Not only App Store: Different ways to download and install Mac apps

Ever gone searching for a new Mac app and felt lost along the way?  As someone who works with dozens of Mac apps daily, I understand the struggle. 

In this guide, I'll show you how to download apps on MacBook quickly and safely. We'll cover multiple methods — from the App Store to websites and alternative stores — and I'll even throw in a few pro tips to help keep your Mac running smoothly.

Download and install Mac apps from the internet

Apple provides an easy way to install apps from the App Store. These apps have passed all Apple security checks and are safe to install. 

However, the store may not have all the apps you are looking for, so many users tend to rely on alternative stores and developer websites. Setapp is the highlight of these, and it's like Netflix for apps — hundreds of apps under a single subscription. 

App Store vs. Setapp: What is the difference?

Let’s check out the difference between these two platforms:

How to search for apps in the App Store

Here's how to search and download apps on MacBook using the official store:

1. Open the App Store from the Dock or Applications folder in Finder.
2. Type the app name or related keyword in the Search bar in the upper-right corner.
3. Click Get to install the app. 
4. If the app is free, click the Get button and then Install. If the app is paid, the price will appear on the button. Click the price, confirm the purchase, and then click Install.

   

The app will download and install automatically.

Why can't I download some apps on MacBook?

Although the App Store offers thousands of apps, it doesn't cover all user needs. Many Mac apps are missing for various reasons:

• Regional restrictions: Some developers control the availability of their apps by region, meaning you might not find certain apps that are accessible in other countries. This is often the case with streaming apps that implement geo-restrictions, but it can also apply to various other types of apps that are limited to specific locations.
• Alternative distribution: Some developers opt to distribute their apps outside the official store for several reasons. These include high fees, the lengthy and often unpredictable review process by Apple, the strict rules and regulations regarding app features, and the limited control developers have over their applications.
• App Store policies: Apple has some pretty strict rules when it comes to how apps should be designed, look after privacy, and work. If an app doesn't meet these guidelines, it might get turned down by the store, which pushes developers to look for other ways to share their apps.

But then again, that should not be a problem since you can install any app using other methods.

How to download apps on Mac without the App Store

If the app you want isn’t available in the store, you can still download it from the developer's website. But before we look at how to do that, it’s important to note that Apple hasn’t vetted these apps. To stay safe, only download an app from a trusted developer— those with an Apple development license to sign apps.

Tip: It's always a good idea to install anti-malware when using apps downloaded outside the App Store to check for malware risks. I personally use CleanMyMac, which can effectively check all apps and downloads for malware before and after installation. Why won't it let me download some apps? Because CleanMyMac is powered by the Moonlock Engine feature in the Protection tab, which helps you spot potential threats and clean your Mac from them on demand.

As a bonus, it can also completely uninstall unnecessary apps and optimize your Mac by decluttering.

To scan for threats with CleanMyMac:

1. Install and open CleanMyMac.
2. Click the Protection tab > Scan.
3. Wait for the Scan results. If no threats found, the app will inform you that your Mac is safe.

   

   ✕ Remove app banner

With that out of the way, here's how to download apps without the App Store:

1. Go to the developer's official website.
2. Click on the Download button to download the app file. It might be in zip, .dmg, or .pkg format.
3. Go to Finder > Downloads and double-click on the download app file to extract (.zip), mount (.dmg), or launch the installer (.pkg). 
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. To install the app for .dmg files, drag it into the Applications folder.

   

If there are apps you no longer use, check out the article on how to uninstall apps on a Mac.

Tip: Sometimes, when browsing my phone, I stumble upon some cool third-party apps. It can be tough to remember their names or websites, so I use Transloader to get them on my Mac remotely. It’s super easy — just paste the app’s link into Transloader and pick which Mac you want to install it on. The link opens up and downloads the file straight to your Mac, and then you can install the app manually.

To download apps remotely:

1. Install and open the Transloader macOS version on your Mac and the iOS version from the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Go to the developer's official website from iPhone > Tap and hold the Download button.
3. From the pop-up menu, tap Share and choose Transloader from the app list.
4. Choose your Mac under Macs to Download on > Tap Download.

The Mac will start downloading the app file.

Bonus tip: Find apps on a Mac faster

Let’s be honest: Dock bar is limited. You can’t use it to get to the app you need. So, if you want to find your apps more quickly, you can use start. It organizes your apps and automatically groups them based on tags and sub-tags, such as Apple, Office, Work, and Entertainment.

Not fast enough? You can set up your own hotkeys to launch apps quicker with start. Just right-click on any app and change the hotkey at the bottom of the window. You can also switch up the entry colors and throw in some tags or comments while you’re at it.

Stay Safe: Download apps on Mac the right way

You can install apps on Mac through the App Store, but the available options are never enough. Sooner than later, you'll need apps with more powerful capabilities, and most of these are only available through independent developers.

However, you need to ensure you always protect your data and device by scanning all downloads through a trusted app like CleanMyMac. It's like a hack tool for scanning malware, uninstalling apps, organizing files, and cleaning up Mac. If you want to install apps remotely through your iPhone or iPad, you can use Transloader. You can then organize the apps based on tags through start to find them faster. 

All these apps are available via Setapp, and you can take advantage of the developer's 7-day free trial to see how the various tools (alongside 250+ other macOS and iOS apps) can improve your Mac experience.