No. Xcode is Apple’s app for making iPhone and Mac apps, and it only runs on macOS on a Mac. There’s no Windows version. On Windows 10 you can write iPhone apps in Microsoft’s Visual Studio, but you still need a Mac on your network to build them.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Learn on September 28, 2026.
Why it won’t work
- Xcode is made only for macOS.
- Guides that tell you to run macOS in a virtual machine on a Windows PC aren’t allowed by Apple’s license, which only permits macOS on Apple computers, and they often break with updates. We don’t recommend them.
What you can do instead
Build iPhone apps with Visual Studio and a Mac. Microsoft’s .NET MAUI lets you write the app on Windows 10. Visual Studio then connects to a Mac that has Xcode to build and test it.
- Install Visual Studio and, in the installer, check the .NET Multi-platform App UI development workload.
- On the Mac, install Xcode and turn on Remote Login in its sharing settings.
- In Visual Studio, select Tools > iOS > Pair to Mac, choose your Mac, and connect.
Or make a web app. Web apps run on iPhones and PCs alike, and you can start on Windows 10 right away. See do you need to install JavaScript on Windows 10?
Or practice coding on Windows first. The basics carry over. See how to compile and run a C program in Windows 10.
Frequently asked questions
Can I publish to the App Store from Windows only?
No. Building and signing iPhone apps needs Apple’s tools, which run on a Mac.
Do I need my own Mac?
You need access to one on your network while you build. It can be shared.
Microsoft’s reference is Pair to Mac for iOS development. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.