Why so long to enroll into iPhone Developer Program?

Kuroyume · January 2009

I filled out the enrollment form on 2009.01.22. Today is 2009.01.27 and still not a blip of response. No contact, no email, nothing. All of the information was the same (for now, I'm the only person in the company - I'm afraid to ask how complex it will be to transfer when the others and I form our LLC - haha, argh). Haven't even paid yet. I assume this happens after the verification process sometime.

My god. The person doing the GPhone end of this app has already enrolled, paid, uploaded the app, and has it in the store being downloaded. The darned thing is free so why the complex maneuvers? The business here is tanking on Apple's sloth-like pincer movements...

Thanks,
Robert

c0der · January 2009

Kuroyume;44885 said:
I filled out the enrollment form on 2009.01.22. Today is 2009.01.27 and still not a blip of response.

Only 5 days and you're complaining? There are people that have waited MONTHS before getting approved. Supposedly, if you apply as an individual the acceptance is faster than as a business entity.

Personally, I think there are too many developers writing crappy applications. Apple needs to slow down the acceptance of new developers, or at the very least, cancel those that are not producing quality apps.

exorcyze · January 2009

Took over a week for mine. No idea why it takes so long. I figured I'd pay the $99 and as soon as the payment processed ( which was less than a day ) I'd also have the magic link on the dev center - however I had to wait longer.

DenVog · January 2009

There are multiple posts on the forum for how long it takes to get in. It appears that individuals get processed more quickly than companies.

To give you an idea:
* I enrolled on Jan 12 as a company.
* Got a note on the 20th " We are currently in the process of reviewing your iPhone Developer Program enrollment information. Please fax one of the following forms of identity for your business based on your company form."
* Nothing since...

c0der · January 2009

DenVogel;44954 said:

* Got a note on the 20th " We are currently in the process of reviewing your iPhone Developer Program enrollment information. Please fax one of the following forms of identity for your business based on your company form."
* Nothing since...

So, did you fax your business documents of incorporation to them? The same thing happened to me, but after I faxed the documents to them, I got approved a few days later.

Kuroyume · January 2009

I actually did a search on 'iPhone Developer Program' and found no such posts - maybe the wrong search terms (???). I've seen the long lists of people trying to get their applications on the AppStore otoh.

Wow! That's atrociously pathetic turnaround on their part. How are they possibly going to keep up as hundreds and hundreds of more developers enter the fray?

Scenario: I'm a through and through non-Mac programmer. x86 Assembler, BASIC, Pascal, LISP, C, C++, Java, Python, blah, blah. I only do Mac development wrt an application plugin SDK (and another using Qt - may have hear of it, "Ivy Generator"?). ;) I picked up Objective-C and the needed parts of the iPhone SDK (thanks to help here!!!) very, very quickly. The application only took two weeks to write/test/write/... from scratch. :) If I can do it, just think how many other non-Mac programmers and development companies may jump in here. Apple underestimates the shear tsunami of programmers in the non-Mac world (literally hundreds of millions). Ohhhh, this is going to be fun. :D

Thanks and, I suppose, patience,
Robert

DenVog · January 2009

c0der;44957 said:
So, did you fax your business documents of incorporation to them? The same thing happened to me, but after I faxed the documents to them, I got approved a few days later.

Yes. I faxed them one of the requested documents the same day (Jan 20). I also followed up to make sure they received it. Which they did.

Kuroyume · January 2009

c0der;44957 said:
So, did you fax your business documents of incorporation to them? The same thing happened to me, but after I faxed the documents to them, I got approved a few days later.

They don't specify what documents exactly and say that they will contact to acquire the documents/information. I'm just a person working from home here. I don't have an LLC, just a basic business. Until my partners and I actually go about getting an LLC, do you think that I should have just enrolled as an individual?

Thanks,
Robert

DenVog · January 2009

Kuroyume;44961 said:
I actually did a search on 'iPhone Developer Program' and found no such posts - maybe the wrong search terms (???).

Try searching this forum with "developer program how long".

c0der · January 2009

Kuroyume;44964 said:
I don't have an LLC, just a basic business. Until my partners and I actually go about getting an LLC, do you think that I should have just enrolled as an individual?

If you plan to exist as a "business" in the iPhone market, then I think you did best by registering with Apple as a business entity. I'd also like to think that Apple would give preferential treatment to businesses (since they are a business themselves).

And, if Apple did decide to limit application submissions (in the future), I'd think they would limit individuals before they would a business. Just my opinion of course. :)

raggeddesign · January 2009

Kuroyume;44885 said:
I filled out the enrollment form on 2009.01.22. Today is 2009.01.27 and still not a blip of response. No contact, no email, nothing. All of the information was the same (for now, I'm the only person in the company - I'm afraid to ask how complex it will be to transfer when the others and I form our LLC - haha, argh). Haven't even paid yet. I assume this happens after the verification process sometime.

My god. The person doing the GPhone end of this app has already enrolled, paid, uploaded the app, and has it in the store being downloaded. The darned thing is free so why the complex maneuvers? The business here is tanking on Apple's sloth-like pincer movements...

