If you are talking writing some web page/JavaScript thing, no you don’t need a Mac. If you want a native app there are three answers. Technically you can build a hackintosh, or use a something like VMWare to run a virtual Mac on non-Mac hardware. Even if you developed your app using something other than a Mac, you will need a Mac to compile the final product that is uploaded to the App Store. Xcode is the primary tool for macOS and iOS. Yes, you need a Mac. It’s the basic requirement for iOS development. To develop an iPhone (or iPad) app, you need to first get a Mac with Intel-based processor running on Mac OS X version 10.8 (or up). Probably you still own a PC, the cheapest option is to purchase the Mac Mini.

1. Do You Need A Mac To Develop Your Ios App

[EDIT]I'm really surprised that this exact question was answered in other threads, but they did NOT appear in my searches OR in the list of suggestions until after I posted this...So I'm sorry if this is a duplicate.[/EDIT]

I'm about to purchase my first-ever Mac, and the choice has been narrowed down to a Macbook Pro or a Macbook Air.

The reason I'm doing this is to help me get started developing apps for iOS. I'm not particularly interested in the other apps available for the Mac platform per se, just looking at it from a development perspective.

So my question is, can I use the development tools (Xcode, etc) on these platforms as a developer, or do I have to purchase an iMac in order to be able to get started?

I do realise there will be significant penalties for developing on a laptop as opposed to a desktop, but I have severe physical disabilities, and I need to move away from a fixed sitting position.

I have been registered as a developer, but I've been unable to source a reliable second-hand platform that isn't some kind of dodgy FrankenMac, so I decided to bite the bullet and go with a legitmate, new, platform.

Any suggestions, comments or ideas will be most welcome.

Cheers,

PC Pete

Message was edited by: PC Pete

iPad 2 Wi-Fi, iOS 5.0.1

Do You Need A Mac To Develop Your Ios App

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