Mac App Signing (Developer ID)

Use this request when you need to distribute a macOS application outside the Mac App Store — for example, as a direct download from a website or shared via internal channels. Your app will be signed with Northwestern’s Developer ID Application certificate and optionally notarized by Apple, which allows it to pass macOS Gatekeeper checks and run without security warnings.

Not what you need? See the Program Overview to choose the right service request.

 

When to Use This Request

  • Your app is a macOS desktop application (not iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, or visionOS).
  • You want to distribute it outside the Mac App Store — e.g., direct download, internal website, or file share.
  • You need the app to be signed and notarized so users can install and run it without Gatekeeper warnings.
If you want to publish a Mac app on the Mac App Store, use the App Store Publishing request instead.

 

What You Will Receive

After your request is approved, Northwestern IT will provision and securely share:

  1. Developer ID Application Certificate — Used to sign your macOS app for distribution outside the Mac App Store.
  2. Developer ID Installer Certificate (if applicable) — Used to sign .pkg installer packages.
  3. Provisioning Profile (if applicable) — Required only if your app uses advanced capabilities such as CloudKit or push notifications with Developer ID.

See the Developer Guide — Certificates, Profiles, and Code Signing in Xcode for instructions on how to install and use these assets in Xcode.

 

Process Overview

Submit
Submit your service request with the required information.
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Review
Northwestern IT reviews your request and may ask follow-up questions.
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Provisioning
The necessary certificates and profiles are generated and shared with you through a secure channel.
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Development
You sign and notarize your app using the provided assets. See the Developer Guide.
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Distribution
You distribute the signed, notarized app through your chosen channel.
Step 1   Step 2   Step 3   Step 4   Step 5

 

Apple Documentation References