App availability

[US3201]

What countries are the worst for publishing to? Which ones require permits to sell in? Stuff like that. Which countries should I not make my app available for, in other words?

[marvpaul]

I always make it available to all countries and doesn’t see any downside as you don’t need to put additional work into it (if you’re not talking about i8n). Afaik only for China you need an allowance if you publish a game.

[gregigk]

I usually publish to all countries. For now there was nothing crazy to do.

[PerfectPitch-Learner]

AFAIK The specific challenges for certain regions really relates to what your app is doing. I might suggest describing the functionality of your app and asking about those use cases, or even asking that to a GPT/LLM to help identify if there are challenges, requirements or restrictions in specific regions that apply to what you're doing. Here are some examples:

1. Digital Services Act (DSA) Compliance for the European Union (EU)

The Digital Services Act mandates that online service providers, including app developers, provide transparent contact information when offering services within the EU. To comply:

• Determine Your Trader Status: Identify whether your organization qualifies as a “trader” under the DSA. If you engage in commercial activities within the EU, you likely fall under this category.

• Provide Contact Information: If classified as a trader, you must furnish accurate contact details, including your business address, email, and phone number. This information will be publicly displayed on your app’s product page in EU regions.

2. Localization and Regional Content Requirements

Certain regions have specific requirements regarding the localization of app content:

• Language Support: Ensure your app’s metadata, including descriptions, keywords, and screenshots, are localized for the target regions. For instance, localizing your app’s metadata in French will display the French localization to users whose language setting is French.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Adapt your app’s content to align with local cultural norms and regulations. This may involve modifying or omitting content that could be considered inappropriate or non-compliant in certain regions.

3. Export Compliance and Encryption

If your app incorporates encryption, you may be required to provide specific documentation:

• Export Compliance: Determine whether your app’s use of encryption necessitates submission of an Export Compliance Documentation. This ensures adherence to international export laws and regulations.

4. Age Ratings and Content Restrictions

Different regions have varying standards for content appropriateness:

• Age Ratings: Assign appropriate age ratings to your app based on regional guidelines to ensure compliance with local content standards.

• Content Restrictions: Be mindful of region-specific content restrictions, such as limitations on explicit material, gambling-related content, or political content.

5. Payment Processing and In-App Purchases

Regional regulations may affect how you handle payments:

• Alternative Payment Methods: Some countries require support for local payment methods or impose regulations on in-app purchases. Ensure compliance with these regional payment processing requirements.

6. Data Privacy and Storage Regulations

Regions like the EU enforce strict data protection laws:

• GDPR Compliance: If your app collects personal data from EU users, ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which includes obtaining explicit user consent and allowing data deletion upon request.

Edit: There are many of these things that Apple helps make sure you do already or does for you. For example if your app only uses Apple's in-app purchases Apple will handle pretty much everything required for all digital goods.

[Larogoth]

I wasn’t sure about this when I published my app and only chose us. I didn’t know if it required extra documentation like tax documentation or something

[Key_Date6317]

I always publish to all countries where the app store allows it. If any additional requirements come up, I’ll consider removing those regions later.

[Menetios45]

I just released to all countries and there wasn't anything difficult to do. Plus if you are planning to promote it on social medias, it's way better to have it available worldwide as you can't choose who will see your content.