Getting Started with License Store

License Store started from a very ordinary problem: apps bought outside the Mac App Store often come with more than one piece of important information.

There may be a license key in one e-mail, a receipt in another, a download link on the vendor's website, and a license file sitting somewhere in Downloads. Technically, most of it is still there. In practice, searching for it later is not very convenient.

That becomes especially clear when you move to a new Mac, reinstall apps, or need to check an old purchase. License Store gives each app one place for the details you may need later.

Before you add the first license, it helps to see how that place is organized. License Store is centered around one main window: your app library on the left, and the selected app's license information on the right.

The Main Window

The sidebar on the left is your license library. Each row represents one app.

When you select an app, the right side shows its details. This is where you can see the license key, e-mail address, website, download link, notes, expiration information, and attached files.

If your library is still empty, License Store shows a few quick actions to help you start.

Add Your First App

Click Add App at the bottom of the sidebar.

From there, you can:

• add an app manually
• add an installed .app from your Mac
• import a License Store file
• import licenses from a CSV or JSON file
• find installed apps that can be imported

If you already have the license information in front of you, start with Add Manually. License Store creates a new entry and opens it in Edit mode, ready for the app name, license key, e-mail, website, and other details.

If the app is already installed on your Mac, choose Add Installed App or drag the .app file into the sidebar. License Store can read basic app information such as the name, version, bundle identifier, and icon.

Preview and Edit

Each entry has two main modes: Preview and Edit.

Use Edit when you want to change the record. This is where you fill in the app name, license type, license holder name, e-mail, license key or license file, expiration date, links, notes, and attachments.

Use Preview when you want to use the saved information. Preview mode keeps the record cleaner and gives you quick actions for copying license details, opening links, and working with attachments.

To copy details such as the license key, license holder name, or e-mail address, just click the field in Preview mode.

What to Add First

You do not have to complete every field right away. A useful first entry usually contains:

• the app name
• the license key or license file
• the e-mail address used for the purchase
• the vendor website or download link
• the invoice, receipt, or license file as an attachment

You can always add more details later.

Keep It Useful for Later

License Store is most helpful when you need something months or years after buying an app: reinstalling it, moving to a new Mac, checking an old invoice, or finding the right download page again.

Start with the details you know you will need later. The rest can grow with your library.