You can make an app for iOS even if you’re on a PC running Windows 10.
I wish I had known this when I first started because I delayed myself for 3 years before biting the bullet and buying a Mac.
Daily 1 7 1 – time tracking for professionals. Had I known about running Xcode on Windows or about the solutions below, I might’ve started building iPhone apps much earlier!
- I used to have a MacBook Air 2010 and that worked fine for development (I make simple apps). Seeing the bench mark tests for the 12' MacBook it seems to fit in with the 2011 MacBook Air so it should be fine.
- Xcode 12.1 includes Swift 5.3 and SDKs for iOS 14.1, iPadOS 14.1, tvOS 14, watchOS 7, and macOS Catalina Platform features. App Clips are a small part of your app that’s discoverable at the moment it’s needed, loads in seconds, and launches quickly.
Rent a Mac
Before committing to buying a new Mac, you can actually “rent” one for development. You’ll remotely access the Mac and Xcode through your PC.
It’ll be like having the Mac desktop in a window on your Windows Desktop.
The really nice thing about this option is that the cost is really low and it’s the fastest option to get up and running.
If you decide that app development isn’t for you, you just cancel your plan.
1. MacStadium
These guys were featured in the recent Apple keynote when they introduced the updated Mac Mini! They have the newest Macs available.
These guys were featured in the recent Apple keynote when they introduced the updated Mac Mini! They have the newest Macs available.
(Use coupon code “CODEWITHCHRIS” for 50% off your first month. If you do, please let me know in the comments below. I’ll get a small kick back at no extra expense to you so thank you for supporting my site!)
Is buying a New MacBook 12 inch- i5- 8GB - 512SSD a good idea in 2020? Found a nice deal in a retailer. No video editing only will be used to learn both Xcode and Adobe creative suite, not intending to be a full fledged programmer nor designer. I know I'm a bit late to the MacBook 12 discussions but thought I'd change it up a bit:) I'm a full stack web and mobile App developer. On a regular basis I have most of Apple's stock Apps running (Notes, Reminders, Safari, Mail, Messages, Contacts) in addition to Xcode, iOS Simulator, Android Studio, Sublime, Terminal, Querious, ExpanDrive.
If you go down this route for iOS app development, make sure you get my Xcode cheatsheet with references and keyboard shortcuts for Windows users.
There are a couple other companies that provide this service:
2. MacInCloud
This is the most well known service out of the three. You won’t have to install Xcode because it comes preinstalled. You can also do pay-as-you-go so it’s a pretty low commitment. Some people complain that it’s slow but you can try it out for yourself since it’s only about a buck an hour!
This is the most well known service out of the three. You won’t have to install Xcode because it comes preinstalled. You can also do pay-as-you-go so it’s a pretty low commitment. Some people complain that it’s slow but you can try it out for yourself since it’s only about a buck an hour!
3. XcodeClub
XcodeClub is run by Daniel who is a passionate developer himself. From the reviews I see, the service is fast and friendly. The pricing is less flexible than MacInCloud and you’ll have to commit to at least a month.
XcodeClub is run by Daniel who is a passionate developer himself. From the reviews I see, the service is fast and friendly. The pricing is less flexible than MacInCloud and you’ll have to commit to at least a month.
Virtualize MacOS
If you’re a little more technically savvy, you can use virtualization software and run a “virtual Mac” on your PC.
![Macbook Macbook](https://cdn.thegeekherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Apple-MacBook-Pro-Redesign-release-date-delay-739x400.jpg)
Macbook 12 Xcode Tutorial
The services above are essentially doing the same thing on their servers and then they charge you a fee to access the virtual machine.
By setting it up yourself on your own PC, you essentially cut the middle man out of the equation.
Unfortunately it does take a little bit of technical know-how to get this up and running.
The two most popular pieces of software to do virtualization are VirtualBox and VMWare Workstation.
You can download them below and then use Google to find a guide on how to install the latest MacOS (Mojave) with either VirtualBox or VMWare Workstation.
After that, spin up your new virtual Mac and download Xcode. This is as close as you’ll get to running actual Xcode on Windows!
4. VirtualBox
VirtualBox is open source software which means that it’s free. That probably explains why it’s a lot more popular than VMWare Workstation when it comes to running MacOS on your Windows machine!
VirtualBox is open source software which means that it’s free. That probably explains why it’s a lot more popular than VMWare Workstation when it comes to running MacOS on your Windows machine!
5. VMWare Workstation
Unfortunately you’ll have to pay for this piece of software and at the time of this writing, a license costs about half the price of a brand new Mac Mini which is perfectly suitable for iOS app development. I would recommend you try VirtualBox first or try to buy a used Mac Mini.
Unfortunately you’ll have to pay for this piece of software and at the time of this writing, a license costs about half the price of a brand new Mac Mini which is perfectly suitable for iOS app development. I would recommend you try VirtualBox first or try to buy a used Mac Mini.
Build a “Hackintosh”
You can also build a “Hackintosh” which is a PC that has been customized to run MacOS.
This requires the most effort out of all the options presented so far but it can work for someone who wants a separate physical computer running MacOS.
