Blog
App Store screenshot tips, ASO guides, and launch strategies for indie developers.
Screenshots & ASO
App Store Search Ranking: How the Algorithm Works in 2026
What Apple's App Store ranking algorithm actually weighs in 2026 — keyword relevance, install velocity, ratings, retention — and what it doesn't. How screenshots affect ranking indirectly through conversion rate.
June 13, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
App Store Description: How to Write One That Actually Converts
The App Store description, promotional text, and subtitle each do a different job. Here's what goes in each field, the character limits that matter, and how to write copy that converts users who are already interested enough to read.
June 12, 2026
App Store Launch
iOS App Icon Size: What Apple Actually Requires in 2026
iOS app icon requirements in 2026: a single 1024×1024px PNG submitted to App Store Connect. No transparency, no rounded corners you add yourself, no asset catalog variants needed. Here's exactly what Apple checks and what trips people up.
June 12, 2026
App Store Launch
How to Submit Your App to the App Store: Step-by-Step Checklist
The complete checklist for submitting an iOS app to the App Store: Apple Developer account, App Store Connect setup, screenshots, metadata, binary upload, and what happens after you hit Submit.
June 11, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
App Store Keywords: How to Research and Pick the Right Ones
The App Store keyword field is 100 characters. Here's how to fill them with terms that actually drive installs — where to find keywords, the rules Apple enforces, and how to prioritize when you run out of space.
June 11, 2026
App Store Launch
Apple Custom Product Pages: How to A/B Test Your App Store Listing
Apple Custom Product Pages and Product Page Optimization let you A/B test your App Store screenshots, icons, and previews without risking your main listing. Here's how both features work and what to test first.
June 10, 2026
App Store Launch
Fastlane Screenshots: Automate with snapshot, or Use a Browser Tool?
Fastlane snapshot automates App Store screenshots via UI tests — powerful, but brittle to set up and maintain. Here's an honest breakdown of when automation is worth it and when a browser tool is the smarter call.
June 10, 2026
App Store Launch
App Store Screenshot Template: What the Top-Converting Listings Do Differently
A breakdown of the visual patterns in high-converting App Store screenshots — caption placement, background design, font choice, device frames, and the layout mistakes that silently kill conversion.
June 8, 2026
App Monetization
RevenueCat Paywall Setup: Complete iOS Implementation Guide
Step-by-step RevenueCat paywall setup for iOS: SDK install, Offerings configuration, Paywalls builder, placement strategies, and StoreKit sandbox testing. Everything you need to go from zero to a working paywall.
June 8, 2026
App Store Launch
Google Play Store Screenshots: Sizes, Requirements, and What Gets Rejected
Google Play Store screenshot requirements for 2026: exact dimensions, feature graphic specs, what triggers rejection, and how Play Store listings differ from App Store in ways that affect conversion.
June 7, 2026
App Store Launch
App Store Connect Analytics: What to Track and What to Ignore
App Store Connect gives you a lot of metrics. Most of them are noise. Here's which numbers actually predict growth — conversion rate, impressions source, retention — and what to do when they look wrong.
June 7, 2026
App Store Launch
App Store App Preview: Does a Video Actually Improve Downloads?
App Store app preview videos autoplay in search results and consistently lift conversion rates over screenshots alone. Here's what Apple allows, how to record one in 20 minutes, and when not to bother.
June 6, 2026
App Store Launch
iPhone Mockup Screenshot: How to Put Your App in a Phone Frame
Adding a device frame to your App Store screenshot makes it instantly recognizable as a mobile app. Here's why it works, what Apple allows, and how to do it without Figma in under 10 minutes.
June 6, 2026
App Development
Convert Android App to iOS: What Actually Changes (and the Fastest Way to Do It)
Thinking about porting your Android app to iOS? Here's what actually changes — UI conventions, billing, review process, screenshot requirements, and the fastest paths using Kotlin Multiplatform or Flutter.
June 5, 2026
App Store Launch
App Store Optimization Strategy: The Complete ASO Guide for Indie Developers
A complete ASO strategy guide for indie developers: how app keywords work, where to put them, how screenshots affect conversion, and what to fix first when downloads stall.
