Apple native apps

Build true native iOS apps with Swift and SwiftUI. Your app speaks Apple's language directly — no translation layer, no third-party dependencies.

How it works

Why go native?

Feature	Apple Native (Swift/Xcode)	React Native
Performance	Flawless, smooth graphics and animations	Good, but complex animations can stutter
Updates	Easy to handle Apple SDK updates	SDK updates can often break things
Dependencies	Standalone, less reliance on others	Heavily relies on 3rd-party packages
Hardware	Deep, easy integration (Camera, AR, etc.)	Can be clunky or require extra work
The catch	Only builds for Apple (iOS/macOS)	Builds for both Apple and Android

If you want the absolute best experience on an iPhone, native is the way to go.

Step 1: Connect your Mac (Appifex Runner)

Apple requires a Mac to build native apps. Appifex uses a companion app called Appifex Runner that handles compilation and device deployment in the background.

1. Log in to the Appifex web app on your Mac.

2. Start a new project and select the Apple Swift flow.

3. A Set up Mac runner modal appears.

4. Download the Runner app, or click the download button in the setup modal:

   Download for macOS

5. Open the Runner — on first launch it may install developer tools (Xcode, Command Line Tools, Homebrew). Xcode is a large download, so this can take a while.

6. Back in the web app modal, click Register runner. Copy the generated token, paste it into the Runner app, and your Mac is connected.

First-time setup

Expect the initial Mac setup to take about 20 minutes, mostly waiting for Xcode to download. You only need to do this once.

Step 2: Generate your app

1. In the Appifex web app, type what you want your app to be. Be descriptive:

"Build me a habit tracking app with a dark mode, a big 'Add Habit' button,
and a weekly calendar view."

2. Hit Generate and watch the code appear.
3. Appifex sends the generated code to your Runner, which compiles it locally.

Generating a typical app takes about 10 to 20 minutes depending on complexity.

Step 3: Preview in the simulator

Once the Runner finishes compiling, it automatically launches the iOS Simulator on your Mac with your app running.

• First-time simulator boot may take a minute or two.
• If the build fails, the Runner shows the error. Click Run a Fix — the Runner sends the error back to Appifex, generates a fix, and rebuilds automatically.

Step 4: Install on your iPhone

1. Create a free Apple Developer account

Go to developer.apple.com/account and sign in with your Apple ID. You do not need to pay the $99/year fee just to test on your own phone.

2. Connect your Apple credentials to Appifex

In the Appifex web app with Apple Swift selected:

1. Open the Build & Run tab.
2. Under Apple Credentials, upload the following:
   • App Store Connect API Key (.p8 file) — generate one here
   • Issuer ID — shown at the top of the API Keys page
   • Key ID — shown next to your key after you create it on the same API Keys page

How to create an API key

1. Go to App Store Connect > Users and Access > Integrations > App Store Connect API
2. Click the + button to generate a new key
3. Give it a name (e.g. "Appifex") and select the Developer role
4. Click Generate — then download the .p8 file (you can only download it once)
5. Copy the Issuer ID from the top of the page and the Key ID from the table

3. Trust your developer account on your phone

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Developer Mode and turn it On (your phone will restart).
2. Plug your iPhone into your Mac with a cable.
3. In the web app Build & Run tab, click Install to Device. Keep your iPhone unlocked and awake during installation.
4. When you first tap the app, you'll see an "Untrusted Developer" error. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, tap your Apple ID, and hit Trust.

You only need to do the Developer Mode and Trust steps once per device.

Example prompts

Utility app:

"Build a unit converter with categories for length, weight, temperature,
and currency. Clean minimal design with haptic feedback on conversions."

Game:

"Build a simple 2D puzzle game with SwiftUI animations,
score tracking, and a leaderboard screen."

Productivity:

"Build a Pomodoro timer with customizable intervals,
session history, and local notifications when a timer ends."