Packet Tunnel Provider app - Distribute outside the App Store for MacOS

Question

Created Jun ’17

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Is it possible to distrubite my VPN app (with packet tunnel provider) for MacOS with a standalone installer (such as .pkg/.dmg file) ?

I think the answer is that it can't be done, but the reason I'm asking is that there are some clients who want to preinstall the app on some people's Macs instead of sending them to the App Store.

So is it possible? or maybe the way to go here is by Apple Configurator ?

Answered by DTS Engineer in 240859022

Is it possible to distrubite my VPN app (with packet tunnel provider) for MacOS with a standalone installer (such as .pkg/.dmg file) ?

That depends on the extent of the distribution you intend. macOS only supports Network Extension providers in the following apps:

Apps downloaded from the Mac App Store
Apps signed with a Mac development profile

They are not supported by Developer ID apps and, of course, the Mac does not support ad hoc, In-House (Enterprise), or TestFlight distribution.

Share and Enjoy
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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

Jun ’17

Accepted Answer

Is it possible to distrubite my VPN app (with packet tunnel provider) for MacOS with a standalone installer (such as .pkg/.dmg file) ?

That depends on the extent of the distribution you intend. macOS only supports Network Extension providers in the following apps:

Apps downloaded from the Mac App Store
Apps signed with a Mac development profile

They are not supported by Developer ID apps and, of course, the Mac does not support ad hoc, In-House (Enterprise), or TestFlight distribution.

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

Jun ’17

I asked this for a user who wants to install my app at his employees' Macs, so signing with Mac development profile won't do any good here.

Thanks for the reply!

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Answer 3

emergencynap OP

Jan ’21

Is this still the case that NetworkExtensions can only be supported in the App Store? With Big Sur/M1, it is much harder to use the kext based approaches and not all apps can live inside the App Store. Is there really no way to use this in an app outside of the appstore still?

Thanks!

0

Answer 4

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

Jan ’21

Is this still the case that NetworkExtensions can only be supported in
the App Store?

No. macOS 10.15 introduced the concept of NE system extensions (as opposed to app extensions). These can be distributed independently using Developer ID signing.

With Big Sur/M1, it is much harder to use the kext based approaches

Right. It’s almost like we planned for that (-:

Share and Enjoy
—
Quinn “The Eskimo!” @ Developer Technical Support @ Apple
let myEmail = "eskimo" + "1" + "@apple.com"

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