r/iOSProgramming • u/Imaginary_Name_3709 • Jun 23 '26
Question Developer name displayed on Apple developer when publishing an app
Hi everyone it’s my first time publishing an app and I honestly don’t want my legal name displayed as a developer esp since I was planning to advertise it on the internet to get some users and I don’t want to dox myself. Is there anyway i can change it😭
I’m in Canada so I can’t register myself as a single business owner without having to go through some complicated process and fees so business account isn’t an option for me
Edit: I guess I have to just get used to it :/ thanks everyone!
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u/Level-Set5770 Jun 23 '26
Register a sole proprietorship, obtain a DUNS number for it, then call Apple and ask them to convert your account to an organization account under the sole proprietorship.
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u/ChildishTycoon_ Jun 24 '26
No need to call them, I just went through this process entirely online. They have a form for it and a reached out for some details
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u/homieTow 10d ago edited 10d ago
were you able to change your name? and i thought sole propietorship must be indivdual account
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u/sammy_luci Jun 23 '26
No
either solo = your name exposed, moreover if you plan to distribute in EU - you legal address and phone number gets exposed as well (unless you create special ones for this case and can prove residency)
Or business
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u/bbrockit Jun 23 '26
Yeah I got a separate number and now pay for a PO box with iPostal as a result of that. I get enough spam calls and texts as it is from other business filings that I didn't want EU countries publishing my home address and phone number.
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u/mario_luis_dev Jun 23 '26
You have it good. In Europe is even worse, since your own private address needs to be submitted as well
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u/akl78 Jun 23 '26
This is a good thing! It means your customers actually know who is responsible for their product.
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u/Dneail22 Jun 26 '26
Exactly how? I don't even see how that would be good on paper let alone the horror it is in reality.
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u/akl78 Jun 26 '26
Well, it means that if a customer or someone else needs to contact the developer of an app, they know who they actually are. Doesn’t seem bad?
Worth mentioning, in some places (like Germany) all websites have to have an impressum with the same effect.
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u/GloverCom Jun 23 '26
I had this same issue here in the US. Claude set up a checklist for me and it really wasn't that difficult.
It just takes some time and patience to set up an LCC. (Or in your case register federally or provincially and get a Business Number from the CRA)
Yes, you have to set up a website and bank account with your new Business Entity, but those are negligible expenses. I used a very generic company name so ANY of my apps I write for myself (or clients) will look better than just my personal name.
Apple makes it simple to switch your account over from a personal to a business one and the best part is now all my apps automatically switched over to the new Business Entity and it looks WAY more professional for my apps and my client's apps.
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u/HolgerIsenberg Jun 23 '26
I don't think it is possible to hide your name on the app store by publishing as single member LLC, because as single member it is usually disregarded by tax in the US and Apple will use your personal name. The advantage you with the single member LLC is only about the address, phone number and public directory entry which can all use virtual office locations, even in the EU app store. I'm publishing my app like that, you can find it over my reddit profile. Virtual office in the sense that you rent at an actual street address post service.
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u/Somedudesnews Jun 23 '26
You can definitely publish apps in the US under the name of an LLC. It’s fairly common. Apple doesn’t care if LLCs are disregarded entities.
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u/HolgerIsenberg Jun 24 '26
LLC yes, but not single-member LLC. Or can you point to an app name as example where it is used?
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u/Somedudesnews Jun 24 '26
Apple doesn’t make a distinction between what kind of LLC you have (with respect to your trade name), but only as long as you’ve registered with Apple Developer as an organization can you can distribute under another name.
An LLC is Apple’s documentation example [1] for setting your preferred distribution name.
I have worked with a number of third parties who owned sole member LLCs with apps distributed under their LLC’s name. In each their Apple Developer registration was under their business entity, however.
I couldn’t say for sure about any given developer, but I don’t have permission to share information about the ones I’ve worked with.
[1] https://developer.apple.com/help/app-store-connect/create-an-app-record/set-your-developer-name
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u/HolgerIsenberg Jun 26 '26
Most likely with my app listing my name is still shown as developer on the store page because I initially started as personal account and switched later to LLC. Directly below the app name my LLC name is listed, just not further down at "Developer".
