Frequently Asked Questions
What is Appstead?
Appstead is a private App Store Connect companion for indie developers. Connect an App Store Connect workspace, or explore the built-in demo, to see proceeds, downloads, subscriptions, reviews, and portfolio trends on iPhone and iPad. It also supports widgets, CSV exports, and separate workspaces for your own apps, studio accounts, or client work.
How is this different from App Store Connect?
App Store Connect is a web app built for everything from TestFlight to app submission. Appstead is a native app built for one job: seeing how your apps are doing day to day. It keeps your data locally so screens load from cache, offers portfolio-wide Overview and Trends views built for quick phone checks, and can send optional daily or weekly notifications when you opt in. Apple's report timing and iOS background refresh mean delivery is not guaranteed to an exact time.
Do I need multiple apps for this to be useful?
No. Appstead works the same with one app or many. A portfolio of one still gets the full Overview and Trends experience. You just see a single story instead of several side by side. If you have not shipped an app yet, the built-in demo workspace lets you explore every screen with sample data before you connect a real account.
When is yesterday's data available?
Apple typically publishes yesterday's sales report around 7 AM Pacific, often mid-afternoon in Western Europe. Timing varies by report type and can slip later. Appstead shows the last successfully imported data until a newer report is available. Use Refresh Sales Data in Settings when you expect new numbers.
How are the metrics determined?
Appstead reads official App Store Connect sales and subscription reports and stores them locally on your device. Proceeds, downloads, subscriptions, trials, and related metrics are calculated from those imported reports, not scraped from the App Store or estimated from third-party sources. Display currency conversion uses public exchange rates when you choose a currency other than the report currency.
Why do my downloads differ from App Store Connect?
Appstead reads Apple's downloadable Sales and Trends reports. App Store Connect also has Analytics and mobile views with different reporting windows and processing times, so the same date labels can show different download totals.
To compare the same report:
- Open App Store Connect in a web browser.
- Open the Trends tab, then select Units under Sales in the left sidebar.
- Filter to your app and app units, then choose the same date range.
- Set the timezone menu beside the date selector to PST (Pacific Time). Some versions of the interface show Local instead. Choose PST, or Local if that is the label shown, rather than UTC. Apple's downloadable sales reports use Pacific Time; UTC groups transactions into different daily windows.
You are comparing app units in Sales and Trends, rather than First-Time Downloads in Analytics. Appstead's Downloads count first-time app download units from the reports, excluding redownloads, updates, and in-app purchases. Keep territory and device filters the same, and refresh sales data so both views cover the same reports.
Apple is retiring the Trends dashboards and will stop generating new Trends reports in 2027. We will update these steps as Apple changes the reporting interface.
Can I use the numbers here for accounting?
Appstead is a monitoring and reporting tool for developers and publishers, not accounting software and not financial advice. Use it to track trends and spot issues quickly, but rely on your official App Store Connect records and qualified professionals for tax, accounting, and compliance decisions.
Do I need to give Appstead my Apple ID password?
No. Appstead never asks for your Apple ID password. You add a live workspace with an App Store Connect API key, not your Apple ID login.
Your key has one job: pulling Sales, Subscription, and Subscription Event reports from App Store Connect. A key with the Sales and Reports role is enough. Appstead validates it against Apple before saving it to Keychain.
Each workspace keeps its own API key and private key in Apple's Keychain. With iCloud Keychain enabled, that key can sync to your other devices through Apple's secure storage, not through Appstead. The app talks directly to Apple's APIs. No Appstead backend ever receives your credentials or business data.
Delete a workspace and its API key, private key, and imported data are removed from your device. Appstead keeps no copy.
When you are ready to connect, the same setup links are in the app under Add Live Workspace:
- How to create an API key: Apple's step-by-step guide
- API Keys page: generate and manage keys in App Store Connect
- Vendor Number page: find your vendor number for sales reports
Where is my data stored?
Imported sales, reviews, and metrics live in a local database on your device. API keys live in the Keychain. CSV exports are generated on demand and shared through the iOS share sheet. Appstead does not upload them. Business data sync across devices is not available in the current version; each device keeps its own imported history until sync ships.
Does Appstead have a server?
Appstead has no backend that receives your App Store Connect credentials or business data. The app talks directly to Apple when you refresh. Anonymous product analytics and crash diagnostics help us improve stability. They never include your business numbers or credentials.
Can I manage multiple App Store Connect accounts?
Yes. Each workspace holds its own API key, apps, and data. That is useful if you manage different teams or clients. Adding live workspaces requires Appstead Pro. You can also use the built-in demo workspace to explore every screen with sample data before connecting an account.
What does Appstead Pro include?
Pro unlocks live workspaces connected to real App Store Connect data: add and refresh workspaces, keep widgets up to date, and receive live-data notifications. Without Pro, saved data stays readable and the demo workspace stays fully usable, but live workspaces will not fetch new data from Apple. Pro is available as a monthly or annual subscription (annual includes a free trial) or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Subscriptions can be cancelled anytime in your Apple ID settings.
What happens if I cancel Pro?
Your existing data stays on your device and remains readable. Overview, Apps, Reviews, and Trends keep showing what was last imported. The demo workspace stays fully available. Live workspaces stop fetching new data from App Store Connect, widgets stop updating with fresh numbers, and live-data notifications stop until you resubscribe.