[Journey] Building an iOS & Android App Empire

[nakamura]

Hello @nakamura, thx for sharing your experience. What methods do you use to get payouts from Admob/Google Play if one of your accounts has been banned? Just one of my accounts was banned and it had my payment info, and I don't know what payment info to give to get payouts in the new account. Maybe you can give me some advice? And did you have any experience using Payoneer to receive payouts?

I have different bank accounts that I used. I also used a Payoneer bank account (global payment) before and it worked well.

 

[CyberShrek]

I have different bank accounts that I used. I also used a Payoneer bank account (global payment) before and it worked well.

But how to use multiple bank accounts if they are tied to a specific person? In the sense that Google can compare the name on the accounts and determine what you already had or have a second account? Also, how did you use Global Payments if there you can only create an account in an American bank (idk maybe you are from USA)? But my admob account is registered in Ukraine and I'm not sure that I can connect an American bank card.

 

[nakamura]

But how to use multiple bank accounts if they are tied to a specific person? In the sense that Google can compare the name on the accounts and determine what you already had or have a second account? Also, how did you use Global Payments if there you can only create an account in an American bank (idk maybe you are from USA)? But my admob account is registered in Ukraine and I'm not sure that I can connect an American bank card.

If your Admob is registered in Ukraine, I think you can only use a Ukrainian bank account. Somehow, they don't check the name, etc. on the bank account.

 

[pewebly]

What type of apps do you build so quickly?

 

[nakamura]

Update:

- The two Android apps got approved.
- Another iOS app got approved (uploaded the same one on Google Play. Pending review now)

Also, I totally forgot that I signed up for the Samsung Galaxy Store, Amazon App Store, and the Huawei App Gallery last year. I will also upload the apps there sooner or later. I will probably just spend one whole day uploading all the apps to these platforms. I don't think they will bring me a lot of traffic, but who knows.

I really try to be more productive and stop being too perfectionist and focusing too much on the detail. Focusing too much on tiny details is such a time killer when it comes to apps, etc.

The best approach is to simply upload the app, analyze the performance (in-app and also the store listing such as conversion rate, ctr, etc.) and then improve it if necessary.

 

[Drag0]

Thank you for sharing information so I can do hopefully similar things. I have a problem with ID verification. Is there a way to trick this? Many people on Reddit say that even with proper ID, they will fail you sometimes. Thank you for your expert advice.

 

[CyberShrek]

Hi @nakamura, sorry for the maybe off-topic question, but I'm really stuck on this problem. I can register a second console account on my relatives, but are there any ways to get payouts from these accounts without using their bank account (don't want the money to go through them), maybe some wallets to get payouts that can be registered just on their documents. Also, you said earlier that you use different bank accounts registered in your accounts, but what did you indicated in the confirmation of tax data and addresses? I'm worried that if I use my tax info or address that was on a blocked account they may block me again.

 

[nakamura]

Hi @nakamura, sorry for the maybe off-topic question, but I'm really stuck on this problem. I can register a second console account on my relatives, but are there any ways to get payouts from these accounts without using their bank account (don't want the money to go through them), maybe some wallets to get payouts that can be registered just on their documents. Also, you said earlier that you use different bank accounts registered in your accounts, but what did you indicated in the confirmation of tax data and addresses? I'm worried that if I use my tax info or address that was on a blocked account they may block me again.

Well, you will need to try this. I don't think they are going to block you. Many businesses are located in the same office building, sometimes even on the same floor. They won't block you because of this. About bank account: Depending on where you come from and how easy it is, you can simply open another bank account. Sometimes you can just do it online.

From my experience they will only consider these things to delete your account:
- Phone number/verification
- Credit card used for payment
- Information regarding your device (Wifi, IP, Mac address, location)
- Application / Key store / Hash / etc. related to your app and your device

Btw. they terminated my Admob account around 2 years ago. I will soon register another Admob account using the same name, address, etc. I used it for the terminated one. Why? I want to see how long they are actually saving all the data.

Because my account was from Germany and I would make the new one in Germany as well, they actually have to play after the rule of the EU...and they are quite strict when it comes to data and saving of information. So, if they, after 2 years, still kept all my information and still terminate me, I could actually be like "Oh, you guys still have my information? You are supposed to delete all of them after a couple of months by law" and then I could actually sue them. And guess what? Germany/EU hates these big tech companies. They will be like "Oh thanks for suing them, no we can get money out of them"

Btw. EU also made it possible that Admob/Adsense HAS TO pay you after your account got terminated.

 

[CyberShrek]

Well, you will need to try this. I don't think they are going to block you. Many businesses are located in the same office building, sometimes even on the same floor. They won't block you because of this. About bank account: Depending on where you come from and how easy it is, you can simply open another bank account. Sometimes you can just do it online.

From my experience they will only consider these things to delete your account:
- Phone number/verification
- Credit card used for payment
- Information regarding your device (Wifi, IP, Mac address, location)
- Application / Key store / Hash / etc. related to your app and your device

Btw. they terminated my Admob account around 2 years ago. I will soon register another Admob account using the same name, address, etc. I used it for the terminated one. Why? I want to see how long they are actually saving all the data.

