5 Practical Ways to Build iOS Apps on Windows in 2026

Many apps are available only on iOS and not on Android. This is because they are designed exclusively for iOS users. As per the latest figures, iOS accounts for 26.82% of the global smartphone market. Compared to iOS, Android holds a whopping 72.77% share. With that being said, the share of iOS revenue is way more than that of Android. In 2025, Android-based apps generated approximately $65 billion in revenue. On the other hand, iOS apps generated $161 in revenue. Most businesses want to maximize their revenue, and that is why they favor iOS development over Android.

Yes, Android apps offer greater variety and customization options. Still, most people favor iOS apps over Android because of their quality and build. Other reasons why IOS apps have an edge are their optimization, quality, and design. These factors, plus the increased revenue from iOS apps, make companies lean more towards iOS app development. But there’s a problem.

Hiring iOS developers and investing in Mac infrastructure can be demanding for many companies. The good news is that now developers can build iOS apps on Android. Many of us will think it is impossible because Xcode runs only on iOS. In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of building iOS apps on Android. Let’s get started.

Why Develop an iOS App on Android?

Cost is one of the major reasons for developers/companies to use Android for iOS app development. But even beyond the cost, there are other practical reasons why companies choose Android to build iOS apps. Below are some reasons for it.

• Owning Apple hardware is expensive and not a priority.
• Cross-platform development is the new normal.
• Faster iteration on Android devices.
• Learn about iOS without using Xcode.
• Ideal for teams with mixed devices.
• Market and business reasons.

5 Ways to Build iOS Apps on Windows

Below are 5 ways to build iOS apps on Windows.

1) Cross-Platform Development Using Flutter

App development companies can use Flutter to build an app that runs on both iOS and Android. They can choose Windows or Linux for this. Below are the steps to use Flutter for iOS app development.

• Install Flutter SDK on the system.
• Set up an editor such as Android Studio or VS Code.
• Create a new Flutter project
• Design UI using Flutter widgets.
• Add logic and features using Flutter’s framework.
• Test the app on Android emulators. Alternatively, developers can also use real Android devices.
• Connect to a macOS cloud device for iOS compilation.
• Generate an iOS build using the cloud Mac.
• Upload the app to the App Store using Store Connect.

This option is ideal for startups and companies wanting to build an MVP product. Apps requiring shared UI and logic can also benefit from it.

2) React Native With macOS Services

Companies can use React Native to code the app in JavaScript. But users can only install a native iOS app on their iPhones. Below are the steps that developers can use to build an app using macOS services.

• Install Node.js and React Native tools.
• Create a React Native project.
• Build UI components using React concepts.
• Add navigation and business logic.
• Test the app on Android devices.
• Sign up for a cloud macOS service. Options include MacStadium and Codemagic.
• Connect the project repository to the cloud Mac.
• Configure iOS certificates and provisioning profiles.
• Generate an iOS build in the cloud.
• Submit the app to the Apple App Store.

The app is best for web developers. Also, apps with frequent UI updates can also benefit from it.

3) Unity for iOS App Development (Game-Focused)

One can install Unity on Linux or Windows systems. This method is great for building games and interactive apps. Below is a step-by-step guide to using Unity for iOS app development.

• Install Unity Hub and Unity Editor.
• Create a new Unity project.
• Design the scenes, assets, and interactions.
• Test gameplay on Android devices.
• Configure iOS as a target platform.
• Export the project for iOS.
• Upload the exprojected project to a cloud macOS system.
• Use Xcode in the cloud. This will finalize the build.
• Test the app on iOS simulators of devices.
• Submit to the App Store.

This method is best for building games, AR/VR apps, and 3D experiences.

4) Progressive Web Apps (PWA) Packaged for iOS

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) runs in browsers. But it can also be wrapped into a container using third-party tools. The resulting app is treated by Apple as a regular app. Users can install it from the App Store. Below is a step-by-step process for building progressive web apps.

• Build a responsive web app.
• Ensure offline support plus fast loading.
• Add PWA metadata and icons.
• Test the app on Android browsers.
• Use a service that converts PWA to iOS. Examples include PWABuilder.
• Generate an iOS package.
• Access the cloud Mac for final validation.
• Upload the app to the App Store.
• Monitor App Store compliance guidelines.

This method is best for content apps, basic utility apps, and dashboards.

5) Cloud-Based iOS IDEs

No need to install iOS tools or invest in a Mac. Create, test, and build an iOS app within your browser. Below are the steps.

• Choose a cloud iOS IDE. Examples include CodeMagic and GitHub Codespaces with Mac runners.
• Open the IDE in a browser on the Android device or the computer.
• Create or import an iOS project.
• Design the app structure and features.
• Configure app signing in the cloud.
• Build and test using cloud iOS simulators.
• Fix the issues and then repeat the process.
• Generate a production iOS build.
• Submit to the App Store.

This approach is best for remote teams working in different locations. No need to buy a Mac or Windows pc. Even a Chromebook or an Android tablet/smartphone would suffice. Also, it ensures CI/D-driven development.

Pros of Building iOS Apps on Non-iOS Systems

Below are the pros of building iOS apps on Android devices.

1) Reduced Hardware Costs

• Developers don’t have to buy special hardware or equipment. Even without a Mac or specialized laptops, they can begin iOS development.
• Other options for coding include basic Android devices or Windows/Linux systems.

