App Ownership & Transfers

How ownership works when ArdinGate Studios builds your app — and how to take full control whenever you're ready.

How it works by default

When we build your app, ArdinGate Studios publishes it under our Apple and Google developer accounts. You get full source code access upon final payment, and we handle everything related to the app stores — submissions, updates, listing management, and review responses.

This is the simplest setup for most clients. You don't need to create developer accounts, deal with Apple's enrollment process, pay annual platform fees, or learn how app submissions work. We take care of all of it.

Source code is yours

Full source code delivered upon final payment. Review it, audit it, or keep it as a backup — it's your code.

Store listings managed by us

We publish under our developer accounts and handle all App Store and Play Store interactions.

Updates handled for you

OS compatibility patches, bug fixes, and feature updates — submitted and managed on your behalf.

No platform fees for you

Apple's $99/year and Google's $25 registration fee are covered while we manage the listing.

What you get vs. what we manage

You ArdinGate Studios
Source code Full access
App Store listing Owned & managed
Play Store listing Owned & managed
Update submissions Handled
Review responses Handled
Developer account fees Covered

Want full control? Transfer & Handoff

If you'd rather own everything outright — store listings, developer accounts, and all — we offer a flat-fee transfer package available any time after launch.

$500
One-time flat fee
  • Full App Store listing transfer to your Apple Developer account
  • Full Play Store listing transfer to your Google Play account
  • Guided setup of your Apple Developer enrollment ($99/year, paid to Apple)
  • Guided setup of your Google Play Developer registration ($25 one-time, paid to Google)
  • Complete handoff document — credentials, store listing details, submission history, and everything you need to manage independently
  • App reviews, ratings, and download history transfer with the listing
  • 14-day post-transfer support window for questions

Good to know

The transfer moves your live app listing — reviews, ratings, and install count all come with it. Your users won't notice anything changed.

After transfer, you're responsible for developer account fees and submitting future updates. You can still hire us for ongoing development — we just won't be managing the store listings anymore.

Apple's enrollment process can take 1–2 weeks and requires a D-U-N-S number for business accounts. We walk you through the whole thing.

Developer account costs (only if you transfer)

These fees are paid directly to Apple and Google — not to us. As long as ArdinGate Studios manages your app, you don't pay these.

Questions about ownership

Absolutely. We're happy to continue developing features and pushing updates at our standard rate of $100/hr. You can add us as a team member on your developer accounts so we can submit directly, or we hand you the build and you submit it yourself.
You always have your source code. Request the Transfer & Handoff, and you'll walk away with full ownership of everything — code, store listings, and all associated assets. No lock-in, no penalties.

Questions about ownership or transfers?

We're happy to walk you through how it works for your specific project.

Get in touch