this post was submitted on 03 Jul 2025
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Blorp
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The Mac App is currently distributed outside of the App Store via installer downloaded from GitHub. The build is singed by Apple, so you don’t get an unknown developer alert, but I could easily distribute an unsigned build. So I think that already checks the outside the App Store freedom box?
The iOS app however is distributed within the App Store. Is there a better option? PWA?
For Android, similar to the App Store, a lot of Lemmy people dislike the Play Store. From a very non scientific poll I conducted, I estimated there is a 3:2 ratio of F-Droid to Play Store Lemmy users.
So alternative methods of distribution are very important, and I intend to offer those. But you also can’t rule out App Store and Play Store. It would be nice to eventually offer 2 options for every platform, but alas I’m just one person with limited time.
Yes, but what about updates?
Literally couldn't care less about that, I disabled gatekeeper on day 1.
I'm not personally concerned with iOS either. Someone buys an iPhone, they get what they get and there aint no way around that, to my knowledge.
FDroid is fine, but there are many stores outside of FDroid as well, and even Obtainium can be used to install directly from a repository like GitHub or Codeberg.
By your own research the most logical thing would be to prioritize unofficial app stores.
The Mac app prompts you to update on launch when it sees a new release on GitHub. Except for versions 1.8.1 and 1.8.2 which I broke the update mechanism that checks GitHub releases.
I’m starting with the devices/distribution platforms I’m familiar with. I’m an iPhone user and I know my way around the App Store. I also do Google Play releases for my day job. I have to learn how to setup the other distribution methods. F-Droid will likely be next since a significant number of people have asked for it.
I know iOS + Lemmy is a weird combo, but that’s who I am. I love FOSS software and I also love Apple’s design language. So I’m starting from there, but I would like to remove any single point of failure (e.g. if Apple removed my app for some reason).
Excellent, thank you!