How to create a dmg file for a .app for mac.?

28
votes

I am a developer of iOS, and developed a mac app. Now I want to distribute my app so that a searched for it and found that we need to upload .app to Mac App Store it looks fine. While for self distribution we can have three options:

  1. is to share our app
  2. is to create .dmg file
  3. is to share .pkg file (Package Maker).

In pkg file my client want to install app without introduction, read me as well as license agreement, I removed the license and readme but unable to remove introduction section. Please help me out from here…

Thanks in advance

3
macoscocoadmgpkgbuild
A zip archive of the app is common procedure these days. Disk archives add hurdles to medium skilled users as they have to mount it and copy the app. Don't use an installer (pkg) unless you've got a very good reason to - any license agreement can be shown when starting the app in any distribution form – ATV
So by extracting zip file , is it searchable through the spotlight search.? – Anupam Gupta

3 Answers

34
votes

If you dont need any introduction, readme etc, the best option is to create a DMG.

You don't need any external tools for this.

  • Copy your app to a new folder.
  • Open Disk Utility -> File -> New Image -> Image From Folder.
  • Select the folder where you have placed the App. Give a name for the DMG and save. This creates a distributable image for you.

If needed you can add a link to applications to DMG. It helps user in installing by drag and drop.

25
votes

How to create a dmg file for a .app for mac.?

It's a subjective issue, but .dmg's are a good and popular way to distribute the apps - user double-clicks, drags app, ejects just as they would a USB stick, done.

You can get apps to help you build them, but its not too Hard with Disk Utility, you just need to mess around a little to make it look nice. Here is one way to do it:

  1. Use Disk Utility to create a new empty sparse bundle disk image
  2. Double-click the image to open it.
  3. Copy your app into the image.
  4. Make a link to /Applications in the image.
  5. Hide the toolbar/sidebar/etc. as desired.
  6. Using View Options set to always one in icon mode.
  7. Also add a background image if you like using View Options. Background images often contain text such as "Drag App to Application". Layout the app and /Applications icons to match your background image.
  8. In another Finder window eject the sparse bundle.
  9. In Disk Utility use Images -> Convert... to convert the sparse bundle to a read-only DMG

HTH

0
votes

I strongly recommend DMG Canvas . For a very modest price, it allows you to create a professional looking dmg, with a license agreement and every other common feature.

I'm not affiliated in any way with the software, just a long time user.