App Catalog
The App Catalog lists all apps and books synced from Apple Business Manager or uploaded manually. It is the central inventory for browsing, searching, and inspecting managed assets before deploying them.
Browsing the Catalog
Navigate to Apps > App Catalog in the sidebar. The catalog displays a table with the following columns:
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| App Name | The display name of the app or book |
| Icon | Thumbnail of the app icon |
| Category | App category (e.g., Business, Education, Productivity) |
| Platform | Target platform: iOS, iPadOS, or macOS |
| Assigned | Number of licenses currently assigned to devices or users |
| Available | Number of unused licenses remaining |
The Assigned and Available columns help you track license utilization at a glance. When available count drops low, consider purchasing additional licenses in Apple Business Manager and re-syncing.
Filtering
Use the filter bar above the table to narrow results:
- Category — Filter by app category (Productivity, Developer Tools, etc.)
- Platform — Show only iOS, iPadOS, or macOS apps
Filters combine — selecting both a category and a platform shows only matching entries.
Searching
The search box supports queries by:
- App name — partial or full name
- Bundle ID — e.g.,
com.example.myapp - Category — e.g.,
Productivity - Adam ID — the Apple identifier assigned to the app
Search is case-insensitive and matches as you type.
Viewing App Details
Click any app row to open the detail panel, which shows:
- Full app name and icon
- Bundle ID and Adam ID
- Platform and supported device types
- Category and description
- License counts (assigned vs. available)
- Version information
- Deployment status across devices
From the detail panel you can also navigate directly to create or modify a policy that includes this app.
Syncing Assets Manually
Apps and books purchased in Apple Business Manager are synced automatically on a schedule. To trigger an immediate sync:
- Go to Settings > Apple Business Manager
- Click Sync Now
- Wait for the sync to complete (typically 1-5 minutes)
Newly synced assets appear in the App Catalog automatically. If an app does not appear after syncing, verify that it has been assigned to your MDM server in Apple Business Manager.
Next: Deploying Apps