Как сделать приложение на ios на windows

Can you develop iOS apps on Windows?
Yes. You can create your own iOS apps on Windows.

However, experienced iOS app developers know that without using Xcode (an IDE), you cannot build or publish iOS apps. Importantly, Xcode only runs on macOS.

So, is it really possible to build an iOS app on Windows? If yes, then how? Don’t worry. To answer this, we have curated the best 5 ways to develop iOS apps using a Windows computer. Let’s understand the step by step process to windows iOS development.

Wondering how to use Xcode on windows or how to create iOS app on Windows? Since, without using Xcode (an IDE), you cannot build or publish iOS apps. This is because Xcode only runs on macOS with the iOS SDK. However, if you wish to develop iOS app on Windows, you need virtualization software.

Using a virtual machine such as VirtualBox and VMware, you get access to virtual Mac OS. Hence, developing iOS apps on Windows will be easier for you.

With a virtual machine, you are allowed to run Windows on Linux operating systems (Linux OS) and even Windows on a Mac operating system. One of the significant benefits of virtualization software is that it helps run multiple OS side-by-side, which is beneficial to build cross-platform apps.

Now, you require 2 things to run Mac OS on a virtual machine.

1. A copy of OS as a virtual image file or an installer
2. A virtual machine tool like VirtualBox or VMWare

Get a copy of macOS by downloading it from the App Store so that you can start the iOS development process. Also, look out for installers and search for virtual disk images with macOS pre-installed.

Not sure how to code iOS on Windows? Want to develop an app for iPhone on Windows? Here is the answer to the following steps that you need to follow.

1. Install VirtualBox or VMware and create a virtual machine on your computer
2. Install Mac OS in your virtual machine
3. Install Xcode on macOS (choose the desired outcome in “System Preferences”)
4. Start building iOS apps

Note: The system specs should be between 4-8 GB of RAM, an Intel i5/i7 compatible CPU, and a minimum of 10 GB free disk space. Also, while configuring macOS, enter a VALID Apple ID.

Once you install macOS and Xcode, you will have access to coding and iOS Simulator capabilities to build and test apps in a similar environment like Mac.

We will also discuss 5 more ways of iOS app development using a Windows computer in the next section. Let’s check how to make ios apps on Windows.

Best Ways to Develop iOS Apps on Windows

Apart from using virtual machines, there are other ways that you can use to build iOS apps on Windows PC. Let’s discuss all of them one by one.

1. Get a Mac in the Cloud

   You can rent a Mac in the cloud. MacinCloud and MacStadium are some of the providers that offer affordable rent-a-Mac products.

   Generally, prices start at $25/month and you have an option to choose from various Apple hardware options, like the brand new Mac Mini and Mac Pro.

   Connect with cloud-based Macs via a remote desktop connection. Windows offers a stock remote desktop client that you can use for iOS development on PC. So, once you are signed in, install Xcode and start the iOS app development process.

2. Create iOS Apps on Windows with Cross-Platform Tools

   Cross-platform tools, like Xamarin and PhoneGap (now Cordova), can code your apps and export them to iOS and Android by reducing your development time and cost in half. Hence, help you to build iOS App on Windows in an efficient manner.

   The cross-platform tool ecosystem is vast for developing iOS apps on PC. By using complete integrated development environments like Xamarin with C#, you can build cross-platform applications. Other Windows-based development tools like PhoneGap and Appcelerator with HTML5 let you build native apps. React Native will help you to write native apps with a Javascript wrapper.

   To conclude, cross-platform tools require you to know the fundamentals of programming languages, such as C#, HTML5, Swift, CSS, and JavaScript. It is essential for you to understand the iOS and Android ecosystems to code native apps. Also, you need to understand the iOS and Android ecosystems to code native apps and hybrid apps.

3. Build “Hackintosh” to Run Xcode

   To work on iOS app development on Windows PC, you need to build a Hackintosh. The term “Hackintosh” has come from one of the old names of Apple computers, Macintosh with the term ‘Hack’.

