Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

ArtOfWarfare

macrumors G3
Original poster
Nov 26, 2007
9,625
6,149
I'd like to write an app that relies heavily on some of the new features in iOS 10.

Is it possible for me to download and install the betas for Xcode/iOS 10 SDK/Swift and the iOS 10 beta and test on the device, all with a free dev account?

Or do I need to get a paid dev account?

Also, do I need the macOS beta, or can I get the Xcode beta without it?
 
Free:
Download XCode 8 beta with macOS, iOS, tvOS, and watchOS beta simulators
Write Apps/playgrounds in Swift 3

Paid:
Submit Apps to the App Store for sale
Download Developer betas for macOS, iOS, tvOS, and watchOS.


XCode 8 works on El Capitan and it is preferred that you do NOT install beta software on your everyday device. XCode 8 beta is fine to install on your everyday device.

I don't condone downloading dev betas without a paid developer account but I know of people who have installed it by installing the beta configuration profile on their iPhone and Watch. As far as getting beta software on tvOS you will need a USB C cable and for macOS you'll get the updates for it through the App Store after you install the beta software from the Mac OS installer.
 
Does the Xcode 8 beta include the iOS 10 SDK? I know I can write iOS 9 apps for free right now - I'm interested in playing around with some new iOS 10 APIs.
 
I'd assume so.

You won't be able to run on device though and may run into problems with app capabilities like App Groups, which means it'll be impossible to share data between extensions and such.

I'm sure you'd be able to experiment enough if you tried, but it's worth paying the money for a developer account in my opinion.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.