Apple on Monday activated the “Universal Purchase” feature in the App Store that allows developers to include the macOS versions of their apps as a universal purchase alongside their iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS versions.
From the Apple Developer website:
The macOS version of your app can now be included in a universal purchase, allowing customers to enjoy your app and in‑app purchases across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS by purchasing only once. Get started by using a single bundle ID for your apps in Xcode and setting up your app record for universal purchase in App Store Connect.
Apple developers can learn more about Universal Purchase here.
The new capability allows Apple device users to buy macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS versions of an app, as well as accompanying in-app purchases, with a single purchase.
The launch of the new feature was enabled in part by Catalyst, Apple’s solution that allows easier porting of iOS apps over to the Mac. The Xcode feature allows developers to add macOS compatibility to an iOS app with the click of a button, although platform customization will also be required.
The first Catalyst apps were first-party apps from Apple, including the News, Stocks, Home and Voice Memos apps that debuted in macOS Catalina.
Please note that developers currently cannot pair Mac apps built with Catalyst with an accompanying iOS app using bundle IDs, as that capability will come with the launch of Xcode 11.4.