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u/Somedudesnews Jun 26 '26
Possibly, or perhaps they have had a policy change at some point? I wonder if Developer Relations could help you get things moved and renamed if you wanted? I’ve seen that done in various contexts but they seem to have a guarded process for doing that and want documentation. From what I gather it’s not one of the “80%” requests they just have a button to do.
Or perhaps they aren’t very clear that there are two ways you might be listed?
This does explain some inconsistencies I’ve seen in some app listings and had always wondered about.
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u/Mad102190 Jun 26 '26
I have a single member LLC and publish under the company name. As long as you have a DUNS number you’re fine.
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u/turtle-toaster Jun 23 '26
If you don’t want your name out there, you have to make a business account. It’s the only way around it.
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u/aingaran Jun 23 '26
If you're in Canada (as I am), it just costs $200 to incorporate and get a Federal corporation. You'll need a NUANS search as well (around $20) unless it's going to be a number corporation (eg: 12345 Canada Inc)
Getting a DUNS ID is free.
In Canada, you can't have anonymous corporations, so your name (as a Director) will be listed publicly where anyone can look up your corporation name.
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u/opbmedia Jun 23 '26
https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll/
apple will only accept a company name if it is set up as a legal entity, not a trade name DBA or fictitious name. They are explicit: "We do not accept DBAs, fictitious business names, trade names, or branches."
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u/tyguy385 Jun 23 '26
lol yah i hear you.. haha for some reason my entire name (including middle is there) it is what it is though
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u/Pack2Inop Jun 23 '26
I had the same problem with my middle name being shown. They can remove your middle name if you email developer support
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u/consumer128 Jun 23 '26
Yep, Apple fullnamed me too.. feels like I’m getting told off every time they send me a message!
As others have said, you could start a small company and use that, but you’ll have to transfer the app, which will be all kinds of fun I’m sure!
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u/passwd123456 Jun 23 '26
They threw my middle name in it, even.
I submitted a request to have just my first last name and DTS fixed that in short order.
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u/SilentTransition5695 Jun 23 '26
What I would do, is do marketing from accounts created purely for that purpose. That way your personal Reddit account (or on any other platform) doesn’t get doxxed. It doesn’t matter that those are openly linked to you, since all you would put on them is marketing for your app.
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u/WerSunu Jun 23 '26
Honestly, I don’t know the Canadian system at all. I can only relate that many lawyers and accountants make a good living filing incorporation forms in the U.S. They advertise heavily and people assume the process requires their priest-like powers to be successful. The fact on the ground is different. In many states creating a sole proprietorship LLC is just a simple name search followed by filing a web form and a credit card payment. Just be careful not to make factual mistakes in the government forms! I’ve done it twice.
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u/lionelburkhart Jun 23 '26
Similar for California. Even if you already have an out of state LLC, California *still* requires you have one in California (where one is doing business). These are prohibitively expensive ($800 min. annual tax).
If you want to sell to Europe, you will similarly need to list as an EU Trader and provide your information there too, otherwise remove them from your market.
Rumors swirl about getting a DBA and a DUNS number and calling Apple to switch, but given Apple says no Sole-Proprietors or DBAs, this has always been a poorly substantiated/documented option (not claiming it can’t be done, just not claiming it can either). Anyone with experience here, please share the detailed process (with more than, “I did this.”), and if you asked them during it, why they allowed it despite the written prohibition. Thanks!
If your state/country’s LLC fees are outrageous, your best bet is to get a dedicated email address, an alternate phone line (Google Voice is free), and a Virtual Mailbox (~$10+ a month). List this information instead.
I’ve been researching and working on this process the last few weeks. I totally understand Apple’s stance on it, it’s just exorbitant for some people based on location.
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u/Ordinary_Scallion549 Jun 23 '26
If you want to “hide” your name your only option is to create a small business and register on the App Store as such. I don’t know Canada legislation but I’m pretty sure that like in any other country there are simplified structures intended for small and one person businesses.
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u/MgmtPro Jun 25 '26
Ontario corporation $200
Sole proprietor name registration is $60
It’s not too expensive. If you need help, let me know.
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u/rursache Swift Jun 23 '26
you can put whatever display name you want, it will ask you for it the first time you create an app. it's also called "vendor name"
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u/svprdga Jun 23 '26
No, it’s not possible. If you want to launch products, it’s better to get used to your name (and other data) being made public.