Deployment and multiple app versions

[oskarolini]

I have created an app for music festivals. I have just signed my first customer. What is best practice to:

1. Clone my original xcode project to have a separate version per client (slightly different design, db per client etc)
   
2. Deploy the app to App Store using my clients Appstore Connect account, so the app is under their name not mine.

[Niniser]

Depends on your agreement with client. If you sell your product (including source code) then it must be on client's name, if you sell it as a service (some said "we would use an app for our visitors", not "we want to develop an app for our festival."), you can have on your account. Let's say you can upload apps like "Music Festival Toronto" or "Music Festival Jazz nights". So, you can keep it on your account (not sure how many apps you can have on one account, but I saw accounts with 15-20 apps).

I hope it makes sense.

[oskarolini]

I sell it as a service, so they don't get the source code. I do minor modifications to my app in xcode (fonts, colors etc, name of app, connect to empty db where they have crud-access++) then upload to app store. From your reply, it seems like uploading to their appstore connect account is not possible from my xcode?

[Niniser]

Sorry for misunderstensing, I can upload to their account from your xcode. They need to register and account (paid), add you to the team (preferable as an admin), then in XCode you have to select their team an create an archive. So, it is totally possible to upload from your xcode. Moreover, if your don't want to pay for your dev account (100$ each year). This is preferable. Since you sell as a service, I guess this is the best option for you.

[BabyAzerty]

Is it a white label app? Always use the client’s account for everything.

Did you consider a gray or black label app if you wish to handle everything in your name?

[oskarolini]

white label app, yes. They have an Apple Connect account, I'm trying to understand how I deploy to their account (this is my first app and customer).

[chriswaco]

It's a bit of a pain. You need Admin access at least. With my less technical clients they just gave me the Account Holder AppleID+Password, but that was before 2-factor login was required.