Apple making its own computer chips was the biggest news of 2020. The M1 chip, which powers the 2020 MacBooks, is now found in the 2021 iPad Pro variants.
This essentially means Apple will have control over its products like iOS and Bionic chips have on its iPhones.
Since iPad Pro 2021 is equipped with the M1 chipset, many want to see the Final Cut Pro software, making more powerful editing.
Same way, many are asking the big question – will the M1 Macs run iOS apps at all?
It is a universal truth that Apple doesn’t allow you to sideload iOS apps on MacBook, so installing apps not available on the App Store won’t be a thing.
But, there are two ways to run iOS apps on a Mac M1 chip. Let’s go through them.
Can M1 Mac run iOS apps?
A fair warning – iOS apps don’t scale well on a MacBook screen, and they won’t work as intended as they aren’t touchscreen (yet).
So if you witness any random app crashes, you should uninstall the app immediately.
On the other hand, if you don’t mind the app crashes, choose any of the two methods listed below.
| Related: 7 Best Video Editing Apps for M1 iPad Pro |
Method 1: iMazing Application
iMazing is the jack-of-all-trades app that lets you transfer iOS data and backup your iPad, iPhone, and iPod.
You can also use it to download and install iOS apps on our MacBook M1.
Follow the instructions listed below –
Step 1: To do that, download iMazing by clicking on this link.
(Download Link: https://imazing.com/)
Step 2: Double-click on the DMG file and install the app after you have downloaded the software.
Step 3: When prompted, enter a license code, but it is for those who need the paid version. So, click on the ‘Continue Trial’ button to take advantage of iMazing’s trial mode.
Step 4: The next step requires you to connect your MacBook. You can skip this process as it isn’t required. Simply go to the top-level menu > click on the Configurator option > Library > Apps.
Step 5: On the Apps page, click on ‘Add from App Store’ located at the bottom.
Step 6: Type the app’s name you want to install in the app list and hit Return.
Step 7: When you see the app, click on the Cloud icon beside the app name. Add it to your list.
Step 8: You’ll need to sign in to the App Store with your Apple account for the next process.
Step 9: After the app is downloaded, you’ll see it in the Apps tab on the iMazing app.
Step 10: Now, right-click on the app and select the ‘Export IPA option.’ (IPA is the package format for the iOS app, as apk is for Android.) This IPA file is essential for our process to install the app of your choice on the MacBook.
Step 11: Here, you’ll have to choose a designated folder to download the IPA file. Ensure that it is easily accessible.
Step 12: Now, install the app by double-clicking on the IPA file. You can enter the application from the Launchpad or the Applications folder.
Method 2: Download Apps from the App Store
The second method to run iOS apps on an M1 Mac is to install them from the Apple App Store.
Again, this is a straightforward way. But, this isn’t a fool-proof method. It depends on the app’s availability.
Apple’s App Store search doesn’t present all iOS apps available on an iPhone or iPad.
This is Apple’s way of telling Mac users that the iOS apps might not work properly.
Follow the steps listed below to download apps from the App Store –
Step 1: Head over to the App Store to download official apps.
Step 2: Now, type the iOS app name that you want to install and hit Return.
Step 3: When the search results appear, you’ll see two segments at the top – Apps for Mac and iPhone+iPad apps. Switch to the iOS apps by clicking on the ‘iPhone & iPad Apps’ tab.
Step 4: Once you find the iOS app you want to install on your Mac, tap on the ‘Get’ button to install it.
If you don’t find the desired app, you can go for the first method, which is a third-party app.
FAQs
How to run iOS apps on your M1 Mac?
To run iOS apps on your M1 Mac, follow the steps below –
Log onto your macOS computer and head to the Mac App Store > Switch to iOS apps > Search your iOS apps and download them > Look for new apps in the Store.
Do all iOS Apps work on M1?
Yes, kind of. Even though Apple is making its own chips, the gap between iPads, MacBooks, and iPhones reduces. Since MacBooks aren’t touchscreen, you won’t have a flawless experience.
Is Adobe Photoshop optimized for M1?
Yes, Adobe Photoshop is now fully optimized for M1 MacBooks. Adobe’s internal benchmarks are believed; Photoshop is 1.5 x faster on M1-equipped devices than the previous-generation machines.
Is Spotify optimized for M1?
Yes, Spotify is well-optimized for M1. It runs natively on the chip; it is a lot snappier and smoother than its previous variants.
How do I uninstall an app on Mac?
To uninstall an app on your Mac, follow the steps listed below –
Utilize the Finder to uninstall an app > Locate the app > Drag the app to the Trash, or select the app and select File > Move to Trash.
You might see a prompt asking for your username and password. Enter the credentials, and the app will be deleted.
Conclusion
This is how you can run iOS apps on M1 MacBooks. Even though Apple has stopped you from sideloading iOS apps on MacBook due to compatibility reasons, you can download the apps from the App Store.
What do you think of Apple’s chipset? Are you willing to take the risk of installing iOS apps on your M1 MacBook? Let us know in the comments below.
