Localize your App Store listing for French.
French (fr-FR) expects accents done right, vous for most product copy, and phrasing that sounds written for people, not run through a dictionary. This page covers what to localize, France-focused tips with a brief Québec note, and how Helm helps you ship.
What to localize for fr-FR
Ship a complete French storefront. Missing accents or leftover English What’s New notes stand out immediately.
- Name and subtitle with correct accents where needed
- Keywords using French search terms, not English leftovers
- Description and promotional text in consistent vous
- What’s New per release
- Screenshot captions if they carry the story
Accents are part of quality
Accent marks are not decoration. Missing them looks careless and can change meaning. Proof names, subtitles, and keywords the same way you proof the description.
Watch apostrophes and spacing around punctuation. French typographic habits differ from English, and small slips make the listing feel imported.
Formal vous for App Store copy
Most French App Store listings use vous. It reads professional without being stiff when the sentences stay short and benefit-led. Tu can work for some games or youth brands, but only if the whole product voice already uses it.
Keep What’s New in the same register as the description so updates do not suddenly sound like a different company.
France first, Québec briefly
fr-FR is your primary locale for France and much of the francophone App Store experience you will maintain in Helm. If you later prioritize Canada, review Québec vocabulary and tone separately. Words that feel natural in Paris can sound off in Montréal.
You do not need two full listings on day one. Start with strong fr-FR, then adapt when Canadian growth justifies the pass. Helm helps you translate and refine; it does not auto-research volumes by country.
How Helm helps
Use AI translate on Pro with skip words for brand names, then verify language on-device before saving. Preview the listing to catch accent and truncation issues.
Guides worth keeping open: localize your App Store listing and translate app metadata.
FAQ
Do I need a separate Québec localization?
Not always on day one. Ship solid fr-FR first. When Canada is a priority market, review vocabulary and tone for Québec rather than assuming France French is a perfect fit.
Should French keywords include accents?
Use the natural French spelling people expect, including accents where correct. Avoid stuffing both accented and unaccented duplicates just to fill the field.
Can Helm keep brand terms untranslated in French?
Yes. Skip words on Pro let you protect brand names and intentional English phrases while the rest of the metadata translates.
