Comment on Distributing Mac apps outside the App Store, a quick start guide (2021)
> To distribute the app as a zip file, the process is simpler: pick the upload option from Xcode after selecting “Developer ID” and it’ll produce a notarized version of your app, which you can then zip up and distribute directly.
While possible, I highly recommend going the extra mile of shipping a .dmg from the start if your app requires any extra permissions (file access, network, etc.)
macOS turns out to be very, very hesitant to provide file access to apps that were downloaded as zips and will do so SILENTLY.
I spent more than three weeks banging my head against this. Here's the full run-down with all the details: https://forum.obsidian.md/t/streamline-a-stream-of-conscious... if you're interested.