Which apps are published through the App Store but are discoverable only with a direct link?

Unlisted apps are published on the App Store but are not discoverable through public channels like search, categories, charts, or recommendations. This distribution method is designed for apps intended for a limited audience, such as employees, partners, or research study participants. Access is granted exclusively through a direct link, which can be generated in App Store Connect. This allows organizations to leverage the App Store's secure and trusted infrastructure for apps that are not intended for the general public.

A. Provisional: "Provisional" is not an official Apple distribution category; it relates to provisioning profiles used for app development and ad-hoc testing.

B. Managed: "Managed" refers to an app's state when controlled by a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, not its discoverability method on the App Store.

D. TestFlight: TestFlight is a platform for distributing pre-release beta versions of an app to testers, not for publishing the final version on the App Store.

1. Apple Developer Documentation

"Unlisted App Distribution." This official support page states

"Unlisted apps don’t appear in any App Store categories

recommendations

charts

search results

or other listings. They can be found only with a direct link." (Apple Inc.

developer.apple.com/support/unlisted-app-distribution/)

2. App Store Connect Help

"Distribute an unlisted app." This guide specifies the nature of unlisted apps: "Unlisted apps are apps that you can distribute on the App Store that aren’t discoverable by browsing or searching... Users can download the app using a direct link." (Apple Inc.

help.apple.com/app-store-connect/

Section: "Distribute an unlisted app"

Document version: 11.4)

3. WWDC 2021

Session 10131

"What's new in App Store Connect." This session introduced unlisted app distribution

explaining it as a new option for apps with a limited audience that allows them to be "discoverable only with a link" while being hosted on the App Store. (Apple Inc.

developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2021/10131/

Time index: 10:15)