Unlisted app distribution

Release your apps that aren’t suited for public distribution as unlisted on the App Store, discoverable only with a direct link. Unlisted apps don’t appear in any App Store categories, recommendations, charts, search results, or other listings. In addition, they can be accessed through Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager. Apps for partner sales tools, employee resources, or research studies are examples of good candidates for unlisted distribution.

Distribute your app to:

• Limited audiences (such as part-time employees, franchisees, partners, business affiliates, higher-education students, or conference attendees) through a standard link that’s usable on the App Store and Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager.
• Employee-owned devices that aren’t eligible to be managed through Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager.
• Managed and unmanaged devices.
• All regions that are supported by the App Store.

Requesting an unlisted app link

Before you request unlisted app distribution, your app must either already be on the App Store or be ready for final distribution and submitted to App Review. Add a note in the Review Notes section of your submission to indicate that your app is intended for unlisted distribution. Then, submit a request for unlisted app distribution.

Requests will be declined for unlisted distribution if your app hasn’t been submitted to App Review, or if your app is in a beta or prerelease state.

If your app is currently distributed privately to specific organizations through Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager, you’ll need to create a new app record in App Store Connect, upload your binary, and set the distribution method as publicly available on the App Store before submitting your request. Learn about setting distribution methods.

Distributing your unlisted app

If your request is approved, you can continue with the usual app release process. Your app’s distribution method will change to Unlisted App in the Pricing and Availability section of the app record, and will apply to any future versions of the app. A link will be generated to access your app on the App Store and on Apple Business Manager or Apple School Manager. If your app is already available on the App Store, its current link will remain the same. If you decide to use a URL shortener, test the shortened link to ensure that it resolves correctly.

Unlisted apps are available to anyone who has access to the link. Consider implementing a mechanism within your app to prevent unauthorized use.