Guide

How to get the most out of AppSteward.

First Launch — Setup

The first time you open AppSteward, a setup sheet will appear. There are two things to complete before AppSteward can start scanning.

Anonymous Install ID

AppSteward generates a random identifier and stores it securely in your Mac's Keychain. This is used to group your scans anonymously — it is not linked to you, your hardware, or your Apple account in any way. Tap Create ID and approve the Keychain prompt. Choose Always Allow when macOS asks, so AppSteward doesn't need to prompt you every time it starts.

Folder Access

AppSteward needs permission to read the contents of your Applications folders.

• system/Applications — Required. Click Grant access, then select /Applications in the folder picker that appears.
• user/Applications — Optional. This covers apps installed in your home folder's Applications folder (~/Applications). If you don't use that folder, you can skip it.

Once both required steps show a green checkmark, click Continue. AppSteward will run its first scan automatically.

Running a Scan

AppSteward runs a scan automatically each time it launches. You can also trigger one manually at any time using the Scan menu in the top-right corner of the app.

• All — Scans every app and checks versions against the catalogue. Use this for a full picture.
• Outdated — Re-checks only the apps that were already found to be out of date. Faster if you just want to confirm whether those specific apps have been updated.

A scanning overlay will appear while the check is in progress. Most scans complete within a few seconds.

Reading the Results

After a scan, AppSteward shows a table of your apps with the following columns:

• Application — The app name. A small Apple logo indicates it is a Mac App Store app.
• Installed version — The version currently on your Mac.
• Status — A colour-coded icon (see below).
• Latest version — The version the catalogue reports as current. Shown in red if out of date, green if up to date.
• Last checked — When AppSteward last looked up this app.
• Update — An action button where available.

Status Icons

• Red arrow (↑) — An update is available. The installed version is behind the latest known version.
• Orange triangle (⚠) — The app is known to the catalogue but a current version is not yet available to check against.
• Orange circle (✕) — The app may have been discontinued. It is in the catalogue but no longer appears to be actively maintained.
• No icon — The app is up to date, or AppSteward doesn't have enough information to make a determination.

Filtering the List

Use the Outdated / All segmented control at the top of the app to switch between showing only out-of-date apps or your full catalogue. The Outdated view requires a subscription.

Taking Action on Outdated Apps

For apps with an update available, an action button appears in the Update column.

• App Store — Appears for Mac App Store apps. Clicking it opens the Mac App Store directly to that app's page, where you can update as normal.
• Open app — For some non-App Store apps, the app itself has a built-in updater. Clicking this opens the app so you can trigger the update from within it.
• Download — For apps where a direct download link is available, this opens the developer's download page in your browser.
• Some apps may show a combined Action menu with both Open and Download options.

AppSteward does not download or install anything itself — it directs you to the right place to update.

Ignoring Apps

If there's an app you don't want AppSteward to track — for example, an internal tool or an app you intentionally keep on an older version — you can exclude it.

Right-click any app in the list and choose Ignore app. It will be removed from results immediately and excluded from all future scans.

To review or remove exclusions, open Settings (the gear icon at the bottom left) and go to the Exclusions tab. Select an app and click the minus (−) button to remove it from the exclusion list.

Settings

Click the gear icon at the bottom left of the app to open Settings. There are three tabs:

• Permissions — Review and re-grant folder access or re-create your anonymous ID if needed.
• General — Choose the app's appearance: System (follows your macOS setting), Light, or Dark.
• Exclusions — Manage the list of apps AppSteward ignores.

Feedback

AppSteward includes a built-in feedback tool. Click Feedback at the bottom right of the app to send a message directly. You can report a bug, flag a version issue (for example, if AppSteward is showing the wrong latest version for an app), suggest an improvement, or raise anything else.

Only the feedback type you choose and the message you write are sent. No personal information is included.

You can also rate the app on the Mac App Store using the Rate App button — which is always appreciated.