PPaludisGet started

Guide

How to get your Lovable app on the App Store

You built something great in Lovable — but it's a website, and the App Store only takes native iOS apps. Here's exactly how to bridge that gap and get your Lovable app onto an iPhone and into the App Store, without a Mac, Xcode, or writing any Swift.

The short answer

A Lovableapp can't be uploaded to the App Store directly. It has to be wrapped in a native iOS app, signed with an Apple Developer account, and submitted through App Store Connect. You can do this by hand with Xcode on a Mac — or use Paludis to automate the entire build-and-submit pipeline from your browser.

Why you can't just upload your Lovable site

Lovable produces a web app that runs in a browser.Apple's App Store only accepts native iOS app bundles (.ipafiles) that have been compiled and cryptographically signed with your Apple Developer credentials. So getting from “live website” to “App Store listing” means three things: wrap your site in a native shell, sign it with Apple, and submit it for review. Each of those normally needs a Mac, Xcode, and a fair bit of Apple-specific knowledge.

What you'll need

  • Your Lovable app published to a live HTTPS URL
  • An Apple Developer account ($99/year, paid to Apple)
  • A 1024×1024 app icon

Get your Lovable app on the App Store with Paludis

  1. 1

    Publish your Lovable app

    Hit Publish in Lovable so your app is live on an HTTPS URL. That URL is what your iOS app will load.

  2. 2

    Paste the URL into Paludis

    Create an app in Paludis, paste your URL, and set your name, icon, and colours. We render every icon and splash size for you.

  3. 3

    Connect your Apple account

    Add your App Store Connect API key once. We store it encrypted and use it to sign and build under your own Apple account.

  4. 4

    We build, sign & ship

    Paludis generates a native iOS project, signs it, builds it in the cloud, and uploads it to TestFlight — automatically, with no Mac or Xcode.

  5. 5

    Test, then submit to the App Store

    Install your app from TestFlight on your iPhone. When it's ready, submit for App Store review — Apple typically reviews within a day or two.

Will Apple approve a Lovable app?

This is the part people underestimate. Apple's Guideline 4.2 lets reviewers reject apps that are “simply a website bundled as an app.” A Lovable app can absolutely get approved — but you should make it feel like a real app, not a bookmark. Things that help:

  • A genuinely mobile-optimised layout that looks native on iPhone
  • Real, useful functionality — not just an info page
  • Native touches like push notifications or offline support
  • Working demo login credentials if your app has a sign-in

Paludis runs a readiness check on your site before you submit and flags the avoidable rejections, so you go into Apple's review with your eyes open. And if Apple does reject: we fix and resubmit with you until it's approved, or refund you in full. Already been rejected? Read our guide to fixing a Guideline 4.2 rejection.

Frequently asked questions

Can you publish a Lovable app to the App Store?

Yes. Lovable builds a web app, and the App Store only accepts native iOS apps, so your site has to be wrapped in a native iOS shell, signed with an Apple Developer account, and submitted through App Store Connect. Paludis automates that whole pipeline — you paste your Lovable URL and we build, sign, and ship it.

Do I need a Mac or Xcode to do this?

No. Building and signing an iOS app traditionally needs a Mac running Xcode, but Paludis builds in the cloud, so it works the same from Windows or Linux. You never install Xcode.

Do I need an Apple Developer account?

Yes — anyone publishing to the App Store needs an Apple Developer account, which costs $99/year and is paid directly to Apple. There is no way around this; it's Apple's requirement, not ours. We walk you through connecting it.

Will Apple approve an app that's based on a website?

Apple can reject apps that feel like 'just a website in a wrapper' under App Store Review Guideline 4.2. You improve your odds by making the app genuinely useful and app-like — native touches such as push notifications, offline behaviour, and a mobile-optimised layout all help. And every Paludis build is covered by our rejection guarantee: if Apple rejects your app, we fix and resubmit with you until it's approved — or you get a full refund.

How much does it cost to get a Lovable app on the App Store?

Two costs: Apple's Developer Program at $99/year (paid to Apple), and Paludis at a one-time fee per app. There are no ongoing Paludis fees per app after that.

Does the app update when I change my Lovable site?

Yes. The app loads your live site, so when you update your Lovable project the app reflects the change immediately — no resubmission needed for content changes.

Ready to get your Lovable app on the App Store?

Paste your URL and we'll handle the native build, Apple signing, and TestFlight — no Mac required.

Convert your Lovable app

More guides