AscBuddy Setup

Why AscBuddy asks for an App Store Connect API Key

Short answer: we are creating secure API credentials that allow AscBuddy to talk to App Store Connect on your behalf, when you request, to help with automation and updates (such as Auto-Localization).

Think of these keys like permission badges that you control. You can disable or revoke them anytime in App Store Connect.

What We Are Creating

AscBuddy creates one App Store Connect App Manager API key for the team you currently have selected.

  • App Manager Key: powers AscBuddy's app-management workflows without granting finance-report access.
  • Team-specific: if you switch to another App Store Connect team, you may need a separate key for that team too.
Why It Matters

Without keys, AscBuddy can’t call Apple’s official APIs, so some automation stays locked.

  • No manual exporting/importing for supported flows.
  • Faster setup for first-release and operational tooling.
  • Cleaner experience with fewer interruptions.
What AscBuddy can access with keys

Only the App Store Connect API operations allowed by the App Manager key you choose to create or upload.

Included
  • App metadata and related API-driven workflows.
  • Automation you intentionally trigger in AscBuddy.
Not Included
  • Direct access to your Apple account password.
  • Finance reports, payments, banking, or tax-report access from the standard App Manager key.
  • Permanent, irreversible access (you can revoke keys anytime).

If AscBuddy adds finance-report tooling in the future, that will use a separate Finance API key flow instead of the standard App Manager setup.

Manual setup (if your team shares keys with you)

Sometimes a teammate already created the key in App Store Connect and shares it with you. In that case, use AscBuddy’s manual key entry option and enter the exact values below.

  • Issuer ID: identifies which App Store Connect team the key belongs to.
  • Key ID: identifies the specific API key Apple generated.
  • Purpose: AscBuddy stores this as an App Manager key so it can use the key across supported app-management workflows for that team.
  • .p8 Private Key: upload the `.p8` file or paste the private key text.

Friendly reminder: keys are team-specific. If you switch to another team in App Store Connect, AscBuddy may prompt you to add keys for that team too.

You stay in control

At any time, you can rotate, deactivate, or delete keys from App Store Connect. If a key is removed, AscBuddy will simply prompt you to reconnect when needed.

Questions? Reach us directly at support@ascbuddy.com.

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