Building a Cross-Platform Desktop App with .NET MAUI

.NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) is a powerful framework that empowers developers to build cross-platform applications with ease. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a desktop app using .NET MAUI.

What is .NET MAUI?

.NET MAUI is a modern, open-source UI framework from Microsoft that allows you to create applications for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows from a single codebase. It leverages the power of Xamarin.Forms and extends it to cover more platforms.

Prerequisites

Before we dive in, make sure you have the following installed:

• Visual Studio 2022 (or later)
• .NET MAUI workload installed with Visual Studio.

Step 1: Creating a New .NET MAUI Project

• Open Visual Studio and select “Create a new project.”
• Choose “MAUI App” template and click “Next.”
• Provide a project name and location, then click “Create.”

Step 2: Designing the User Interface

.NET MAUI uses XAML for designing user interfaces, making it easy to create visually appealing layouts. Add pages, controls, and customize properties using XAML markup.

Step 3: Writing Code in C#

Since .NET MAUI is based on .NET, you can use C# to implement the app’s logic. Utilize the power of C# to handle events, perform calculations, and interact with APIs.

Step 4: Handling Platform-Specific Code

.NET MAUI allows you to implement platform-specific code when needed. This ensures that your app can take full advantage of each platform’s unique capabilities.

if (Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS)
{
    // iOS-specific code
}
else if (Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.Android)
{
    // Android-specific code
}
// Add more platform-specific code as needed

Step 5: Debugging and Testing

Use Visual Studio’s debugging tools to identify and fix issues in your code. Leverage the built-in emulator or connect physical devices for testing.

Step 6: Deploying Your App

Once your app is ready, it’s time to deploy it. .NET MAUI allows you to publish your app to various app stores or distribute it through other channels.

Conclusion

With .NET MAUI, building cross-platform desktop apps has never been easier. Its unified codebase, powerful UI capabilities, and support for platform-specific code make it a top choice for developers aiming to reach a broad audience. Start your .NET MAUI journey today and bring your ideas to life on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows!

Remember, this is just the beginning. As you delve deeper into .NET MAUI, you’ll discover even more features and capabilities that will help you create truly exceptional cross-platform desktop applications.