Create a package in Apple Business Essentials
You create packages in Apple Business Essentials when you want to install macOS applications that aren’t available from the Mac App Store. Before you begin, review Intro to deploying packages.
Note: If you have to change any of these settings below, you must either update an existing package or create a new one.
Get the required information
Contact your network administrator for the URL of the web server that will host the package.
Paste the URL into a text file, or into a note for later use.
To get the bundle identifier (also known as the bundle ID), Control-click the application, then select Show Package Contents.
Open the Contents folder, then open the Info.plist file. If you aren’t sure which app to use, open the File in TextEdit.
Use the app’s Find feature to find CFBundleIdentifier in the file, then copy the string below that line. For example:
com.companyname.applicationname
Paste the application bundle identifier into a text file, or into a note for later use.
To create the package hash, launch the Terminal app
and enter shasum -a 256, then drag in the package from a Finder window. For example:shasum -a 256 /ExternalDrive/required-applications/companyname-applicationnamePress Return to generate the 64-character alphanumeric hash. For example:
836dc987bd6aa6551a94abb009f95f64cd570c0171afe6fcf0d53a84f730dbddCopy and paste the package hash into a text file, or into a note for later use.
Add a new basic package
In Apple Business Essentials, sign in with a user that has the role of Administrator.
Select Apps
in the sidebar, then select New Package.Enter the following required information you obtained from the above task:
Name
URL
Hash
Bundle ID
Optionally, enter the following, which will appear in the Business Essentials app on the Mac:
A version number for the application.
An application icon, which must be:
An .icns, .jpeg, or .png file.
No larger than 1024 X 1024 pixels.
Under 10 MB in size.
A description of the application.
Select Save.
The package appears under Your Apps.
Test the package with a user to make sure the package can be downloaded and the application installs correctly.
After a successful test, assign the package to one or more Collections. See Apply Collections.
Update a package
In Apple Business Essentials, sign in with a user that has the role of Administrator.
Select Apps
in the sidebar, under Your Apps select an existing package, select Updates, then select Update Package.Update the following package information:
URL
Hash
Version number (Optional)
Application icon (Optional)
Description (Optional)
Select Save.
The updated package appears in Collections and for users.
Get system extension info
If you want to add approval for a system extension:
Make sure the system extension is installed on a Mac.
Launch the Terminal app
on that Mac, enter systemextensionsctl list, then press Return.Review the list, then note the team ID and bundle ID for each extension you want to approve.
Copy and paste each team ID and bundle ID into a text file, or into a note for later use.
Generate a Code Signature
In the Terminal app
, enter first the command (by typing it) and, in the same line, the application (by dragging it from a Finder window). For example:codesign -display -r - /Applications/CompanyName\ ApplicationName.appPress Return, then copy the results of the command beginning with everything after
designated =>.Paste the results into a text file, or into a note for later use.
Add a new package with additional information
You can add more information, such as a description, system extensions, and privacy policy permissions.
Note: If you want to change any of these settings, either update an existing package or create a new one.
Before you begin, review the following:
Get the required information
Add a new basic package
Add more information to packages
Follow the steps in the task Add a new basic package.
Review the additional options in Add more information to packages.
Do any of the following:
To add a system extension to the package, select “Add system extension,” add the team ID and bundle ID, then select Save.
To add specific permissions to applications to the package, select “Add permissions,” add the specific permissions, then select Save.
To add approved login items and background items, select “Add Items,” add the specific items, then select Save.
Select Save.