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A comment on Distributing Mac apps outside the App Store, a quick start guide. Parent comment

Re:Distributing Mac apps outside the App Store, a quick star... by GeekyBear on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @05:44PM (#25769026)
No, stopping uncommonly downloaded software from running is Microsoft's way to force new developers to use their app store, since software distributed from there is exempt from that limitation.

Apple's developer program is not only cheaper, it allows for functional code signing that completely sidesteps their app store.

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Re:Distributing Mac apps outside the App Store, a quick star... by shawnz on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @06:33PM (#25769513)
SmartScreen existed prior to Microsoft's app store though.

I am not sure what you mean regarding your point about sidestepping Apple's app store. Code signing can obviously be done on either platform without any app stores.

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Re:Distributing Mac apps outside the App Store, a quick star... by GeekyBear on Wednesday January 13, 2021 @07:29PM (#25770073)
No, SmartScreen blocks software that doesn't have a high enough "reputation score" even if it is signed. The only way around that particular restriction is to distribute your app through Microsoft's app store.

Gatekeeper has no such caveat.

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