Thanks,
Robert

I hear ya, we thought it would be a quick and easy process as well, BOY were we shocked! It took us close to 4 weeks to finally get approved, and from what I've read, others have waited longer than that! I agree, you'd think the process could be faster.

DenVog · January 2009

Just an update, for those that are curious what the current wait times are. Got a call from the developer program today to confirm company name, address, and phone. Got an email immediately after to review and agree to the iPhone Developer Program License Agreement. Completing the purchase and activation process. So just under 3 weeks for me.

cryptognome · February 2009

exorcyze;44912 said:
Took over a week for mine. No idea why it takes so long. I figured I'd pay the $99 and as soon as the payment processed ( which was less than a day ) I'd also have the magic link on the dev center - however I had to wait longer.

I registered yesterday as an individual. Payment was processed and today I received an email with a hyperlinked activation code. Clicking the link simply took me to Apple's iPhone Dev home page where everything was the same: no Program Portal button. So what does the activation code do for you? I already had access to the downloads.

Kuroyume · February 2009

Still waiting here - and I enrolled on Jan 22 (so that's about four weeks).

When!? ;)

cryptognome · February 2009

Kuroyume;51917 said:
Still waiting here - and I enrolled on Jan 22 (so that's about four weeks).

When!? ;)

Man, that is discouraging and you didn't even enroll as a company. Did you get an activation link? Any idea what that's about?

cryptognome · February 2009

c0der;44911 said:
Personally, I think there are too many developers writing crappy applications. Apple needs to slow down the acceptance of new developers, or at the very least, cancel those that are not producing quality apps.

I do wonder if there'll ever be a shake out. Apple's approach is that the cream rises to the top, but there's so much ground clutter, if you don't start out at the top it's hard to get noticed.

jtara · February 2009

Kuroyume;44964 said:
They don't specify what documents exactly and say that they will contact to acquire the documents/information. I'm just a person working from home here. I don't have an LLC, just a basic business. Until my partners and I actually go about getting an LLC, do you think that I should have just enrolled as an individual?

Thanks,
Robert

You don't say what country you are in - I can only suggest what you should do if you are in the U.S.

If you have not formed a Corporation or LLC, then you are a "sole proprietor". You could choose to enroll as an individual or a business. If you enroll as a business, and you use your full legal name, or use that in your business name, there is nothing you should need to provide. That is, say, you operate as "John Smith Software", then there is no paperwork you need to file to operate under that name. I dunno, though, Apple might still want a local business license (if one is required), etc.

If, instead, you want to operate as, say, "XYZZY Software", (or even "Smith Software" - e.g. you didn't use your FULL legal name) then you need to file a "DBA" (Doing Business As) or "Assumed Name" with your local authority. (In most states, that would be your county registrar). You would FAX Apple the paperwork you got back from the county, proving that you filed the assumed name. This permits somebody who wants to know who the heck is behind "XYZZY Software" to go to the country recorder's office and find out that it's "John Doe".

To further complicate matters, a Corporation or LLC can also file a DBA. Perhaps they want to do business under a different name than their registered corporate name. (Say, for branding purposes.)

You can't simply make up a name and start doing business under that name, without filing any kind of papers. Apple is simply trying to insure that you are, in fact, legally doing business under the name you've given. Of course, they are clear as mud about the requirements.

If you file as an individual, you have precisely one choice for the name you use - your legal name. I initially signed-up this way, and it took < 1 day for initial approval, ability to get signing certificates, etc. and then about 1 week for all the contracts to be approved including "money and banking". I'm forming a Corporation and going in parallel. If my first app is done before everything is approved on the second application, I may chance it and release the app under the personal account.

After all the horror stories I've read, I absolutely refuse to attempt to convert the personal account to a business one.

ipodgreatmaster · February 2009

jtara;52232 said:
You don't say what country you are in - I can only suggest what you should do if you are in the U.S.

If you have not formed a Corporation or LLC, then you are a "sole proprietor". You could choose to enroll as an individual or a business. If you enroll as a business, and you use your full legal name, or use that in your business name, there is nothing you should need to provide. That is, say, you operate as "John Smith Software", then there is no paperwork you need to file to operate under that name. I dunno, though, Apple might still want a local business license (if one is required), etc.

If, instead, you want to operate as, say, "XYZZY Software", (or even "Smith Software" - e.g. you didn't use your FULL legal name) then you need to file a "DBA" (Doing Business As) or "Assumed Name" with your local authority. (In most states, that would be your county registrar). You would FAX Apple the paperwork you got back from the county, proving that you filed the assumed name. This permits somebody who wants to know who the heck is behind "XYZZY Software" to go to the country recorder's office and find out that it's "John Doe".

To further complicate matters, a Corporation or LLC can also file a DBA. Perhaps they want to do business under a different name than their registered corporate name. (Say, for branding purposes.)

