Apps Are Not There

[Grizzfan]

I am a brand new Apple OS user, converting as I write from 30+ years of Windows and Android.

I was on phone most day with Apple Care who helped me get things going with my new MAC mini running Monterey OS. I told him I couldn't find apps for Amazon, USAA, my security system, Credit Union, sprinkler timer, etc, etc in the App Store like I could in Windows/Android. I haven't converted my Samsung android phone yet to my iPhone 11 yet and am concerned they won't be available on that platform either.

He told me that Monterey was too new to have all the apps. What's going on??? Remember, I'm a never-before Mac user.

Thanks

Tom

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Is there a reason you need apps for most of those? Amazon, USAA, Credit Union all have websites. None of these exist as apps for Windows or Mac. Why install extra apps you don’t need in a full desktop environment? It is far more secure to use ublock origin with firefox/chrome/whatever and go to those sites as opposed to a dodgy app—seriously with this. The Windows Store is an absolute mess. Apple’s Mac Store is quite a bit better but most of the time you are better off just getting the apps through the vendor’s website.

For instance, I get LibreOffice, Aeon Timeline, Scrivener, Scapple, Omnifocus 3, NetNewsWire, MS Code, and Devonthink through vendor websites.

I get Affinity products (from San Serif) and a few other apps through the store.

But for facebook, twitter, reddit, amazon, target, walmart, USAA, local bank, etc.? I just go to the website.

As for the rest of those apps, they all have iOS equivalents. You just have to google it. If you honestly can’t find them than maybe iOS isn’t for you. Look, that’s okay. I try Android every few years and always discover that I end up trying to hack it to get rid of annoying programs and it’s better if I just don’t have it. Hope this helps.

 

[Grizzfan]

Well, I've been disappointed by Windows longer than most good folks have been alive and even in my 83d year I like to learn new things!!

When I type in Amazon's URL, (and I have to do that each time), it recognizes me and my account. I got that "program; link w/ desktop icon; app" whatever it's called from Windows Play Store. If there was some way to do that w/o having to go to Safari each time and typing in a URL, I'd be very happy.

You opined that 'maybe iOS isn't for me!!! I'm pretty well committed with this purchase that includes an iPhone too! So. I'm looking for answers and appreciate your time. I'll be talking to Apple Care again today, this time at their invitation. Anything you can add will be good too.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

Assuming that new Mac mini is really new, it's an M1 Mac. You can run iOS/iPadOS apps on that Mac, assuming the developer has made them available for Mac.

There probably iOS apps for everything you've listed. However, not every iOS app is going to appear in the Mac App Store.

Use iPhone and iPad apps on Mac with Apple silicon

In the App Store, iPhone and iPad apps that work on Mac computers with Apple silicon are labeled with Designed for iPhone or Designed for iPad.

support.apple.com

Meantime, for easy access to frequently visited websites you can use the time-honored method of creating bookmarks in your browser. In Mac Safari you can add sites to Favorites and display them in the Favorites Bar for easy, one-click access. If not already accessible, you can make the Favorites Bar visible via the View menu.

 

[Grizzfan]

New in the box, M1.

Thanks for you suggestion. I'll try the link you provided. They are definitely not in the App Store with a logo on the Dock.

Thanks,

Tom

PS: I had an ApfelStrudle this morning. Schmect gut!!

 

[Diskutant]

When I type in Amazon's URL, (and I have to do that each time), it recognizes me and my account. I got that "program; link w/ desktop icon; app" whatever it's called from Windows Play Store. If there was some way to do that w/o having to go to Safari each time and typing in a URL, I'd be very happy.

Sounds like you just want a bookmark?
Click and hold the URL for about a second and then drag it to the favourite bar, or even onto your desktop or into the right side of the Dock.

 

[svenmany]

I've certainly noticed the same lack on the Mac. I remember having a Netflix app on Windows and was surprised there wasn't one for the Mac. I've learned to just use the browser for almost all such things that are missing.

For streaming apps, banks, etc. I've come to enjoy Safari's tab groups. They're always open and ready to go, just like a dedicated app would be.