.app

What is a .app file?

An .app is not a file — it's a macOS folder disguised as a single clickable application icon.

Use caution
Type System
By Apple Inc.
MIME application/x-apple-application

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What is it

The .app "file" is macOS's greatest UI illusion. It's actually a directory containing the application binary, frameworks, resources (icons, images, localisation files), and metadata — but Finder displays it as a single clickable icon. Right-click any .app and select "Show Package Contents" to see the folder structure inside.

The standard structure is `MyApp.app/Contents/MacOS/` (the executable binary), `Contents/Resources/` (assets), `Contents/Frameworks/` (bundled libraries), and `Contents/Info.plist` (metadata). This bundle approach means macOS applications are self-contained — drag to Applications to install, drag to Trash to uninstall. No registry entries, no scattered files, no installer required.

Security-wise, macOS apps must be code-signed (developer certificate) and optionally notarized (Apple scans for malware) to run without security warnings. Gatekeeper blocks unsigned apps by default. If macOS says an app "can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer," you can override in System Preferences → Security & Privacy, but only if you trust the source.

Technical details
Full Name
macOS Application Bundle
MIME Type
application/x-apple-application
Developer
Apple Inc.
Magic Bytes
N/A
Safety
.app requires caution. Application bundles run code on your Mac. Only install apps from the App Store, identified developers, or sources you trust.
What opens it
macOS Finder
FREE Mac
FAQ
How do I install a .app file?
Drag it to your Applications folder. That's it — no installer needed. macOS applications are self-contained bundles.
How do I uninstall a .app?
Drag it from Applications to Trash. For a complete removal (including preferences and caches), use AppCleaner (free) which finds and removes associated files.
Related formats