Apple’s macOS Developer Guidelines
What You Need to Know in 2025
Apple continuously updates its developer guidelines to enhance security, performance, and user experience. If you’re developing macOS apps in 2025, staying up to date with these policies is essential.
This article highlights the key updates, requirements, and best practices to ensure your macOS app complies with Apple’s latest standards.
1. Code Signing & Notarization
A Mandatory Requirement
Apple requires all macOS apps distributed outside the Mac App Store to be notarized. This ensures user trust and prevents macOS from blocking your app.
Steps to Follow:
- Sign your app using an Apple Developer ID certificate.
- Submit it to Apple for notarization using
xcrun notarytool. - Ensure that all frameworks and scripts within your app are signed.
2. Sandboxing Enforcement
macOS Sonoma & Beyond
If you plan to distribute your app via the Mac App Store, it must run in a sandboxed environment. This restricts access to system resources, enhancing security.
Best Practices:
- Use App Entitlements to request necessary permissions.
- Avoid deprecated APIs that conflict with sandboxing policies.
- Test permission-related issues using the Console app and sysdiagnose.
3. Universal Binary 2
Supporting Apple Silicon & Intel
Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) has become the standard, but Intel Macs are still in use. Ensuring compatibility across both architectures is essential.
What Developers Need to Do:
- Compile apps as Universal Binary 2 (
arm64+x86_64). - Use Rosetta 2 for testing Intel compatibility.
- Optimize performance using Metal for graphics rendering.
lipo -info MyApp.app/Contents/MacOS/MyApp
4. Privacy & Data Protections
Enhanced Security Measures
- Apps accessing camera, microphone, location, or screen recording must request explicit user consent.
- Apps collecting user data must declare it in the App Privacy Report.
- Comply with App Tracking Transparency (ATT) by requesting permission before tracking user activity.
tccutil reset All
5. App Distribution
Mac App Store vs. Developer ID
| Distribution Method | Benefits | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Mac App Store | Automatic updates, trusted platform | Requires sandboxing, 30% commission |
| Developer ID | Full control, no sandboxing limits | Requires notarization, harder to gain user trust |
Final Thoughts
Ensuring compliance with Apple’s guidelines will help your app stay secure, optimized, and future-proof.
- Sign & notarize your app
- Optimize for Apple Silicon
- Follow sandboxing & privacy rules