Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Appstead?

  A native iPhone and iPad app for checking your App Store business. Connect a workspace with an App Store Connect API key, or explore the built-in demo workspace, to see proceeds, downloads, subscriptions, reviews, and portfolio trends in one place, with widgets and CSV exports when you need them.

• How is this different from App Store Connect?

  App Store Connect is a web app built for everything from TestFlight to app submission. Appstead is a native app built for one job: seeing how your apps are doing day to day. It keeps your data locally so screens load from cache, offers portfolio-wide Overview and Trends views built for quick phone checks, and can send optional daily or weekly notifications when you opt in. Apple's report timing and iOS background refresh mean delivery is not guaranteed to an exact time.

• When is yesterday's data available?

  Apple typically publishes yesterday's sales report around 7 AM Pacific, often mid-afternoon in Western Europe. Timing varies by report type and can slip later. Appstead shows the last successfully imported data until a newer report is available. Use Refresh Sales Data in Settings when you expect new numbers.

• How are the metrics determined?

  Appstead reads official App Store Connect sales and subscription reports and stores them locally on your device. Proceeds, downloads, subscriptions, trials, and related metrics are calculated from those imported reports, not scraped from the App Store or estimated from third-party sources. Display currency conversion uses public exchange rates when you choose a currency other than the report currency.

• Why don't some numbers match App Store Connect?

  Small differences are normal. Apple's reports can arrive with a delay, so Appstead may show cached data until your next refresh. Date ranges, territory filters, device filters, currency conversion, and rounding can also shift totals compared with a specific ASC screen. Appstead follows the same underlying reports. It does not invent parallel numbers.

• Can I use the numbers here for accounting?

  Appstead is a monitoring and reporting tool for developers and publishers, not accounting software and not financial advice. Use it to track trends and spot issues quickly, but rely on your official App Store Connect records and qualified professionals for tax, accounting, and compliance decisions.

• Do I need to give Appstead my Apple ID password?

  No. Appstead never asks for your Apple ID password. You add a live workspace with an App Store Connect API key, not your Apple ID login.

  Your key has one job: pulling Sales, Subscription, and Subscription Event reports from App Store Connect. A key with the Sales and Reports role is enough. Appstead validates it against Apple before saving it to Keychain.

  Each workspace keeps its own API key and private key in Apple's Keychain. With iCloud Keychain enabled, that key can sync to your other devices through Apple's secure storage, not through Appstead. The app talks directly to Apple's APIs. No Appstead backend ever receives your credentials or business data.

  Delete a workspace and its API key, private key, and imported data are removed from your device. Appstead keeps no copy.

  When you are ready to connect, the same setup links are in the app under Add Live Workspace:

  • How to create an API key: Apple's step-by-step guide
  • API Keys page: generate and manage keys in App Store Connect
  • Vendor Number page: find your vendor number for sales reports
• Where is my data stored?

  Imported sales, reviews, and metrics live in a local database on your device. API keys live in the Keychain. CSV exports are generated on demand and shared through the iOS share sheet. Appstead does not upload them. Business data sync across devices is not available in the current version; each device keeps its own imported history until sync ships.

• Does Appstead have a server?

  Appstead has no backend that receives your App Store Connect credentials or business data. The app talks directly to Apple when you refresh. Anonymous product analytics and crash diagnostics help us improve stability. They never include your business numbers or credentials.

• Can I manage multiple App Store Connect accounts?

  Yes. Each workspace holds its own API key, apps, and data. That is useful if you manage different teams or clients. Adding live workspaces requires Appstead Pro. You can also use the built-in demo workspace to explore every screen with sample data before connecting an account.

• What does Appstead Pro include?

  Pro unlocks live workspaces connected to real App Store Connect data: add and refresh workspaces, keep widgets up to date, and receive live-data notifications. Without Pro, saved data stays readable and the demo workspace stays fully usable, but live workspaces will not fetch new data from Apple. Pro is available as a monthly or annual subscription (annual includes a free trial) or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Subscriptions can be cancelled anytime in your Apple ID settings.

• What happens if I cancel Pro?

  Your existing data stays on your device and remains readable. Overview, Apps, Reviews, and Trends keep showing what was last imported. The demo workspace stays fully available. Live workspaces stop fetching new data from App Store Connect, widgets stop updating with fresh numbers, and live-data notifications stop until you resubscribe.