# IOS SDK

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/IOS_SDK
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/IOS_SDK.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_SDK
> Source revision: 1352785820
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Software development kit for iOS

iOS SDK (iOS Software Development Kit) Icon representing SDK 26 Screenshot iOS SDK 9.1 included in Xcode 7.1.1 Developer Apple Inc. Release March 6, 2008; 18 years ago (2008-03-06) Operating system macOS Platform iOS, iPadOS Available in English Type Software development kit Website Apple Developer

The **iOS SDK** (**iOS Software Development Kit**), formerly the **iPhone SDK**, is a [software development kit](/source/Software_development_kit) (SDK) developed by [Apple Inc.](/source/Apple_Inc.) The kit allows for the development of [mobile apps](/source/Mobile_app) on Apple's [iOS 17](/source/IOS) and iPadOS operating systems.

The iOS SDK is a free download for users of [Macintosh](/source/Macintosh) (or Mac) personal computers. It is not available for [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows) PCs. The SDK contains sets giving developers access to various functions and services of iOS devices, such as [hardware](/source/Computer_hardware) and [software](/source/Software) attributes. It also contains an iPhone [simulator](/source/Simulator) to mimic the look and feel of the device on the computer while developing. New versions of the SDK accompany new versions of iOS. In order to test applications, get technical support, and distribute apps through [App Store](/source/App_Store_(iOS%2FiPadOS)), developers are required to subscribe to the [Apple Developer Program](/source/Apple_Developer).

Combined with [Xcode](/source/Xcode), the iOS SDK helps developers write iOS apps using officially supported [programming languages](/source/Programming_language), including [Swift](/source/Swift_(programming_language)) and [Objective-C](/source/Objective-C). Other companies have also created tools that allow for the development of native iOS apps using their respective programming languages.

## History

While originally developing [iPhone](/source/IPhone) prior to its unveiling in 2007, Apple's then-[CEO](/source/CEO) [Steve Jobs](/source/Steve_Jobs) did not intend to let third-party developers build native apps for the [iOS](/source/IOS) operating system, instead directing them to make [web applications](/source/Web_application) for the [Safari web browser](/source/Safari_(web_browser)).[1] However, backlash from developers prompted the company to reconsider,[1] with Jobs announcing on October 17, 2007, that Apple would have a [software development kit](/source/Software_development_kit) (SDK) available for developers by February 2008.[2][3] The SDK was released on March 6, 2008.[4][5]

## Features

The iOS SDK is a free download for [Mac](/source/Macintosh) users.[6] It is not available for [Microsoft Windows](/source/Microsoft_Windows).[6] To test the application, get technical support, and distribute applications through [App Store](/source/App_Store_(iOS%2FiPadOS)), developers are required to subscribe to the [Apple Developer Program](/source/Apple_Developer).[6]

The SDK contents are separated into the following sets:[7]

- [UIKit](/source/UIKit) - [Multi-touch](/source/Multi-touch) events and controls - [Accelerometer](/source/Accelerometer) support - View hierarchy - [Localization (i18n)](/source/Internationalization_and_localization) - [Camera](/source/Camera) support

- [Media](/source/Media_(communication)) - [OpenAL](/source/OpenAL) - [audio mixing](/source/Audio_mixing_(recorded_music)) and [recording](/source/Sound_recording_and_reproduction) - Video playback - [Image file formats](/source/Image_file_format) - [Quartz](/source/Quartz_(graphics_layer)) - [Core Animation](/source/Core_Animation) - [OpenGL ES](/source/OpenGL_ES)

- [Core Services](/source/Core_Services) - [Networking](/source/Computer_networking) - Embedded [SQLite](/source/SQLite) database - Core Location - [Threads](/source/Thread_(computer_science)) - CoreMotion

- [Mac OS X Kernel](/source/XNU) - [TCP/IP](/source/Transmission_Control_Protocol) - [Sockets](/source/Internet_socket) - [Power management](/source/Power_management) - [File system](/source/File_system) - [Security](/source/Computer_security)

The SDK also contains an iPhone simulator, a program used to simulate the look and feel of iPhone on the developer's computer.[7]

New SDK versions accompany new iOS versions.[8][9]

## Programming languages

The iOS SDK, combined with [Xcode](/source/Xcode), helps developers write iOS applications using officially supported programming languages, including [Swift](/source/Swift_(programming_language)) and [Objective-C](/source/Objective-C).[10]

An .ipa (iOS App Store Package) file is an iOS application archive file which stores an iOS app.

