10 ms·

Is there a way to download the OSX app without the Mac App Store?

• stephenr 10y ago
  Why, because a sandboxed app guaranteed to be from the author you think it's from is just too good a thing, and you prefer the heady rush of getting bombarded with MacUpdate spam when you get your apps? Fine, some developers don't want to use the MAS. Their choice. I don't understand users not wanting to use it. It's the simplest possible way to install an app and get automatic updates for those apps.
  • saiko-chriskun 10y ago
    I also avoid the MAS when possible.
    • stephenr 10y ago
      That still doesn't answer my question of why.
      • pikachu_is_cool 10y ago
        Because it's horrible UX. I don't want to open a whole other application, search for it on their placeform, and then authenticate with AppleID. Instead you can just download a .dmg or a .zip right from their website, like how it's been done for aeons.
        • stephenr 10y ago
          What searching? The developer links you directly to their app in the store. For free apps you don't necessarily need to enter a password, for paid apps it's still simpler than whatever payment system the developer might be using. With the MAS you can go from viewing the app/developer website to the app being installed in as little as two clicks. How is that worse ux than manually downloading an archive/image, opening the file, moving the .app bundle or running the installer. There are some valid criticisms of the MAS. UX on the install process is not one of them.
          • pikachu_is_cool 10y ago
            Installing apps from web: wget http://example.com/app.zip unzip app.zip -d app_files mv app_files/App.app /Applications rm -rf app.zip app_files With Mac App Store, I have to leave the CLI and use the mouse like a filthy peasant. And I pirate paid apps. Way easier UX there, because I don't have to spend any money.
            • stephenr 10y ago
              > With Mac App Store, I have to leave the CLI and use the mouse like a filthy peasant. I found https://github.com/argon/mas https://github.com/argon/mas in about 5 minutes. Also, that tool will show you app id's from a search. What's the wget command to identify the correct download link for a given domain, assuming you even know the domain name for the app you want. > And I pirate paid apps Right so at this point your opinions are essentially worth less than nothing.
              • saiko-chriskun 10y ago
                and that high horse is why I didn't comment further initially lol. some people just don't like using apple's platforms. deal with it. just downloading a .dmg is way less overhead, by definition. I don't even like having to auth with appleid.
                • stephenr 10y ago
                  > and that high horse is why I didn't comment further initially lol Since when is asking for actual reasons ("I don't like it because I don't like it" is not a valid opinion, in my eyes) a "high horse". > just downloading a .dmg is way less overhead, by definition. That's a very subjective opinion. Each time I do a fresh install of OSX, the MAS apps are always the quickest and easiest to re-install. The only valid (but not really defensible) argument I've seen yet, is the one about not paying for commercial apps. Every other claim that the manual method is easier, just doesn't hold up.
                  • 10y ago
  • y7 10y ago
    What MacUpdate spam? Not using the Mac App Store gives you more control over your apps. It allows you to distribute apps to OSX machines without an internet connection, it allows you to rollback versions or choose not to update, etc.
    • stephenr 10y ago
      > What MacUpdate spam? It took me a year and threats to file complaints with the FTC&FCC to get unsubscribed from their bullshit emails. That's what spam. > It allows you to distribute apps to OSX machines without an internet connection This seems like a pretty rare situation these days, but even in that situation, if those machines can be given internet access once to authorise them (e.g. via a phone hotspot) you can just copy the .app bundles. > it allows you to rollback versions or choose not to update The Mac App store doesn't force you to update either. Admittedly it doesn't allow rollbacks, but you can always restore from a backup and then choose not to update. You do have backups right?
• Siimteller 10y ago
  No. No plans to offer that at the moment.
• lipis 10y ago
  You will be able to build your own if you like once we'll release the source for the Desktop apps..