Alpha download

Signed with our own developer certificate. Notarization from Apple is next. Requires macOS 14+.

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⚠ First-launch: Gatekeeper prompt

Because the alpha isn't Apple-notarized yet, macOS will refuse to open it on double-click and say "MacAppUpdate can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software." This is the standard signal for any app not distributed through the App Store or notarized via Apple.

To bypass, once, for this build:

Open Finder, go to Applications.
⌃-click (right-click) MacAppUpdate → Open.
Dialog appears with an Open button — click it. From here on, double-click works.

Alternative: System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll to the "MacAppUpdate was blocked" message → Open Anyway.

Grant App Management permission

On first launch a top banner will warn about missing App Management permission. This is what lets MacAppUpdate write updates into /Applications. To grant:

Click Open Settings in the banner.
System Settings → Privacy & Security → App Management → toggle MacAppUpdate on.
Back in MacAppUpdate, click Recheck. Banner disappears.

Verify the download

Compare the SHA-256 of the DMG you downloaded against the value in SHA256SUMS:

shasum -a 256 ~/Downloads/MacAppUpdate-alpha.dmg

Alpha caveats

App Store apps are report-only — click "Open in App Store" from the Inspector to update them.
Adobe Creative Cloud / Chrome / Docker Desktop are pre-ignored — they ship their own updater and would fight MacAppUpdate.
GitHub-hosted downloads may time out on networks that block GitHub. Failed downloads auto-retry with resume up to 3 times.
Crash reports go to Sentry, aggregate usage to TelemetryDeck — both opt-out in Settings > Advanced. See privacy.

Feedback

Alpha exists to collect real-world failure signatures. Please report anything weird — every Sentry event with an SRC_* or SEC_* code is a data point that improves the tool. Use Settings > General > Send Feedback… or email hello@macappupdate.com.