What you will learn

  • Explain what .NET MAUI is and how the shared project works
  • Identify shared code versus platform-specific services
  • Choose a Windows-first testing workflow without overstating iOS compatibility
iOS testing: The shared code is designed for MAUI targets, but no iOS build is claimed. iOS compilation, device testing and App Store release require a Mac/Xcode toolchain.

1. What is .NET MAUI?

.NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI) is a Microsoft framework for building native mobile and desktop applications using a shared C# and XAML codebase. The same project can target Android, iOS, Windows and Mac Catalyst, while the system still uses each platform’s native controls and APIs.

In this course, the editor is Visual Studio 2026. You will use the Android emulator (or a physical Android device) to verify practical examples from a Windows laptop.

2. One project, multiple targets

.NET MAUI single project
C# • XAML • Resources • Services
↓
Android
Run on WindowsiOS
Build requires MacWindows
Optional desktop run

Shared pages, view models, models and data-access classes often stay unchanged across platforms. Code for sensors, permissions, packaging and native integrations may require platform-specific adjustments and testing.

3. What works on your Windows laptop?

TaskWindows only?What you need
Write C# and XAMLYesVisual Studio 2026
Run Android appsYesAndroid SDK, emulator/device
Run Windows MAUI appsYesWindows target and workload
Build and test iOS appsNoMac with compatible Xcode
Publish iOS appsNoMac, signing, Apple distribution setup

4. The course learning route

Start by configuring Visual Studio, then learn UI layouts and controls. You will progress through navigation, data binding, an MVVM example, a calculator, SQLite storage, HTTPS APIs, and a practical weather application. The final lesson describes the separate Mac-based iOS testing and publishing workflow.

Accuracy policy: “Cross-platform” describes the project architecture and supported targets; the examples are not claimed to be iOS-tested. iOS behavior must be validated on Apple tooling before release.

Common problems and solutions

  • Q: Is SwiftUI needed? A: No. This course uses XAML and C# with .NET MAUI, not SwiftUI.
  • Q: Can I run an iPhone simulator on Windows? A: Not locally. iOS simulation requires Mac/Xcode.

Practice exercise

Open your existing Android tutorial and identify two topics—such as layouts and SQLite—that could share their C# logic with iOS.

Expected result: You can explain exactly what is shared and why iOS validation is a separate phase.

Official references

← Course overviewLesson 2 →