Short definitions. Not legal advice. Not Apple documentation.
The Release-build product you generate for distribution. Debug installs are not archives.
Monotonic integer Connect uses to distinguish uploads. Must increase for a given app.
Debug symbols used to turn crash addresses into function names. Keep them with the release log.
Connect questions about encryption use. Answer from a written note, not memory.
The last build you would gladly reinstall for testers. Record version, build, SHA, Xcode.
Moment after which screenshots, copy, and review notes stop changing except for factual fixes.
Connect accepting and processing a binary after upload. Not the same as App Review approval.
Ties team, App ID, certs, devices/entitlements together for signing.
The single path (local or CI) allowed to produce production candidates.
Stable/supported Xcode for production vs beta Xcode for TestFlight exploration.
Privacy answers, purpose strings, age rating inputs, and other Connect questionnaires tied to the binary’s behavior.
Testers can install. Not a certificate that App Store submission will succeed.
Customer-visible release notes on the store product page.
Gradual rollout of an App Store update. Needs halt criteria — not a set-and-forget parachute.
Narrow branch from last known good for production blockers only.
Windows when you refuse irreversible submits because you cannot watch metrics/support.
Apple’s test purchase environment. Required before review for paid features.