Manus is rolling out a new app publishing feature designed to remove one of the biggest friction points in mobile development: setting up traditional build tools. With this update, apps created inside Manus can now be packaged and prepared for distribution on mobile platforms without needing Xcode or Android Studio installed locally.
The idea behind the feature is straightforward. Instead of spending hours configuring development environments, builders can move from an app description to an installable mobile build with far less setup. Manus takes care of the technical packaging step, allowing creators to focus on refining their product and preparing it for release.
According to documentation shared in the Manus Help Center, the publishing workflow supports both Android and iOS. Once the app is generated, Manus produces platform-ready files that fit directly into the official store pipelines. Distribution still happens through the standard channels, but the early build complexity is significantly reduced.
For Android apps, Manus outputs an Android App Bundle file. This is the same format required by the Google Play ecosystem, making it compatible with uploads through the Google Play Console. From there, developers can configure internal testing, closed testing, or public release as they normally would. The handoff from Manus to Play Console is designed to be quick, with minimal extra steps.
On the iOS side, the process still follows Apple’s rules, but Manus removes the need to work inside Xcode. An Apple Developer account is required, and users must create an app entry in App Store Connect. After the build is uploaded, Apple processes it so it can be distributed through TestFlight. This review and processing stage remains mandatory, and there is no shortcut around it.
Early walkthroughs shared by the Manus team show how the feature allows creators to package apps for testing on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store without wrestling with build configurations. The supported platforms include standard Android and iOS environments, with Manus handling the technical assembly in the background.
The publishing flow begins directly inside Manus. When users select the Google Play option, the system prepares the app according to Google’s requirements and exports it in the correct format. After uploading the file to Play Console, developers retain full control over rollout timing, store listings, and compliance checks required by Google.
For iOS publishing, the steps are more structured due to Apple’s ecosystem. After setting up the app record, the Manus-generated build is uploaded and queued for processing. Once approved for TestFlight, it becomes available for installation by testers. Any broader release still depends on Apple’s standard approval workflow and timelines.
What changes with this approach is not the platform rules but where the technical burden sits. Manus aims to move the most intimidating part of mobile development earlier in the process by automating build creation. This can be especially helpful for non-mobile developers or teams that want to prototype quickly without dedicating time to learning native tooling.
That said, Manus does not replace store policies or developer accounts. Google Play and Apple Developer memberships are still required, along with any associated fees and compliance obligations. Store guidelines, content policies, and review processes remain fully in effect.
For anyone testing the feature, starting with a small prototype is the recommended approach. Shipping an early build to Play internal testing or TestFlight allows creators to evaluate how much manual work remains once the app reaches the store consoles. This helps clarify whether the tool fits into a larger production workflow or is best used for rapid experimentation.
The broader implications depend on consistency. If Manus continues to deliver stable, store-ready builds with predictable handoffs, generating installable mobile apps could become a routine part of prototyping rather than a late-stage engineering hurdle. Much will depend on plan availability, supported app types, and how well the system scales across different use cases.
