Resolving Authentication Issues with iTunes Store During iOS App Submission

Resolving Authentication Issues with iTunes Store During iOS App Submission

28 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Xcode

Submitting an iOS app to the iTunes Store can sometimes present challenges, particularly when the process stalls at the “Authenticating with the iTunes Store” step. If you’re facing this issue, you’re not alone. This guide will walk you through several effective solutions to resolve this problem.

Common Solutions to Try

Before diving into more technical solutions, consider these initial steps that have helped many developers:

  • Agree to New Terms: Open the Application Loader from Xcode, and ensure you’ve accepted any new terms and logged in again.
  • Check Network Connections: Sometimes, a different network or a VPN can affect the upload process. Try using a different internet connection or disable any VPN services temporarily.
  • Update Build Number: Ensure your app’s build number is unique. If it’s the same as a previous submission, update it and try again.

Technical Solutions

If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, you may need to delve into more technical fixes. The most effective solution involves resetting the iTMSTransporter cache, a critical component in the upload process:

  1. Open Terminal and navigate to your home directory by typing: cd ~
  2. Rename the current transporter directory to create a backup: mv .itmstransporter/ .old_itmstransporter/
  3. Invoke the iTMSTransporter tool to update itself:
    "/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Applications/Application Loader.app/Contents/itms/bin/iTMSTransporter"
  4. Allow the tool to update, then try uploading your app again through Xcode.

Advanced Considerations

If issues persist, consider these additional steps:

  • Force Cache Update: On newer Xcode versions, the iTMSTransporter is located at /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/SharedFrameworks/ContentDeliveryServices.framework/itms/bin/iTMSTransporter. Ensure this path is correct and update the cache if necessary.
  • Two-Factor Authentication: If using a new machine, ensure two-factor authentication is correctly configured, as it may require re-authentication.

Enhancing Your Testing Workflow with Repeato

While resolving upload issues is crucial, ensuring your app is thoroughly tested before submission is equally important. This is where Repeato comes into play. As a no-code test automation tool, Repeato allows you to create, run, and maintain automated tests for iOS, Android, and web apps swiftly. Its test recorder, along with support for data-driven and keyword-driven testing, ensures comprehensive testing with minimal effort.

Repeato’s ability to save all tests and workspace data in text and JSON format simplifies version control, making it a practical alternative to other tools like Katalon, which may have limitations in scripting language and community support. By integrating Repeato into your workflow, you can enhance your app’s reliability and streamline the submission process.

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