   Hackintosh is a PC that helps to run Mac OS. With Hackintosh, you can install OS(macOS) as the bootable operating system on your Windows PC. You also have a choice to develop a dual-boot system that can operate both Windows and macOS.

4. Work in React Native Environment

   React Native has several exceptional features, such as open-source, support for 3rd parties libraries, and even helps in using the same code on different platforms. No matter whether you want to develop web apps or hybrid apps, React Native is the best choice to develop iOS apps.

   With the help of React Native, an Android emulator, and Mac OS deployment machines, you can build an application for iOS devices on Windows PC. For checking the result, use the Expo simulator, which is available for both Android and iOS platforms.

5. Use Xamarin to Write iOS Apps on Windows

   Using Xamarin is a better choice when it comes to comparing it with Cloud Mac or other frameworks for hybrid app development. You get a cost-effective solution for iOS development on Windows.

   Xamarin uses C# to code apps. To create iPhone applications on Windows, it features like native platform integration for Android and iOS and Google emulator build, run and deploy the app to iOS device from Windows PC.

Now you know how to develop iOS app on Windows and if you also want to learn to do the same on Linux then refer our guide to develop iOS apps on Linux. Also, if you want to know which are the top IDEs for iOS and the cost to develop iOS apps? If yes, then read the FAQ section.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have shared the five best ways to build iOS apps on Windows computers. Don’t let the unavailability of Mac OS stop you from developing iOS apps.

These are the exact Xcodes alternatives that you are looking for. So, start to work on the iOS development in Windows using any of the options.

These are the easiest options to build iOS apps on windows. For those looking for professional assistance, consider connecting with top iOS app development companies who offer expert solutions to build high-quality, feature-rich applications tailored to iOS standards, ensuring a seamless user experience and optimized performance..

Let’s have a glimpse of the best iOS apps developed by our iOS team.

Get in touch with us to discuss your app idea with our app consultant. We will help you with everything from idea validation to app deployment.

Develop iOS apps on Windows

If you are going to build iOS apps on Windows, you should know that macOS is the only platform able to work with the iOS SDK. That means Xcode, the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that contains everything you need for building and publishing iOS applications, will run only on this platform.

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As long as you don’t have a Mac but still need to use macOS to write iOS apps, virtualization software is the simplest solution. Installed on your Windows PC, a virtual machine (VirtualBox, VMware, etc.) will provide you with the access to macOS, this way making it possible for you to develop iOS apps on Windows.

Here’s what you‘ll need to do to achieve this:

1. Install a virtualization app (e.g. VirtualBox) and create a virtual machine on your local computer.
2. Install and set up a macOS in your VM.
3. Install XCode on macOS.

Never forget when configuring a macOS to enter a VALID Apple ID. A valid Apple Account is required for your future Xcode download.

Select the desired outcome and settings in your “System Preferences” toward the end of your macOS configuration.

After that, installing XCode is simple:

1. Find the Apple Store application icon in the “Dock” and click it.
2. Once the app starts, type “Xcode” into the search field at the top-right corner
3. Click the “Install” button below the “Xcode” icon

   Note: users must provide valid Apple IDs if they didn’t during macOS configuration. Even if you did, re-enter the Apple ID anyway.

4. After Xcode is downloaded and installed, it’ll run on a Guest OS as though it was Xcode for Windows.

After macOS and Xcode installation is complete, coding and iOS Simulator capabilities are available. Allowing you to test apps with the same efficiency you would expect from a real Mac computer.

Lastly, remember using macOS on anything other than official Apple hardware is in violation of Apple’s EULA.

Once macOS and XCode are installed, you can start coding and using the iOS Simulator to test the apps as if you were using a real Mac machine.

Also, for convenience, you need to plan the iOS app development in detail.

Последнее обновление: 01.12.2023

Рассмотрим построение проекта на Maui и C# для iOS.

Взаимодействие iOS и Maui

Весь код для непосредственного взаимодействия с платформой iOS расположен в проекте в папке Platforms/iOS/

Здесь нас будут интересовать два файла: AppDelegate.cs и Program.cs.

