How Mac software reaches users.
WHAT THE ROUTES ARE
The Mac App Store Direct distribution from your own site Enterprise deployment Package managers, for developer tools
WHAT THE STORE PROVIDES
Discovery Payment handling Update distribution User trust
WHAT IT REQUIRES
Sandboxing Review Commission on sales
WHAT SANDBOXING PREVENTS
Capabilities many system and developer tools require.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Some applications cannot be distributed through the store at all.
WHAT DIRECT DISTRIBUTION REQUIRES
Signing with a developer certificate Notarisation Your own update mechanism Your own payment handling
WHAT NOTARISATION IS
An automated malware check, not a review.
WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT IT
The system refuses to run the application by default.
WHAT TO PROVIDE FOR DIRECT DISTRIBUTION
A signed installer or disk image An update mechanism A clear installation experience
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Offering both, where sandboxing permits.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Ask users to bypass the security protections.
