How to Create a Free Apple Developer Account (Step by Step)
Create a free Apple Developer account in minutes to run your own iOS apps on your iPhone and iPad, and see exactly when you need the paid $99 program.
A free Apple Developer account lets you build and run your own iOS apps on your iPhone and iPad at zero cost, using your existing Apple ID. You only need the paid $99/year Apple Developer Program when you want to publish to the App Store. This guide from Appy Pie AI walks through creating the free account, signing into Xcode, running an app on your device, and exactly when the paid program is worth it.
What This Guide Delivers
- Create a free Apple Developer account with your Apple ID
- Add the account to Xcode (Personal Team)
- Run your own app on your iPhone or iPad
- Free vs the $99 Apple Developer Program
- Whether you need a Mac or Xcode at all
- How to build and publish an iOS app with no code
A free account runs your own apps on your devices. Publishing to the App Store needs the $99/year Apple Developer Program. Rated 4.7/5 on G2 from 1,388 reviews.
Build Your iOS App FreeFree vs Paid at a glance
Free account
Run your own apps on your iPhone and iPad.
Developer Program
Publish to the App Store, TestFlight, App Store Connect.
TL;DR Quick Summary
To create a free Apple Developer account, go to developer.apple.com, click Account, and sign in with your Apple ID (or create one), then accept the Apple Developer Agreement. That free account lets you build and run your own apps on your iPhone and iPad through Xcode at no cost. To publish an app on the App Store, you need the paid Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year. If you do not have a Mac or do not want to use Xcode, you can build an iOS app with a no-code platform like Appy Pie AI instead.
Build Your iOS App With Appy Pie AI →Table of Contents
Jump to any section. This guide covers free vs paid, how to create the free account, signing into Xcode, running your app on your iPhone, what the $99 program costs and includes, building without a Mac, and an FAQ.
Free vs Paid Apple Developer Account: What’s the Difference?
There are two kinds of Apple Developer account. The free one is all you need to build and test your own apps; the paid Apple Developer Program is what lets you publish to the App Store. When you are enrolled, our step-by-step guide on how to submit your iPhone app to the App Store walks through the full submission flow.
| Free account | Developer Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $99 / year |
| Run your own apps on your devices | Yes | Yes |
| Publish to the App Store | No | Yes |
| TestFlight beta testing | No | Yes |
| App Store Connect access | No | Yes |
| App signing validity | Re-sign every 7 days | 1 year |
| Best for | Testing and learning | Shipping a real app |
Apple Developer Program fee verified at $99/year. Last verified: June 2026.
How to Create a Free Apple Developer Account
Creating the free account takes a few minutes and only needs your Apple ID. Here is the full flow, from sign-in to running your app on your iPhone.
Create your free Apple Developer account
Go to developer.apple.com and click Account. Sign in with your existing Apple ID, or create a new one to keep things separate. Accept the Apple Developer Agreement, and your free account is ready, it gives you access to run your own apps on your devices at no cost.
Add your account to Xcode
On your Mac, open Xcode and go to Xcode → Settings → Accounts. Click the + button, choose Apple ID, and sign in (keep a 2FA device handy). Your account appears as a Personal Team, ready to sign apps.
Run your own app on your iPhone or iPad
Connect your iPhone via USB and tap Trust. In your project’s Signing & Capabilities tab, enable Automatically manage signing and pick your Personal Team. Select your iPhone and hit Run, your app installs straight onto your device. (On a free account, app signing renews every 7 days.)
How Much Does an Apple Developer Account Cost?
The free account is enough to build and test your own apps. The moment you want to put an app in front of the public, you need the paid program.
The Apple Developer Program costs $99 per year and renews annually. It is the license you need to keep an app live in the App Store. With it you can publish apps, beta test through TestFlight, and manage your apps in App Store Connect, plus access members-only SDKs and betas. You can enroll as an individual (your name shows as the seller) or as an organization (your company name shows, and it requires a D-U-N-S number).
No Mac or Xcode? Build and Publish an iOS App Without Code
Here is the part most guides skip: you do not need a Mac or Xcode to build an iOS app at all.
Build without code
Appy Pie AI app builder creates a native iOS app from your idea, no Mac, no Xcode, no Swift.
Guided App Store publishing
Appy Pie AI helps you submit to the App Store (you still need the $99 Apple Developer Program account to publish there).
iOS and Android together
Build once and ship to both the App Store and Google Play from the same project.
Want to Skip the Code? Build Your iOS App With Appy Pie AI
Create a native iOS and Android app without a Mac or Xcode. Appy Pie AI app builder takes you from idea to app, and helps you publish to the stores.
Build Your App Free See the Best AI App BuildersFrequently Asked Questions
Is an Apple Developer account free?
Yes. A free Apple Developer account uses your existing Apple ID and lets you build and run your own apps on your iPhone and iPad. Publishing to the App Store requires the paid Apple Developer Program at $99 per year.
How much does an Apple Developer account cost?
Creating the account is free. The Apple Developer Program, which you need to publish apps to the App Store, costs $99 per year and renews annually.
How do I create a free Apple Developer account?
Go to developer.apple.com, click Account, sign in with your Apple ID (or create one), and accept the Apple Developer Agreement. The whole process takes a few minutes.
Can I run iOS apps on my iPhone without paying?
Yes. With a free account added to Xcode, you can install and run your own apps on your iPhone. On a free account the app signature renews every 7 days, so you re-run the app to keep it active.
Do I need a Mac to create an Apple Developer account?
No, creating the account only needs a web browser and an Apple ID. You do need a Mac with Xcode to build and run apps the traditional way, or you can use a no-code builder like Appy Pie AI to build an iOS app without a Mac.
What is the difference between a free account and the Apple Developer Program?
A free account lets you run your own apps on your own devices for testing. The paid Apple Developer Program ($99/year) lets you publish to the App Store, use TestFlight, and access App Store Connect.
Free to Build, $99 to Publish
A free Apple Developer account is all you need to build and run your own iOS apps. When you are ready to reach the public, the $99/year program unlocks the App Store. And if you would rather skip the Mac and the code entirely, Appy Pie AI builds and publishes your iOS app for you.
Build Your iOS App With Appy Pie AI →Build Your iOS App Without a Mac or Code
Appy Pie AI app builder turns your idea into a native iOS and Android app and helps you publish to the stores.
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