Xcode On Windows (Build
iOS Apps on PC)
You can
build 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.
Had I known about running Xcode on Windows or about the
solutions below, I might’ve started building iPhone apps much earlier!
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.
There are a few companies
out there that provide this service:
1. VirtualMacOSX
Another service where you can rent a Mac with Xcode for development. Unfortunately I haven’t listened too much about this one so I can’t speak very much about it.
Another service where you can rent a Mac with Xcode for development. Unfortunately I haven’t listened too much about this one so I can’t speak very much about it.
2. MacInCloud
This is the most well-known service out. You will not have to install Xcode because it comes pre-installed on Mac. 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. You will not have to install Xcode because it comes pre-installed on Mac. 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.
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
(High Sierra) 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.
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 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:
10. PhoneGap
Build hybrid cross-platform mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
Build hybrid cross-platform mobile apps using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
11. React Native
Use JavaScript to build native mobile apps.
Use JavaScript to build native mobile apps.
12. 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.
