These steps are performed outside 360Learning by whoever manages your organization's developer accounts.
We support several distribution methods depending on:
- The platform (iOS or Android)
- Your internal distribution needs (public store or private/internal distribution)
- The type of developer account you have (if required)
Depending on your situation, we will guide you through the most appropriate distribution method.
Overview of supported distribution methods
iOS (Apple)
| Account type | Distribution method | Requires developer account | App Store publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Developer program (Organization Account) | Public | Yes, App Store Connect account | Yes |
| Apple Developer program (Organization Account) | Unlisted | Yes, App Store Connect account | Yes (not searchable) |
| Apple Developer program (Organization Account) | Private (MDM / internal portal) | Yes, App Store Connect account | Yes (only accessible through Apple Business Manager) |
| Apple Developer Enterprise Program | IPA delivery | Yes | No, MDM only |
Android (Google)
| Account type | Distribution method | Requires developer account | Play Store publication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Play Developer account | Public | Yes, Google Play Console | Yes |
| None | APK delivery | No | No, MDM only |
Distribution options available
iOS distribution options
For iOS, distribution depends solely on the type of Apple Developer program.
You can check your program type by going to https://developer.apple.com/account, in the Membership details section - it should look like this.
Apple Developer Program (Organization account)
With a standard Apple Developer Program and App Store Connect account, we support public, unlisted, and private distribution.
To use these methods, you must:
- Have an active Apple Developer Program account for organizations.
- Share your App Store Connect account with 360Learning.
Once Apple approves your app's distribution method, you cannot change it. The only exception is converting a Public app to Unlisted. To switch between Public and Private distribution in either direction, you must create and submit a new app. See Apple's documentation.
Public distribution
With this distribution method, the app is publicly available on the App Store. Users can find it by searching for its name.
According to Apple, an app should only be publicly distributed on the App Store if it’s intended for use by a “wide variety of external customers around the world.” We don’t recommend public distribution unless your app targets a public audience. Apple will reject apps intended for internal use (see example below). For apps intended for specific users, choose Unlisted distribution instead.
Example of rejection:
Guideline 3.2 - Business: We found in our review that your app is intended to be used by a specific business or organization, including partners, clients, or employees, but you’ve selected public distribution on the App Store in App Store Connect. Since the App Store is intended for apps with a public audience, we recommend reviewing the other distribution options available to you through your Apple Developer Program Account.
Unlisted distribution
If your app isn’t appropriate for public distribution, make it available as an unlisted app on the App Store that can only be found via a direct link or by scanning a QR code. Apps for employee resources, partner sales tools, or research studies are a few examples of apps that may be suitable candidates for unlisted app distribution.
Once the user gets the URL or QR code, they are directed to the App Store where they will download and install the app just as they normally would with a public app.
This distribution has some drawbacks:
- The app is not searchable in the App Store
- You have less control over distribution than with private distribution: the app can be installed by anyone who has access to the link or QR code
- In this case the unlisted app will be installed on managed devices: either the app is installed remotely (standard usage) or else make sure that the web browser access is enabled on the managed devices to be able to download the app.
This mode of distribution is direct but not private because anyone with the download URL may still download an unlisted application.
For a fully private distribution, refer to the Private distribution section.
To use Unlisted distribution, send us the following information:
- What type of organization will use your app:
- Business
- Education
- Government
- Non-government organization
- General public
- Other
- Will your app be distributed internally to your employees, externally to partners and/or customers, or both?
- How many people will use this app?
- How many organizations (for example, businesses or schools) will use this app?
- Who is your app designed for:
- Full-time employees
- Part-time employees
- Third-party contractors
- Franchise operators
- Corporate customers
- Faculty, staff, or students
- General public
- Other
- What category best describes your app:
- Employee logistics (timecard, shift scheduling, badge reader)
- Employee training
- Employee communication
- Business operations (delivery, warehouse management, ERP, CRM)
- Point-of-sale or retail operations
- Partner or contractor operations
- Sales or product catalogs
- Healthcare, research, or medical
- Productivity
- Security
- Other
- Will the app be distributed to managed devices, unmanaged devices, or both?
- How many devices will be unmanaged?
- In what regions will your app be available?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas, The
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Cayman Islands
- Chad
- Chile
- Colombia
- Congo, Republic of
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gambia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Korea, Republic Of
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia, Federated States of
- Moldova, Republic Of
- Mongolia
- Montserrat
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Norway
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Saint Lucia
- SĂŁo TomĂ© and PrĂncipe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Vincent and The Grenadines
- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania, United Republic Of
- Thailand
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- TĂĽrkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Turks and Caicos
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- UK
- USA
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Virgin Islands, British
- Yemen
- Zimbabwe
Private distribution
Private distribution serves organizations that manage apps on behalf of their employees, staff, and/or students. These apps are deployed using MDM.
The main limitation: the app is not searchable in the App Store. Users must receive it through your MDM or a redemption code.
You need one Apple Business Account per country where you plan to distribute.
To proceed, send us the following information from your Apple Business Account:
- Organization ID
- Organization Name
Once we create the custom app, Apple reviews and validates it. When approved, it appears in your Apple Business Account. You then buy the (free) custom app units and distribute them to your users:
-
Activate the Custom apps feature.
An admin of the Apple Business account must enable Custom apps in the settings when the Tax Status is approved.
-
Get Custom app units.
Once Apple approves the custom app (your CSP will notify you):
- Select the Custom app in your Apple Business Account
- Pick the desired license type
- Enter the quantity and buy it
- If redemption codes were generated, download the associated file
-
Distribute the app.
Option a: Through redemption codes
We will have provided 2 web pages:
- An end-user page where users can fetch a redemption code and are guided through installation.
- A dashboard page where an admin can upload and monitor redemption codes.
Share the link directly with your end-users, or embed the pages in your website to serve them unbranded.
An Apple Business Account is bound to a country: codes are only usable in the country where they were generated.
Option b: Through an MDM (Mobile Device Management system)
Apple Developer Enterprise Program
The Apple Developer Enterprise Program allows internal-only app distribution. Apps cannot be published on the App Store, and Apple reviews eligibility before approving Enterprise accounts.
We generate the IPA file signed with your Apple Developer assets and deliver it to you by email. Distribution is handled internally via MDM or internal portal.
To use this distribution method, you must:
- Have an approved Apple Developer Enterprise Program
- See Share your Apple Developer Enterprise Program account with 360Learning.
Android distribution options
Android offers more flexibility with its distribution options than Apple.
Distribution via the Google Play Store
The app is published publicly on the Google Play Store. Users download it directly from the store.
To use this distribution method, you must:
- Have a Google Developer account
- See Create your Google Play account.
- Make sure this is an Organization account type. Personal accounts are not supported. You can check your account type in the Home or Developer account sections of your Google Play Console. If you already have a Personal account, see what to do →.
- See Share your Google Play Console with 360Learning.
Private distribution (MDM or internal portal)
We deliver the APK file to you by email. Distribution is then handled internally via MDM or internal portal.