An app can be delivered as source code while the business still cannot update it. Store accounts, signing assets, backend services and recovery routes may belong to different people. Resolve that ownership early, while everyone involved is available.
Related service: Mobile application development- 01Identify the business account owner.
- 02Complete the applicable enrollment steps.
- 03Grant bounded team access.
- 04Document signing and service dependencies.
- 05Rehearse handoff and remove unnecessary access.
SECTION 01
List the accounts that keep the app operating
Map the app-store record, developer membership, code repository, build service, backend hosting, push credentials and any paid integrations. For each, name the business owner, administrator, billing contact and recovery route. Some services can use different technical identities, but their authority should be understood rather than resting on a departing contractor's personal inbox.
Apple's roles distinguish the Account Holder from other team members. Google Play also provides account and app-level permissions. Use those controls instead of sending the business owner's password to several people. The exact role depends on the work, and enrollment type can affect available team access. Confirm the current platform rules for your account.
SECTION 02
Illustrative example: changing the maintenance provider
Suppose a retailer finishes an app and later chooses another maintenance team. If the retailer controls the store accounts, repository and backend, it can invite the new team and review the old access. If everything was created under a developer's personal accounts, the transition can require separate recovery or transfer steps with platform-specific conditions.
The handoff should identify signing keys or managed signing arrangements without exposing secrets in a general document. A new authorized developer should be able to build an identified revision and distribute a test update through the agreed route. This is an illustrative acceptance exercise, not a claim that every account or app can be transferred automatically.
SECTION 03
Demonstrate operational control, then reduce access
Ask the agency to walk through a release using your authorized accounts and documented process. Check who renews memberships, accepts platform agreements and receives service alerts. Retain recovery instructions securely and ensure more than one appropriate business contact understands the escalation route without sharing one person's credentials.
At project closure, review users, automation tokens and integration credentials separately. Removing a person's console access may not revoke every key created during the project. Rotate or revoke credentials according to the agreed dependency plan so essential services continue working. The cost of this preparation belongs in the delivery scope; skipping it can leave a functioning app unnecessarily dependent on one person.
SECTION 04
Frequently asked questions
Should the agency own our store account?
For a client-owned app, establish appropriate business control and invite the agency for its tasks. Discuss any exception before development and publication.
Do we need all signing secrets in an email?
No. Document the signing arrangement and approved recovery process, while storing sensitive credentials through suitable protected access controls.
What proves handoff is complete?
Your authorized team can access the required systems, identify the release source, follow the documented update process and remove unneeded agency access safely.
PRIMARY REFERENCES
Sources and further reading
These references cover the standards, platforms, or published prices discussed in the guide. Worked examples and checklists are our editorial guidance.
- Developer program roles and accessApple Developer
- Manage account users and permissionsGoogle Play Console Help
EDITORIAL METHOD
About this guide
We use AI to assist with drafting and editing. Catapult AI Work is responsible for the published content. Examples illustrate possible approaches; they are not client case studies unless identified as such.
Budget examples are not Catapult package prices. Check linked provider pages for current fees and plan limits before making a purchase.
Read the editorial policy