### Java

In 2008, [Sun Microsystems](/source/Sun_Microsystems) announced plans to release a [Java Virtual Machine](/source/Java_Virtual_Machine) (JVM) for iOS, based on the [Java Platform, Micro Edition](/source/Java_Platform%2C_Micro_Edition) version of Java. This would enable Java applications to run on iPhone and iPod Touch.[11] Soon after the announcement, developers familiar with the SDK's terms of agreement believed that by not allowing third-party applications to run in the background (answer a phone call and still run the application, for example),[12] and not allowing an application to download code from another source, nor allowing an application to interact with a third-party application, Sun's development efforts could be hindered without Apple's cooperation.[13] Sun also worked with a third-party company called Innaworks in attempts to get Java on iPhone.[14] Despite the apparent lack of interest from Apple, a [firmware](/source/Firmware) leak of the 2007 iPhone release revealed an [ARM](/source/ARM_architecture) chip with a processor with [Jazelle](/source/Jazelle) support for embedded Java execution.[15]

### .NET

[Novell](/source/Novell) announced in September 2009 that they had successfully developed [MonoTouch](/source/Mono_(software)), a [software framework](/source/Software_framework) that let developers write native iPhone applications in the [C#](/source/C_Sharp_(programming_language)) and [.NET](/source/.NET_Framework) programming languages, while still maintaining compatibility with Apple's requirements.[16]

### Flash

iOS does not support [Adobe Flash](/source/Adobe_Flash),[17] and although [Adobe](/source/Adobe_Systems) has two versions of its software: Flash and Flash Lite, Apple views neither as suitable for the iPhone, claiming that full Flash is "too slow to be useful", and Flash Lite to be "not capable of being used with the Web".[18][19]

In October 2009, Adobe announced that an upcoming update to its [Creative Suite](/source/Creative_Suite) would feature a component to let developers build native iPhone apps using the company's Flash development tools.[20] The software was officially released as part of the company's [Creative Suite 5](/source/Creative_Suite_5) collection of professional applications.[21]

### 2010 policy on development tools

In April 2010, [Apple made controversial changes](/source/Apple_and_Adobe_Flash_controversy) to its iPhone Developer Agreement, requiring developers to use only "approved" programming languages in order to publish apps on [App Store](/source/App_Store_(iOS%2FiPadOS)), and banning applications that used third-party development tools; the ban affected Adobe's Packager tool, which converted Flash apps into iOS apps.[22][23] After developer backlash[24] and news of a potential anti-trust investigation,[25] Apple again revised its agreement in September, allowing the use of third-party development tools.[24][26]

### Mac Catalyst

Originally called "Project Marzipan",[27] Mac Catalyst helps developers bring [iPadOS](/source/IPadOS) app experiences to macOS, and make it easier to take apps developed for iPadOS devices to Macs by avoiding the need to write the underlying software code twice.

## See also

- [Software portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Software)

- [Android software development](/source/Android_software_development)

- [Qt (software)](/source/Qt_(software))