June 5, 2026
App Store Launch
App Marketing Strategy for Indie Developers: What Actually Works
Paid ads didn't work, CPC was too high. Sound familiar? Here's the correct order of operations for mobile app marketing: ASO first, then community, then paid — and why the sequence matters.
June 4, 2026
App Development
RevenueCat Subscription State: Multiple Devices, Restore, and Offline Apps
How RevenueCat handles subscription state across multiple devices with the same Apple ID — when to use anonymous IDs, when to link users, how restore purchases works, and the iCloud sync option for offline apps.
June 4, 2026
App Development
Flutter In-App Subscriptions: RevenueCat vs in_app_purchase (2026 Guide)
Should you use RevenueCat or Flutter's native in_app_purchase package? A clear comparison of setup complexity, cross-platform support, analytics, and gotchas from developers who've shipped both.
June 3, 2026
App Store Launch
App Pricing Strategy: Paid, Free+IAP, or Subscription? (iOS & Android Guide)
A developer shipped a $0.99 widget app in 24 hours and made $650 from 1,000 downloads. Here's the full framework for choosing between paid upfront, free with IAP, and subscription — and when each model converts.
June 3, 2026
App Store Launch
I Launched 3 Products Solo, All Dead — The Post-Mortem Patterns
A developer built three working SaaS products. All three died for the same reason. 85 comments diagnosed the pattern: distribution, not product. Here's what they found.
June 2, 2026
App Store Launch
You Built It. Nobody Came. Now What? The Recovery Playbook
The post-launch silence is a diagnosis problem, not a product problem. Here's the recovery playbook — how to find out what went wrong and fix it without rebuilding from scratch.
June 2, 2026
App Store Launch
How to Get Your First 5 Paying Users: Two Changes That Actually Work
A developer had 48 signups and zero revenue. Two changes — a headline rewrite and a 30-second demo video — produced 5 paying customers in a week. Here
June 1, 2026
App Store Launch
How to Get 60 Paid Customers in 90 Days: SEO + Reddit + LinkedIn (No Ads)
A SaaS founder got 60+ paid customers in 90 days using five boring, manual channels done consistently. No ads, no viral moment — here
June 1, 2026
App Store Launch
Apple's 4.3(b) Design Spam Rejection: What Triggers It and How to Appeal
Guideline 4.3(b) can reject an app that was approved before — even on an update. Here's what triggers it, why it happens on updates, how to appeal through the Resolution Center, and what actually differentiates your app.
May 31, 2026
App Store Launch
Where to Find Your First Users When Nobody Knows You Exist
The channels that actually produce first users: finding people mid-pain on Reddit and Discord, direct DMs on X, niche communities, and why personal conversations beat broadcast launches every time.
May 31, 2026
App Store Launch
Are Apple Search Ads Worth It for Indie Developers?
Apple Search Ads can drive quality installs at $0.75–$8 per install depending on your app's maturity. Here's what actually determines ROI, when to start, and what to fix before you spend a dollar.
May 30, 2026
App Store Launch
How to Get Users to Rate Your App (Without Being Annoying)
Apple limits you to 3 rating prompts per year. Here's how to use them well — the right timing, what Apple allows, dark patterns that get apps rejected, and how to respond to reviews to protect your rating.
May 30, 2026
App Store Launch
Apple's App Store Small Business Program: What It Is and How to Apply
Apple's Small Business Program cuts the App Store commission from 30% to 15% for developers earning under $1M/year. Here's who qualifies, how to apply, and what it means for your revenue.
May 29, 2026
App Store Launch
From Backend Developer to the App Store: What Actually Trips You Up
A backend developer with 10 years of experience built his first iOS app using React Native. Here's what was genuinely surprising, what transferred from backend work, and the practical lessons for any dev making the jump.
May 29, 2026
App Store Launch
Zero-Budget App Marketing: What Actually Works for Indie Developers
A developer marketed his app to Uber passengers using a printed QR code. Here's the full zero-budget playbook — Reddit, building in public, TikTok micro-influencers, directories, and getting your listing to convert the traffic you do drive.
May 28, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
How to Preview Your App in App Store Search Results Before You Submit
App Store search shows a cropped strip of your first screenshot before users tap through. Here's exactly how that crop works, what makes it convert, and how to preview it before you submit.
