Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below is a list of the most frequently asked questions about the app submission process.

Do I need an active subscription for my app submission to be reviewed?

Short answer: Yes, your app will only be reviewed if your account has an active subscription.

Details: A valid subscription is required to unlock the review and publishing process.

Do I need an active subscription for my app ownership request to be reviewed?

Short answer: Yes, ownership requests are reviewed only for active subscriptions.

Details: Just like with app submissions, ownership requests are processed once your account’s subscription is active. If your account is inactive or pending payment, ownership validation will not begin.

How long does it take to review my app submission?

Short answer: Typically 7-10 business days.

Details: Review times vary depending on our admin team’s workload and queue length. During product launches or peak times (for example when many apps are submitted at once) it may take a bit longer. If your submission hasn’t been reviewed after 14 business days, you can contact our suppor team.

Review times vary depending on our admin team’s workload, but it typically takes 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need to fill out all the information before submitting my app?

Short answer: Yes, all required fields must be completed.

Details: The Submit button will remain disabled until every mandatory field in the submission form is filled. This ensures we have the necessary information to review your app quickly and avoid rejections due to missing details.

My app includes IAPs, but they’re not currently active. Can I still submit it without integrating your billing system?

Short answer: No, apps with IAPs must integrate Aptoide’s billing method.

Details: Even if in-app purchases are temporarily inactive or planned for later, your app must either:

• Integrate our billing system, or
• Remove all IAP functionality before submission.

This ensures consistent handling of payments and compliance with our store policies.

Can I submit a paid app?

Short answer: No, paid apps are not supported.

Details: Aptoide currently supports only free apps. To monetize your app, consider using a freemium model, where the base app is free and additional features are unlocked through in-app purchases.

Do I need to take any additional steps for my app to become available on the distribution channels?

Short answer: No, distribution is automatic once your app is approved.

Details: When your app is marked as ready for distribution, it automatically becomes available across the channels you selected during submission. You don’t need to re-submit or manually enable distribution.

Common Issues

Below is a list of the most common issues during the app submission process.

This application version was already submitted

Short answer: You’re uploading an APK that already exists.

Details: This message appears when the same APK version has been uploaded before.

How to fix:

• Submit a different APK version (with a new version code), or
• Update the existing one via its Details page.

Application APK package name X is different from Y

Short answer: The package name in your APK doesn’t match the one in the form.

Details: Each app submission is identified by its package name. If the APK and the Add App form use different package names, validation will fail.

How to fix: Ensure the package name in your APK matches exactly the one entered during app creation.

Application APK signature (X) is different from the one in Google Play (Y)

Short answer: The APK you uploaded was signed with a different key.

Details: To maintain trust and security, your APK must be signed with the same key used on Google Play. Mismatched signatures can prevent updates or trigger warnings for users. Learn more about signature verification and how to align it with Google Play here.

How to fix: Re-sign your APK using the original key associated with your app on Google Play.

Application APK vercode (X) is lower than the one in Google Play (Y)

Short answer: The version code in your APK is too low.

Details: The version code determines update order. If your version code is lower than Google Play’s, Play Store updates may override your version. Learn more about version codes and Play Store behavior here.

How to fix: Increment your app’s version code before building the APK to ensure it’s higher than the one on Google Play.

Submission failed, please try again

Short answer: The upload connection was interrupted.

Details: This happens when network instability or restricted connections (e.g., VPNs) interrupt the upload.

How to fix:

• Submit your files via publicly accessible URLs, or
• Retry submission using a stable, public connection, or
• Disable VPNs or firewalls temporarily if applicable.

If the issue persists, contact support.