Which iOS app version/build number(s) MUST be incremented upon App Store release?

Question

Version/build fields for an iOS app include:

• "Version" CFBundleShortVersionString (String - iOS, OS X) specifies the release versi

Answer 1

I'm preparing to release a new Mac App Store app. Using CalVer formatting of YEAR.release (build).

I uploaded several builds: 2020.0 (1), 2020.0 (2), etc. I finally submitted 2020.0 (8) for App Store Review. That passed review and is in the state Pending Developer Release.

I wanted to fix a few things before release, so I added a new build to the same release train: 2020.0 (9).

That results in the error:

App Store Connect Operation Error

ERROR ITMS-90062: "This bundle is invalid. The value for key CFBundleShortVersionString [2020.0] in the Info.plist file must contain a higher version than that of the previously approved version [2020.0]. Please find more information about CFBundleShortVersionString at https://developer.apple.com/documentation/bundleresources/information_property_list/cfbundleshortversionstring"

which is annoying as my 2020.0 version was never actually released. From the accepted answer of this question I was under the impression that until the app was available on the App Store you could continue to release new builds with the same version.

• Error ITMS-90062: The value for key CFBundleShortVersionString must contain a higher version than that of the previously approved version
• Application Loader ERROR ITMS-90062: The value for key CFBundleShortVersionString must contain a higher version

The solution seems to be that a "release train" (Same Version + New Build) cannot be updated if the app state is Pending Developer Release. Either release your existing build and then increase the version, or Cancel this Release in App Store Connect to allow further uploads for this release train.