Set Up Your Developer Accounts

What you'll learn

The Big Picture

This is the step that only needs to be done once, but it has to be done correctly.

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What a DUNS number is

How to get one quickly, and why both Apple and Google require it.

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Apple Developer setup

How to create an Apple ID for your business and enroll as an organization.

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Google Play Console setup

How to set it up as an organization, not a personal account, with the right payments profile.

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The one rule that matters most

Always enroll as an organization, never as an individual. This section shows you exactly why.

Key definitions

Terms worth knowing

A unique nine-digit identifier issued by Dun and Bradstreet that verifies your business exists. Both Apple and Google require this for organization-level developer enrollment.

The organization that issues DUNS numbers. You can search for your business on their site. It may already be listed if someone has referenced your business through credit or other records.

Apple's paid developer program that allows you to publish apps to the App Store. Must be enrolled as an organization to work with the branded app setup.

A separate Apple ID created specifically for your business, distinct from any personal Apple ID you use for your own devices. Recommended for cleaner organization enrollment.

Google's developer dashboard for publishing Android apps. Requires a one-time $25 registration fee, and must be set up as an organization with a business payments profile.

A Google payments profile tied to your business, not a personal Google account. Required for organization-level registration in Google Play Console. Using a personal profile results in individual enrollment and cannot be refunded or converted.

The account type required for both Apple and Google developer accounts. Your software updates and manages the branded app on your behalf on the backend, and this only works if your account is enrolled as an organization, not as an individual.

"The key thing to remember is setting up everything as an organization, and getting that DUNS number so all your information matches. That is how you get approved faster."

Step by step

Getting Each Account Set Up

Search, claim, or register

Go to the Dun and Bradstreet website and search for your business using your zip code and business name. D&B will check whether your business is already in their system. If it's found, claim it and complete the setup to receive your number. If it's not found, add your business with your name, zip code, and details, then follow the steps to register. You'll get a confirmation email once your DUNS number is set up.

If you enroll in the Apple Developer Program first and don't yet have a DUNS number, Apple can enroll you as part of the organization setup, sending your information to Dun and Bradstreet on your behalf. Click Learn More next to the DUNS number field during Apple enrollment to access this.

Important: make sure your DUNS number matches your business name exactly as it appears in your Apple and Google accounts. Mismatched information slows down approval.

Business Apple ID, organization enrollment

If you have a personal Apple ID for your own devices, do not use it for your developer account. Create a separate Apple ID specifically for your business first, which makes the organization enrollment process much cleaner. Using a personal Apple ID can mean contacting Apple Support to manually update the account, which adds time.

When you begin enrollment at developer.apple.com, you'll be asked how you want to enroll. Always select Enroll as an Organization. Your software manages and updates your branded app on the backend as an organization, and enrolling as an individual will not work.

Apple will ask for your business name and information, your business website (make sure it's live and active, because Apple checks it), and your DUNS number. Apple's enrollment is typically faster than Google's, so if you're doing both, consider Apple first.

Business account, organization type, new payments profile

Sign in with a Google account tied to your business, not a personal Gmail account. During setup, Google will ask what type of account you're creating. Select organization, not personal. You'll need your DUNS number, developer name (your business name), and a payments profile.

This part is critical: when Google asks you to select or create a payments profile, do not select an existing personal Google payments profile. Create a new one tied to your business. If you pay the $25 registration fee using a personal payments profile, Google registers you as an individual, not an organization, and will not convert the account or issue a refund. You'd need to register again as an organization and pay another $25, bringing the total to $50. This is a mistake that has been made. Do not repeat it.

Google will also ask for your DUNS number, developer name, account name, identity verification (likely a business license or similar document), and a support email address.

Three confirmations, then you're ready

Apple: you've received an email from Apple confirming your developer account is approved and active as an organization.

Google: you've received confirmation from Google Play Console that your organization account is verified and active.

DUNS: your DUNS number is confirmed and matches your business name exactly as used in both accounts.

Once all three are in place, you're ready to go back into your software, make your payment, and begin filling out the branded app form.

Tips

Worth remembering

Always enroll as an organization in both Apple and Google. This is not optional for the branded app to work.
Create a dedicated business Apple ID before starting Apple Developer enrollment. Do not use your personal Apple ID.
Make sure your business website is live before you begin Apple enrollment. They will check it.
In Google Play Console, always create a new business payments profile, never an existing personal one. The $25 fee is non-refundable if paid incorrectly.
If you want to do both in one session, do Apple first. Its enrollment is faster and smoother.
You'll receive confirmation emails from both Apple and Google when approved. Save these, since you'll confirm them in the form next.

Check yourself

Quick Knowledge Check

Four quick questions on this lesson. One attempt each, and the answer is revealed either way.

0 of 4 answered

When enrolling in Apple or Google Developer accounts, what should you always select?

What happens if you pay Google's $25 fee using a personal payments profile by mistake?

What does a DUNS number verify?

Which developer enrollment is typically faster to complete?

Apply it

Try this with your favorite AI

✅Check my account info matches

You are helping me double check that my business information is consistent before I enroll in Apple and Google developer accounts as an organization. Here is what I have: - Legal business name: [enter it] - Business name I use publicly: [enter it] - Business address on file with Dun and Bradstreet, if known: [enter it] Ask me any clarifying questions you need, then tell me exactly which details need to match exactly across my DUNS record, Apple Developer account, and Google Play Console so I avoid approval delays.

📋Write my setup order and reminders

You are helping me plan the order I should tackle my DUNS number, Apple Developer account, and Google Play Console setup in. My situation: - Do I already have a DUNS number: [yes/no] - Do I have a business Apple ID and business Google account ready: [yes/no] Give me a short, ordered task list, and for each task, one reminder of a common mistake to avoid, especially around organization enrollment and the Google payments profile.