# Export a DMG file > Prepare and retrieve the macOS binary (.dmg) of your PandaSuite application for desktop distribution on Mac computers. https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-a-dmg-file/ **The macOS export is the final step before distributing your desktop application on Mac computers.** You will: 1. Customize the application name, icon, and version information. 2. Generate a macOS `.dmg` package from your PandaSuite dashboard. 3. Share the installer with your users or IT team for installation on macOS. Once the binary is generated, you can download it from your PandaSuite dashboard. > **Success** > > Desktop export is available on **Single**, **Multi**, **Full**, or **Ultra** plans. ## What is a DMG file? The DMG file is the standard macOS disk image format used to distribute applications on Mac. Users download the `.dmg`, open it on their computer, then install the application from that package. > **Info** > > Use the `.dmg` export when you want to distribute your PandaSuite application > on macOS devices outside the browser. ## Prerequisites - Desktop export is available on **Single**, **Multi**, **Full**, or **Ultra** plans. - Your project content is finalized and published. - Your target devices run **macOS 12 (Monterey) or later**, and no later than **macOS 27** on a Mac with Apple silicon. - Plan a validation pass on at least one Mac before wider distribution. - If you need a fully offline installation package, plan to enable **Asset management (offline)** during export. This option requires a **Yearly** or **One-Time Payment** plan. ## Minimum OS Version and Device Compatibility | Item | Details | | ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Minimum supported version** | macOS 12 (Monterey). On a Mac with Apple silicon, up to macOS 27 (see **Architecture**) | | **Supported devices** | Mac computers | | **Architecture** | Intel (x64). On a Mac with Apple silicon, macOS runs the app through Rosetta, which Apple keeps available for Intel-based apps only through macOS 27 | | **Binary type** | Native macOS `.dmg` package | | **Installation** | The DMG is opened on a Mac to install the application | | **Distribution type** | Standard manual distribution on macOS | Important points before distribution: - If you distribute the same project on Windows and macOS, generate **one binary per operating system**. - If your project uses native features such as camera, microphone, Bluetooth, or geolocation, test permissions and behavior directly on macOS. - macOS can display security or permission prompts on first launch depending on the device configuration and the native capabilities used by your project. - If you enable **Asset management (offline)**, the package includes all assets for offline installation. Any content update then requires exporting and reinstalling a new DMG. - Any code or feature update requires exporting and redistributing a new DMG. ## Export the DMG file ### Access the dashboard 1. Log in to your [PandaSuite dashboard](https://pandasuite.com/dashboard/publish). 2. In **Apps**, create or select the relevant application. 3. In **Platforms**, find the **Desktop** card. 4. Click **Generate** next to **macOS**. [Image: Desktop card of the Platforms section: the Generate button of macOS is framed] ### Review the export form Before launching the generation, confirm the key information shown in the form: [Image: Prepare Your DMG File form: icon and name, offline asset management and loading screen] | Field | Description | | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Icon** | The icon displayed for the application on macOS after installation. Use the final branded icon you want Mac users to recognize in Finder, Launchpad, and the Dock. | | **Name** | The application name shown to Mac users. This is the user-facing name they will see during installation and when launching the app later. | | **Asset management (offline)** | Bundles all assets inside the package for a fully offline installation flow. This is useful for disconnected environments, but any later content update then requires exporting and reinstalling a new DMG. Requires a **Yearly** or **One-Time Payment** plan, and is available only if your application contains a single project. | | **Loading screen** | Uses the loading screen configured in your app settings: click **Settings**, then review the icon and background color in the **Display** tab. | | **Launch method** | Lets you enable **Kiosk mode** for a full-screen startup experience. It also adds a **Kiosk** admin menu, reached with keyboard shortcuts, to open the app at login and keep visitors inside it: see [Kiosk Mode on macOS](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/kiosk-mode-for-macos/). Use it only if the Mac is intended for a controlled or dedicated use case, and always test first-launch behavior on a real device. | | **Version / Build** | We recommend starting with `1.0.0` and `1`, then incrementing both with each release. The version is the visible release number, while the build helps distinguish technical revisions of the same app. | | **Advanced options** | Click **Show advanced options** to see or change the **App ID** that macOS uses to recognize the installed app: see [App ID (advanced options)](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-a-dmg-file/#app-id-advanced-options). | > **Tip** > > If you already exported this app before, the form is usually pre-filled. > Still review the **Name**, **Asset management (offline)**, **Launch > method**, and **Version / Build** carefully before validating. ### App ID (advanced options) macOS recognizes your app by its App ID. A new export with the same App ID keeps the app's data, even if you renamed it. To see or change it, click **Show advanced options** in the form. The **App ID** field shows the app's current App ID: leave it empty to keep it. The EXE and the DMG each have their own App ID. - A new app gets `com.myapp.p` followed by its short ID. - An app created before this setting existed keeps the ID it has on computers, in the form `com.electron.