Creating applications for Apple’s mobile operating system typically involves using Apple’s Xcode integrated development environment (IDE). However, direct iOS application creation is restricted to macOS environments. This presents a challenge for developers whose primary operating system is Windows. The situation necessitates exploring alternative solutions for coding, testing, and deploying these apps without a native macOS setup.
Addressing this limitation unlocks broader accessibility for developers, removing the entry barrier imposed by the hardware requirement. Utilizing alternative methods can lead to cost savings by eliminating the need for dedicated Apple hardware. Historically, the lack of direct support has spurred the creation of virtualized environments, cross-platform development tools, and cloud-based build systems, each aiming to bridge the gap between Windows environments and the iOS platform.