App Groups container data on Apple Dev account transfer

I have an iOS app with App Groups. The app uses the CallKit extension for call block functionality. All data is stored in UserDefaults(suiteName:) and FileManager.default.containerURL(forSecurityApplicationGroupIdentifier: ).

I am planning to transfer this app to a different Apple Developer account and would like to clarify how App Groups behave after the transfer:

  1. Will my main app Target and CallKit Extensions keep access to the same AppGroups containers with the new Team ID? I will recreate the same AppGroups container identifiers on a new account but my concern is about Team ID change, that can lead to loss access to original containers and all data from previous Team ID. I need to clearly understand whether the app can continue accessing the existing App Group container after the Team ID changes, or if I must manually back up data before transfer and restore all data after transfer completed.

  2. As long as the App Group still exists on the original developer account and the user has not updated the app, will the app continue to function normally and access the original App Group container?

  3. If I delete the App Group identifiers from the original developer account and recreate it on the new account: 3.1. Will this immediately apply for existing installed apps? 3.2. Or will the impact only occur after submitting and installing a new app version signed with the new Team ID?

Historically there was no supported way to transfer an app group ID between teams, so my advice has always been to simply create a new app group ID in the new team and have the new app and its appex use that app group.

However, there’s been a recent development in this space. I’m currently researching that, and I’ve made a note to come back here once I learn more.

Share and Enjoy

Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@" + "apple.com"

App Groups container data on Apple Dev account transfer
 
 
Q