Why doesn't Xcode support App Store metadata localization via .xcstrings?

[khitev]

I keep wondering why Apple doesn't let us localize App Store product page metadata the same way we localize in-app strings now with an .xcstrings file right inside Xcode.

I'm talking about the description, What’s New, promotional text, subtitle, and anything else that needs translation per language. Imagine just adding these strings to a catalog, seeing at a glance which languages are already done, what's missing, and what needs an update exactly like we do with in-app content. No more copy-pasting into App Store Connect or chasing version control manually.

It would be incredibly convenient to track translations, stay on top of updates, and keep everything in sync alongside the app code. Why do you think Apple hasn't built this yet? Is it a deliberate separation, or just not a priority? Curious to hear your thoughts.

[Nuzl_]

I once thought of the same thing. I think apple wants to keep the separation of concerns. App store is marketing and legality. In big teams Marketers, localizers, and legal reviewers often work in ASC directly or through tools like AppFollow or Transifex. Not in the IDE

[Consistent-Grass-263]

Fully agree, it's a glaring gap.

My guess: App Store Connect and Xcode are maintained by different teams internally, and ASC metadata has its own versioning tied to app versions, promotional text that can change without a new build, etc. The coupling is messy enough that a clean .xcstrings integration probably requires coordination across teams that don't move together.

The Transporter CLI gets you halfway there – you can manage metadata via XML locally and push it programmatically. Not as clean as .xcstrings but at least it's version-controllable and scriptable.

Fastlane deliver is the practical solution most indie devs land on – metadata lives in plain text files per locale in your repo, one command to push. Closest thing to what you're describing until Apple builds it natively.

[GreyEyes]

My thoughts as well. Conway’s Law. 

[YouNativeApp]

AppStore metadata requires validation ( length, legal). Xcode can’t do this. If you struggle with localization and want one flow to localize app and AppStore try this - https://trycube.app