View source for Mac App Store

{{Short description|App Store on macOS}}
{{Infobox online service
| name = App Store (macOS)
| image = [[File:Screenshot of Mac App Store front-page on 27 December 2023.png|250px]]
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Front page of the Mac App Store
| operating system = [[Software:MacOS|macOS]]
| type = [[Digital distribution]]
| title = App Store
| logo = [[File:App Store macOS.png|125px]]
| logo_size = 125px
| logo_alt = Icon for the App Store, depicting a stylized A
| logo caption = Mac App Store Icon
| image_alt = Landing page of the Mac App Store
| developer = [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple Inc.]]
| launched = {{Start date and age|2011|01|06}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.apple.com/app-store/}}
}}
{{macOS topics}}
The '''Mac App Store''' (also known as the '''App Store''') is a [[Digital distribution|digital distribution]] platform for [[Software:MacOS|macOS]] apps, often referred to as Mac apps,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://developer.apple.com/macos/distribution/|title = Distributing software on macOS - Apple Developer|website = Apple.com|access-date = August 25, 2022|archive-date = August 28, 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220828062441/https://developer.apple.com/macos/distribution/|url-status = live}}</ref> created and maintained by [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple Inc.]] The platform was announced on October 20, 2010, at Apple's "Back to the Mac" event.<ref name="Jan6">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/apple-mac-app-store-open-for-business-starting-january-6th/ |title=Apple Mac App Store: open for business starting January 6th |author=Darren Murph |date=December 6, 2010 |work=[[Software:Engadget|Engadget]] |publisher=AOL |access-date=December 16, 2010 |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116230658/https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/16/apple-mac-app-store-open-for-business-starting-january-6th/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="1-6-10-PCMAG-MACAPPSTORE">{{cite news | url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375320,00.asp | title=Apple's Mac App Store: Hands On | access-date=January 6, 2011 | date=January 6, 2011 | work=PC Magazine | first=Michael | last=Muchmore | archive-date=November 24, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124205232/https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375320,00.asp | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="appleinsider 90 days">{{cite web |url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/20/apples_new_mac_app_store_coming_to_snow_leopard_within_90_days.html |title=Apple's new Mac App Store coming to Snow Leopard within 90 days |author=AppleInsider Staff |date=October 20, 2010 |work=AppleInsider.com |access-date=October 31, 2010 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726154941/https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/20/apples_new_mac_app_store_coming_to_snow_leopard_within_90_days.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Apple began accepting app submissions from [[Software:Apple Developer|registered developers]] on November 3, 2010, in preparation for its launch.<ref name="accepting app submissions">{{cite web |url=http://macappstorereview.com/2010/11/03/apple-now-accepting-submissions-for-the-mac-app-store/ |title=Apple Now Accepting Submissions For The Mac App Store |author=Mac App Store Review |date=November 3, 2010 |work=MacAppStoreReview.com |access-date=November 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101109005721/http://macappstorereview.com/2010/11/03/apple-now-accepting-submissions-for-the-mac-app-store/ |archive-date=November 9, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The Mac App Store was launched on January 6, 2011, as part of the free Mac OS X 10.6.6 update for all current [[Software:Mac OS X Snow Leopard|Snow Leopard]] users.<ref name="Jan6"/><ref name="1-6-10-PCMAG-MACAPPSTORE" /> After 24 hours of release, Apple announced that there were over one million downloads.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Mac App Store Downloads Top One Million in First Day |publisher=[[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple Inc.]] |date=January 7, 2011 |url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/01/07macappstore.html |access-date=January 10, 2011 |archive-date=May 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528030222/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011/01/07macappstore.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Regulations==
Like the App Store on [[Software:IOS|iOS]] and [[Software:IPadOS|iPadOS]], the Mac App Store is regulated by Apple.

