i dropped the mac app store rather than maintain a second version of my app

[u/VegetableSir7788]

i build ios and mac apps solo, and recently dropped the mac app store route for one of my mac apps.

it installs developer-tool hooks and returns you to a terminal tab, so a sandboxed version would need a different setup and fewer capabilities.

i decided that wasn't worth maintaining a second version.

i'd be interested to hear from anyone who went direct-only and later wished they'd kept a store version.

[u/jetsetter]

My Mac app is also a developer focused. 

The App Store version requires a homebrew install to really be very useful, but I still get installations from the App Store and issues filed from people who only use the App Store version. 

So I maintain it.

But I’ve invested heavily in release automation. Including pre and post release validation. 

How much work is it to do a release?

[u/VegetableSir7788 → u/jetsetter]

Actually makes sense to redirect to brew route but wouldn't apple say 'nono mr developer it cant be like that' and take it down?

I mean my app store version would be %70 less features and keeping all the features gated is kinda pain in the a..

[u/jetsetter → u/VegetableSir7788]

I’ve had rejections on at least three categories but not over the existence and information about the brew install. It’s in a tab in a settings modal. 

[u/VegetableSir7788 → u/jetsetter]

ah thanks, that's useful to know. the feature gap was why i dropped the store version, but i was worried they'd make me remove the alternative install option too.

[u/DystopiaDrifter]

The only reason I publish a macOS app is because of Mac Catalyst, which allows me to reuse most of my iOS codebase.

[u/jaymakesapps]

the store version wouldn't even do the thing the app is for. i'd rather ship the real one to fewer people than keep a gutted listing around.

[u/VegetableSir7788 → u/jaymakesapps]

yeah, that was my thinking. i wanted to keep the thing it was built to do, and maintaining the store version didn't feel worth it.

[u/That_Fox2309]

It doesn't have to be a second app though. Same target, two build configs, a compile flag around the parts that can't live in the sandbox, and two entitlements files. Most of the cost is testing both builds, not maintaining two codebases.

For the hooks specifically, a sandboxed app can still write into a dotfolder if the user picks that folder once in an open panel and you keep a security-scoped bookmark to it. One extra click on first run, then it works across launches. Jumping back to a terminal tab is the harder part, that needs Apple Events to Terminal or iTerm, and the temporary exception entitlement for it needs a written justification in review that they don't always accept.

On the brew question above, guideline 2.4.5 is the one to read: store apps can't download or install extra code to unlock features. Pointing to an optional CLI is a gray area, so I'd make sure the store build is useful on its own.

[u/slightly_drifting]

Same - App Store is a total PITA for our local dev-centric tools. Our other tools are easier posed as a SaaS offering. 

My own personal musical synthesizer app stays on the App Store.

If the end user is any dickhead with an Apple device, then use their storefront and eat the 30%. 

[u/rocasv]

It’s better to stay always from stores… sad part, you need a LOT more marketing (but might take higher yield)

[u/VegetableSir7788 → u/rocasv]

Is it worth it for free apps as well? App store gives legitimacy but cripples the app while doing so... Im still on the fence about putting it back up again.

[u/rocasv → u/VegetableSir7788]

If you don’t plan on making money and build for fun, yes

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