The Replit iOS App Handbook
Go from an app idea to a working, monetized iOS app you can submit to the App Store — using Replit and RevenueCat.
Table of contents
Preface
Build, monetize, test, and submit your first iOS app using Replit and RevenueCat—no prior mobile development experience required.
Before you start: what you'll need
Set up the Apple and Replit accounts, agreements, and financial details you’ll need to monetize and publish your app.
Build your first version
Discover a real user problem, define your app’s smallest useful version, and build it in Replit through focused, iterative improvements.
Decide how to monetize
Choose what to keep free, set a simple subscription structure, and establish a starting price while understanding App Store and RevenueCat costs.
Connect RevenueCat to your app
Connect RevenueCat to your Replit app, configure subscriptions and premium access, and test the paywall and purchase flow using RevenueCat’s test environment.
Your paywall: show users what they’re buying
Design and test a clear paywall that explains the benefits, pricing, purchase flow, restore option, and required legal links—either in Replit or through RevenueCat Paywalls.
Create your iOS build and complete initial testing
Test your app’s subscription logic in Replit, create and upload a real iOS build, then use TestFlight to verify the full app experience on an iPhone.
Set up your products in App Store Connect
Create and sync your real subscription products between RevenueCat and App Store Connect, complete Apple’s required metadata, and prepare them for App Review.
Complete your App Store Connect setup
Complete your App Store listing, privacy details, pricing, availability, review information, and optional featuring nomination so your app is ready for App Review.
Submit your app for review
Submit your completed app, subscriptions, and metadata for Apple review, understand the review timeline, and learn how to respond if Apple requests changes or rejects the submission.
Your app is live: what to monitor first
Monitor your first customers, subscriptions, revenue, and conversion rates after launch, while fixing user issues and learning from real-world feedback.
What's next
Keep growing your app by improving discovery, conversion, and subscriber retention through focused experiments and ongoing learning.
Keep learning
When you’re ready to go deeper
- Learn more
StartApp School
Build your growth skills and learn practical strategies for growing, monetizing, and improving your subscription app over time with proven, actionable guidance.
- Learn more
RevenueCat Blog
Explore practical guides on user acquisition, monetization, retention, and other strategies for building and growing a successful subscription app.
- Learn more
Sub Club Podcast
Learn from experienced app operators as they share practical lessons, strategies, and insights from building and growing successful subscription apps.
- Learn more
State of Subscription Apps
Compare your app’s performance with industry benchmarks, key trends, and insights from the State of Subscription Apps 2026 report.