Complete these steps only if you've purchased an iOS and/or tvOS app. If you are interested in apps for your Vimeo OTT site, please contact our sales team.
This guide will walk you through the steps needed to set up an Apple Developer and App Store Connect account, which will allow us to launch an iOS or tvOS app for your Vimeo OTT Service.
You own the Apple developer account, so your OTT service app will be listed under your business name in the Apple App Store. This also means the Vimeo team cannot configure the account for you, but we're available to offer guidance and support.
In this article:
- What to know before you enroll
- Create an Apple ID
- Enroll in the Apple Developer Program
- Invite Vimeo to your App Store Connect account
- Set Up Agreements, Bank Accounts & Tax Forms
- App Store Small Business Program (Optional)
What to know before you enroll
Before you begin enrolling for an Apple developer account, below is some important information that you'll need to know:
What is required to enroll for an Apple developer account?
- A valid Apple ID with two-factor authentication
- A valid D-U-N-S number
- Legal entity status
- A person with legal binding authority
- Banking and tax information
- Business contacts
- A pubic website
- An Apple Device (iPhone, iPad, Mac)
Are there fees involved in creating a developer account?
- Apple charges an annual fee of $99/year as long as your developer account remains active. If you allow your membership to expire, your app will be removed from the App Store.
- We recommend opting in to automatic membership renewal by turning on the Auto-renew toggle in the “Membership details” section of your account. If you signed up via the Apple Developer app, you should be set to auto-renew.
Create an Apple ID
Before you can begin the enrollment process for your Apple developer account, you must have an Apple ID. If you already use an Apple device, you most likely already have an Apple ID created, but you can also create one to keep it separate from a personal account.
💡Best Practice: Apple requires you to enable two-factor authentication
Enroll in the Apple Developer Program
Now that you have created an Apple ID, you’re ready to begin the enrollment process. It will ask you if you want to enroll as an Individual or an Organization. You should enroll as an Organization (even if you’re just an Individual, you MUST choose Organization). An account created as an "Individual" does not have the permissions required for Vimeo to publish and maintain your application on your behalf.
- You will need a D-U-N-S number to create a developer account. Apple has instructions on how to get one. This process will take 7-10 business days.
What happens if I enrolled as an “Individual” instead of an “Organization”?
This is a common mistake that is correctable, though it may cause a delay.
Before you can begin transferring your account to the “Organization” status, you will need to have a D-U-N-S number registered and available. Then you will need to contact Apple Support and request to update your account information. Go to Apple's Developer Support site to understand that process.
Invite Vimeo to Your Developer Account
Once Apple approves your enrollment, you should now be able to log in to App Store Connect. This is the dashboard where you manage apps, see analytics, payments, and more.
Adding Vimeo to your team will allow us to manage app store submission, updates, and subscription pricing on your behalf. This will allow your applications to be published under your business name and, if you are offering in-app subscriptions, those payments will go directly to you.
Add a New User
- In App Store Connect, select the Users and Access icon.
- At the the top of the Users and Access page, select the blue plus (+) icon. This will open the “New User” prompt.
- Add Vimeo with the following details:
- First Name: VHX
- Last Name: Apps
- Email Address: apps@vhx.tv
- Roles: Select Admin
- Apps: Leave All Apps selected
- Developer Resources: Select Access to Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles
- Select Invite to send an invitation to our team.
Set up agreements, bank accounts, and tax forms
Configuring your Apple developer account for use with Vimeo OTT requires that you complete any agreements Apple presents.
Both the "Free Apps" and "Paid Apps" agreements can be found within App Store Connect, under the Business section. The Apple account owner must complete these agreements.
The Paid Apps agreement
The "Paid Apps" agreement is required for any service that intends to monetize (SVOD or TVOD) within the Apple App Store. Even if your service supports in-app subscriptions, Apple may still surface this contract within App Store Connect.
To accept and complete the Paid Apps agreement, you will need to perform the following steps:
- Find the Paid Applications agreement and select View Terms.
- Complete tax documents: Verify your legal entity and input your tax information to accept all terms. U.S. tax forms must be completed for ALL developers, even if you are based outside the U.S. For any questions related to completing tax forms, contact Apple.
- Add banking information: To receive payments from Apple, you need to submit electronic banking information.
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Complete Business Contacts: Apple requires all business contact roles to be filled in to submit your "Paid Apps" agreement. If needed, you can add the same contact information to multiple roles to complete this section. If you do not fill out all business contact roles, Apple will show the "Paid Apps" agreement as incomplete.
- Once you have successfully accepted all terms of the "Paid Apps" agreement, the status will read "Active".
Optional: App Store Small Business Program
By default, Apple takes a 30% commission on all purchases made within its App Store. For more information on app fees, see Are there any additional fees associated with applications?
Apple offers a reduced commission of 15% through its Small Business Program. Businesses earning up to $1 million USD annually are eligible to apply.
To apply:
- Read through Apple's FAQ and make sure you are eligible for the program.
- If so, click Enroll now on Apple's Small Business Program page.
- When asked for Associated Developer Accounts, you do not need to list Vimeo, as we do not qualify under Apple’s definition of this kind of account.
If you have questions about the App Store Small Business Program, contact Apple's Developer Support team directly.