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PKG APP
File conversion

Convert PKG to APP

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jun 29, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert PKG to APP?
Yes - PKG converts to APP.

Use Suspicious Package (free) or Pacifist to browse the .pkg contents and drag the .app bundle out without running the installer's pre/post scripts. Be aware that some apps will not run correctly if their post-install script registers licenses, installs a daemon, or sets system-level permissions.

Also to APP: IPA · ACTION · EXEC

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert PKG to APP?

Many .pkg installers simply copy one or more .app bundles into /Applications. Extracting the .app directly avoids running pre/post-install scripts that execute with elevated privileges, which is useful for inspection or for deploying the app to a specific location without a full system install.

How to convert PKG to APP

Suspicious Package FREE

Open the .pkg with Suspicious Package, go to the All Files tab, find the .app bundle, and drag it out to the Finder to extract it.

Pacifist APP

Drag the .pkg into Pacifist, browse the package contents to locate the .app, then click Extract to and save it to your desired location.

About these formats

.PKG macOS Installer Package

A PKG file is a macOS Installer package - it installs software on a Mac. Double-click it to run Apple's Installer app, which will walk you through setup (admin password usually required).…

Open .PKG details →
.APP macOS Application Bundle

A .app file is a macOS application bundle - the standard package format for every app that runs on a Mac. On macOS, double-click it in Finder to launch it. A .app file cannot run on Windows…

Open .APP details →

Quality & what to watch

  • This is an extraction, not a format conversion - the .app is already inside the .pkg; you are unpacking it, not transforming it.
  • A .pkg may contain more than the main .app - drivers, daemons, frameworks, or preference panes may also be required; extracting only the .app can leave out supporting files.
  • Suspicious Package shows the installer's scripts before you do anything, making it useful for deciding whether to trust the .pkg before extracting.

Frequently asked questions

Why extract a `.app` from a `.pkg` instead of running the installer?
To avoid running pre/post-install scripts that execute with elevated privileges, or to place the app in a non-standard location without a full system install.
Will the extracted `.app` always work?
Not always - apps that require post-install scripts to register a license, install a daemon, or set permissions may crash or show errors when extracted this way.
Can I extract a `.app` from a `.pkg` using the command line?
Yes: xar -xf file.pkg unpacks the XAR archive, then cat Payload | gunzip | cpio -id extracts the file tree including any .app bundles.
What does Suspicious Package show before I extract?
It shows every file the .pkg would install and every script it would run, so you can review what the installer does before trusting it.