Because my account was from Germany and I would make the new one in Germany as well, they actually have to play after the rule of the EU...and they are quite strict when it comes to data and saving of information. So, if they, after 2 years, still kept all my information and still terminate me, I could actually be like "Oh, you guys still have my information? You are supposed to delete all of them after a couple of months by law" and then I could actually sue them. And guess what? Germany/EU hates these big tech companies. They will be like "Oh thanks for suing them, no we can get money out of them"

Btw. EU also made it possible that Admob/Adsense HAS TO pay you after your account got terminated.

thanks for the answer! I’ll try, I also wanted to clarify, can I install different names and addresses on the play console account and on the payment profile (the relative’s data on the play console account and my data on the payment profile)?



Also discovered bitrise.io ci/cd cloud application build tool. I think with this tool it will be much easier to update and maintain applications on all accounts, since you don’t have to develop on different systems, but simply develop on the main PC and bitrise in the cloud will build a signed apk from a new git commit.

 

[CyberShrek]

Do you also track crash statistics? I used to use Firebase Crashlytics for this, but now I'm trying to move away from Google services and found the sentry.io tool, which, in my opinion, is even more convenient for collecting crash statistics. Maybe it will be useful for you.

 

[xDonDraper]

Do you have any earnings from this year?

 

[nakamura]

thanks for the answer! I’ll try, I also wanted to clarify, can I install different names and addresses on the play console account and on the payment profile (the relative’s data on the play console account and my data on the payment profile)?



Also discovered bitrise.io ci/cd cloud application build tool. I think with this tool it will be much easier to update and maintain applications on all accounts, since you don’t have to develop on different systems, but simply develop on the main PC and bitrise in the cloud will build a signed apk from a new git commit.

Yes, I think you can, but don't take my word for it. Also, Google keeps changing their policies and add more policies, tracking etc.

Do you also track crash statistics? I used to use Firebase Crashlytics for this, but now I'm trying to move away from Google services and found the sentry.io tool, which, in my opinion, is even more convenient for collecting crash statistics. Maybe it will be useful for you.

Yes, I usually just use Crashlytics and also Apple gives some information about crashes as well.

Do you have any earnings from this year?

Yes, daily earnings are something between $70-120 every day. Varies a lot.

 

[nakamura]

Update:

Holy crap, what a day. I literally spent 8 hours just now uploading 4 of my apps to the following stores:

Amazon App Store
Huawei App Gallery
Samsung Galaxy Store

Do you guys know what it means? Copy paste, copy paste, copy paste, copy paste...translations of all kinda languages, etc. Probably the most boring work ever.

I really have no expectation on how many downloads they will get or anything. No clue. I just uploaded them and let's see what will happen.

Also tried to upload them on the Chinese App Store (Tencent), but turns out I need approval letters/certificates from the Chinese government + proof of copyright. That's quite interesting, isn't it? Without trademark/copyright you can't upload an app to the Chinese store.

Chinese App Store market is crazy. Imagine you could get exposure to more than 1b potential customers. Its not only the mass of people but also their user behavior. They play so many games, use their phone so often, are willing to spend a lot of money for IAP, etc.

But nope, at the moment not possible to upload apps there. Maybe later. Even then, I would probably have to implement a Chinese mobile advertiser as well, I don't think Admob is working there.

 

[mirrorer]

Yes, I am doing this stuff alone. But thinking if I should teach and bring in some of my friends. That's one of my motivations.

Just sometimes when I am stuck at something or don't have much time, I will hire someone from Upwork, but that has happened only 3-4 times so far.

A friendly advice

Do not involve friends/relatives in your bizz. Most likely you'll regret it, usually it doesn't work out. Talking from experience

Good journey and good luck.

 

[potah]

Wow such an amazing journey!

 

[nakamura]

Update:

- One more app got approved for the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

About the reviews of the other app stores:

Huawei App Gallery:

The whole process was fast. Apps got reviewed and approved already.

Samsung Galaxy Store:

One app got approved so far. One app got rejected, because of "play protect doesn't recognize this app's developer". It is because of Samsung I had to build a new .apk file (not the same one I uploaded on Google Play) and used another Keystore.

Looks like Samsung heavily depends on Google. For another app, they sent me a message with link to my Google Play account and asked me if its my app. So, it seems like they cross-check the Google Play Store when reviewing apps?

Amazon Apps:

Still under review.


Btw. one more thing: It is actually insane how some of the readers of this thread put so much energy and time into trying to find out my apps or niche. Keep sending me messages or sending me links asking me if its my app, etc. This is exactly the stuff that makes me think having a journey thread is actually counterproductive. Just read the thread, learn a few things and start working on your own if you want. Not necessary to stalk others or "steal" their apps or niche.

 

[Smurfyy]

Hello, and best of luck in your journey mate
Can you please share with us just the daily installs you're getting in both Huawei & Samasung galaxy appstore?

 

[Eupensel]

The two Android apps got approved.

Congratulations, and I have learnt a lot from reading your journey thread.

 

[luis gonzaga]

awesome, I will be attentive to future updates and/or news. Best regards

 

[Ithetona]

Good luck with your thing man! How can I find someone that can develop an easy to develop app for me?
I tried to find someone here but they're all time wasters and my thing is a really easy job to do.

Thanks

Use Upwork, I use Upwork when I need a job done urgently.