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App Development Glossary

Every term you'll hit while shipping a mobile app — defined in plain English, with links to where the term actually matters in the process.

App Privacy Label
Apple's required disclosure of what data your app collects and how it's used, shown on the App Store product page.
App Review Time
The time Apple takes to review an app submission before approving or rejecting it, typically 24-48 hours in 2025-2026.
App Store Connect
Apple's web portal where developers manage app listings, upload builds, handle pricing, review sales, and respond to reviews.
App Store Review Guidelines
Apple's published rules governing what apps can and can't do on iOS, updated periodically, with sections covering safety, performance, business, design, and legal.
Apple Developer Program
Apple's paid membership program required to publish apps to the App Store, costing $99/year per individual or organization.
ASO (App Store Optimization)
The practice of improving an app's visibility and conversion rate in App Store and Play Store search results.
Deep Link
A URL that opens a specific screen inside a mobile app, or falls back to App Store / web if the app isn't installed.
Free Trial
A time-limited period during which users can access paid features for free, typically 3-14 days, after which they're charged automatically.
Freemium
A monetization model where the app is free to download and use at a basic level, with paid subscriptions or in-app purchases unlocking advanced features.
Google Play Console
Google's developer portal and policy framework for publishing Android apps, requiring a one-time $25 registration fee.
HIG (Human Interface Guidelines)
Apple's official UI and UX design standards for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS, published by Apple.
In-App Purchase (IAP)
Digital goods bought inside a mobile app through Apple's or Google's billing systems, subject to 15-30% platform fees.
Low-Code
Development platforms that combine visual app-building with the option to drop into traditional code when needed.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product)
The smallest version of a product that delivers the core value to users, used to test market demand before investing in a full build.
No-Code
Building applications using visual interfaces and pre-built components, without writing source code.
Paywall
The in-app screen that prompts users to purchase a subscription or unlock paid features, typically shown at a strategic moment in the user journey.
Push Notification
Messages sent from a server to a mobile device that appear on the lock screen or notification center, used for re-engagement and real-time alerts.
RevenueCat
A subscription-management platform used by most indie mobile developers to handle in-app purchases, renewals, and revenue tracking.
Subscription (App)
An auto-renewing in-app purchase that charges a user on a recurring basis (weekly, monthly, or yearly) for ongoing access to content or features.
TestFlight
Apple's free beta-testing platform for iOS apps, allowing up to 10,000 external testers for 90 days.