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Mac App Store Distribution Guide

Complete guide for distributing TP-7 Utility on the Mac App Store.

Prerequisites

1. Apple Developer Program

  • ✅ Active Apple Developer Program membership ($99/year)
  • ✅ Access to App Store Connect

2. Certificates Required

You need different certificates for App Store vs direct distribution:

# Check your certificates
security find-identity -v -p codesigning

Required for App Store:

  • 3rd Party Mac Developer Application: Your Name (TEAM_ID)
  • 3rd Party Mac Developer Installer: Your Name (TEAM_ID) (for pkg signing)

How to get them:

  1. Xcode → Settings → Accounts
  2. Select your Apple ID → Manage Certificates
  3. Click "+" and add:
    • "Mac App Store Application"
    • "Mac App Store Installer"

3. App Store Connect Setup

  1. Go to https://appstoreconnect.apple.com
  2. My Apps → Add New App
  3. Fill in basic info:
    • App Name: "TP-7 Utility"
    • Bundle ID: com.tp7utility.app (matches your app)
    • SKU: Unique identifier (e.g., "tp7-utility-2025")
    • Platform: macOS

Build Process

1. Update Environment Configuration

Add App Store certificate to your .env:

# Add this line to your .env file
MAC_APP_STORE_ID="3rd Party Mac Developer Application: Your Name (TEAM_ID)"

2. Build for App Store

./build-appstore.sh

This creates:

  • TP-7 Utility.app (signed with App Store certificate)
  • TP-7_Utility_AppStore.pkg (ready for submission)

3. Submit to App Store

./submit-appstore.sh

App Store Requirements Checklist

App Sandbox Compliance

  • ✅ App Sandbox enabled (required for App Store)
  • ✅ File access: User-selected files only
  • ✅ Audio access: For processing audio files
  • ✅ No network access: App works offline

App Store Guidelines

  • ✅ Functionality: App provides clear value (audio conversion)
  • ✅ UI/UX: Native SwiftUI interface
  • ✅ Performance: Efficient audio processing
  • ✅ Privacy: No data collection
  • ✅ Safety: No malicious code

Technical Requirements

  • ✅ macOS version: Supports macOS 13.0+
  • ✅ Architecture: Universal (currently ARM64)
  • ✅ Code signing: Proper App Store certificates
  • ✅ Entitlements: Sandbox-compliant

App Store Connect Configuration

1. App Information

  • Name: TP-7 Utility
  • Subtitle: Audio Conversion for TP-7 Recordings
  • Category: Music
  • Content Rights: You own or have rights to use

2. Pricing and Availability

  • Price: Free (recommended) or set price
  • Availability: All territories or specific regions

3. App Metadata

Description Example:

TP-7 Utility makes it easy to work with Teenage Engineering TP-7 multitrack recordings.

FEATURES:
• Convert TP-7 multitrack files to individual stereo tracks
• Combine stereo files into TP-7 compatible format
• Smart auto-detection of file types
• Native macOS app with drag & drop interface
• No internet connection required

PERFECT FOR:
• TP-7 users who want to edit individual tracks
• Musicians working with multitrack recordings
• Audio engineers processing TP-7 files

The app automatically detects whether you want to export or import based on the files you drop, making the workflow seamless and intuitive.

Keywords: TP-7, audio, multitrack, conversion, music, recording, teenage engineering

4. Screenshots Required

You'll need to provide screenshots:

  • 13-inch displays: 1280 x 800 pixels
  • 15-inch displays: 1440 x 900 pixels
  • 27-inch displays: 2560 x 1440 pixels

Review Process

1. Submission

  • Upload happens via submit-appstore.sh or Xcode Organizer
  • Binary appears in App Store Connect within minutes

2. Review Timeline

  • Initial review: 24-48 hours (automated checks)
  • Human review: 1-7 days typically
  • Updates: Usually faster than initial submission

3. Common Rejection Reasons

  • Sandbox violations: Make sure app works within sandbox
  • Missing functionality: Ensure core features work properly
  • UI issues: Fix any interface problems
  • Metadata issues: Accurate descriptions and screenshots

Post-Approval

1. Release Options

  • Manual release: You control when app goes live
  • Automatic release: Goes live immediately after approval

2. Updates

  • Use same build process for updates
  • Increment version number in Info.plist
  • Submit via same workflow

3. Analytics

  • View downloads and revenue in App Store Connect
  • Monitor reviews and ratings

Troubleshooting

Build Issues

# Verify certificates
security find-identity -v -p codesigning

# Check entitlements
codesign -d --entitlements :- "TP-7 Utility.app"

# Verify signature
codesign --verify --deep --strict "TP-7 Utility.app"

Upload Issues

  • Wrong certificate: Ensure using Mac App Store certificates
  • Network timeout: Check internet connection
  • Invalid package: Rebuild with ./build-appstore.sh
  • Account issues: Verify Apple ID has access to team

Alternative Upload Method

If script fails, use Xcode Organizer:

  1. Open Xcode → Window → Organizer
  2. Drag TP-7_Utility_AppStore.pkg into window
  3. Click "Distribute App"
  4. Follow prompts to upload

Key Differences: Direct vs App Store

Aspect Direct Distribution App Store
Certificate Developer ID Application Mac App Store Application
Sandbox Optional Required
Distribution DMG/ZIP files App Store only
Updates Manual App Store handles
Discovery Your marketing App Store search
Revenue 100% yours 70% yours (30% to Apple)
User Trust Gatekeeper warnings Fully trusted

Success Tips

  1. Test thoroughly in sandbox environment
  2. Provide clear app description and keywords
  3. Include quality screenshots showing app in use
  4. Respond quickly to reviewer feedback
  5. Keep app updated with bug fixes and improvements

The Mac App Store provides excellent distribution and user trust, making it worth the additional setup for professional app distribution.