Packet Tunnel Provider app - Distribute via MDM

Question

Created Apr ’20

Replies 4

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Three years ago I asked if it's possible to ditribute Network Extension providers apps (VPN with packet tunnel provider) for macOS outside the App Store - the answer was no, see https://forums.developer.apple.com/thread/81281

I'm checking again, but this time, the question is if it's possible for users at a certain company to get this app via MDM.
What I want to do, is to give the .app/apk to an IT admin, and he will distribute it via MDM. Is it possible?

More generally, is there any way to distribute my app, not via the App Store?

* It's possible to do it when signing it with a Mac development profile, but I want to give it to a customer..

And a bonus part - the same question, but for iOS - is it possible to distribute it outside App Store?

Answered by DTS Engineer in 416021022

Starting with 10.15 we support Developer ID signed NE providers, with the caveat that they must be packaged as a system extension rather than an app extension. See my 14 Jan 2020 post on this thread.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!”
Apple Developer Relations, Developer Technical Support, Core OS/Hardware

let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@apple.com"

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Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Apr ’20

Accepted Answer

Starting with 10.15 we support Developer ID signed NE providers, with the caveat that they must be packaged as a system extension rather than an app extension. See my 14 Jan 2020 post on this thread.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!”
Apple Developer Relations, Developer Technical Support, Core OS/Hardware

let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@apple.com"

0

Answer 2

roee84 OP

Apr ’20

Great, that's what I'm looking for, thanks!

And a question regarding this - looking at your post, I see that some people said they couldn't run the app with packet-tunnel when it's signed with a Developer ID, and you suggested to open a bug. Do you happen to know if it has any problems?

And for iPhone there's no way to distribute outside the App Store , correct?

And a final question - for iOS, can a customer download my app from the store, and distribute it to his organization via MDM?
Let's say that there's a company with thousands of users, each of them need to install my app from the store? No other way to distribute to them?

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Answer 3

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Apr ’20

looking at your post, I see that some people said they couldn't run the app with packet-tunnel when it's signed with a Developer ID, and you suggested to open a bug.

IIRC this came down to the requirement that sysexes be notarised.

And for iPhone there's no way to distribute outside the App Store , correct?

No. iOS has Enterprise distribution which, as you might imagine, is commonly combined with MDM.

for iOS, can a customer download my app from the store, and distribute it to his organization via MDM?

Not really, but there are lots of options here, including:

Standard App Store distribution (common for free apps)
Enterprise distribution
B2B
VPP

I’m really not the right person to answer questions about configuring iPhones in an Enterprise environment. There is, however, lots of info published by Apple about this:

The main Business page has links to lots of resources.
Likewise the Apps for Business page on the developer web site.
Beyond that, there’s the iPhone in Business and Education area of Apple Support Communities, run by Apple Support.

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!”
Apple Developer Relations, Developer Technical Support, Core OS/Hardware

let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@apple.com"

0

Answer 4

roee84 OP

Apr ’20

Thanks again for a great answer!

The reason I aksed it here, is the fact that this is an app with a Packet Tunnel Provider, so I'm guessing that the experts around this area are probably here. I'll try to check the resources you mentioned. Thanks again!

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