Every wondered what an App Identifier is? Needed it to test out certian features in your app?. This guide will explain step by step what it is and how to set one up.

What you will learn

• What an App Identifier is explained
• The difference between an implicit and wildcard App Identifier
• What type is better to use
• How to setup the App Identifier in a XCode project

What is an App Identifier?

An App Identifier, also known as App ID is a string used to identify one or more apps. It uniquely identifies your iOS app within Apple’s services. This allows you to upload your App to Apple, update your app, and enable services such as In App Purchases, Push Notifications and Game Center.

How to setup an App ID

To setup an App ID go over to the Apple Developer Member Center. Select Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles

Next select Identifiers under iOS Apps

Now you will see a list of any existing app identifiers you have setup. To add a new one select the plus button.

Registering an App ID

Now you will see the page to Register an iOS App ID, don’t worry about all the information you need to enter! I will break down each item step by step.

The first item is App ID description, this is just something that describes the app for you.

The next step is the App ID suffix. This is a reverse domain style string used to uniquely identify your app. So mine would be com.seemuapps.myappname. So for best iOS game ever i used com.seemuapps.bestiosgameever.

You would have noticed there are two options below, Explicit and Wildcard App ID. An Explicit ID is a one to one relationship where each Explicit App ID can only be used by one app. A Wildcard App ID is a one to many relationship, it can be used by many App’s.

I highly recommend using a Explicit App ID for each app, it not only makes it easier to track but you it is also required to use services such as In App Purchases, Game Center, iCloud, etc… Even if you don’t plan to use these services initially it’s much better to have otherwise if you choose to change you will be in a world of pain!

Next step is to select the App Services you want to enable with this App ID, this can easily be changed later so don’t worry if your not sure if you need something here.

Select continue then you can review the information and choose submit and you will have your App ID setup!

Setting the App ID in XCode

To associate your App ID with a project in XCode first select the project in the top left. Then select it from under targets and choose the Info tab from the top. Then under Bundle Identifier put in the App ID you setup. Now when you submit your app to iTunes connect for review and change any capabilities in your app it will be associated with this App ID.

Congratulations, you have now setup an App ID and associated it with a project in XCode.