So, what do we do? I think supporting at least the two latest version of macOS is the obvious default. The new features (aka, new emoji) are so widely publicized for iOS that most users are ecstatic about updating as soon as possible. But maybe not, because we know that macOS adoption rates are significantly slower and some users never update their desktop computers or laptops. Should we simply conform to the norms established by iOS and only support the two most recent major releases? Maybe. In the absence of adoption rate data, and even guidance from Apple, choosing a deployment target for macOS remains somewhat elusive. (Perhaps this is because macOS adoption rates are so bad compared to iOS?) Presumably, Apple has data on macOS adoption rates, which they could derive from serving software updates, but they refuse to publish it. This makes it rather easy, especially for third-parties, to compile this data for iOS. Of course, one reason for the discrepancy in data between iOS and macOS is because of the App Store - which is the only method of software distribution for iOS, but is optional (and largely neglected) for macOS. We are left with some vague idea about what macOS adoption is like, but it does not seem reliable. It also is not entirely clear from their charts if “macOS version market share” is in relation to only macOS users or all users of all desktop operating systems. I do not know anything about this company or whether this data is accurate and trustworthy. The best (that is, only) information I could find, was this data from StatCounter, which measures desktop market share worldwide based on web traffic. Try to search, and you will be met with disappointment. Notably absent is any information about macOS adoption rates. Even popular tech blogs, like MacRumors regularly repost this information as well, in case you do not follow these primary sources. In any case, there is ample data not only provided by Apple on their App Store support page, but third-party analytics companies like Mixpanel also report their own data. (Now is around the time that teams are dropping support for iOS 12, if they haven’t already.) In some cases, especially for very popular apps at large companies, supporting three (or more) versions of iOS may be the norm, but generally speaking, it is not common. Usually, there is a short period right after a new iOS release where you are supporting the last three versions, the oldest of which is eventually dropped. As of this writing, that would mean supporting iOS 13 and 14. Choosing a deployment targetįor iOS, the general rule in the community and “official” guidance from Apple is to support the most recent major version of iOS as well as the previous major release. One of the big differences is testing, and deciding how many versions of macOS to support. While many aspects of writing Mac apps are very similar to iOS, or at least somewhat familiar, other aspects are quite different. As I continue to pursue Mac app development more seriously, I can build on and borrow from my many years of iOS experience.
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