Part 1: The Pre-Flight Checklist
Before you touch the Publish button inside Famous.ai, you need to set up four external accounts. This is a one-time process; once these are linked, you will not need to repeat it for future projects or updates.
Important: We strongly recommend completing this step first, as Apple and Google can take up to 48 hours to verify new accounts.
Expo Account (Free): Famous.ai uses Expo to build and manage your React Native app behind the scenes. Create a free account at expo.dev. This is required to generate production-ready builds for both iOS and Android.
Google Cloud Account (Free): A Google Cloud account gives Famous.ai access to the Google Play Store API, which is needed to submit and manage your Android app listing. Creating an account is completely free at cloud.google.com.
Apple Developer Account ($99/year): To publish on the iOS App Store, you must enroll in the Apple Developer Program. This is Apple's standard annual membership fee. Note: Apple often requires identity verification, which can take 24 to 48 hours to process.
Google Play Console Account ($25 one-time fee): The Google Play Console is where your Android app lives on the Play Store. Google charges a one-time registration fee to activate your developer account. Note: Play Console accounts can also take up to 48 hours to verify.
Part 2: Prepare Your App Icon
While you are waiting for your accounts to be verified, use the time to prepare your app icon. This is the image users will see on their home screens and in both store listings, so it is worth getting right.
Icon Design Guidelines:
Use a square image with a 1:1 aspect ratio.
The recommended size is 1024 x 1024 pixels.
The file format should be PNG or JPEG, with a maximum file size of 5MB.
PNG format is highly recommended if your icon includes transparency.
Avoid small text or fine details—they will not be legible on a phone screen.
Keep your design bold, simple, and instantly recognizable. Both Apple and Google have strict icon standards, so a clean, minimal design is always the safest approach.
Don't have an icon ready? Do not worry—Famous.ai includes an AI icon generator that can create a professional-quality icon for you instantly during the publishing flow.
Part 3: Publish Your App in Famous.ai
Once your accounts are verified and your icon is ready, it is time to head back to Famous.ai and complete the launch.
1. Open Your Project From the Dashboard
Click on your name in the top-right corner of the Famous.ai homepage to open your Dashboard. Find the app you want to publish and click View to open it in the canvas.
2. Click the Publish Button
Once inside your project, locate the Publish button in the top-right corner of the canvas and click it. Famous.ai will launch the publishing flow and guide you through the remaining steps.
3. Confirm Your Accounts
Famous.ai will ask you to confirm that your four accounts (Expo, Google Cloud, Apple Developer, and Google Play Console) are set up and ready. Click "I have the accounts" to proceed.
4. Upload or Generate Your App Icon
You will be prompted to set your app icon. Either upload the image you prepared in Part 2, or click the Generate Using AI option to have Famous.ai create one for you on the spot.
5. Connect Your Expo Access Token
This is the final piece of the setup. Your Expo Access Token gives Famous.ai secure permission to trigger production builds of your app on your behalf for both the App Store and the Google Play Store.