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eez123

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 8, 2014
22
8
I realize that many apps are cross platform and already have an app for Mac OS such as fantastical. But does anyone have an app/apps right now that they love on an iPad/iPhone that they also love for the M1 Mac? I am just wondering if the app availability on a Mac is more of a gimmick. I guess we will see how many optimize apps for the new M1 in the coming months. So far all the buzz is about how well the new silicone and soc seem to work.
 
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Your question is interesting. I have the M1 Mac Mini, and yesterday I was looking through the App Store for iPad apps that might be useful and considering what I already have on my iPad. The only things I could come up with as maybe useful are music synths or iPad games. For anything related to productivity, there are probably better Mac alternatives.
 
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I know it was one of the things that they touted. It just seems a little redundant for most apps. Especially without a touchscreen
 
i have to yet try some of the iOS apps but have not for the reasons mentioned above: Productivity app experiences on Mac platform are way better the iOS apps. May be I would try podcast apps or games (if you are into games) or some other specific apps like YouTube Music or Google Home - things where there aren’t good Mac app alternatives.
 
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Haven't gotten my M1 MBP yet, but I'm looking forward to trying these:
Shortcuts
Apollo
HACK (for HackerNews)
Channels
Carrot (to see if it's better than the current macOS version)
Philips hue
Cubasis 3
Affinity Photo & Designer (I own the iPadOS version, not the macOS version)
Plus an assortment of Korg & Moog synths and stuff.

It would be nice to use a dedicated Gmail app and maybe try a couple different weather apps.. Apparently a large number of iPadOS apps will come with Widgets and stuff, too. Maybe all not officially, yet, but still. I think we'll all be surprised at how well some apps run straight away, and then even better down the live when more updates come out to support them better.
 
This is the BEST thread on the forum since the M1s came out.

I have tried a single iOS app as I'm now an Android guy due to Xiaomi phones and their cameras at the particular pricepoints.

I was a hardcore iOS guy before though, so I'm open for suggestions.

Thanks for the nice thread.
 
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Actually, now that I think about it I use apps to listen to streaming audio of the phone and iPad mini (yes I still use one from 2013).

I use the webservice on the M1.

Usually this is:

DR Radio (Danish)
FIP radio (French)
ORF FM4 (Austrian)

I'll try them now.
 
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Some stuff NOT available on Mac, but only as iPhone/iPad app, I use now on my M1

Overcast (podcast)
View attachment 1678706

Reversee (yandex, bing, google reverse image search)
View attachment 1678710

Stocard Reward cards Wallet (because I need loyalty numbers sometimes on my desktop)
View attachment 1678712

Forges of Empires (civ game)
View attachment 1678716
 
the problem is that not every app is available. Most of the apps that have a macOS Version are not in the AppStore.

I am using:

- Overcast
- Prism (Plex)
- Zendesk
- UniFi Network
- Apollo (Reddit)
- ImgPlay (gifs)
- SSL Checker
- We Connect (eGolf)

I like That for many webtools there are apps for iOS available, like Zendesk. But I prefer an app with proper notifications than using a website. I whish all app were available.
 
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For my eufy doorbell, I much prefer the iOS app than their website -- would like to have that on my desktop.
 
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Among Us! I've been playing it on my M1 Air for our company's regular game night and it's awesome to be able to play on the computer instead of my phone.
 
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I'm planning to use Audible, Instagram and the Shop by Shopify app. Maybe Carrot since it has a different data provider on iOS. If someone can work out how to make the apps full screen or at least scalable I'd like Infuse and the Xbox app.

I've thought about using Discord just for the smaller interface footprint but we'll see.
 
Sadly there are quite a number of iOS Apps I find EXTREMELY useful on my M1 Air; but almost all of them were blocked by the developers for some reason. This is one of my favorite features, and it can only be enjoyed by those willing to work around these blocks.

My Mac was in transit to me when I began reading that "some" iOS apps would be blocked from running. I remember my heart sinking. Now I see this was an appropriate reaction.
 
I'm planning to use Audible, Instagram and the Shop by Shopify app. Maybe Carrot since it has a different data provider on iOS. If someone can work out how to make the apps full screen or at least scalable I'd like Infuse and the Xbox app.

I've thought about using Discord just for the smaller interface footprint but we'll see.

Just to follow up since I now have it in my hands:
  • Audible is fine, nice to finally have on Mac
  • Instagram is fine
  • Shop is fine
  • Carrot will not restore purchases so I can't access certain data sources. The iOS version does allow the widget in the MacOS notification centre though which is great
  • Infuse works great and allows full screen
  • Xbox works full screen but seems to be limited to 720p so not fantastic
  • Discord shows as a landscape iPad app using about as much real estate as the MacOS version
I've also installed:
  • Twitch, which is useful for the live streamer notifications and the notification centre widget. It also allows PiP but that's a bit buggy
  • Headspace, because I like the widget that changes meditations depending on time of day
  • Sensibo, which is good for precise control of my air conditioner
  • Channels app, good for TV and it works fullscreen
  • TikTok works great, but not sure how often I'll use it. It does come with a widget for anybody who uses it a lot
I'm pleasantly surprised that the iOS apps support notifications same as if they were native MacOS apps, and even if the app is closed. I'm also happy to see all the widget support - finally making the notification centre useful.
 
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I’ve been loving PocketCasts, which I installed as an .IPA. But now an update is out and I realize the problem with side loading: no automatic updates. Might switch to Overcast for that alone.
 
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I used IMazing to download YouTube tv. But I can’t watch local channels because I can’t verify playback area. I tried enabling YouTube tv in location services, but it’s not activating it (no location arrow showing it’s been used).

any ideas?
 
Right now, I don't have any iOS apps installed on my Mac. To be fair, I can't think of one along my list of commonly used apps that either a) doesn't have a Mac OS version already or b) doesn't have a web based version that works perfectly fine on the Mac. For a lot of the other apps, either I use them with my Apple Pencil or they rely so much on touch interaction that running them on the Mac would be counterproductive. Hopefully developers will update their apps for cross-platform functionality, and then I may reconsider installing iOS/iPadOS apps on this Mac.
 
Has anyone been able to sideload Microsoft Teams IPA? How is it working?
I couldn't get it to complete the sign in, unfortunately. It ran, but crashed every time I tried to sign in with my O365 credentials.

Why wouldn't you just use the Mac app for Teams?
Because the Mac app is basically an Electron monstrosity. The iPad app is leaner and a much better user experience. Alas, not workable on the Mac yet.
 
Haven't gotten my M1 MBP yet, but I'm looking forward to trying these:
Shortcuts
Apollo
HACK (for HackerNews)
Channels
Carrot (to see if it's better than the current macOS version)
Philips hue
Cubasis 3
Affinity Photo & Designer (I own the iPadOS version, not the macOS version)
Plus an assortment of Korg & Moog synths and stuff.

It would be nice to use a dedicated Gmail app and maybe try a couple different weather apps.. Apparently a large number of iPadOS apps will come with Widgets and stuff, too. Maybe all not officially, yet, but still. I think we'll all be surprised at how well some apps run straight away, and then even better down the live when more updates come out to support them better.
I just side loaded the Gmail app! It's great
 
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I’ve been loving PocketCasts, which I installed as an .IPA. But now an update is out and I realize the problem with side loading: no automatic updates. Might switch to Overcast for that alone.
Pocketcasts has a native Mac and PC desktop app though--have you tried that?
 
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