6. Hackintosh.com
A great resource for all things Hackintosh. The first How-To section contains links to a number of great tutorials for building your own Hackintosh and installing High Sierra.
A great resource for all things Hackintosh. The first How-To section contains links to a number of great tutorials for building your own Hackintosh and installing High Sierra.
7. Hackintosh Subreddit
I love looking for Reddit communities on anything that I’m interested in because there are always interesting conversations happening. Reddit provides a way to have a dialogue with like minded individuals, to get help and to help others!
I love looking for Reddit communities on anything that I’m interested in because there are always interesting conversations happening. Reddit provides a way to have a dialogue with like minded individuals, to get help and to help others!
8. Hackintosh Articles on 9to5mac.com
I included this link because it contains up to date news and articles for Hackintosh builds.
I included this link because it contains up to date news and articles for Hackintosh builds.
Third Party Solutions
Lastly, there are many third party solutions that you can use to do iOS development on Windows.
You won’t be using Xcode in these solutions but you’ll be able to generate an app that can run on iOS devices.
Check out these great Xcode alternatives:
9. React Native
Use JavaScript to build native mobile apps.
Use JavaScript to build native mobile apps.
10. Xamarin
Use C# to build a mobile app that you can deploy natively to Android, iOS and Windows.
Use C# to build a mobile app that you can deploy natively to Android, iOS and Windows.
11. Appcelerator
Build native mobile apps using JavaScript.
Build native mobile apps using JavaScript.
12. PhoneGap
Build hybrid cross-platform mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Build hybrid cross-platform mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Your Mac provides several tools to help you identify it. The simplest is About This Mac, available by choosing About This Mac from the Apple () menu in the upper-left corner of your screen. The other is the System Information app. Learn how to use these tools to identify your Mac.
If you don’t have your Mac or it doesn’t start up, use one of these solutions instead:
- Find the serial number printed on the underside of your Mac, near the regulatory markings. It’s also on the original packaging, next to a barcode label. You can then enter that serial number on the Check Coverage page to find your model.
- The original packaging might also show an Apple part number, such as MNYF2xx/A (“xx” is a variable that differs by country or region). You can match the Apple part number to one in the list below to find your model.
This article lists MacBook models only. You can find similar information for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
List of MacBook models
MacBook models are organized by the year they were introduced, starting with the most recent. Click the model name for detailed technical specifications.
MacBook models from 2015 and newer can run the latest version of macOS. For models from before 2015, the latest compatible operating system is noted.
2017
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
Colors: Rose gold, space gray, gold, silver
Model Identifier: MacBook10,1
Part Numbers: MNYF2XX/A, MNYG2XX/A, MNYH2XX/A, MNYJ2XX/A, MNYK2XX/A, MNYL2XX/A, MNYM2XX/A, MNYN2XX/A
Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
Colors: Rose gold, space gray, gold, silver
Model Identifier: MacBook10,1
Part Numbers: MNYF2XX/A, MNYG2XX/A, MNYH2XX/A, MNYJ2XX/A, MNYK2XX/A, MNYL2XX/A, MNYM2XX/A, MNYN2XX/A
Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
Beginning in 2018, this MacBook model is available in space gray, silver, and the gold color shown here.
2016
Macbook 12 Xcode Download
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
Colors: Rose gold, space gray, gold, silver
Model Identifier: MacBook9,1
Part Numbers: MLH72xx/A, MLH82xx/A, MLHA2xx/A, MLHC2xx/A, MLHE2xx/A, MLHF2xx/A, MMGL2xx/A, MMGM2xx/A
Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
Colors: Rose gold, space gray, gold, silver
Model Identifier: MacBook9,1
Part Numbers: MLH72xx/A, MLH82xx/A, MLHA2xx/A, MLHC2xx/A, MLHE2xx/A, MLHF2xx/A, MMGL2xx/A, MMGM2xx/A
Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
2015
Let ter 1 0. MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
Colors: Space gray, gold, silver
Model Identifier: MacBook8,1
Part Numbers: MF855xx/A, MF865xx/A, MJY32xx/A, MJY42xx/A, MK4M2xx/A, MK4N2xx/A
Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
Colors: Space gray, gold, silver
Model Identifier: MacBook8,1
Part Numbers: MF855xx/A, MF865xx/A, MJY32xx/A, MJY42xx/A, MK4M2xx/A, MK4N2xx/A
Tech Specs: MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
2010
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
Model Identifier: MacBook7,1
Part Numbers: MC516xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
Model Identifier: MacBook7,1
Part Numbers: MC516xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010)
2009
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
Model Identifier: MacBook6,1
Part Numbers: MC207xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
Model Identifier: MacBook6,1
Part Numbers: MC207xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: macOS High Sierra 10.13.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009)
Macbook 12 Core I7
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
Model Identifier: MacBook5,2
Part Numbers: MC240xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
Model Identifier: MacBook5,2
Part Numbers: MC240xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
Macbook 12 Xcode Pro
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
Model Identifier: MacBook5,2
Part Numbers: MB881xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
Model Identifier: MacBook5,2
Part Numbers: MB881xx/A
Newest compatible operating system: OS X El Capitan 10.11.6
Tech Specs: MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)