Leaker Claims Mobile Version of Xcode Coming to iPad

Apple could be developing a version of Xcode that runs on iPads, according to a new rumor circulating this week. The capability has been linked to the release of iOS 14 by rising Apple leaker Jon Prosser, and if true, it would enable full-scale app development to take place on Apple's mobile devices for the first time.

xcode 10
Developers use Xcode to create apps for iOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS. However, Xcode is a complex app and has only ever been available on Mac. While Apple offers the Swift Playgrounds app for learning about coding on mobile, it has never indicated that it has any plans to bring Xcode to iPad.

But according to a tweet posted on Monday by Prosser, Xcode "is present on iOS/iPadOS 14," the implications of which are "huge" because it "opens the door for 'Pro' applications to come to ‌iPad‌."

Responding to Prosser's tweet, iOS developer and MacRumors writer Steve Moser noted that a hidden Xcode Preview app is present in iOS 13 that acts as a companion app for showing layout previews on device from the main Xcode Mac app. However, Prosser appears to be referring to the existence of a native full-fat version of Xcode for ‌iPad‌.


Such a step would be a big undertaking for Apple, requiring an overhaul of Xcode's interface to take advantage of the ‌iPad‌'s primarily touch-based operating system. If successful though, it could make full-scale app development a possibility for mobile users who don't have a Mac.

Hopefully we'll hear more at this year's virtual Worldwide Developers Conference, where Apple will reveal annual updates to all of its operating systems, including its plans for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14.

Top Rated Comments

johnalan Avatar
38 months ago
Jesus I can barely enjoy using Xcode on my top end 16inch. I could not Dev a serious app on an iPad.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
38 months ago
Finally putting those powerful iPads to use. Make it happen, Apple!
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
recoil80 Avatar
38 months ago
I don't expect the same experience macOS can offer. They may port Xcode to the iPad, but what if your build scripts require python or ruby or shell scripts? We won't have full access to the file system, it would be a huge change in iPadOS and I don't expect that.
So it will be a "baby" version of Xcode. I'd say better than nothing, now we have Swift Playgrounds but is very limited. I wouldn't say no to the ability to edit my source in Xcode on an iPad, but I don't expect to be able to work only on iPadOS for the entire lifecycle of an iOS app. And I love big displays when it comes to coding, my laptop is the 16" and I use it with an external display whenever possible, so using only iPadOS would be out of question. But that's a personal preference more than a technical limitation. For a quick edit iPad would be sweet, so in the end it is a good news, but not a breakthrough.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joseph C Avatar
38 months ago
Next stop Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for iPadOS!

Hoping 14.0 brings further improvements to multitasking too. The future is bright for the iPad.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
flottenheimer Avatar
38 months ago
I guess Apple is porting *everything* to run natively on ARM.
Right now for iPad where it makes sense but soon for the transition to ARM based Macs.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
robbieduncan Avatar
38 months ago
I am expecting it will be limited to iOS/iPad OS app creation: no Mac apps
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 Pro Buttons CAD Leak

iPhone 15 Pro Leak Reveals Unified Volume Button and Mute Button

Monday March 20, 2023 8:33 am PDT by
As previously rumored, the next-generation iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a unified volume button and a mute button, according to leaked CAD images shared in a video on the Chinese version of TikTok and posted to Twitter by ShrimpApplePro. Instead of separate buttons for volume up and volume down, the iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to have a single elongated button for...
iOS 16

iOS 16.4 for iPhone Nearing Launch With These 5 New Features

Monday March 20, 2023 11:50 am PDT by
Apple says iOS 16.4 is coming in the spring, which began this week. In his Sunday newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the update should be released "in the next three weeks or so," meaning a public release is likely in late March or early April. iOS 16.4 remains in beta testing and introduces a handful of new features and changes for the iPhone. Below, we have recapped five new features ...
original iphone auction

Factory-Sealed Original iPhone Sells for $55,000 at Auction

Friday March 17, 2023 1:08 pm PDT by
A first-generation iPhone still sealed inside its box sold for $54,904 at auction, which is more than $54,000 over the original $599 price tag of the device when it was released in 2007. The original iPhone was put up for sale by RR Auction on behalf of a former Apple employee who purchased it back when it first came out. Back in February, an original, sealed iPhone sold for over $63,000,...
voice isolation

iOS 16.4 Adds Voice Isolation for Cellular Phone Calls

Tuesday March 21, 2023 11:01 am PDT by
The iOS 16.4 update that is set to be released to the public in the near future includes voice isolation for cellular calls, according to notes that Apple shared today. Apple says that Voice Isolation will prioritize your voice and block out the ambient noise around you, making for clearer phone calls where you can better hear the person you're chatting with and vice versa. Voice...
iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 15 Pro Feature

iPhone 12 Pro vs. 15 Pro: New Features to Expect if You've Waited to Upgrade

Friday March 17, 2023 10:29 am PDT by
While year-over-year iPhone upgrades are not always groundbreaking, new features can begin to stack up over multiple generations. For example, the iPhone 15 Pro will be a notable upgrade for those who still have a three-year-old iPhone 12 Pro. If you are still using an iPhone 12 Pro and are considering upgrading to the iPhone 15 Pro when it launches later this year, we have put together a...
top stories 18mar2023

Top Stories: iPhone 15 Pro Pricing, New iOS 16.4 Beta, Siri vs. ChatGPT, and More

Saturday March 18, 2023 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's high-end iPhone models have started at $999 in the U.S. since they first launched back in 2017 with the iPhone X, but could this finally be the year that starting price sees an increase? This week also saw some more rumors about Apple's upcoming headset and the company's explorations in the booming AI industry as well as the release of a new round of beta updates, so read on for all...
smart monitor m8 samsung

Deals: Samsung's iMac-Like Smart Monitor M8 Drops to Lowest Price of Year So Far With $250 Discount

Monday March 20, 2023 8:27 am PDT by
Samsung today kicked off a special "Discover Samsung" event, which will be a week-long savings event focusing on Samsung monitors, smartphones, TVs, appliances, and more. While some deals will stick around the entire week (through March 26), others will refresh every day. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Samsung. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small...