To submit an app for consideration, the developer must be a member of the Apple Developer Program. As of March 2023, the membership fee is {{wipe|United States dollar}}99 a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/programs/how-it-works/|title=How it works - Apple Developer Program|work=apple.com|access-date=July 22, 2015|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624014439/https://developer.apple.com/programs/how-it-works/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Apps must be approved by Apple before becoming available on the store. Disallowed types of apps revealed by Apple include apps that:<ref name="macworld details">{{cite web |url=http://www.macworld.com/article/155120/2010/10/mac_app_store_devil_in_the_details.html?lsrc=rss_main |title=The Mac App Store: The devil will be in the details |author=Dan Frakes |date=October 23, 2010 |work=Macworld.com |publisher=Mac Publishing, LLC .. |access-date=October 24, 2010 |archive-date=March 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304153641/http://www.macworld.com/article/155120/2010/10/mac_app_store_devil_in_the_details.html?lsrc=rss_main |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="appleinsider guidelines">{{cite web |url=http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/20/apple_issues_review_guidelines_for_mac_app_store.html |title=Apple issues review guidelines for Mac App Store |author=AppleInsider Staff |date=October 20, 2010 |work=AppleInsider.com |access-date=October 24, 2010 |archive-date=February 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205065320/https://appleinsider.com/articles/10/10/20/apple_issues_review_guidelines_for_mac_app_store.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* change the native user interface elements or behaviors of macOS.
* do not comply with Apple Macintosh Human Interface Guidelines.
* are similar in look or function to current Apple products (e.g. the Mac App Store itself, [[Software:Finder|Finder]], [[Software:ITunes|iTunes]], and [[Software:IChat|iChat]]).
* are similar to other apps that are already present in the Mac App Store (e.g. [[Software:Adobe Illustrator|Adobe Illustrator]] and [[Software:CorelDRAW|CorelDraw]], [[Software:Adobe Photoshop|Adobe Photoshop]], [[Software:Adobe Lightroom|Adobe Lightroom]] and [[Software:Aperture|Apple Aperture]], [[Software:Cinema 4D|Cinema 4D]] and [[Software:Autodesk 3ds Max|Autodesk 3D Max]]).
* contain or display pornographic material.
* are or install shared components (kernel extensions, browser plugins, [[Software:QuickTime|QuickTime]] components, etc.).
* provide contents or services that expire.
* do not run on the currently shipping version of macOS.
* are beta, demo, trial, or test versions of software.
* reference [[Social:Trademark|trademark]]s for which the developer does not have explicit use permission.
* are [[Free software|free software]] licensed only under [[Software:GNU General Public License|GPL]] (because the App Store Terms of Service imposes additional restrictions incompatible with the GPL).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adium.im/pipermail/devel_adium.im/2011-January/007973.html|title=GPL and the Mac App Store|work=adium.im|access-date=June 27, 2019|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108121852/https://adium.im/pipermail/devel_adium.im/2011-January/007973.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/more-about-the-app-store-gpl-enforcement |title=More about the App Store GPL Enforcement |website=[[Organization:Free Software Foundation|Free Software Foundation]] |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=May 1, 2017 |archive-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505130008/http://www.fsf.org/blogs/licensing/more-about-the-app-store-gpl-enforcement |url-status=live }}</ref>
* use software libraries that are either optionally installed or deemed deprecated by Apple for macOS users. Examples given:
** Apple's implementation of [[Java version history#Java SE 6|Java SE 6]] (although the [[Software:OpenJDK|OpenJDK]] implementation of [[Java version history#Java SE 7 (July 28, 2011)|Java SE 7]] is permitted if bundled into the app).<ref>{{cite web|title=Packaging a Java App for Distribution on a Mac|url=http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/technotes/guides/jweb/packagingAppsForMac.html|publisher=Oracle|access-date=January 20, 2013|archive-date=April 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130412030528/http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/technotes/guides/jweb/packagingAppsForMac.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dinacci|first=Marco|title=Take your Java application to the Mac App Store.|url=http://intransitione.com/blog/take-java-to-app-store/|access-date=January 20, 2013|archive-date=January 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119033252/http://intransitione.com/blog/take-java-to-app-store/|url-status=live}}</ref> 
** [[PowerPC]] code requiring [[Software:Rosetta|Rosetta]].
* are not [[Sandbox (computer security)|sandboxed]] (as of June 1, 2012).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/devcenter/mac/checklist/|title=Distribute your apps on the Mac App Store|website=Apple Developer|access-date=September 24, 2013|archive-date=September 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928165706/https://developer.apple.com/devcenter/mac/checklist/|url-status=live}}</ref> At WWDC 2013, Apple announced that this rule no longer applied, and that so-called "temporary exceptions" may be used when the app has a reason not to be sandboxed.
* are not [[64-bit computing|64-bit]] apps (as of January 1, 2018)<ref name="applenews32bitno" />
* contain [[Malware|malicious code]].

As with the iOS and iPadOS App Store, Apple rates applications worldwide based on their content, and determines the age group for which each is appropriate. macOS will allow blocking of objectionable apps in System Settings.

