Why can't Buddy publish the app under its own account?

Apple requires cannabis retail apps to be published by the licensed retailer itself. It also means you own your app listing, reviews, and rankings.

Apple charges $99 USD/year for the developer membership. That fee goes to Apple, not Buddy.

I already have an Apple Developer account. What now?

Skip to Step 2 and invite us — just confirm it's an Organization account, not Individual.

iOS first. Contact us about Android availability.

Who maintains the app after launch?

Buddy does — updates ship automatically as your storefront evolves. After setup you never need to touch App Store Connect again (unless you choose manual releases).

Can I change my app name or icon later?

The name can't be changed after launch. The icon can be changed, but requires a new submission and Apple review.

iOS App Setup Guide for Dispensaries

Step 1: Create Your Organization Apple Developer Account

Enroll as an Organization, not an Individual. Individual accounts publish the app under a person's name and cause onboarding delays. There is no way to convert later without re-enrolling.

Before enrolling, make sure you have:

A legal business entity (LLC, corporation, etc.) that can enter into contracts — Apple verifies this.
A D-U-N-S Number — a free nine-digit business identifier Apple uses to verify your organization. Most established businesses already have one. Check or request one free with Apple's D-U-N-S lookup tool (allow up to 5 business days).
An email address on your company's domain (not Gmail).
A publicly available website on a domain associated with your business.
An Apple Account with two-factor authentication enabled, registered with your legal first and last name.
Legal binding authority — the person enrolling becomes the Account Holder and must be an owner, executive, or senior employee with authority to sign for the organization.

When you're ready, enroll at developer.apple.com. Choose Organization as your entity type, enter your legal entity name, D-U-N-S Number, address, and website, and pay the $99 USD annual membership fee. Apple's verification typically takes a few days, and they may call the number on your D-U-N-S record to confirm details — respond promptly to keep things moving.

Annual renewal matters. Your membership renews yearly at $99. If it lapses, Apple removes your app from the App Store until it's renewed. Enable auto-renewal and keep your payment method current.

Watch for Apple legal notices. Apple emails the Account Holder when new legal agreements are available. These must be accepted within 30 days (sometimes less) — unaccepted agreements freeze the account and block app updates.

Step 2: Invite Buddy & Enable API Access

Once your enrollment is approved, add Buddy as an Admin to your developer account:

Sign in to App Store Connect at appstoreconnect.apple.com with your Account Holder Apple Account.
Go to Users and Access.
Click the "+" button to invite a new user.
Invite buddy@hellobuddy.app with the Admin role and access to all apps.
Invite support@hellobuddy.app with the Admin role and access to all apps.

Then enable App Store Connect API access so our systems can maintain your app:

In Users and Access, select the Integrations tab.
Under App Store Connect API, click Request Access.
Review the terms, check the confirmation box, and click Submit.

Why Buddy needs Admin access: we generate certificates, create your app record, upload builds, and respond to App Store review on your behalf. You remain the Account Holder at all times — Buddy never needs your login. Please don't remove Buddy's accounts; if removed, we can't assist with onboarding or fix issues that come up.

Keep your team list small. If you add your own staff, most should be at the "Customer Support" level — additional users should not manage certificates and identifiers. You're responsible for users you add; destructive actions by your users can't be recovered by Buddy.

Step 3: App Creation — Name, Icon, and Description

Email the following to support@hellobuddy.app. Once received, Buddy creates the app in your developer account on your behalf, sets the age rating, and configures app privacy settings — we'll confirm when it's done.

App Name

Shown in the App Store and under the icon on customers' phones. Cannot be changed after launch. Max 30 characters.

App Icon

1024 × 1024 px and 512 × 512 px. Square, 90° corners (Apple rounds them automatically — don't pre-round). No transparent pixels; fully opaque background. PNG. Note: any future icon change requires a new submission and Apple review.

App Description

Concise, benefit-focused copy about what customers can do — browse your menu, order ahead, earn rewards. Never mention vaporizer or vape products anywhere in the description, screenshots, keywords, or app — Apple will reject it.

App Keywords (4–5)

Custom to your store, e.g. "cannabis, dispensary, cannabis delivery, [YOUR STATE] cannabis". Apple caps the keyword field at 100 characters.

Step 4: Preview Your App with TestFlight

Before your app goes live, you'll preview it with TestFlight — Apple's official beta testing app. We'll send you an invite to your email; install TestFlight from the App Store, accept the invite, and you can run the full app on your own phone. Tell us anything you'd like adjusted before we submit to Apple.

Step 5: Apple Review

Buddy submits your app to Apple for review. Cannabis apps get extra scrutiny — Apple only allows cannabis commerce from licensed, legal businesses, geo-restricted to jurisdictions where it's legal. Buddy configures all of this for you; have your license number handy in case Apple asks for proof of licensure.

If accepted

Your app goes live in the App Store.

If rejected

Buddy works directly with Apple on the feedback and resubmits. If it's rejected again, we keep working with Apple until approval — occasionally we'll need your sign-off on revised copy or assets.

Typical timeline from invite to live app: 2–4 weeks, driven mostly by Apple's review queue.

New Versions and App Updates

After launch, Buddy maintains your app. New versions ship with Buddy-provided "What's New" notes and are subject to Apple review each time — Apple can occasionally reject something previously approved; we handle mitigation and will loop you in only if copy or asset changes need your approval.

You choose your release preference (changeable anytime):

Automatic (recommended)

Approved versions go live as soon as Apple approves them.

Manual

Approved versions wait until you log in to App Store Connect and release them yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? We'll walk you through it.

We onboard every dispensary personally. Reach out any time — we usually reply the same business day.

Email support@hellobuddy.app Talk to Sales

Learn more about Buddy features or how we power dispensary retailers and cannabis brands. The app can be launched for both.

Buddy Native Mobile App — iOS Onboarding Guide