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To set up .NET MAUI on a Mac, install a .NET SDK compatible with your project, add the MAUI workload, then configure only the platform tools you need: Xcode for iOS and Mac Catalyst, and a JDK plus the Android SDK for Android. Match Xcode, Android SDK, and JDK versions to your chosen MAUI release using Microsoft’s .NET MAUI release-version compatibility matrix; there is no single toolchain version that is right for every MAUI release.
What you need depends on the targets you plan to build
Microsoft’s current macOS setup guidance lists Android, iOS, and macOS apps built with Mac Catalyst as targets. Choose your project’s targets first so you do not install platform dependencies you will not use.
- Android only: Install the .NET SDK and MAUI workload, plus a compatible Java SDK/JDK and Android SDK. You can test with an emulator or a physical Android device.
- iOS or Mac Catalyst: You also need the Xcode release required for your MAUI version. The Apple build tools run on the Mac.
- Multiple targets: Configure each target’s dependencies and validate each target separately.
For exact platform requirements, use the compatibility row for your project’s MAUI release in Microsoft’s release-version matrix, rather than assuming the newest Xcode, Android SDK, or JDK will work.
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- Install a compatible .NET SDK. Choose the SDK required by the project’s MAUI release. In Terminal, run
dotnet --versionto see which SDK your shell currently resolves. - Install the MAUI workload. Microsoft’s macOS setup instructions use
sudo dotnet workload install maui. - Confirm the workload is installed. Run
dotnet workload listand check for the MAUI workload.
The commands and macOS workflow are documented in Microsoft’s .NET MAUI installation guide. If the project targets only one platform, the workload still provides MAUI tooling, but you can skip platform-specific setup for targets you do not need.
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Choose an editor or command-line workflow
| Workflow | Useful when | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Code with the .NET MAUI extension | You want guided setup and editor-integrated environment checks. | Microsoft’s macOS walkthrough uses the extension to guide configuration of .NET, Apple, and Android environments. The extension installs C# and C# Dev Kit as dependencies. See the installation guide for current setup and licensing details. |
| .NET CLI | You prefer terminal-based builds or scripts, particularly for iOS and Mac Catalyst. | Microsoft documents CLI build workflows for iOS and Mac Catalyst. You still need compatible platform tooling and must validate its configuration. |
These workflows are not mutually exclusive: using VS Code does not remove the need for the underlying SDKs, and command-line builds still rely on the platform toolchain.
Configure Xcode for iOS and Mac Catalyst
Use the Xcode version required by the project’s MAUI release. Microsoft’s installation guidance says to install the Xcode version required by the .NET MAUI version in use. Check the matching entry in the release compatibility matrix before installing or upgrading Xcode.
- Install the compatible Xcode release from Apple.
- In Terminal, run
xcode-select --installto install Xcode command-line tools if they are not already present. - Open Xcode and accept its license agreements. Complete any first-launch setup it requests.
- If a needed simulator is unavailable, open Xcode Settings > Components and install its simulator runtime.
- Run
xcode-select -pto see the active developer directory. In Xcode Settings > Location, confirm Command Line Tools points to the same intended Xcode installation.
Microsoft’s macOS setup guide also describes refreshing the Apple environment through the MAUI extension. For terminal-based builds, follow the corresponding iOS CLI or Mac Catalyst CLI guidance.
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Configure the Android SDK and Java
Android development requires a compatible Java SDK/JDK and Android SDK. Select versions from the MAUI release matrix, then install an emulator or prepare a physical device for deployment.
- Install the JDK and Android SDK versions compatible with your MAUI release.
- Set
JAVA_HOMEto the Java SDK/JDK installation path. - Set
ANDROID_HOMEto the Android SDK path, or select that path in the .NET MAUI extension. - Check that the Android SDK directory includes folders such as
build-tools,cmdline-tools, andplatform-tools. - If prompted, accept the Android SDK licenses using
sdkmanager --licenses. - Set up an Android emulator or connect a physical device for testing.
Microsoft’s installation guide covers Android SDK and emulator setup, including architecture-specific emulator system images for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. An emulator is convenient for virtual testing; a physical device gives you access to actual device hardware and behavior.
Validate the environment before debugging an app
Check the toolchain in layers so a missing workload or platform path is not mistaken for a project bug.
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dotnet --versionreports the SDK selected by your shell.dotnet workload listconfirms whether the MAUI workload is installed.xcode-select -pidentifies the selected Apple developer directory for iOS or Mac Catalyst builds.JAVA_HOMEandANDROID_HOMEshould resolve to the Java and Android SDK paths used by your setup.
If you use VS Code, run the .NET MAUI extension’s environment refresh or validation commands and address reported setup errors. Then create or open a small sample and build it for each target your project requires. A successful build for one target does not validate the others.
Fix common setup problems
Xcode is installed, but the build cannot find it
Run xcode-select -p and check whether it points to the Xcode installation you intend to use. In Xcode Settings > Location, make Command Line Tools select that same installation.
Xcode command-line tools are missing
Run xcode-select --install, then retry the relevant environment check or build.
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The expected iOS simulator is missing
Open Xcode Settings > Components and install the simulator runtime for the simulator you need.
The Android SDK is not detected
Set ANDROID_HOME to the SDK directory or choose the SDK path in the MAUI extension. Confirm the directory contains the expected build-tools, cmdline-tools, and platform-tools folders.
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Android setup reports a Java or license problem
Check that JAVA_HOME points to the installed JDK. If the Android SDK asks for license acceptance, run sdkmanager --licenses and follow its prompts.
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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.
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- 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.
A tool is present but the project still fails
Compare the project’s MAUI release with the required Xcode, Android SDK, and JDK versions in the compatibility matrix. A globally installed latest version is not necessarily the compatible version for an existing project.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you install the optional .NET MAUI CLI?
The separate .NET MAUI CLI includes maui doctor for environment diagnostics, but it is not required for the standard SDK-and-workload setup. Microsoft describes the CLI as experimental and says it will change between releases; its installation instructions require the --prerelease flag. Treat it as an optional diagnostic aid, not a prerequisite or guaranteed repair. See Microsoft’s .NET MAUI CLI overview for its current status.
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