`. If it was never exported as a DMG, its first export gets that ID too, from the app name. - A chosen App ID uses letters, numbers, hyphens and dots, with at least two segments, like `com.example.myapp` (128 characters at most). The first segment starts with a letter, and each segment starts and ends with a letter or a number. The prefix `com.pandasuite.` and the value `your.id` are reserved. An ID starting with `com.electron.` is accepted only if a successful DMG export of this app already used it. - If you change the App ID, your next export installs as a new app, without the previous one's data. Delete the previous version from each Mac. Before exporting, **Back to the current App ID** cancels the change. Later, you can go back by entering a previous App ID again: any App ID that a successful DMG export of this app already used is accepted. > **Note** > > The Finder replaces an app by its name: after a rename, drag the new version > to Applications, then delete the old one. Changing the App ID asks for > permissions such as camera and microphone again. ### Start the generation Click **Export**. The process takes place on our servers and can last **from a few minutes to several hours** depending on the load. You will receive: - A confirmation email; - The download link on the **Desktop** card of your app page. > **Note** > > If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or return to the > **Desktop** card of your app page to monitor the generation > status. > Contact [support](https://pandasuite.com/contact) if needed. ## Validate the DMG on macOS before wider rollout Before distributing the DMG broadly, perform a short validation pass on at least one representative Mac: - download the generated file from the dashboard on a Mac; - install the application from the DMG; - launch the application at least once; - verify any native capabilities used by your project, such as camera, microphone, Bluetooth, or geolocation; - confirm the displayed name, icon, and version are correct. > **Info** > > On some Macs, the first launch may trigger a macOS security confirmation or > one or more permission prompts. Validate this first-launch experience before > rolling out the app to a wider group of users. > **Success: What's next?** > > Share the generated `.dmg` with your Mac users or IT team for installation. > For the installation flow on Mac, follow [Install your DMG > File](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/install-your-dmg-file/). For fully > disconnected environments, see [Standalone DMG for offline > installation](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-dmg-for-offline-installation/). > If you also distribute on Windows, follow [Export an EXE > File](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-an-exe-file/). ## FAQ **Can I use the same PandaSuite app for Windows and macOS?**\ Yes. You can generate separate desktop binaries from the same app page, but you must export one file per operating system. **Do I need to export a new DMG after an update?**\ Yes. Any code or feature update requires generating and redistributing a new DMG. **Where do I retrieve the generated DMG?**\ From the **Desktop** card of your app page, once the generation is complete. **Do I need to test the DMG on a Mac before sharing it widely?**\ Yes. Always validate installation and runtime behavior on at least one representative macOS device before broad deployment. **Does the macOS export include the same options as the Windows EXE export?**\ Not necessarily. Some options are specific to Windows, such as architecture choice and silent installation, and are documented on the EXE side. Offline asset packaging also exists on macOS: see [Standalone DMG for offline installation](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-dmg-for-offline-installation/). Kiosk mode on a Mac has its own page: [Kiosk Mode on macOS](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/kiosk-mode-for-macos/). The DMG workflow focuses on macOS distribution, installation, and first-launch validation. **Can I prepare a DMG for a disconnected macOS environment?**\ Yes. Enable **Asset management (offline)** during export to bundle the assets into the package. In that case, updates require exporting and reinstalling a new DMG. ## Additional resources - [Publish and export your project](https://docs.pandasuite.com/getting-started/publish-and-export-your-project/) - [Install your DMG File](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/install-your-dmg-file/) - [Standalone DMG for offline installation](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/standalone-dmg-for-offline-installation/) - [Export an EXE File](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/desktop-publishing/export-an-exe-file/) - [Update your application](https://docs.pandasuite.com/essentials/content-management/update-your-application/)