Xcode is probably the best development platform available for Apple device users, but if you’re using a non-Apple device such as a Windows or Linux-based PC, then you’ll quickly discover that Apple hasn’t released a cross-platform port of Xcode or any means of developing on any system besides that of macOS.
Fortunately, third party developers are filling in the cracks. Xtool is a cross-platform Xcode replacement that allows users to build and deploy iOS apps with SwiftPM on most popular desktop computer operating systems, including Linux and Windows in addition to macOS, the last of which already has Xcode support to begin with.
Xtool includes support for features that app developers need, including:
- Signing and installing iOS apps
- Interacting with Apple Developer Services programmatically
The Xtool project has been in the works for some time, originally making its way to GitHub last year, and receiving a plethora of updates since then – the latest of which came just this week.
It remains to be seen if Apple will ever allow owners of other systems to develop for Apple’s platform(s), and so Xtool seems like it has the potential to help a lot of developers who might be interested in dipping their toes into the process, especially if they’re unable to afford a Mac for development.
Those wanting to give Xtool a closer look can head over to the project’s GitHub page, where it’s a free download.