App Name has already been used?

Question

So in my case this is very odd. I have 2 individual iTC accounts (don't ask why), anyway my old account had this name as an App and then it expired with the name still taken by that dormant account.

Now on my new account, I am trying to use that name so I had to go through the process of calling Apple Developer Support and finally I regained access to that old account and deleted the app completely that had the name.

So now I have waited over 48 Hours and on the current account I am using, I am trying to use that app name since like I said, it is deleted. But the thing is, it still says 'App name has already been used'.

I am very confused about why. This app was never in the App Store, just in testing stages but I fully deleted the app on the old account. Does anyone have any idea why the name is still taken?

Answer 1

If you created an entry for the first App in iTunesConnect, even if it was never submitted or uploaded, then that name is locked to that iTunesConnect App permanently.

From the Apple App Store Submission Tips

The name you select for your app is perhaps one of the most important aspects to marketing your app and can distinguish your app on the App Store. Here are a few things to keep in mind when naming your app or changing the name of your app.

• Changing the Name of Your App. You can change the name of your existing app only when submitting an update of your app binary. If you submit an app name which is already in use within the same geography in which your app is sold, you will be prompted to enter another name.

More good info here iTunesConnect_DeveloperGuide.pdf.

All the dev forums/docs I can find say the same thing, if you have ever used that App Name before, then that name is locked permanently.