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Not_native_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Not_native_1-1) ["Jobs' original vision for the iPhone: no third-party native apps"](https://9to5Mac.com/2011/10/21/jobs-original-vision-for-the-iphone-no-third-party-native-apps/). *9to5Mac.com*. 9to5Mac. October 21, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Duncan, Geoff (October 17, 2007). ["Apple confirms iPhone SDK coming next year"](https://www.DigitalTrends.com/apple/apple-confirms-iphone-sdk-coming-next-year/). *www.DigitalTrends.com*. [Digital Trends](/source/Digital_Trends). Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Steve Jobs confirms native iPhone SDK by February"](http://AppleInsider.com/articles/07/10/17/steve_jobs_confirms_native_iphone_sdk_by_february). *AppleInsider.com*. [AppleInsider](/source/AppleInsider). October 17, 2007. Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Dalrymple, Jim (March 6, 2008). ["Apple unveils iPhone SDK"](http://www.MacWorld.com/article/1132400/iphonesdk.html). *[www.MacWorld.com](/source/Macworld)*. [International Data Group](/source/International_Data_Group). Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Block, Ryan](/source/Ryan_Block) (March 6, 2008). ["Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference"](https://www.Engadget.com/2008/03/06/live-from-apples-iphone-press-conference/). *www.Engadget.com*. [Engadget](/source/Engadget) – [AOL](/source/AOL). Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CNET_about_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CNET_about_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CNET_about_6-2) Guevin, Jennifer (March 6, 2008). ["FAQ: what does the iPhone SDK mean?"](https://www.CNET.com/news/faq-what-does-the-iphone-sdk-mean/). *[www.CNET.com](/source/CNET)*. [CBS Interactive](/source/CBS_Interactive). Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MacRumors_SDK_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MacRumors_SDK_7-1) Kim, Arnold (March 6, 2008). ["Apple releases iPhone SDK, demos spore, instant messaging"](https://www.MacRumors.com/2008/03/06/apple-releases-iphone-sdk-demos-spore-instant-messaging/). *www.MacRumors.com*. [MacRumors](/source/MacRumors). Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Mayo, Benjamin (September 11, 2015). ["Apple now allowing developers to submit iOS 9, OS X El Capitan and native Watch apps to the App Store"](https://9to5Mac.com/2015/09/11/apple-developers-os-9-apps/). *9to5Mac.com*. 9to5Mac. Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Sande, Steven (June 10, 2013). ["New iOS SDK features for developers"](https://www.Engadget.com/2013/06/10/new-ios-sdk-features-for-developers/). *www.Engadget.com*. [Engadget](/source/Engadget) – [AOL](/source/AOL). Retrieved June 11, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sinicki, Adam (June 9, 2016). ["Developing for Android vs developing for iOS – in 5 rounds"](http://www.AndroidAuthority.com/developing-for-android-vs-ios-697304/). *www.AndroidAuthority.com*. [Android Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Android_Authority&action=edit&redlink=1). Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Krill, Paul (March 7, 2008). ["Sun: we'll put Java on the iPhone"](http://www.InfoWorld.com/article/2650479/application-development/sun--we-ll-put-java-on-the-iphone.html). *www.InfoWorld.com*. [InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld) – [International Data Group](/source/International_Data_Group). Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Krazit, Tom (March 12, 2008). ["The iPhone SDK: the day after"](https://www.CNET.com/news/the-iphone-sdk-the-day-after/). *www.CNET.com*. [CNET](/source/CNET) – [CBS Interactive](/source/CBS_Interactive). Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Krill, Paul (March 14, 2008). ["Sun's plan for Java on iPhone could hit roadblock"](http://www.InfoWorld.com/article/2651070/application-development/sun-s-plan-for-java-on-iphone-could-hit-roadblock.html). *www.InfoWorld.com*. [InfoWorld](/source/InfoWorld) – [International Data Group](/source/International_Data_Group). Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Apple, Sun talks gives hope for Java on iPhone"](http://www.IBTimes.com/apple-sun-talks-gives-hope-java-iphone-218432). *www.IBTimes.com*. [International Business Times](/source/International_Business_Times) – [IBT Media](/source/IBT_Media). April 28, 2008. Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Block, Ryan](/source/Ryan_Block) (July 1, 2007). ["iPhone processor found: 620MHz ARM CPU"](https://www.Engadget.com/2007/07/01/iphone-processor-found-620mhz-arm/). *www.Engadget.com*. [Engadget](/source/Engadget) – [AOL](/source/AOL). Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Paul, Ryan (September 15, 2009). ["MonoTouch drops .NET into Apple's walled app garden"](https://ArsTechnica.com/information-technology/2009/09/monotouch-drops-net-into-apples-walled-app-garden/). *ArsTechnica.com*. [Ars Technica](/source/Ars_Technica) – [Condé Nast](/source/Cond%C3%A9_Nast). Retrieved June 19, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Slivka, Eric (April 29, 2010). ["Steve Jobs posts 'Thoughts on Flash' open letter"](https://www.MacRumors.com/2010/04/29/steve-jobs-posts-thoughts-on-flash-open-letter/). *www.MacRumors.com*. [MacRumors](/source/MacRumors). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Cooper, Charles (March 5, 2008). ["Adobe bites its tongue after iPhone Flash jab"](https://www.CNET.com/news/adobe-bites-its-tongue-after-iphone-flash-jab/). *www.CNET.com*. [CNET](/source/CNET) – [CBS Interactive](/source/CBS_Interactive). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Krazit, Tom (March 19, 2008). ["Adobe realizes SDK not enough for Flash on iPhone"](https://www.CNET.com/news/adobe-realizes-sdk-not-enough-for-flash-on-iphone/). *www.CNET.com*. [CNET](/source/CNET) – [CBS Interactive](/source/CBS_Interactive). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Dove, Jackie (October 5, 2009). ["Flash-built apps heading for the iPhone"](http://www.MacWorld.com/article/1143142/ipflash.html). *www.MacWorld.com*. [Macworld](/source/Macworld) – [International Data Group](/source/International_Data_Group). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Dove, Jackie (April 11, 2010). ["Adobe unleashes Creative Suite 5"](http://www.MacWorld.com/article/1150522/cs5launch.html). *www.MacWorld.com*. [Macworld](/source/Macworld) – [International Data Group](/source/International_Data_Group). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Chen, Brian X. (April 8, 2010). ["Adobe Apps: easier to pass through the 'i' of a needle?"](https://www.wired.com/2010/04/iphone-developer-policy). *[Wired](/source/Wired_(website))*. Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Kincaid, Jason (April 8, 2010). ["Apple gives Adobe the finger with its new iPhone SDK agreement"](https://techcrunch.com/2010/04/08/adobe-flash-apple-sdk/). *[TechCrunch](/source/TechCrunch)*. Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-guardian-sept2010-changes_24-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-guardian-sept2010-changes_24-1) Arthur, Charles (September 9, 2010). ["Apple opens App Store to programs written in Adobe Flash – and more"](https://www.TheGuardian.com/technology/blog/2010/sep/09/apple-app-store-flash-open). *www.TheGuardian.com*. [The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian) – [Guardian Media Group](/source/Guardian_Media_Group). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Cheng, Jacqui (May 3, 2010). ["Apple iPhone OS compiler policy may lead to antitrust probe"](https://ArsTechnica.com/apple/2010/05/apples-compiler-policy-may-land-it-in-hot-water-with-ftc/). *ArsTechnica.com*. [Ars Technica](/source/Ars_Technica) – [Condé Nast](/source/Cond%C3%A9_Nast). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Sorrell, Charlie (September 9, 2010). ["Apple eases app development rules, Adobe surges"](https://www.Wired.com/2010/09/apple-lifts-app-store-flash-ban-publishes-app-review-rules). *www.Wired.com*. [Wired](/source/Wired_(website)) – [Condé Nast](/source/Cond%C3%A9_Nast). Retrieved June 20, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["WWDC 2019: Apple's Marzipan is actually Project Catalyst"](https://www.CNET.com/news/wwdc-2019-apples-marzipan-is-actually-called-catalyst-and-means-more-ipad-apps-on-your-mac/). *www.CNET.com*. [CNET](/source/CNET). Retrieved June 3, 2019.