==Usage by Apple==
Since the opening of the Mac App Store, Apple has increasingly used it as the primary means of distribution of its own in-house software products at the expense of boxed versions being sold at its retail stores. This position was increased with the July 2011 release of [[Software:OS X Lion|OS X Lion]], which was the first release of OS X not sold in the form of [[Engineering:DVD|DVD]] boxes. This method limited the reach of distribution of the operating system to those who currently use Mac OS X 10.6.6+, although other means offered by Apple after the release included a USB flash drive containing the operating system and a digital in-store download of the operating system through Apple Store locations. Starting from [[Software:OS X Mountain Lion|OS X Mountain Lion]], Apple's operating systems can only be downloaded from the Mac App Store.

This has also affected Apple's prior means of distribution through its own website, with the Downloads gallery being removed in July 2011 and replaced with links to the Mac App Store information page. However, it has not affected the Dashboard widget gallery, nor has it affected the Safari Extensions gallery, both of which remain online and web-based (however, in [[Software:Safari version history|Safari 12]], the old type of extensions were deprecated and replaced by a newer type, available exclusively on the Mac App Store). Apple Support Download section also remains online, as it provides mostly security updates for current and older software applications and operating systems, many dating back to before 1998.

==Counterfeit apps==
Not long after independent game developer [[Company:Wolfire Games|Wolfire Games]] placed its game, ''[[Software:Lugaru|Lugaru]]'', on the Mac App Store, as ''Lugaru HD'' for $9.99, the developer noticed a counterfeit copy of their game also being sold on the App Store for US$0.99. The developer contacted Apple on January 31, 2011, and on February 10, 2011, the counterfeit copy of the game was removed from the App Store.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32966/Apple_Pulls_Counterfeit_Lugaru_From_Mac_App_Store.php |title=News - Apple Pulls Counterfeit Lugaru From Mac App Store |publisher=Gamasutra |access-date=August 14, 2012 |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015149/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/32966/Apple_Pulls_Counterfeit_Lugaru_From_Mac_App_Store.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

A number of news sites have remarked that for all the scrutiny Apple places on apps listed in their store, a counterfeit copy of an existing app should not have made it through the process, and the days it had been since the developer had alerted Apple to the counterfeit software is disconcerting to developers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.destructoid.com/lugaru-shamelessly-resold-without-consent-on-itunes-193156.phtml | title=Lugaru shamelessly resold without consent on iTunes | access-date=February 4, 2011 | author=Tan, Maurice | date=February 3, 2011 | publisher=Destructoid | archive-date=September 25, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925040206/https://www.destructoid.com/lugaru-shamelessly-resold-without-consent-on-itunes-193156.phtml | url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
The Mac App Store launched with over 1000 apps on January 6, 2011, including Apple's own [[Software:IWork|iWork '09]], [[Software:ILife|iLife '11]], [[Software:Aperture|Aperture]], and third-party applications ported from [[Software:IOS (Apple)|iOS]], such as Angry Birds, [[Software:Flight Control (video game)|Flight Control]], Things and [[Software:Tweetie|Twitter for Mac]].<ref name="1-6-10-PCMAG-MACAPPSTORE" /><ref name="1-6-10-BIZINSIDER-ANGRYBIRDS" /><ref name="1-6-10-TUAW-MAS1000" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://prmac.com/release-id-20275.htm|title=Gravilux: An iPad App Moves to the Desktop via the New Mac App Store|author=Scott Snibbe|date=January 6, 2011|work=prmac.com|access-date=January 31, 2011|archive-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205065330/https://prmac.com/release-id-20275.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the apps belonged to the Games category, which had nearly three times as many apps in the next largest category, Utilities.<ref name="1-6-10-TUAW-MAS1000"/> The most common price point was $20–50.<ref name="1-6-10-TUAW-MAS1000">{{cite web | url=http://www.tuaw.com/2011/01/06/mac-app-store-by-the-numbers-almost-1-000-apps-on-day-one/ | title=Mac App Store by the numbers -- almost 1,000 apps on Day One | access-date=2011-01-06 | author=Gaywood, Richard | date=2011-01-06 | publisher=TUAW | archive-date=January 31, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131111626/http://www.tuaw.com/2011/01/06/mac-app-store-by-the-numbers-almost-1-000-apps-on-day-one/ | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Angry Birds'', a popular video game on iOS App Store, was the number one paid app on the Mac App Store on the first day.<ref name="1-6-10-BIZINSIDER-ANGRYBIRDS">{{cite web | url=http://www.businessinsider.com/surprise-surprise-angry-birds-already-the-1-paid-mac-app-2011-1 | title=Surprise, Surprise: "Angry Birds" Already The #1 Paid Mac App | access-date=2011-01-06 | author=Frommer, Dan | date=2011-01-06 | publisher=Silicon Alley Insider | archive-date=July 28, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728092559/https://www.businessinsider.com/surprise-surprise-angry-birds-already-the-1-paid-mac-app-2011-1 | url-status=live }}</ref>

