name will appear in the App Store.Screenshot source (opens a new tab)

A message for Codex

Review my first iPhone app, an iPhone app for the people I want to help that helps them [describe the problem my app should solve]. Explain which of its current features need paid Apple membership and which can still be tested for free. Do not enrol, purchase anything or change signing settings.

Make this message fit your idea.

What you should see

You know the annual cost, your likely public seller name and why you would join.

A couple of words, explained

Seller name
The person or organisation Apple identifies as the provider of an app.

If you get stuck

Go at your own pace. There is no test to pass.

Checked 7 September 2026. Screens can change; the official guides below have the latest steps.

Apple Developer enrolmentApple’s free developer accountApple’s App Review guidance