Building an independent distribution system for macOS apps outside the App Store requires solving packaging (DMG Canvas), notarization, automatic updates (Sparkle framework), licensing (self-hosted Keygen.sh), and global payment collection (Stripe with US company registration). The process involves significant infrastructure work including DMG packaging with notarization, implementing Sparkle for auto-updates with CloudFlare R2 hosting, deploying a self-hosted licensing system, navigating complex payment provider registration (especially for Chinese developers), and building webhook services to automate license generation and delivery after purchase.
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App Store vs. Independent DistributionDMG Canvas Packaging ProcessUsing Sparkle for Automatic UpdatesLicensing SystemPayment System IntegrationConnecting Payments and Key DistributionWhat’s NextSort: