Adding License Store Metadata to Your Mac App

If you develop a Mac app, you can make it easier for License Store users to import your app by adding a small metadata dictionary to your app's Info.plist.

This metadata is called LSAppInfo.

LSAppInfo is limited to public app and licensing details that can help License Store create a better entry when the app bundle is imported. It cannot contain a user's private license key, account, purchase information, invoice, or license file.

You do not have to write this dictionary by hand. License Store includes an Info.plist Entry Generator that creates the plist entry for you; it is shown at the end of this article.

What License Store Can Read

When a user imports your .app, License Store already reads basic bundle information such as:

• app name
• version
• bundle identifier
• app icon

With LSAppInfo, your app can also provide:

• website - URL of the application website.
• downloadURL - URL where the application can be downloaded.
• notes - short public notes about the app or its licensing model.
• licenseType - license format used by the app: key or file.
• noLicense - marks an app that does not have a license the user can add to License Store, for example a free app.

Add LSAppInfo to Info.plist

Add a top-level LSAppInfo dictionary to your app's Info.plist.

Example:

<key>LSAppInfo</key>
<dict>
    <key>website</key>
    <string>https://www.example.com/my-app</string>
    <key>downloadURL</key>
    <string>https://www.example.com/my-app/download</string>
    <key>licenseType</key>
    <string>key</string>
    <key>notes</key>
    <string>License for one user and up to five Macs.</string>
</dict>

For licenseType, use:

• key for serial numbers, activation codes, or text-based licenses
• file for license files

Mark Apps That Do Not Need a License

If your app has no license that can be added to License Store, add noLicense:

<key>LSAppInfo</key>
<dict>
    <key>noLicense</key>
    <true/>
</dict>

Apps marked this way are not shown in License Store's Find & Import Apps window.

Use this for apps that do not have a purchase license, activation key, or license file, such as free apps.

Use the Built-In Generator

License Store includes an Info.plist Entry Generator in the Tools menu.

You can fill in the fields, copy the generated plist entry, and paste it into your app's Info.plist.

This is the easiest way to avoid typing the dictionary by hand.