How To Develop Ios Apps Without Mac
Welcome to the future of Mac.
Submit your next generation
app to the App Store.
Learn the basics of building an app for MacOS here. This Lynda.com series takes you through the basics of building a Mac app. It starts with Xcode, and introduces the important concepts you’ll need to learn in order to create a Mac app. You’ll also learn how to get apps on to the Mac App Store and optimise them for the Mac’s full-screen. Audio is also routed right to iOS from the Parallels agent on the Mac. If you’re like me and use iOS as your main computing platform when not doing development tasks, then this might be a workflow to try out, especially if you like the portability of the iPad compared to a 15” MacBook Pro. Now you just install Xcode and start developing iOS apps and test/debug with Simulator. IPhone/iPad (iOS) app development and Publish to iTunes Store. For publishing your app on iTunes store you need to pay (example $99 / year). So For complete iOS Development Setup you need. Get Mac Mini or Mac Machine; Create Developer Account on Apple.
App Store
Explore the features and comprehensive benefits of distributing your apps on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.
Introducing Xcode 12
Universal App Quick Start Program
Get everything you need to prepare your apps for Apple Silicon Macs before they become available to customers. The Universal App Quick Start Program will give you access to all the tools, resources, and support you need.
App Clips
Provide a new way to quickly access and experience what your app has to offer. An app clip is a small part of your app that lets users start and finish an experience in seconds, even before downloading your app.
Widgets
Now it’s even easier to build and make widgets available across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS with the new WidgetKit framework, widget API for SwiftUI, widget gallery, and Smart Stacks.
macOS Big Sur
A whole new level of power and beauty.
watchOS 7
Develop even more powerful and personal apps for Apple Watch.
iOS 14
Take advantage of the latest features in the world’s most advanced mobile operating system.
iPadOS 14
New features and enhancements in iPadOS 14 empower you to create amazing experiences.
Running Ios Apps On Mac
Apple Platforms
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Whether you’re just entering the workforce or you‘re an experienced developer or entrepreneur, take advantage of free resources to gain skills that help you succeed in Apple’s growing app economy, which provides millions of jobs in technology across the globe.
How To Develop Ios Apps On Mac Pro
Before you can get going with iOS development there are a couple of hardware requirements that you will need to satisfy. In this post, we’ll take a look at those requirements, discuss the various options for satisfying them and focus on the cheapest way to get started for those who want to develop iOS apps.
Minimum Requirements
I’m not going to beat around the bush. Bottom line is that if you want to get started with iOS application development you’re going to need (or at least have access to) a Mac and at it ideally will be running latest version of OS X.
If you’re a PC owner, you’re out of luck I’m afraid. The Xcode development tools are only available on OS X and there isn’t really a viable PC alternative at present. I guess it’s a marketing choice on Apples behalf but for now if you want to join the world of iOS developers it’s a really a Mac or nothing.
“The Mac Mini can be a great entry level solution but add a Thunderbolt Display and the costs start mounting.”
Development Hardware Options
So what does this mean if you haven’t already got a Mac and want to get started? Well, you have a few options.
The first is the Mac Mini. At around £399 / $499 at the time of writing, this is a pretty good option if you want to get started and already have a display kicking around that you can hook it up to. The down-side though is that if you haven’t, and you start adding the cost of one of Apple’s Thunderbolt Displays into the mix, you’re looking at another £899 / $999 at the time of writing and the costs are mounting pretty rapidly.
The next option then is the iMac. A 21.5-inch iMac is available from £899 / $1099 and is a pretty good alternative to the Mac Mini / Thunderbolt Display combo and is around £300 / $300 cheaper. It definitely gets around the problem of having to buy a separate screen and if you’re looking for a desktop solution this is probably your best bet.
For those looking for a more mobile alternative though (such as for coding in front of the TV – yes I admit I do that sometimes), you’ve really got a choice between the Macbook, MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. The entry level MacBook is $1299 / £1049, an 11-inch Macbook Air is available from around £749 / $899 and a 13-inch MacBook Pro is a little more expensive at £999 / $1299. My preference out of these would be the 13-inch MacBook Pro though. All of them are viable alternatives but the one thing I have learnt is that Xcode loves screen real-estate so where possible I’d go for the biggest screen you can afford.
“The iMac is perfect for those who don’t mind being bound to the desktop.”
iOS Device Options
In terms of the iOS Device side of things, the picture is a little more rosy.
When it comes to iOS devices, you can start developing for iOS without owning an iOS device at all.
The Xcode development tools come with an iOS Simulator that allows you to simulate an iOS device right-there on your desktop. This is great option for both novices and professionals alike but it does have it’s limitations and experience has proven that it is simply no substitute for being able to run your applications on a real iOS device.
With this in mind I’d recommend that you try to get your hands on an iPhone or iPad as soon as you can. In my opinion it’s really an essential purchase in the long-term, especially if you are going to develop applications for the App Store. Depending on your needs though, you might not need the latest and greatest piece of Apple hardware and if your just getting started, my tip would be to keep an eye out on on eBay or Craigslist, especially when Apple releases a new revision of their iOS hardware. You’ll often find people selling off their devices as they upgrade and it can be a great way of picking up an inexpensive iOS Device to use for development.
Worst case though, if your budget really can’t stretch to an iOS device at the moment (especially if you’re having to splash out for a new Mac), don’t worry too much and please don’t be put off. As I’ve mentioned previously, you can still get started with Swift and iOS Development with an Intel-based Mac and the iOS Simulator. The important thing, as with many things, is overcoming inertia and getting started.
“For a more mobile development platform, the Macbook Pro is probably your best bet but try to go for as much screen real-estate as you can afford.”
You probably won’t need an iOS device immediately anyway, especially if you’re new to the platform, so my approach would be to start learning Swift (this blog will help you with that) and in the mean time save up and buy an iOS device when your finances allow. Trust me, you’ll want one once you start writing apps of your own. There’s nothing quite like pulling out your iOS device and showing your friends your latest creation!
Summary
In this post we looked at the minimum hardware requirement for getting started with iOS development – an Intel-based Mac ideally running the latest version of OS X. We looked at the options available for meeting this requirement and also took a look at the need to have an iOS Device upon which to run and test your software. For many, the hardware entry barrier can seem high, but if you can stretch to it, you will have all the hardware you need to develop and distribute an app to millions of potential customers around the world. Now isn’t that a price worth paying?