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Disambiguating ‘Developer Accounts’ and the Role of a Software Agency or Developer

What is a ‘Developer Account’?

A developer account is the account required to publish apps on Google Play or Apple’s App Store. This account is owned by the person or business responsible for the app—usually the app’s owner—not by the person or agency that does the coding or technical work.

Do I need to be a developer to create a ‘Developer Account’?

No. You don’t need to know how to code to create a developer account. This account is for managing your app’s presence on the app stores, including publication, updates, and payment settings. The technical development can be handled by a software company or individual developers you hire.

Who should own the developer account?

The app owner (you or your business) should always own the developer account. Even if you hire a software company or a developer to build and manage your app, the account should stay under your control to manage ownership, payments, and app settings.

What’s the difference between a ‘developer account’ and a developer?

A ‘developer account’ is for managing the app’s store presence. A ‘developer’ refers to the person or team responsible for writing the code and building the app. You might hire a software company or agency to develop the app, but they do not own the account unless specifically transferred.

Can I give my developer access to my ‘developer account’?

Yes, both Google Play and Apple allow you to give a developer or software agency access without transferring ownership. You can assign specific roles with permissions tailored to the work they need to do, such as uploading app updates or managing listings.

What kind of access should I give my developer or software agency?

You should give your software agency or developer access to technical tasks such as uploading new app versions and managing the store listing. However, you should retain control over financial, legal, and account settings since they directly affect your ownership of the app.

What happens if I transfer my whole developer account to the developer or software company?

This is not recommended. If you transfer your account to the developer or software company, they gain control over the app’s ownership, payments, and store settings. To avoid complications, always maintain ownership of your developer account. Never share your credentials or password – instead use the tools in the App Store to invite your developers to work with your app.

How do I add a developer or software company to my Google Play Developer Account?

In the Google Play Console, you can add users from your hired software company or developers and assign them specific roles. This allows them to manage updates or other technical aspects without giving them access to sensitive areas like payments or legal settings.

How do I add a developer or software agency to my Apple Developer Account?

Through App Store Connect, you can invite your hired developers or software company and assign them roles such as ‘App Manager’ or ‘Developer.’ This allows them to manage app-related tasks while keeping account ownership in your hands.

Do Software Companies have their own Developer Account?

Yes, typically a software agency or the developer(or freelancer) will need their developer account to manage certain parts of your app’s store listing, particularly if they are handling multiple clients or apps. This account used by the software agency or the technical developer account is separate from the Developer Account, which remains under the control and ownership of the App’s owner

Do I need to take action even if I’ve hired a software agency?

Yes. Even with a software company or developers helping with the technical work, you will still need to manage certain aspects of your account. This can include legal updates, financial settings, and sometimes even specific actions related to the app’s publication that the hired company cannot perform on your behalf. Where possible the Software Agency is able to direct you to make changes in your account.

How do I, as an app owner, validate my developer account?

As the app owner, when the App Store asks you to validate your developer account – they are asking for you to confirm that your company is a real entity. (they are not asking for information on who your technical team is that is doing work on your application). Your Developer Account with the App Store represents your ownership and management of the app on the platform. To validate your account, ensure:

• The account is registered in your or your company’s name.
• The payment and legal details match your business information.

Remember, even though your software agency can assist with publishing and managing the listing, ownership and account details in your Developer Account (like agreeing to new terms or legal agreements) must be performed by you.