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App Store Setup

App Store Setup Guide

This guide covers the App Store export tools included with the PWA/app feature. These tools prepare your PWA information for app store wrapper creation. They do not build, publish, or submit native mobile apps from WordPress.

Open the App Store Export Screen

  1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to VH360 PWA & App.
  2. Confirm your PWA is enabled and configured on the main PWA settings screen.
  3. Open VH360 PWA & App → App Store.

The App Store screen includes these tabs:

  • Readiness Check
  • iOS Metadata
  • Android Metadata
  • Export

Check App Store Readiness

Open the Readiness Check tab first.

The readiness screen checks whether your PWA has the required configuration and assets for wrapper export, including:

  • HTTPS
  • Reachable manifest
  • Reachable service worker
  • Required icons
  • App name and display mode
  • Privacy policy URL
  • Support contact email
  • Marketing icon
  • Full icon set for iOS, Android, and maskable icons

If the readiness score is not complete, fix the listed issues before exporting.

Generate App Icons

App store exports work best after generating the complete icon set.

  1. Go to VH360 PWA & App → Icons.
  2. Upload a master icon.
  3. Use a high-resolution square image. The icon screen recommends a 1024×1024 PNG for best results.
  4. Click Generate All Icons.
  5. Confirm the generated icon previews appear for iOS, Android, and maskable icons.

If the icon generator says an image library is unavailable, contact your hosting provider and ask them to enable Imagick or GD.

Add iOS App Store Metadata

  1. Go to VH360 PWA & App → App Store.
  2. Open the iOS Metadata tab.
  3. Complete the app listing fields:
  • App Title
  • Short Description
  • Full Description
  • Category
  • Privacy Policy URL
  • Support Email
  • Keywords / Tags
  • App Store ID, if you already have one
  1. Click Save Metadata.

This metadata is included in the iOS export pack and can be used when completing your App Store listing outside WordPress.

Add Android App Store Metadata

  1. Go to VH360 PWA & App → App Store.
  2. Open the Android Metadata tab.
  3. Complete the app listing fields:
  • App Title
  • Short Description
  • Full Description
  • Category
  • Privacy Policy URL
  • Support Email
  • Keywords / Tags
  • Package Name, if you already have one
  1. Click Save Metadata.

This metadata is included in the Android export pack and can be used when completing your Play Store listing outside WordPress.

Export the Wrapper Packs

  1. Go to VH360 PWA & App → App Store.
  2. Open the Export tab.
  3. Review any warnings shown on the page.
  4. Click Export iOS Wrapper Pack for iOS.
  5. Click Export Android Wrapper Pack for Android.

The export packs include your current PWA data, app store metadata, icons, and setup instructions.

The iOS export pack includes:

  • Current manifest snapshot
  • Icons
  • iOS metadata file
  • iOS setup instructions

The Android export pack includes:

  • Current manifest snapshot
  • Icons, including maskable icons when generated
  • Android metadata file
  • Android setup instructions

Use the Export Outside WordPress

The App Store export tool prepares files only. Actual app creation and submission happen outside WordPress.

The export screen references external wrapper tools such as:

  • PWABuilder
  • Capacitor
  • Bubblewrap

Use the exported files with your chosen app wrapping tool, then complete submission through the appropriate app store account.

Important Limitations

The App Store export tool does not:

  • Build a native iOS app
  • Build a native Android app
  • Submit your app to Apple or Google
  • Guarantee app store approval
  • Manage app store review requirements
  • Manage app signing, certificates, or publishing accounts

You are responsible for following Apple App Store and Google Play requirements when submitting your app.

Troubleshooting

The readiness check is not complete

Open the Readiness Check tab and follow the specific issue shown. Common fixes include enabling HTTPS, confirming PWA is enabled, generating icons, adding a privacy policy URL, and adding a support email.

Manifest or service worker is not reachable

Go to VH360 PWA & App, confirm the PWA is enabled, save the settings, then refresh the readiness check.

Icons are missing

Go to VH360 PWA & App → Icons, upload a master icon, and click Generate All Icons.

Export is disabled

The export screen requires ZIP export support from the server. If the page says ZIP export is unavailable, contact your hosting provider and ask them to enable the PHP ZipArchive extension.

App store submission is rejected

App store review happens outside WordPress. Review the rejection reason from Apple or Google, update your app wrapper or store listing as needed, then resubmit through the app store platform.