May 28, 2026
App Store Launch
Every Reason Apple Rejected Our App (So You Can Avoid Them)
One developer documented every Apple rejection across 3 weeks and 5 rounds. Here's the complete list — screenshots, UGC, account deletion, EULA, iPad, IPv6 — with the exact fix for each.
May 27, 2026
App Store Launch
App Store Review Time in 2026: How Long Does It Actually Take?
Apple typically reviews apps within 24 hours. Google Play can take days for new publishers. Here's what affects review speed, how to request an expedited review, and why your category matters.
May 27, 2026
App Store Launch
How to Get Your First 100 Downloads on the App Store
A first-time developer hit 100 downloads in week one. Here's a practical pre-launch and launch-week checklist — the specific actions that drive early traction on the App Store.
May 26, 2026
App Store Launch
The App Launch Build-Up Strategy: How to Hit $200 in Your First 24 Hours
A solo developer hit $200 in the first 24 hours on the App Store. Here's the pre-launch build-up playbook — waitlists, community seeding, and launch-day execution — that makes day-one traction possible.
May 26, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
App Store Screenshot A/B Testing: Does It Actually Work?
Apple's Product Page Optimization lets you A/B test screenshots for free. Here's how it works, what you can actually learn from it, and the limitations solo developers hit most often.
May 25, 2026
App Store Launch
What Really Happens After You Publish 10 Apps on the App Store
One developer's portfolio went from $10/month to a steady compound income after app 10. Here's the honest picture of what changes — and what doesn't — as your App Store portfolio grows.
May 25, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
ASO Tools for Solo Android Developers: What's Actually Worth It
AppTweak, Sensor Tower, and Mobile Action are great — but expensive. Here's what solo Android developers actually use for Play Store optimization, and what free tools get you 80% of the way there.
May 24, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
How to Automate App Store Screenshots (And Why You Probably Shouldn't)
Fastlane, Python scripts, and browser tools all solve the App Store screenshot problem differently. Here's an honest breakdown of the tradeoffs — and when each approach makes sense.
May 24, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
Free vs Paid App Store Screenshot Tools: Which One Should You Use?
CleanShot X, AppLaunchpad, Fastlane, ezscreenshots — there are a lot of options. Here's an honest comparison of free and paid screenshot tools for App Store and Play Store, and how to pick the right one.
May 24, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
A Localization Trick to Speed Up Your App Store Screenshot Workflow
Translating App Store screenshots into 10 languages doesn't have to take a week. These tactical shortcuts — batch AI translation, template reuse, and a smarter export order — cut the work to under an hour.
May 24, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
Apple Said I Can't Use In-App Screenshots — What That Actually Means
Getting told your screenshots don't reflect the user experience? There are three different screenshot types in App Store Connect, and each has different rules. Here's what's actually going on.
May 22, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
Did Apple Kill ASO? What Changed and What Still Works in 2026
Apple has expanded search ads, changed ranking signals, and added Custom Product Pages. Here's an honest breakdown of what changed for indie developers and what ASO strategy still compounds.
May 22, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
Apple Rejected My Screenshots: Every Known Reason and How to Avoid Them
A developer got rejected 7 times for the same screenshot — then resubmitted unchanged and it passed. Here's what actually triggers screenshot rejections and what you can control.
May 21, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
Can You Use Fake Icons in App Store Screenshots? What Apple Actually Allows
Showing a home screen in your App Store screenshots? Here's what Apple allows, what gets rejected, and the safest ways to show context without featuring other apps' icons.
May 21, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
How to Localize Your App Store Screenshots Without Redoing Them Each Time
Localized screenshots boost conversions in every market. Here's how to go from English-only to 10+ languages without rebuilding your screenshot set from scratch every update.
May 20, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
iPad Screenshots for iPhone-Only Apps: What Apple Actually Requires
Do you need iPad screenshots if your app is iPhone-only? The answer depends on one Xcode setting — and getting it wrong causes instant rejection.
May 20, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
App Store Screenshot Sizes in 2026: The Complete Guide
Every iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch screenshot size you need for App Store Connect in 2026. Which sizes are required, which auto-scale, and how to avoid rejections.
May 19, 2026
Screenshots & ASO
How to Manage App Store Screenshots at Scale
Devices × localizations × A/B tests = screenshot hell. Here's how to structure your workflow so a copy change doesn't mean touching 60 files.
May 19, 2026