You can't simply make up a name and start doing business under that name, without filing any kind of papers. Apple is simply trying to insure that you are, in fact, legally doing business under the name you've given. Of course, they are clear as mud about the requirements.

If you file as an individual, you have precisely one choice for the name you use - your legal name. I initially signed-up this way, and it took < 1 day for initial approval, ability to get signing certificates, etc. and then about 1 week for all the contracts to be approved including "money and banking". I'm forming a Corporation and going in parallel. If my first app is done before everything is approved on the second application, I may chance it and release the app under the personal account.

After all the horror stories I've read, I absolutely refuse to attempt to convert the personal account to a business one.

So i dont understand. If i enroll as an individual i cant put my apps under a name like xySoftwares? Because im going to buy this as an individual but want to get my apps as if xySoftwares has made them

jtara · February 2009

ipodgreatmaster;52235 said:
So i dont understand. If i enroll as an individual i cant put my apps under a name like xySoftwares? Because im going to buy this as an individual but want to get my apps as if xySoftwares has made them

That is correct. If you enroll as an individual, you can ONLY put your apps under your legal personal name.

If you want to use a company name, like "xySoftwares", then you MUST enroll as a business. And you must provide Apple with the paperwork proving that you may legally operate under that name according to local law. That does not mean that you are required to form a Corporation, etc. In most places, it is legal for an individual to do business under an "assumed name", but there is government paperwork required to do so.

So, add to the turn-around time the time needed to file the paperwork with your local government and get the approved paperwork back from them. :(

Asa · February 2009

Applied as an individual and was given confirmation 3 hours later.

cryptognome · February 2009

Asa;52339 said:
Applied as an individual and was given confirmation 3 hours later.

I was given "confirmation" in short order too but cannot yet access the program portal to create certificates, etc. Instead, there's this:

Already applied to the Program?
We are currently processing your enrollment application and will be contacting you soon.

I was once part of a team, so I know that's where the portal button should be.

Asa · February 2009

cryptognome;52360 said:
I was given "confirmation" in short order too but cannot yet access the program portal to create certificates, etc. Instead, there's this:

Already applied to the Program?
We are currently processing your enrollment application and will be contacting you soon.

I was once part of a team, so I know that's where the portal button should be.

Yes, 3 hours later had access to the portal. I'm sure yours will come soon!

cryptognome · February 2009

Asa;52383 said:
Yes, 3 hours later had access to the portal. I'm sure yours will come soon!

Ok, I figured out my problem about three seconds after I hit the submit button on a complaint to Apple. As I mentioned before, I got an email within about an hour of registration containing an activation link. Clicking that simply took me to the iPhone Developer Center home page, where nothing had changed. It occurred to me to log out of the web site and click the link again. [I]Et voil

btschumy · February 2009

Thanks so much for that hint. I've been waiting 3 weeks to get access. Logging out, clicking the link, and then logging in again did the trick. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

MarkusN · February 2009

Here is a (hopefully) golden advise I got early when I started to deal with Apple/itunes/appstore etc. And I can now back that with my own registration experience.

CALL THEM!

I know it is internet time. I hate calling. But I called. And I always(!) had someone very competent on the line after maximum of 2min wait and the call always helped my case.

My most current example: Sent an email through the portal last Wednesday on changing my individual account to my newly founded company.
No answer for two days. I called Friday 4pm pacific. Got a case number and, five minutes after the call, the account change email. Went through the procedure. Got email stating someone will contact me and it can take several days. As they advised me, I nevertheless called again with that key I received and my case number today (monday morning). And the guy told me he sees me in the system and will make sure I get to the next step asap. And I received the email asking for business documents 2h later.

Who did I get that great advise from? The Apple hotline itself, back in November when I called about an incorporation question that I didn't find an answer to online. They strongly advised to call for business critical things and you know what, so far that worked beautifully.

Did I mention I typically hate to call? :)

Markus

ipodgreatmaster · February 2009

MarkusN;53880 said:
Here is a (hopefully) golden advise I got early when I started to deal with Apple/itunes/appstore etc. And I can now back that with my own registration experience.

CALL THEM!

I know it is internet time. I hate calling. But I called. And I always(!) had someone very competent on the line after maximum of 2min wait and the call always helped my case.

My most current example: Sent an email through the portal last Wednesday on changing my individual account to my newly founded company.
No answer for two days. I called Friday 4pm pacific. Got a case number and, five minutes after the call, the account change email. Went through the procedure. Got email stating someone will contact me and it can take several days. As they advised me, I nevertheless called again with that key I received and my case number today (monday morning). And the guy told me he sees me in the system and will make sure I get to the next step asap. And I received the email asking for business documents 2h later.

Who did I get that great advise from? The Apple hotline itself, back in November when I called about an incorporation question that I didn't find an answer to online. They strongly advised to call for business critical things and you know what, so far that worked beautifully.

Did I mention I typically hate to call? :)

Markus

Thats great. But in my case i live in colombia and i dont know how to call apple from here. Can somebody get me the number. Thanks

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Why so long to enroll into iPhone Developer Program?

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