Availability of a name for an app in the AppStore

Question

Is there a way to check if a name is available in the AppStore with an HTTP request? Without manually creating the App in iTunes Connect?

Solution 1

UPDATE 2015-01-05, per SarahR:

If you already have an app created, you can use its SKU for the app you want to check, and you'll get an error on submission that that SKU has already been used. If you don't remember the SKU you used for an existing app, you can go to the app details page, choose "MORE", then "about this app". If you don't already have an app created, it is plausible that you could create a dummy app with a name nobody would ever want to use, and then use its SKU to bounce the names you really want to test (though again, be wary of terms of service on that).

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ORIGINAL:

The trick to checking the availability of a name while brainstorming is to not fill in the other required fields. Each field is checked individually. You do have to use iTunes Connect — "Manage Your Applications" -> "Add New App" (don't fill in a SKU Number or bundle id); if the name has been reserved, it will give you the following errors:

• You must select a Bundle ID.
• The App Name you entered has already been used.
• provide a SKU.

The second one is the winner, while the other two errors make sure you don't accidentally reserve the name before you're ready.

If you need to automate this process (which is probably against their terms of service), you can use any standard scraper. Mechanize is probably the most robust out of the box, but I think that's another question....

Solution 2

I use Google to check if an app name (or something similar to it) already exists.
Use this as your search query:

site:itunes.apple.com inurl:app clash of clans

(replace 'clash of clans' with the suggested app name of course)

Solution 3

Kaolin Fire's suggestion doesnt work on the latest version of itunesconnect. A work around is to start the creation of a new app and where you fill in all the details and the name of the app you want to know the availability for but using a sku of any of your previous apps.

If the name is available you will only get an error that the sku is already in use. Else you will get 2 errors sku and name both are in use.

Solution 4

1. Open iTunes Connect
2. Click 'New App'
3. Fill out language and bundle id (can be anything)
4. Enter desired name & SKU of a previous app you have built
5. Click 'Create'
   
   

The name field will return red if the name has been taken.

Solution 5

App Annie and Google only give you games that are published to the App store. The only way to do it is go through the entire app creation process, including Bundle ID. This process is horrible as my iTunes Connect is littered with reserved app names that I do not intend to do anything with and will not become available to others until they expire 90 days after registration.

View more solutions

Comments

[bobobobo]

Possible duplicate of iPhone Application Name Availability

[Abhishek]

I dont think so there apple is providing any API for this.

[Engin Kurutepe]

yes, but I was hoping for an API call to itunesconnect to check if a given name is available. I need something which can be automated.

[Kadarach]

This answer's not quite accurate. You can only check the availability of an app name by reserving it. And when you do so, you have four months to submit the binaries to the store. If you fail to submit the binaries, you will be prohibited from using the name at a later time. So this appears to not be a good solution to simply checking name possiblilties.

[Sani Elfishawy]

This does does not work at least on the latest version of itunes connect as the create button is greyed out until you fill all the fields.

[Kaolin Fire]

That's unfortunate. I'm seeing the same. I'm sure there's a workaround, but it might be a lot more work (selectively enabling javascript, or figuring out just the right GET/POST). =/

[SarahR]

If you already have an app, just enter the same SKU. This enables the Create button, but will not create the app. And when you click Create, the SKU field and any other error fields will go red.

[Kaolin Fire]

This only answers for publicly existing apps, not ones that may have been reserved but not yet used.

[Alex]

@SarahR What you suggest no longer works because entering a SKU number I've already used plus a name I know for a fact is already reserved does not show both errors: it only says the SKU has already been used and doesn't mention the app name being unavailable at all.

[Samie Bencherif]

I have to point out this may be the best solution for some, because if you want to check all app names (reserved and public) you can do so by starting an app submission (+ in iTunesConnect under My Apps) but the issue (for me at least) is this is a long process if you're checking through plenty of popular names (trying to get the best one available). So perhaps you can use the site to speed up the process, and check successful ones against iTunesConnect. Also: bugmenot.com/view/appannie.com

[Samie Bencherif]

site:itunes.apple.com inurl:app clash of clans & App Store Keep itunes music/movies out

[SomeGuy]

This is completely ridiculous that Apple would make it like this. All it does is make me create apps that I may or may not use and steal the name from someone else just so I can see if it's available or not. Why do they think that's a good idea?

[M Katz]

Works for me as of this date.

[Ashley Mills]

Confirming as of Feb 2017, the updated method still works

[Vic]

Works for me as of this date.

[trndjc]

Working in August 2019

[AsifHabib]

Works for me as of this date.

[ehmjaysee]

site:apps.apple.com inurl:clash of clans

[NikLoy]

Works for me as of this date.