Are you an iOS developer looking to expand your skill set and create applications on both iOS and Windows platforms? While it may seem impossible to develop apps for two different operating systems, there are actually ways to do so. In this article, we will explore the options available to iOS developers who want to create apps on Windows computers.
Before we dive into the specifics of iOS development on Windows, let’s first take a look at the current state of iOS and Windows app development.
iOS is currently the most popular mobile operating system, with over 1.5 billion active devices running on it. Apple’s App Store has more than 2 million apps available for download, with developers making billions of dollars in revenue from them.
Windows, on the other hand, is a desktop operating system that has struggled to gain traction in the mobile app market. Microsoft’s Windows Phone was a failure and was discontinued in 2017. However, the company has since shifted its focus to developing for tablets and PCs running the Windows operating system.
The current version of Windows, Windows 10, includes an integrated development environment (IDE) that allows developers to create apps for both iOS and Android platforms. This IDE is called Visual Studio, and it offers a variety of features and tools to help developers build and test their apps.
Options for iOS Developers on Windows Computers
Now that we have a better understanding of the current state of iOS and Windows app development let’s take a look at the options available to iOS developers who want to create apps on Windows computers.
1. Use Xamarin Studio
Xamarin Studio is a cross-platform development environment that allows developers to build apps for both iOS and Android using C, VB.NET, or F. This toolset is developed by Microsoft and it offers a variety of features and tools to help developers build and test their apps on both platforms.
One of the main advantages of Xamarin Studio is that it allows developers to share code across both iOS and Android platforms. This means that developers can write code once and deploy it to multiple devices, saving them time and effort.
2. Use Visual Studio App Center
Visual Studio App Center is a cloud-based service that provides continuous integration and delivery for mobile apps. This tool allows developers to build, test, and publish their apps for both iOS and Android platforms from within Visual Studio. With Visual Studio App Center, developers can automate the build, test, and deployment process, making it easier to deliver updates and new versions of their apps quickly.
Additionally, the service includes analytics tools that allow developers to track user behavior and improve their app’s performance.
3. Use React Native
React Native is an open-source framework developed by Facebook for building mobile applications. This framework allows developers to build apps for both iOS and Android platforms using a single codebase written in JavaScript. With React Native, developers can take advantage of the vast library of components available for both iOS and Android, allowing them to create apps quickly and efficiently.
Case Studies
Now that we have discussed the options available to iOS developers on Windows computers let’s take a look at some case studies to see how these tools are being used in practice.
1. CodeIgnition
CodeIgnition is a startup that uses React Native to build mobile apps for both iOS and Android platforms. The company has built over 50 apps using this framework, including popular apps such as UberEats and Groupon.
“React Native has been a game-changer for us. It has allowed us to build high-quality apps quickly and efficiently, and we have been able to take advantage of the vast library of components available for both iOS and Android,” said the company’s CEO.
2. Mango Labs
Mango Labs is a mobile app development company that uses Xamarin Studio to build apps for both iOS and Android platforms.