A free piece of software created by Apple that allows you to design and code up apps. Xcode only works on Apple’s operating system OS X. So if you have a Mac, then you can run Xcode no problem.

Is Xcode the only way to make iOS apps?

The short answer is no. The long answer is “not exactly,” but you can get started in some ways while you’re working on getting access to a Mac you can do the work you’d like to do on. You don’t have to use #1 in order to build iPhone Apps, though it’s genuinely helpful.

Do you need an Apple device for Xcode?

Xcode will launch an OS X app on your development Mac. To run your iOS and watchOS apps on a device (an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, or Apple Watch) during development, four things are required: The device is connected to your Mac. You are a member of an Apple developer program.