Apple Developer Accounts: What They Are and How to Get One
Signing Certificates
19.03.2023
If you're interested in reliably sideloading apps, you can use your own Apple developer account. If you want to develope own apps for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, you'll need one. In this article, we'll explore what Apple Developer accounts are, why you might need one, and how to get one.
If you need to get an Apple Developer Account and avoid having to go through the process of ID/Business verifications and many other hassles that usually take several weeks at Apple:
What is an Apple Developer account?
An Apple Developer account is a type of account that allows you to create, sign, distribute, and manage apps for Apple devices. With an Apple Developer account, you can access various developer tools and resources, such as beta software, documentation, and sample code but also sign existing apps to be installed onto your iDevices. Additionally, you can distribute your apps on the App Store or distribute them to specific users or devices using ad-hoc or enterprise distribution.
Why do you need an Apple Developer account?
There are several reasons why you might need an Apple Developer account:
Sign and sideload apps: If you want to install apps onto your iDevice which are not available on the AppStore, you'll need a signing certificate for your iDevice. You can use an Apple Developer account to generate those for all your iDevices.
Suggested article: Sideloading iOS Apps: What It Is and How to Do It Safely
Develop and distribute apps: If you want to create and distribute apps for Apple devices, you'll need an Apple Developer account. This is because Apple requires developers to sign up for the program before they can access the developer tools and resources necessary to create and distribute apps.
Test beta software: Apple offers beta versions of their software to developers before they are released to the general public. If you want to test these beta versions on your devices, you'll need an Apple Developer account.
Access developer resources: Apple provides a wealth of developer resources to its registered developers, including documentation, sample code, and developer forums. If you want to access these resources, you'll need to sign up for an Apple Developer account.
How to get an Apple Developer account
Getting an Apple Developer account is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the steps:
Visit the Apple Developer website: To get started, visit the Apple Developer website at developer.apple.com.
Sign up for an account: Click on the "Account" tab and then click "Create Apple ID." Fill in your personal details and create a new Apple ID. If you already have an Apple ID, you can use it to sign in.
Enroll in the Apple Developer program: Once you have an Apple ID, click on the "Enroll" button in the top-right corner of the page. You'll be asked to choose which developer program you want to join, either the free "Individual" program or the paid "Company/Organization" program.
Complete the enrollment process: Follow the prompts to complete the enrollment process. This will involve providing some additional information about yourself or your organization, agreeing to the terms and conditions, and paying the annual fee (if you've chosen the paid program).
Wait for approval: After you've completed the enrollment process, you'll need to wait for Apple to approve your application. This usually takes a few days, and you'll receive an email notification once your account has been approved.
Conclusion
Apple Developer accounts can be really useful for sideloading and are essential for anyone who wants to create and distribute apps for Apple devices. With an Apple Developer account, you can access developer resources, test beta software, and distribute your apps on the App Store or through ad-hoc or enterprise distribution. Getting an Apple Developer account is a straightforward process, and with a little bit of patience, you can be up and running in no time.
