Enroll in Apple Developer
Individual vs Organization affects ownership, listing name, and team collaboration. Decide upfront — changing entity later is far more expensive.
Account Type Comparison
| Aspect | Individual | Organization | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $99 | $299 |
| Publishing entity | Personal name | Company name | Internal distribution only |
| Add team members | No | Yes (role-based) | Yes |
| Requires D-U-N-S | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Solo developers | Teams / companies | Internal enterprise apps |
| Publish to App Store | Yes | Yes | No (internal only) |
Individual accounts cannot add team members (including helping colleagues upload builds or manage TestFlight). If you may need team collaboration, enroll as an Organization from the start. There is no direct “upgrade” path — switching requires re-enrollment as an organization.
Enrollment Steps
Step 1: Prepare an Apple ID
- Create an Apple ID (if needed) and enable Two-Factor Authentication — mandatory for developer accounts.
- Use a long-term email; all review and financial notices go there.
Step 2: Confirm entity info
- Individual: personal name (pinyin/English), address, contact.
- Organization: company legal name in English, registered address, contact.
Step 3: Request a D-U-N-S number (organization only)
- Request a D-U-N-S number from Dun & Bradstreet; usually 3-5 business days.
- Key pitfall: company name/address must match the business license, registered in English; mismatches cause verification failure.
Step 4: Purchase membership
- Sign in to Apple Developer → Enroll.
- Choose entity type and fill in details.
- Pay $99 with a card that supports international payments.
- Submit and wait for review.
Step 5: Wait for approval
- Individual accounts are usually faster (1-2 days); organization accounts may take longer.
- After approval, you can sign in to App Store Connect.
FAQ / Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| D-U-N-S mismatch | Verify English name/address against business license; update with Dun & Bradstreet |
| Cannot pay | Card international payment support, billing address, sufficient balance |
| Review taking too long | Check spam folder; verify entity info; contact Apple support |
| Switch Individual to Organization | Requires re-enrollment; app transfers handled separately |
Self-Check List
- Apple ID has 2FA enabled
- Entity type decided and materials ready
- Organization D-U-N-S confirmed (if applicable)
- Membership purchased and approval email received
- Can sign in to App Store Connect
Author’s Note
Account entity is a “high-cost if wrong” decision: it determines app ownership, store display name, and team permissions. If you are unsure whether you will need team collaboration, an Organization account is safer — provided you have company qualifications; for personal projects, an Individual account is enough.
For official details, follow the Enroll flow on Apple Developer; Apple policies may change, so refer to the latest official information.
PreviousGetting StartedEnroll a developer account, understand the App Store Connect interface, and configure roles and permissions. The foundation for every later chapter.
NextApp Store Connect Interface OverviewUnderstand the main modules of App Store Connect — home, My Apps, TestFlight, App Analytics — and quickly locate common entries.