Developing and Distributing an iOS Based Flutter App Without a Mac
Flutter framework can be easily used for developing web, desktop, and Android applications on windows Operating System. The only problem with this framework is its incompatibility with the iPhone’s OS.
While developing Flutter apps, it becomes difficult for the developer to run these apps for iOS without a Mac Operating System. This article will give you a step by step guidance on how you as an app developer can develop and distribute an iOS based flutter application without using a Mac operating system, virtual tools, or any sort of paid services.
FlutLab.io is a platform that helps users in developing Flutter applications online. Using this online IDE platform, you too can easily build bundles of iOS and test them on an online web based Simulator and Android Emulator like appetize.io. You can also use FlutLab.io for hosting your projects, collaborating, and creating various builds. Let us take a look at the below-mentioned steps for creating bundles of iOS as well as running them on an online web based simulator:
Step 1: In the first step, you will need to develop a Flutter app on an Android Studio or Visual Studio code (VS-code) and test the same on an Android simulator.
Step 2: In the second step, you will be required to create bundles for iOS and for that you will be required to sign up on Flutlab.io. This online editor is useful for developers who are seeking to develop Flutter applications.
Step 3: Once you are done with creating an account on FlutLab.io, you will be required to sign in to your account for uploading your recently developed Flutter application.
Step 4: In the fourth step, you will have to ensure that you are getting rid of the bid folder by deleting it from the project source code and compressing your application folder into a zip file prior to uploading the same.
Step 5: In the fifth step, you will be required to finally upload your Flutter application. For that you will need to select your “User Profile” option displayed on the extreme bottom of your screen. Upon click on the “Profile” option, you will need to select the “Upload Zip” option for uploading your Flutter app.
Step 6: Once you have uploaded the project, you will receive the option to select your Flutter project and get access to the text editor for making the final changes as and wherever required.
Step 7: In the seventh step, you will need to look for the “Preferences” option in the settings. The window that opens after you click on the “Preferences” option will have certain platforms displayed on it. You can choose the platform as per your requirements and this will give you a list of drop-down options. Choose ios-debug from this drop-down list and shut the “Preferences” option.
Step 8: You can start building the project right after you have tapped on the “Build project” option. It might take some time in creating iOS build after you tap on the Build Architecture button.
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Step 9: You will be able to see a downloadable link as soon as the iOS build gets created. You can use this downloadable link for online simulator. You can simply click on the displayed link and start downloading. Once it’s done, you will need an iPhone or an online web based Simulator and Android Emulator like appetize.io for running and testing this build.
Step 10: In the tenth step, you will be required to visit the appetize.io webpage and click on the “Select file” button for uploading your iOS build file.
Step 11: After uploading your build file you will be asked to share your email id with appetize.io so that you receive a link of the online simulator for running your iOS application.
Step 12: In the final step, you will need to access your email id that you have shared with appetize.io. You can simply go to your inbox and open the newly received mail from appetize.io. Upon opening the mail, you will see a link which you will need to click for seeing an iPhone simulator. Lastly, click on “Tap to Play” option and you can see your iOS based Flutter app functioning normally like other iOS apps that are made with a Mac Operating System.
These simple steps will definitely help you in developing and distributing an iOS based Flutter application without a Mac OS.
