How do I make an iOS application without Mac and Xcode?

Posted by osxfcn on Monday March 19, 2018 @04:13PM
from the self-post dept.

So, I have an iPhone and no mac. I want to make a simple application that needs to be able to check if the phone is locked/unlocked or the screen is on/off, even if the app is killed / in background. Also, I need to schedule events / notifications daily.

I could possibly use hackintosh, but it's illegal and I don't want to mess with Xcode. So, I can't use React Native or Expo. I can't use Ionic because I need Xcode to build the app anyway. Seems like PWAs (installable home web apps) can't provide features I want (background, check lock/display state) hat are my options if any? Am I stuck and I just need to buy Mac or Android phone?

( 5 comments | on HN )

Re:How do I make an iOS application without Mac and Xcode? by Petrakis on Tuesday March 20, 2018 @07:23AM (#16627550)

I believe with kivy you can do some stuff with python.

https://kivy.org/#home

"Kivy runs on Linux, Windows, OS X, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi. You can run the same code on all supported platforms.

It can natively use most inputs, protocols and devices including WM_Touch, WM_Pen, Mac OS X Trackpad and Magic Mouse, Mtdev, Linux Kernel HID, TUIO. A multi-touch mouse simulator is included."

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How do I make an iOS application without Mac and Xcode? by bartvk on Monday March 19, 2018 @04:33PM (#16622838)

Get a virtual machine, that would be the next option if you don't want to go the Hackintosh route.

For any serious project, just get a Mac though.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How do I make an iOS application without Mac and Xcode? by MBCook on Monday March 19, 2018 @04:28PM (#16622786)

Does iOS give you the APIs you’d need to know if the device was locked or the state of the screen when you’re in the background?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How do I make an iOS application without Mac and Xcode? by __d on Monday March 19, 2018 @04:46PM (#16622983)

Use a cloud-hosted virtual Mac? A search for "cloud virtual macos" turns up a bunch of links.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:How do I make an iOS application without Mac and Xcode? by alsoicode on Monday March 19, 2018 @06:57PM (#16624126)

NativeScript and NativeScript Sidekick allow you to build for iOS or Android from Windows or OS X.

[ Parent | on HN ]