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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.

Desktop export is available on Single, Multi, or Full 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.

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, or Full plans.
  • Your project content is finalized and published.
  • Your target devices run macOS 10.11 or later.
  • 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

ItemDetails
Minimum supported versionmacOS 10.11
Supported devicesMac computers
Binary typeNative macOS .dmg package
InstallationThe DMG is opened on a Mac to install the application
Distribution typeStandard 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.
  2. In Apps, create or select the relevant application.
  3. Go to the Windows / MacOS section.
  4. Click Generate macOS App.
Generate macOS App button in the dashboard

Review the export form

Before launching the generation, confirm the key information shown in the form:

DMG export configuration form
FieldDescription
IconThe icon displayed for the application on macOS.
NameThe application name shown to Mac users.
Asset management (offline)Bundles all assets inside the package for a fully offline installation flow. Requires a Yearly or One-Time Payment plan.
Version / BuildWe recommend starting with 1.0.0 and 1, then incrementing both with each release.

If you already exported this app before, the form is usually pre-filled. Still review the version and build carefully before validating.

Start the generation

Click Validate.

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 in the Windows / MacOS tab of your dashboard.

If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or return to the Windows / MacOS tab in your dashboard to monitor the generation status. Contact support 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.

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.

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. For fully disconnected environments, see Standalone DMG for offline installation. If you also distribute on Windows, follow 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 Windows / MacOS tab of your dashboard, 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 Windows-specific options such as architecture choice, kiosk configuration, silent installation, or offline asset packaging are documented on the EXE side. 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