## External links

- [Bring your ideas to life](https://developer.apple.com/develop/) at Apple Developer

v t e iOS, iPadOS and other iOS-based products History iOS iPadOS Issues Outline Hardware iPhone (models) 1st 3G 3GS 4 4s 5 5c 5s 6 & 6 Plus 6s & 6s Plus 7 & 7 Plus 8 & 8 Plus X XR XS & XS Max 11 11 Pro & Pro Max 12 & 12 Mini 12 Pro & Pro Max 13 & 13 Mini 13 Pro & Pro Max 14 & 14 Plus 14 Pro & Pro Max 15 & 15 Plus 15 Pro & Pro Max 16 & 16 Plus 16 Pro & Pro Max 16e 17 17 Pro & Pro Max 17e SE 1st 2nd 3rd Air iPad (models) 1st 2 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th Mini 1st 2 3 4 5th 6th 7th Air 1st 2 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th Pro 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th Discontinued iPod Touch 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th Other Apple TV Apple Watch HomePod Mini Software OS versions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 26 27 Derived from iOS watchOS tvOS iPadOS 13 14 15 16 17 18 26 27 visionOS Features AirDrop AirPlay AirPrint CarPlay Control Center Crash Detection Intelligence iTunes Night Shift Notification Center Shazam Siri Spotlight SpringBoard VoiceOver SDK & API SDK Foundation UIKit Core Animation HomeKit Inter-App Audio Liquid Glass WebKit GymKit HealthKit SwiftUI Bundled apps Books Calculator Calendar Clock Contacts FaceTime Freeform Files Find My Fitness Workouts Games Health Mindfulness Home Journal Mail Maps Messages Music News Notes Passwords Photos Podcasts Preview Reminders Safari Shortcuts Translate TV Wallet Weather Discontinued Newsstand Apple apps Classroom GarageBand iMovie iWork Keynote Numbers Pages Invites Discontinued Beats Music Clips iPhoto Nike+iPod iTunes Remote Services Arcade Card App Store Music FaceTime Family Sharing Game Center iCloud iMessage iTunes Connect iTunes Store News + One Pay Push Notifications TestFlight TV Wallet Discontinued iAd iLife iTunes Radio MobileMe Other Apple silicon Controversies 300-page bill Antennagate Batterygate Bendgate Jailbreaking Free and open-source apps Games iFund iPhone history iPhone hardware Metal Swift Category

