Import Installed Mac Apps into License Store

If the app is already installed on your Mac, you do not have to create its License Store entry from scratch.

License Store can use an .app bundle as the starting point for a new record. It reads the information the app already provides, creates an entry, and lets you add the private purchase details afterwards.

After importing an installed app, you get a License Store entry with the app name, icon, version, and bundle identifier already in place.

Add One Installed App

Open Add App and choose Add Installed App.

License Store opens the Applications folder by default. Choose the app you want to add, then confirm the import.

You can also drag an .app file directly into the sidebar. This is useful when the app is outside the Applications folder, or when you already have it open in Finder.

Find and Import Apps

If you want to build your library from several apps, choose Find & Import Apps from the Add App menu.

This opens a separate window that scans common app folders on your Mac and shows apps that can be imported.

The finder is meant for apps that are likely to have their own licenses. It skips apps from places where licensing is usually handled differently, such as Mac App Store and Setapp apps.

What License Store Can Detect

When License Store imports an app bundle, it can read basic information from the app:

• app name
• version
• bundle identifier
• app icon

If the app includes License Store metadata in its Info.plist, License Store can also fill in:

• website
• download URL
• notes
• license type

That gives you a cleaner starting point and saves some repetitive typing.

What Still Needs to Be Added Manually

Importing an installed app does not mean License Store can find the actual license.

You still add private purchase details yourself, such as:

• license key
• purchase e-mail
• license file
• invoice
• receipt

Those details usually live in e-mail, vendor accounts, downloaded files, or PDF receipts. License Store helps you organize them, but it does not try to extract private purchase data from other apps.