Today, in the first of our posts on getting started with iOS Application Development, we will take a look at how to register as an Apple Developer.
There are a number of benefits to registering, the chief amongst them being access to the Software Development Kit (SDK) and a whole range of technical documentation and sample code that Apple provides so, for the benefit of those new to iOS Development, in this post we’ll work our way step-by-step through the process of creating a new Apple ID and registering with Apple as a developer.
Lets Get Started
To get started open a web browser and head to https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll/
Apple provides two main choices for registering as an Apple Developer. If you already have an iTunes or iCloud Account or have used the Apple Online Store before, you can use your existing Apple ID for your development activities. For me though, I decided to take the second option and create a brand new Apple ID. My thinking was that by having a separate Apple ID I could separate my app development activities from my personal account and is the assumption I’m going to make when I work through the rest of the process later in this post.
Creating a New Apple ID
If you’re following along and have already navigated to the registration page, select ‘Create Apple ID’. This brings up a four-stage wizard that Apple provides to guide you through the process of signing up for a new Apple ID. Enter your details (email address and password), Security Information and Personal Information and then select ‘Continue’.
Completing Your Professional Profile
On the next screen you can enter information about you and your App Development activities. This includes which Apple Platforms you will be developing for, what your likely market will be and whether or not your currently enrolled in a College or University. My answers were as follows:
- Platforms: For me (and hopefully the readers of this blog), I’m going to be focusing on iOS Development so I selected that radio button.
- Markets: In terms of market, I guess you won’t really know yet (I certainly didn’t) so unless you have a killer app idea and already you know which market your idea fits into choose the market that is likely to be most relevant. For me I couldn’t really decide so I just selected Utility applications as a starter for ten.
- College / University: – As to College or University, those days have gone for me I’m afraid but if they are applicable to you, select the check box.
- Which type of iOS Applications do you plan on developing?: – I chose ‘Utilities’ again.
- Primary Category for Your Applications: – I went for Commercial Applications.
- How many years have you been developing for Apple platforms?: – I said that I was ‘New to Apple Platforms’
- Do you develop on other mobile platforms? – I said no.
Once you’ve completed the information relevant to you, select ‘Continue’.
Agreeing to the Apple Developer Agreement
The penultimate step in the registration process is agreeing to the Apple Developer Agreement. Make sure you read the agreement carefully as it’s a legally binding document. Once you’re happy select the check-box to confirm that you have read and agreed to it and then select ‘I Agree’. Apple should now send you a confirmation email through the ether.
Confirming Your Details
The final step of the registration process is to enter the verification code from the email that Apple sent you. In my case I receive the email pretty swiftly but your mileage may vary depending on the speed of your mail servers. If after an hour or so you haven’t received it, make sure you check your bulk mail or spam folders as some times over-zealous emails filters can drag the email into the black whole of the junk mail folder.
Your Officially an Apple Developer!
Once you’ve retrieved the email enter the code included and select ‘Continue’.
As a side note, if the email takes some time and you have to close the browser don’t worry too much. Apple provides a link within the email that will allow you to confirm your email address at a later date.
All that remains is to follow the link in the email and select the ‘Continue’ button and voilà, you’re officially registered as an Apple Developer! Congratulations!
From Apples confirmation page, select ‘Continue’. Once you do, you’ll be logged into the Apple Member Center, the central hub where you will manage your Apple Developer Account and get access to all the member benefits associated with it. For now, feel free to explore this area on your own we’ll be revisiting it in later posts. As another tip, if you ever want to get back to the member center fire up your browser and visit http://developer.apple.com/membercenter and log in with your new Apple ID.
Summary
In today’s post we’ve walked through process of registering with Apple as a Developer. In the next post when we take a look at taking the next big step in our iOS Developer journey, one that is critical if you want to run your apps on a physical device such as an iPhone, iPad or iPad Mini or distribute your apps via the App Store – Enrolling in an iOS Developer Program. Stay tuned!