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To set up .NET MAUI on a Mac, install a .NET SDK compatible with your project’s MAUI release, add the MAUI workload, and configure only the platform tools you need. Android development requires a Java SDK/JDK and Android SDK; iOS and Mac Catalyst development also require a compatible Xcode installation. Check Microsoft’s .NET MAUI release-versions matrix before choosing Xcode, Android SDK, or JDK versions: there is no single toolchain version that fits every MAUI release.
What do you need to build .NET MAUI apps on a Mac?
Microsoft’s macOS setup guidance lists Android, iOS, and macOS (Mac Catalyst) as available targets. Choose your targets before installing platform dependencies so you do not configure tools you will not use.
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- All targets: A compatible .NET SDK and the .NET MAUI workload.
- Android: A Java SDK/JDK, Android SDK, and either an Android emulator or a physical Android device for testing.
- iOS or Mac Catalyst: The Xcode version required by your selected MAUI release. Apple-platform builds require Xcode on the Mac.
The versions are connected: select the MAUI release first, then use Microsoft’s release compatibility information to identify its corresponding platform-tool requirements. Avoid assuming that the newest Xcode, JDK, or Android SDK is automatically compatible.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesHow do I install .NET MAUI on macOS?
1. Install a compatible .NET SDK and the MAUI workload
Install the .NET SDK appropriate for the MAUI version used by your project. In Terminal, check which SDK your shell resolves and install the workload:
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dotnet --version
sudo dotnet workload install maui
dotnet workload listdotnet --version reports the active SDK version. dotnet workload list lets you confirm that the MAUI workload is installed. If the SDK version is not the one your project requires, resolve that first rather than trying to compensate with platform-tool changes.
2. Choose an editor or use the CLI
Microsoft documents Visual Studio Code with the .NET MAUI extension as a guided macOS workflow. Install the extension in VS Code; its setup installs C# and C# Dev Kit as dependencies and walks through the .NET, Apple, and Android environments. The extension also provides environment refresh and validation commands, along with editor-integrated device and emulator management.
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The .NET CLI is another option for command-line work. Microsoft documents CLI builds for iOS and Mac Catalyst on macOS. Use the editor when you want guided setup and integrated environment checks; use the CLI when you prefer terminal-based build control. Either way, platform-specific prerequisites still apply. Microsoft’s VS Code workflow mentions a C# Dev Kit sign-in/subscription requirement; consult the current C# Dev Kit licensing information for its current terms.
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|---|---|---|
| VS Code with .NET MAUI extension | You want guided setup, environment refresh, or editor-integrated device and emulator management. | Setup guidance for .NET, Apple, and Android environments, plus environment validation. |
| .NET CLI | You prefer terminal-based builds and commands. | Microsoft documents command-line builds for iOS and Mac Catalyst on macOS; install and validate each target’s prerequisites separately. |
What Xcode version works with .NET MAUI?
Use the Xcode release required by the MAUI version selected for the project. Microsoft’s installation guidance says to “Install the version of Xcode that’s required by the version of .NET MAUI that you’re using.” Check the release compatibility matrix rather than following a generic latest-version recommendation.
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- Install the compatible Xcode version.
- In Terminal, install Apple’s command-line tools if needed:
xcode-select --install. - Open Xcode and accept its license agreements when prompted.
- If the simulator you need is unavailable, open Xcode Settings > Components and install the required simulator runtime.
- Check the selected developer directory with
xcode-select -p. In Xcode Settings > Location, confirm that Command Line Tools points to the same Xcode installation.
For command-line iOS and Mac Catalyst builds, Microsoft’s walkthroughs likewise direct developers to install the compatible Xcode version and MAUI workload before building.
How do I set up Android development?
Android targets need a Java SDK/JDK and Android SDK. Microsoft’s setup guide also covers an emulator; a physical Android device is another possible test target.
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- Install the JDK and Android SDK versions compatible with your MAUI release, using Microsoft’s release compatibility information.
- Set
JAVA_HOMEto the Java SDK path. SetANDROID_HOMEto the Android SDK path, or configure the SDK path through the .NET MAUI extension. - Check that the Android SDK directory contains expected folders such as
build-tools,cmdline-tools, andplatform-tools. - If prompted to accept Android SDK licenses, run
sdkmanager --licensesand follow the prompts. - Install and configure an emulator, or connect a physical device for deployment and testing. When selecting an emulator system image, follow the Android setup instructions for your Mac’s processor architecture.
An emulator offers a virtual test environment without requiring a connected phone. A physical device gives you access to real hardware behavior. The choice depends on what you need to test and which device is available.
How do I validate the environment before building?
Check the toolchain in layers, then try a small sample for each target your project actually needs. This makes it easier to distinguish a .NET installation issue from an Apple- or Android-specific configuration problem.
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- TEAR THROUGH TOUGH ASSIGNMENTS — With its faster CPU and unified memory, the M5 chip delivers even more performance and fluidity across apps, making multitasking and creative workflows smooth and responsive. A powerful Neural Engine and next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators give you a powerful platform for AI.
- MAKE QUICK WORK OF YOUR TO-DO LIST — Apple Intelligence helps you write, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly — whether it’s for school or everyday life. With groundbreaking privacy protections, it gives you peace of mind that no one else can access your data — not even Apple.*
- UP TO 18 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — MacBook Air delivers incredible battery life with amazing performance, so you can power through a full day of classes without worrying about plugging in.
- A BRILLIANT 13.6-INCH DISPLAY* — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display on MacBook Air supports 1 billion colors, making photos and videos pop with rich contrast and sharp detail, and text appears supercrisp. So everything — from class presentations to movies to games — looks truly stunning.
- Run
dotnet --versionand confirm the active SDK is appropriate for the project. - Run
dotnet workload listand confirm the MAUI workload is present. - For Apple targets, run
xcode-select -pand confirm it points to the intended Xcode installation. Check Xcode Settings > Location for the Command Line Tools selection. - For Android, verify the
JAVA_HOMEandANDROID_HOMEpaths and inspect the Android SDK folders. - In VS Code, use the .NET MAUI extension’s environment refresh or validation commands and resolve the reported errors.
- Create or open a small project and build for each required target before beginning work on the full application.
How do I fix .NET MAUI not finding Xcode or the Android SDK?
- Xcode is not found or the wrong installation is selected: Run
xcode-select -p. If it points to a different Xcode installation than the one you intend to use, align the selection with Xcode Settings > Location > Command Line Tools. - Apple command-line tools are missing: Run
xcode-select --install, then open Xcode and accept its license agreements. - An iOS simulator is missing: Install its runtime in Xcode Settings > Components.
- The Android SDK is not detected: Set
ANDROID_HOMEto the SDK location or configure that location in the MAUI extension. Confirm the SDK containsbuild-tools,cmdline-tools, andplatform-tools. - Android setup reports Java or license problems: Set
JAVA_HOMEto the JDK path and runsdkmanager --licensesif license acceptance is requested. - A tool version appears incompatible: Check the MAUI release’s requirements in Microsoft’s compatibility matrix and install the corresponding Xcode, Android SDK, or JDK version.
Should you install the optional .NET MAUI CLI?
The optional .NET MAUI CLI includes maui doctor, which can help diagnose environment issues, but it is not required for the standard SDK-and-workload setup. Microsoft labels the CLI experimental and pre-release; its installation requires the --prerelease flag. Microsoft also states that “The .NET MAUI CLI is experimental and will change between releases.” Treat it as an additional diagnostic aid, not a stable prerequisite or a guaranteed repair.
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