Deleting an app in iTunes Connect

Apple has introduced the possibility of deleting an app. Quoting the iTunes Connect guide:

If you have created an app in iTunes Connect that you no longer need to see or manage, you can delete it from your iTunes Connect view. Deleting your app will not allow you to re-use your SKU or App Name and you will not be able to restore your app once deleted.

So far so good. Then it gets slightly confusing:

If you are selling your app to another developer for their own distribution and need to remove it from your iTunes Connect account, we recommend that you use App Delete so the App Name will be freed up for their use.

Does this mean that I won't be able to reuse the name in my account, but other accounts will? Has anybody tried this?

Solution 1:

Please see Removing an App From Sale (page 92) section on iTunes Connect Developer Guide 6.3

1. Click "Rights and Pricing"
2. Go to the sale territories section. There is a link near the end
3. Click on the "Deselect all" button to uncheck all App Store territories.
4. Click on the "Save Changes" button.

After removing all assigned territory checkboxes from your app in the Rights and Pricing section,, the status changes to Developer Removed from Sale and your app will not be seen on the App Store within 24 hours.

Solution 2:

It's possible to salvage the situation. I also made a mistake and forgot to type com.XX part when entering the Bundle ID. My app was not live yet, but once you submit BundleID, it's not possible to change it.

What you can change though, is the "App Name". Thus:

1. Change the app name into something bogus
2. Add new app, now using correct Bundle ID and type the original name
3. Re-upload everything

Solution 3:

You could reuse the App Name of the app you have deleted if you change the Default Language of the application information.

Full details here: http://hesh.am/2012/01/recovering-a-deleted-app-name-in-itunes-connect/

Solution 4:

I just ran into this today trying to submit my app. I used an incorrect bundle ID and nievely assumed that deleting the app from iTunes Connect would release the app name and SKU for me to reuse when I recreated the app. Not so. Now I get these two errors:

• The SKU number you entered has already been used.
• The App Name you entered has already been used.

You are correct when you say their documentation is confusing. What the heck is "App Delete," and how is it any different from the "Delete Application" button in iTunes Connect?

I only hope I'm not screwed with regards to my app name being unavailable forever. I've contacted Support so here's hoping...

Solution 5:

Simple steps for Deleting/Removing app from iTunes Connect:

iTunesConnect>App>Rights and Pricing>specific stores> Deselect All> Save

Change app status: Developer Removed From Sale

After 24hours app will be removed.