Your organisation owns and manages its own Apple Developer account, ensuring full control over App Store listings, legal agreements, and sales figures. In some cases, you may need to transfer an app between developer accounts - whether due to a  consolidating multiple accounts after company restructuring, merger or acquisition, or moving an app from a previous developer's account.

We never submit customers' apps in our own developer accounts, as it's always best for you to retain direct ownership and control. This guide outlines the steps required to successfully transfer app ownership while ensuring minimal disruption to your users.

Before Initiating the Transfer

1. Check App Transfer Criteria

Apple allows most apps to be transferred between developer accounts, provided they meet certain criteria, such as having no unresolved agreements or active in-app purchases requiring updates. Any Testflight builds will also need to be expired/removed. You will not see the option to transfer the app unless it is in one of the states outlined in the transfer criteria.

2. Backup App Information

A successful transfer retains the app’s users, ratings, reviews, and existing App Store URL. The app will be completely removed from the previous account once the transfer is complete. You should take a note information such as your app's metadata data, app store listing, pricing etc. so you can copy this data into the new account.

In particular you should think about saving reports from your App Analytics, Sales and Trends and Payments and Financial Reports.

3. Coordinate with the Pugpig Team

Apple typically processes transfers within a few days, but it's important to plan ahead, especially if you need to update certificates or API integrations post-transfer. Before you initiate your app transfer, consider factors such as universal linking, push notifications and in-app purchasing. These require special keys that will change once your app has been successfully transferred to the new account. Please reach out to Pugpig Support and your CSM to plan ahead to ensure uninterrupted service for end-users.

Transferring the App

The Account Holder of the source developer account must request the transfer via App Store Connect and enter the Apple ID of the Account Holder for the destination developer account.

The destination Account Holder will receive an email invitation to accept the app transfer in App Store Connect, where they must review and accept the terms of the transfer.

As this process is managed entirely within your Apple Developer accounts, we can offer limited assistance with these steps. Apple themselves should be your first port of call.

Post-Transfer Actions

1. Verify Certificates, Secrets and IDs

We'll need to ensure the App Store secret, Team ID and Application ID Prefix values in the Pugpig Distribution Service match the new account.

2. Update the Apple App Site Association (AASA) File, if using Canonical URLs

If you have a canonical URL set up, the Team ID change requires a new app association file. We can help ensure the updated file is correct.

Based on Apple’s process, the updated AASA file is typically checked and refreshed automatically once a week. However, if you’d like to trigger the download of the new AASA file immediately, you’ll need to delete and reinstall the app on your device.