Updraft Now Supports macOS: Centralized Distribution for Mac Apps 

Updraft now makes distributing your macOS apps as easy as your mobile ones.

We’ve added full support for .dmg, .pkg, and .zip files, so you can manage and deliver Mac software to the right people — securely, centrally, and without the hassle of juggling email threads, shared drives, or multiple tools. Whether you’re an IT team rolling out an internal desktop app or a developer sharing a beta with testers, Updraft keeps everything in one place and under control.

What Are macOS Files?

macOS apps are usually delivered as App Bundles (a .app package). However, for installation and distribution, they are typically wrapped in archive or disk image formats. The most common are .dmg, .pkg, and .zip, which allow Mac software to be distributed outside the Mac App Store:

• DMG (Disk Image) – A .dmg file is an Apple Disk Image used to distribute Mac programs outside the Mac App Store. When opened, the disk image mounts as a virtual drive, from which the app can be copied to the Applications folder. DMGs are popular because they can include checksums for integrity verification and often feature a user-friendly drag-and-drop installation experience.
  
  

• PKG (Installer Package) – A .pkg file is a macOS installer package. Opening it launches the macOS Installer app, which guides the user through installation. PKGs can place files in specific system directories and request administrative permissions. They’re often used by IT teams to deploy software across multiple Macs, especially through Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems.
  
  

• ZIP (Archive) – A .zip file is a compressed archive. Developers sometimes package .app bundles inside ZIP files for quick distribution. The recipient must unzip the file and manually move the app to the Applications folder. ZIP files are lightweight and quick to create, but lack the installation polish of DMGs or PKGs.
  
  

Who Uses macOS?

Globally, macOS is the second most popular desktop operating system after Windows, with over 100 million active users and a market share of around 14–15%. In certain industries, Macs are even more prevalent — creative fields (design, media, video editing) and software development are prime examples. With Apple’s M1 and M2 chips, Macs have seen even greater adoption in business environments.

Many companies now allow or encourage employees to choose Macs as part of Bring Your Own Device or Choose Your Own Device programs. IT leaders often cite security, reliability, and low maintenance as key reasons for adoption. For iOS and iPadOS development, a Mac is non-negotiable — Xcode only runs on macOS — so entire dev teams often work exclusively on Apple hardware.

In short: whether it’s a few designers, an entire dev team, or executives who prefer Apple devices, the number of Macs in enterprise settings is steadily growing.

When Can Updraft App Distribution Help?

If your company develops or distributes Mac apps, the challenge is figuring out how to get them to the right people efficiently and securely. Often, these apps are for internal use only — think an in-house dashboard, a desktop client for a private service, or beta desktop versions for testers. Without a dedicated tool, teams rely on patchwork solutions:

• Email or chat file sharing – Sending .dmg or .zip files via email or in Slack/Teams works for a quick test, but it doesn’t scale. Links get lost, old versions keep circulating, and there’s no visibility into who got the file and when.
  
  

• Internal wiki or file shares – Hosting apps on SharePoint or a company wiki keeps them in one place, but updates are manual, access controls are weak, and users don’t always know which version is current.
  
  

• External services – GitHub Releases, Dropbox, or Google Drive links are common for beta builds, but they can raise security and compliance concerns if sensitive apps are hosted on external platforms.
  
  

• MDM systems – Tools like Microsoft Intune or Jamf can deploy macOS apps company-wide, but they’re geared toward standardized rollouts, not agile beta testing or frequent build updates.
  
  

This is exactly where Updraft shines. Already a go-to solution for mobile app distribution, Updraft now supports macOS — so you can manage .dmg, .pkg, or .zip builds alongside your iOS and Android apps. You decide who gets access, and Updraft makes sure they always get the latest version with minimal friction.

Example: Your dev team builds an internal macOS app for employees. Without Updraft, every update requires a mass email or a Microsoft Teams post — messy and error-prone. With Updraft, you upload the new build once, and all authorized users are notified automatically. They go to the Updraft portal and download the latest version. No digging through old messages, no wrong versions floating around.

Or maybe you have a beta program for a customer-facing Mac app. Instead of juggling password-protected websites or relying on Apple TestFlight (which requires Apple IDs and App Store registration), you create a closed tester group in Updraft. Only invited testers see and download the app — keeping it secure and easy to manage.

Why Updraft Is the Ideal Solution

With macOS support, Updraft becomes your one-stop hub for all app platforms:

• All in one place – Manage iOS, Android, and macOS apps in a single portal. IT teams gain a central “internal app store” instead of juggling multiple tools.
  
  

• Easy distribution – Public or private links, optional login protection, and 2FA keep distribution smooth yet secure. Users always get the latest version — no more outdated downloads.
  
  

• Notifications & integrations – Slack or Microsoft Teams alerts for new builds mean no one misses an update. CI/CD integration (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, etc.) makes uploads automatic.
  
  

• Security & access control – Fine-grained permissions, GDPR compliance, ISO 27001 certification, and Swiss hosting keep your apps safe.
  
  

• Cross-platform reach – Unlike Firebase App Distribution or DeployGate, which don’t support macOS, or TestFlight, which can be cumbersome for internal rollouts, Updraft works across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows — perfect for teams looking to unify distribution.
  
  

In short: if you want to simplify, secure, and centralize your Mac app distribution — whether for employees, testers, or both — Updraft is ready. Upload your .dmg, .pkg, or .zip builds today and see how easy app delivery can be when everything’s under one roof. 🚀