Apple reminds developers to submit apps for macOS Catalina to App Store, and notarization requirements

Earlier today, Apple seeded the Golden Master of macOS Catalina 10.15 to developers, signaling that the public launch of the desktop operating system’s updated software is right around the corner.

Ahead of the launch, Apple has updated its official developer news and updates section. The first post is all about a reminder to developers that they should submit their macOS apps to the App Store, while the second is a reminder that Apple has made some changes to the notarization requirements for apps.

Apple’s update today tells developers about many of the exciting features they’ll be able to include in their apps thanks to Catalina, like Sign In with Apple and Sidecar. Apple also namedrop the upcoming Sidecar feature, which will let the iPad work as a secondary display.

Here’s the update from Apple:

macOS Catalina will soon be available to hundreds of millions of users around the world. With macOS Catalina, your Mac apps can take advantage of Sign in with Apple, Sidecar, and the latest advances in Core ML 3, and Metal. And with Mac Catalyst, you can bring your iPad apps to Mac. Build your apps using Xcode 11, test them on a Mac computer running the macOS Catalina GM seed, and submit them for review.

In a separate update, Apple also reminds developers that it has made some changes to the notarization rules for apps available on macOS Catalina not sold in the App Store. Apple is making it so that developers have to get their apps notarized by Apple before they can be downloaded on a macOS Catalina-equipped machine.

This isn’t a new change, this notarization rule has been in place since macOS Mojave, but Apple is sending out another reminder anyway:

To further protect users on macOS Catalina, we’re working with developers to make sure all software, whether distributed on the App Store or outside of it, is signed or notarized by Apple. This will give users more confidence that the software they download and run, no matter where they get it from, has been checked for known security issues.

In June, we announced that all Mac software distributed outside the Mac App Store must be notarized by Apple in order to run by default on macOS Catalina. Make sure to test all versions of your software on the macOS Catalina GM seed and submit it to Apple to be notarized.

Developers, like Apple, are gearing up for the launch of macOS Catalina 10.15, which will more than likely arrive in the early part of next week.

Are you looking forward to the launch?