Работа приложения iOS начинается с кода, расположенного в файле Program.cs:

using ObjCRuntime;
using UIKit;

namespace HelloApp
{
    public class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            UIApplication.Main(args, null, typeof(AppDelegate));
        }
    }
}

Метод Main класса Program служит точкой входа в приложения. В нем же в свою очередь вызывается метод UIApplication.Main(), который определяет суть приложения и который
обращается к классу AppDelegate из файла AppDelegate.cs:

using Foundation;

namespace HelloApp
{
    [Register("AppDelegate")]
    public class AppDelegate : MauiUIApplicationDelegate
    {
        protected override MauiApp CreateMauiApp() => MauiProgram.CreateMauiApp();
    }
}

А класс Appdelegate, в свою очередь, переопределяет метод CreateMauiApp(), в котором вызывается метод CreateMauiApp() и
таким образом реализуется связь с кодом приложения MAUI.

Компиляция проекта для iOS из Visual Studio на Windows

Рассмотрим, как создавать приложения под iOS из Visual Studio на Windows. Прежде всего, следует отметить, что технически для компиляции приложения под iOS
необходим MacBook. Кроме того, на MacOS должны быть установлены
все необходимые инструменты для разработки под Maui, как описывалось в прошлой теме, и также должна быть установлена последняя версия XCode.

Для подключения к MacOS Visual Studio применяет SSH.

Возьмем простейший проект Maui, который создается по умолчанию. Прежде всего нам надо открыть доступ извне на
самой машине под управлением Mac OS. Для этого на MacOS перейдем к настройкам общего доступа, среди которых надо включить опцию «Удаленный вход»:

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В этом окне надо отметить IP-адрес в рамках подсети, по которому мы будем подключаться к макбуку. В моем случае 192.168.0.102.

Это были все необходимые настройки для Mac OS. Теперь перейдем к Visual Studio. Перейдем к пункту меню Tools -> iOS -> Pair to Mac

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Открывшееся окно отобразит список доступных хостов MacOS для подключения:

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Выберем в этом окне нужное подключение и нажмем на кнопку Connect. После этого откроется диалоговое окно, в котором надо будет ввести аутентификационные данные для подключения к Mac OS (то есть логин и пароль пользователя
на машине Mac OS):

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Если вы вдруг не уверены в правильности вводимого логина, то его можно узнать на Mac OS, введя в терминал команду whoami.

При первом подключении Visual Studio может загружать и установливать некоторые необходимые пакеты для связи с MacOS.

После успешного логина и подключения все окна можно закрыть. А Visual Studio с помощью значка зеленого монитора на панели инструментов укажет, что подключение успешно установлено

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И затем мы сможем использовать удаленную машину Mac OS для компиляции приложения, а в Visual Studio мы сможем выбрать нужный симулятор iOS и запустить проект:

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После этого запустится на симуляторе наш проект:

Стоит отметить, что несмотря на то, что мы можем запустить приложения на симуляторе непосредственно в Windows, но все равно нам необходим Mac OS
для компиляции проекта.

Настройка компиляции под iOS

Если мы перейдем к свойствам проекта в visual Studio, то в секции Application/iOS Targets мы можем настроить минимальную и целевую версии iOS, под которые выполняется
построение проекта.

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Здесь нам доступны следующие опции:

• Target the iOS platform: при установке этого флажка .NET MAUI при построении проекта будет также создавать версию приложения для iOS.

• Target .NET Runtime: применяемая версия .NET

• Target iOS Framework: применяемая версия iOS

• Minimum Target iOS Framework: минимальная версия iOS, под которую создается приложение

Кроме того, внизу свойств проекта с помощью пункта iOS можно настроить различные параметры публикации проекта.

Компиляция проекта для iOS на Mac OS

При компиляции проекта MAUI под iOS на Mac OS все естественно несколько проще. Если мы используем Visual Studio for Mac, то также мы можем
выбрать из панели запуска нужный симулятор iOS, либо даже подключиться к реальному устройству с iOS через WiFi:

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При выборе симулятора iOS будет запущено приложение на выбранном симуляторе XCode.