2) Cross-Platform Development Support

The frameworks below are excellent for cross-platform development.

• Flutter
• React Native
• Unity
• Xamarin/.NET MAUI

Using these frameworks, developers have to write code just once. Then they can deploy it on both Android and iOS devices.

3) Faster Development Cycles

Developers don’t have to go through the trouble of writing code twice (for iOS and Android). The same code can be used to deploy apps on both platforms. Besides less coding work, companies don’t have to waste long hours on bug-fixing either. Maintaining apps and running updates is also simpler. Best for startups, MVPs who want to launch products quickly.

4) Cloud-Based Mac Services

Companies can choose from multiple services, such as the following:

• MacStadium
• Codemagic
• GitHub Actions with macOS runners.

These services help companies build and sign iOS apps remotely. They don’t have to own a Mac.

5) Better Team Collaboration

Developers using devices with diverse operating systems can collaborate and work on a single project together. It does not matter whether one has an Android, Windows, or Linux system. Using a Mac is not mandatory.

Cons of Building iOS Apps on Non-iOS Systems

Below are some of the cons of building iOS apps on other devices.

1) Apple Required for Final Builds

Even if developers code on an Android or Windows device, they must use a Mac to transform the app to make it compatible with iOS. Only after this step can the app be uploaded to the App Store. This involves three steps.

• Compiling the app: Turning the app into a version that works on iPhone.
• Digital Sign: Digital signing with an Apple certificate.
• App Store Submission: Uploaded to the App Store using special software such as Xcode and Transporter.

Developers must follow this process. They don’t have an option because Apple controls the app publishing process.

2) Limited Access to Native iOS Features

When developers use Windows or other platforms to build iOS apps, they may not get access to native iOS features. Examples of such features include the following:

• ARKit: For Augmented Reality
• CoreML: For Machine Learning
• Metal: For High-Performance Graphics
• HealthKit: For Health-Related Data

Features like the above and more may not be supported on devices other than iOS. Even if developers manage to run the features on non-iOS devices, they may not work optimally. Developers may even be required to write additional code to make it work on iOS devices. These steps complicate the development process while making it time-consuming.

Additionally, Apple releases updates from time to time. Cross-platform tools may not support these changes. App developers may not be able to access these new features for some time.

3) Debugging and Testing Challenges

Developers who do not have a Mac cannot run the built-in iOS Simulator. Testing the app on a virtual iPhone or a regular PC (non-iOS) is not possible. There is a workaround for iOS developers. They can either use an iPhone or a cloud testing service.

Neither of these options is economical, plus the setup requires time and effort. These factors make testing slower and more expensive.

4) Performance Overheads

Compared to Swift or Objective-C apps, cross-platform apps can be sluggish. This is because cross-platform apps have an additional layer between the code and the iPhone system. Such apps generally use more memory, especially for complex or heavy UI.

Without a MacBook or iPhone, it is not possible to conduct exhaustive app testing. Testing on Apple devices can be expensive and time-consuming.

5) Platform-Specific UI Limitations

Developers who build iOS apps for other devices don’t have access to Apple’s native tools. Emulating an iPhone-like design and functionality can be a hassle for them. This is because Apple has strict rules for spacing, fonts, buttons, and layouts. Cross-platform tools don’t have the mechanisms to help developers imitate those aspects.

So, when individuals use such apps, they may not enjoy the same feel or appearance as they did on IPhones. Be it the buttons, scrolling, or animations, all of it may feel out of place.

6) Dependency on Third-Party Tools

On most occasions, newly released app versions may not be compatible with cross-platform tools. Over time, Apple makes changes to ensure compatibility. Until then, developers may not be able to use all the features. Often, developers use frameworks that may not be popular after a while. The original app developers do not maintain or optimize it. Such apps may not have errors or bugs. They may even cause compatibility issues. Rebuilding such apps may require additional time and resources.

Cost of Building iOS Apps on Windows/Android

Using cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter or React Native, developers can build good apps. They don’t needa Mac or Apple to build the app. Below are the costs to build cross-platform apps based on complexity.

• Simple App - $15,000 - $40,000
• Medium-Complexity App - $35,000 - $100,000
• Advanced Apps - $75,000 - $150,000

Note that the above figures are just to give our readers an approximate idea. Depending on the team size, location, technologies, and other factors, cost may differ. It is advisable to hire the best iOS developers who can work as per the company’s vision and goals.

Conclusion

Generally, when developers take the traditional route to iOS app development, they are required to use macOS and Xcode. That said, there are many workarounds that developers can use to build iOS apps without using native devices. These options include cloud-powered Mac devices or cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter or React Native. Other methods include virtualization and CI/CD-based remote builds.

Each method has its pros and cons. While some methods may offer convenience and ease of development, they may fall behind in the performance and scalability aspects. Compliance is another aspect that developers must consider when building iOS apps using non-native platforms. Nothing beats coding on Mac devices for the best results. However, not all developers or companies can afford it.

For startups and cost-conscious companies, using non-Apple devices can be a cost-effective option. Having said that, choosing the right option depends on the company’s budget, goals, technical, and integration needs. If one requires professional guidance, it is best to consult a professional iOS app development company.