An update to the Mac App Store for [[Software:OS X Mountain Lion|OS X Mountain Lion]] introduced an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] in which, if one downloads an app from the Mac App Store and goes to one's app folder before the app has finished downloading, one will see the app's timestamp as "January 24, 1984, at 2:00 AM," the date the original [[Engineering:Macintosh|Macintosh]] went on sale. This is the first time an Easter egg has appeared in a piece of Apple software since [[Biography:Steve Jobs|Steve Jobs]] had declared a ban on Easter eggs when he returned to Apple in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/5929286/the-easter-eggs-are-back-in-os-xand-this-one-is-insanely-great|title=The Easter Eggs Are Back in OS X&mdash;And This One Is Insanely Great|date=July 26, 2012 |publisher=Gizmodo|access-date=September 9, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909093923/https://gizmodo.com/5929286/the-easter-eggs-are-back-in-os-xand-this-one-is-insanely-great|url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 11, 2015, a number of apps purchased through the Mac App Store began to fail at launch. Users worldwide got error messages and were forced to delete and re-download affected apps.<ref>{{cite web|author=Steve Kovach|publisher=Tech Insider|title=There was a glitch in the Mac App Store that made some people re-download their apps|url=http://www.techinsider.io/mac-app-store-security-certificates-2015-11|access-date=23 May 2016|date=November 12, 2015|archive-date=June 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605051535/http://www.techinsider.io/mac-app-store-security-certificates-2015-11|url-status=live}}</ref> It was discovered the next day by Tapbots developer Paul Haddad that the issue had to do with an expired security certificate.<ref>{{cite web|author=Alex Hern|title=Apple user anger as Mac apps break due to security certificate lapse|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/12/apple-user-anger-mac-apps-break-security-certificate-lapse|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 May 2016|date=November 12, 2015|archive-date=April 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424225750/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/nov/12/apple-user-anger-mac-apps-break-security-certificate-lapse|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 17, Apple sent an email with explanations to developers. The company stated that most of the issues were resolved and that troubleshooting information was provided to the AppleCare support team.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dan Thorp-Lancaster|work=imore.com|title=Apple issues apology to developers over recent Mac App Store certificate issues|url=http://www.imore.com/apple-issues-apology-developers-over-recent-mac-app-store-certificate-issues|access-date=23 May 2016|date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629123349/http://www.imore.com/apple-issues-apology-developers-over-recent-mac-app-store-certificate-issues|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 17, 2015, responsibility for overseeing App Store was given to Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Welch|title=Apple's Phil Schiller is now in charge of the App Store|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/12/17/10412204/apple-phil-schiller-now-leads-app-store|publisher=The Verge|access-date=9 January 2016|date=December 17, 2015|archive-date=January 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105004950/http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/17/10412204/apple-phil-schiller-now-leads-app-store|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously App Store was led by Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services.

On January 1, 2018, Apple announced it was no longer accepting 32-bit apps on the Mac App Store, while existing 32-bit apps on the App Store must be updated to fit the 64-bit architecture by June 1, 2018.<ref name="applenews32bitno">{{Cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=12012017a&1512164242|title=64-bit Requirement for Mac Apps|access-date=2018-03-20|website=Apple|archive-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726080112/https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=12012017a&1512164242|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 4, 2018, Apple announced that a new version of the App Store would be included in [[Software:MacOS Mojave|macOS Mojave]] based on the redesigned App Store introduced in [[Software:IOS 11|iOS 11]]. This included new Create, Work, Play and Develop categories for apps, and a Discover tab curated by Apple's editors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/4/17426444/app-store-redesign-mac-macos-mojave-apple-wwdc-2018|title=Apple is redesigning the Mac App Store in macOS Mojave|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-07-10|archive-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604195647/https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/4/17426444/app-store-redesign-mac-macos-mojave-apple-wwdc-2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Software:List of Mac software|List of Mac software]]
* [[Software:Microsoft Store|Microsoft Store]], equivalent platform on Windows

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==

{{Software digital distribution platforms}}
{{Package management systems}}
{{macOS}}
{{Apple Inc.}}

[[Category:MacOS]]
[[Category:Software distribution platforms]]

{{Sourceattribution|Mac App Store}}