Is Mac deployment controlled like the Apple iOS Developer Program does?

Question

I am beginner Apple developer. I want to develop Mac and iOS software, but not for sale. Only for personal use.

As I see to deploy my iOS program to my iPhone and my iPad I need to get iOS Developer Account.

Do I need a Mac Developer Account if I am not planning to deploy my software to Mac Application Store and if I am planning to use it only in my Macbook?

Answer 1

Without a Mac/iOS Developer account you won't:

• get access to OS X betas
• be able to publish your apps on the Mac App Store
• be able to code sign your OS X / iOS apps.

Code signing is needed if you want to run apps with Gate Keeper enabled.

There is no discount if you enroll in both developer programs.

Answer 2

Apple's developer accounts are unified, so there’s no difference if you want to develop for macOS or iOS or tvOS or watchOS. One fee gets you code signing for all and access to the paid stores if you wish.

Before the unification, If you were an iOS developer, nothing that you did on the iOS side changed when you subsequently enrolled for Mac development.

That being said, everyone can start with free Xcode and make an app for the shipping OS using the free SDK. You don't need to pay for a developer account until you need to sign code for other people or access pre-release SDK. Pay the money only when you hit a roadblock. Same goes for iOS, start free and only pay when you need to do something that the paid account allows. You can even run self signed code on iOS with a personal AppleID for personal testing before you become a paid developer.

Answer 3

To develop for OSX you just need Xcode which is free from the app store.

There is also a free developers account which gives access to some more documentation - but I think that a paid for iOS account will get the same info.

As for iOS you could jailbreak you devices as an alternative to the account see

Answer 4

No, it is not.

• You shouldn't have to worry about Gatekeeper with apps you build and run yourself. Xcode must be doing something behind the scenes, but I don't know what. Other people who try to run your app will get the warning, though.

• All the documentation, etc. is free at https://developer.apple.com (except for some videos, which are not essential by any means). You will need Xcode, which you can get from the Mac App Store. (Be warned, it's a big download!)

• If you want to submit apps to the App Store, or develop for iOS devices and install your app, you will need to get a paid subscription. (You can actually test your apps on your iOS devices without this, but they will expire after about a week.)

As the Xcode License Agreement says (as of 2017-09-24):

A. Install a reasonable number of copies of the Apple Software on Apple-branded computers that are owned or controlled by You to be used internally by You or Your Authorized Developers only as follows:

(i) You may use the Xcode Developer Tools to test and develop application and other software;

(ii) You may use the macOS SDKs to test and develop application and other software;

(iii) You may use the Apple SDKs (excluding the macOS SDK) solely to test and develop Applications that are specifically for use with the applicable Apple-branded products for which the SDK is targeted, unless otherwise permitted by Apple in writing; and

(iv) You may use the Apple Services solely to test and develop Applications that are specifically for use on Apple-branded products, unless otherwise permitted by Apple in writing.

Except as otherwise expressly set forth in Section 2.2.B., You may not distribute any Applications developed using the Apple SDKs (excluding the macOS SDK) absent entering into a separate written agreement with Apple.

_{(emphasis mine)}