v t e Operating systems by Apple Apple II, III, Lisa Apple II Apple DOS ProDOS GS/OS Apple III SOS Lisa Lisa OS MacWorks Mac Classic Mac OS System 1 Systems 2, 3, and 4 System 5 System 6 System 7 Mac OS 8 Mac OS 9 macOS History NeXTSTEP OpenStep Rhapsody Public Beta Core Darwin XNU Desktop Mac OS X Public Beta 10.0 (Cheetah) 10.1 (Puma) 10.2 Jaguar 10.3 Panther 10.4 Tiger 10.5 Leopard 10.6 Snow Leopard 10.7 Lion OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion 10.9 Mavericks 10.10 Yosemite 10.11 El Capitan macOS 10.12 Sierra 10.13 High Sierra 10.14 Mojave 10.15 Catalina 11 Big Sur 12 Monterey 13 Ventura 14 Sonoma 15 Sequoia 26 Tahoe 27 Golden Gate Server Mac OS X Server 1.0 Other projects Shipped A/ROSE A/UX AIX for Apple Network Servers MAE MkLinux PowerOpen Environment Cancelled Star Trek Taligent Copland Nukernel Vanguard iOS derivatives iOS iPhone OS 1 2 3 iOS 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 26 27 iPadOS 13 14 15 16 17 18 26 27 Others tvOS visionOS watchOS audioOS bridgeOS Others Newton OS iPod software List • Category

v t e Mobile operating systems Comparison Open-source mobile phones, OSes Open Handset Alliance Open Mobile Alliance Mobile app distributions Mobile app development Linux Kernel Active: Aurora OS HarmonyOS (Linux kernel subsystem) ChromeOS ChromeOS Flex KaiOS Smart Feature OS Kindle firmware LuneOS Maemo Leste Tizen Defunct: Bada Firefox OS B2G OS MeeGo MontaVista MotoMagx Mobilinux OpenEmbedded Ångström Openmoko Linux QtMoko SHR OpenEZX WebOS Android Active: Android Go ColorOS OxygenOS Realme UI EMUI Fire OS GrapheneOS HyperOS LineageOS /e/ MagicOS Nothing OS One UI Wear OS Defunct: CyanogenMod GNU/ Linux Active: Fedora Mobility Manjaro ARM postmarketOS PureOS Sailfish OS SteamOS Ubuntu Touch UBports Mobian Defunct: Maemo Mer Moblin XNU iOS iPadOS watchOS bridgeOS QNX BlackBerry 10 BlackBerry Tablet OS Microsoft Windows Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Windows Mobile Windows Phone 7 8 8.1 Windows RT Windows 10 Mobile Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Windows 11 Zircon Fuchsia FreeBSD, NetBSD PlayStation Vita system software HongMeng Kernel Active: OpenHarmony HarmonyOS HarmonyOS NEXT Defunct: EMUI (non GMS-based) LiteOS Huawei Band OS FreeRTOS Amazfit OS Zepp OS MIUI Band OS Nintendo system software Nintendo 3DS system software Nintendo DSi system software Nintendo Switch system software Minix 3 Intel Management Engine Symbian S60 S80 S90 UIQ Others Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) BlackBerry OS EPOC GEOS Magic Cap Nokia Asha platform PalmDOS Palm OS PlayStation Portable system software S30 S30+ S40 Sony Ericsson Java Platform ThreadX Software Mobile operating systems Mobile applications Telecommunication

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [IOS SDK](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_SDK) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IOS_SDK?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.