Disabling iCloud to Transfer App to Another Apple ID?

Question

I am trying to transfer an app to another Apple ID. When I did this I received an error saying the app could not be transferred as the app had iCloud enabled.

Since this was not intentional I tried to disable iCloud and submit an update to the app. To do this I:

1. Changed the app ID in the Apple Dev Portal so that iCloud was no longer enabled.
2. Reissued all the certificates with the new app ID.
3. Made sure the Enable iCloud check box under summary in Project Info was not checked.

However I can still not transfer the updated app and am still getting the error that iCloud enabled apps cannot be transferred.

Does anyone know if this can be fixed - or is it a case of fully deleting the app and starting again?

Answer 1

Ok, I emailed with Apple and even spoke to the developer support about this issue. There is absolutely no way to transfer an app that uses or has used in a past version iCloud to another account.

This leaves you with these 2 options suggested by Apple:

1. Rename your complete iOS account, but this is only possible if your company has undergone a legal name change. Contact support if you want to do this.
2. Delete your app and free the app name and re-upload the app in your new account. You will lose the ability to update current users. https://help.apple.com/app-store-connect/#/dev28d17ed35 (Deleting an App)

Too bad.

Answer 2

Just a quick update since this a VERY old answer. Deleting your app DOES NOT free your app name. On the contrary, it prohibits you from using that app name forever ON YOU OWN ACCOUNT ONLY. Other can use it but not on your account.