Automating Away Cross-Platform Packaging Complexity for .NET Developers

You’ve built your app. It works. Now you need to package it for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and the web. Each platform has different formats, signing requirements, and tooling. This is where most cross-platform projects hit a wall.

When we set out to make cross-platform development easier for .NET developers, we knew packaging couldn’t be an afterthought. We’ve heard from too many developers who loved building their apps but dreaded deployment day. The friction between “working app” and “installable package” was real, and it was slowing teams down.

At Uno Platform, we believe packaging should be as seamless as the rest of your development workflow. That’s why we’ve built integrated, automated packaging that covers desktop, mobile, web and embedded platforms: no third-party tools required, no additional setup headaches. and no additional cost.

The Multi-Platform Packaging Problem

App packaging isn’t just creating an installer. It’s a multi-stage process of bundling your compiled binaries, runtime dependencies, assets, and metadata into a format that an operating system or app store recognizes and can install. That means:

Build and publish: Compile platform-specific binaries with dependencies
Process assets: Generate icons, splash screens, and resources for each platform
Create manifests: Build platform-specific metadata (Package.appxmanifest, Info.plist, AndroidManifest.xml)
Code signing: Sign with platform-specific certificates and notarization
Assemble packages: Create distributable formats (MSIX, .app, APK, etc.)
Prepare for distribution: Validate and optimize for app stores or direct download

Each platform requires different tools, formats, and workflows.

Traditionally, .NET developers cobble together separate scripts, third-party tools, or manual processes for each platform. It’s time-consuming, brittle, and error-prone.

Here’s what you’re managing:

Platform	Formats	Signing	Distribution	Complexity
Windows	MSIX, MSI, ClickOnce	Certificates	Microsoft Store, Direct	Multiple formats; Store validation
macOS	.app, .pkg, .dmg	Apple certs + notarization	App Store, Direct	Mandatory notarization; Complex signing
Linux	Snap, AppImage, DEB, RPM	Optional	Snap Store, Direct	Multiple package managers
Android	APK, AAB	Keystore	Google Play, Direct	AAB for Play; Keystore management
iOS	IPA	Provisioning profiles	App Store, TestFlight	Strict signing; Profile management
WebAssembly	Static files, PWA	HTTPS/CSP	Web hosting	Service workers; PWA manifest

What Uno Platform Provides Out of the Box

We integrated automated packaging in version 5.5, and we’ve been expanding it ever since. Uno Platform includes comprehensive automated packaging for every supported platform, completely free as part of the core framework. It’s part of the core toolchain, works with standard .NET publishing workflows, and requires no additional installations or licensing.

Here is the complete platform coverage:

Platform	Package Formats	Code Signing	Store Ready	Status
Windows	MSIX, ClickOnce	✅	✅ Microsoft Store	✅ Available
macOS	.app, .pkg, .dmg	✅	✅ App Store	✅ Available
Linux	Snap	✅	✅ Snap Store	✅ Available
Android	APK, AAB	✅	✅ Google Play	✅ Available
iOS	IPA	✅	✅ App Store	✅ Available
WebAssembly	Static files, PWA	✅	✅ Web hosting	✅ Available

Whats included?

Native dotnet publish Integration: No separate tools to install. Works with standard .NET SDK commands. Integrates with your existing CI/CD pipelines.
Cross-Platform Build Support: Build Windows packages from Linux or macOS. Build macOS packages from Windows. Build Linux packages from any OS.
Advanced Publishing Options: Single file deployment, self-contained distributions, Native AOT compilation (where supported).
Automated Everything: Asset generation and resizing, manifest creation, dependency bundling, code signing integration, platform-specific optimization.

📦 More on Publishing your App

One Command, All Platforms

Here’s how simple it is. This Linux Snap example:

				
					
dotnet publish -f netX.0-desktop -p:SelfContained=true -p:PackageFormat=snap
sudo snap install myapp_1.0_amd64.snap --dangerous --classic

The same pattern works everywhere:

Windows MSIX: dotnet publish -f net9.0-windows10.0.26100
macOS .app: dotnet publish -f net9.0-desktop -r osx-arm64 -p:PackageFormat=app
Android AAB: dotnet publish -f net9.0-android -p:AndroidPackageFormat=aab
iOS IPA: dotnet publish -f net9.0-ios -p:ArchiveOnBuild=true
WebAssembly: dotnet publish -f net9.0-browserwasm

One workflow. Platform-specific complexity handled automatically.

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⚠️ Note: The code examples in this post reflect the API as of 10/15/25. Always refer to the official documentation for the most up-to-date guidance.

Why It's Free

We made a deliberate choice: packaging is fundamental infrastructure. If you need it to ship your app, it should be built-in.

What this means for you:

No additional licensing: Essential deployment features are included
Faster shipping: Less time configuring builds, more time building features
Simplified CI/CD: One set of commands for all platforms
Lower total cost: No paid add-ons required to deploy your apps

Uno Platform handles packaging across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and WebAssembly because getting your app to users shouldn’t require separate tools, complex scripts, or premium licenses.

What's Next for Uno Platform Packaging

We’re continuously expanding packaging capabilities. Past releases have already added support for macOS .pkg and .dmg formats with code signing and notarization.

Looking ahead, the roadmap includes:

Flatpak support: to complement existing Snap packages, providing broader Linux distribution coverage
Native AOT: Broader platform support for optimized deployments

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Have packaging needs we haven't covered? Join the conversation on Discord or open a discussion on GitHub to share what packaging features would make your workflow easier.

The Bottom Line

Packaging isn’t flashy. It’s the unglamorous final step that most devs underestimate until they hit it. But without it, your app doesn’t ship. Users can’t install it. All that beautiful code stays on your dev machine.

If you’re building cross-platform .NET apps, whether for desktop, mobile, or web, Uno Platform’s integrated packaging makes it easier to get your app in front of users on every platform. Start with the Uno Platform publishing docs or spin up a new project and run dotnet publish to see how fast you can go from code to distributable package.

Packaging isn’t glamorous. But with Uno Platform, it’s not painful either.