Install iOS Apps On Apple M1 Mac In 2022 [How To]

Here is a simple method to download and install iPhone and iPad apps on your Apple Silicon Mac or MacBook device. The ARM-based architecture, which relies on the new M1 chipset, blows past competition in the same product category thanks to its superior hardware performance and speed. Apple’s integrated CPU and GPU setup developed in-house also opens up the possibility to use iOS and iPadOS exclusive applications hitherto now on macOS Big Sur devices. See the complete installation process in a guide below.

Despite the initial stages and lack of optimization, there is still enough Mac compatibility that you would get roughly the same experience running apps intended for iPhone and iPad.

As developers get up to pace with the new M1 architecture, future mobile apps should have no issue delivering the same experience on a desktop or laptop you are used to receiving on iOS devices.

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M1 Mac Apple Silicon:

Apple has substantially improved the battery life and performance levels on Mac mini, MacBook Air, and entry-level MacBook Pro laptops, pivoting away from Intel chips over to its ARM-based chip.

The performance gains first seen on the M1-powered iPhone and iPad devices are carried forward to the Mac segment. The resulting synergies extracted from using the same underlying architecture have ensured the possibilities of easy cross-platform compatibility when it comes to running the same app on two different operating systems without hiccups.

How To Install And Use iOS Apps On M1 Mac / MacBook:

Developers have started work on updating their iOS and iPadOS apps for macOS. Not all apps are ready for use on the new M1 Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro but likely will be updated at some point in the immediate future.

However, you don’t have to wait until the arrival of compatible apps because there is an easy workaround method involving the use of additional software to get the job done in just a few simple steps explained below.

Early Preparations

For installing iOS apps that are already M1 Mac compatible, you can head over to the Mac App Store using the steps below.

That said, if you’re looking to download an iOS app that is yet to be transferred over to the Mac App Store, you’ll need to connect your iPhone or iPad to your M1 Mac to install the app.

Also check: How To Hide Photos And Enable/Disable Hidden Album On IOS 14

For this tutorial, we will stick to the easy-to-understand method on how to install iPhone and iPad apps on your M1 Mac from the Mac App Store.

Install iOS And iPadOS Apps On M1 Mac

Here are the steps to use iPhone and iPad applications on a new M1 Mac:

1) Launch the Mac App Store on your M1 Mac device.

2) Hit the Profile button on the bottom left corner of the app interface.

3) Now click iPhone & iPad Apps button under the Account heading.

4) Once done, click on the Download button next to any app you’re looking to install.

5) That’s it.

The above method will install iOS or iPadOS apps on your M1 Mac. You can access the newly installed app from the Launchpad or the application folder.

Searching iOS Apps On Mac M1

Type its name in the Mac App Store search bar to find a specific app.

Once the desired app appears on a search result list, click on the iPhone & iPad Apps tab under the list of results.

You’ll now see all available apps initially written for iOS or iPadOS devices but are now also available with support for any M1 Mac device.

You’ll also notice that some apps have a message Not Verified for macOS cited next to their icons. This conveys a warning that the app is not ready or stable enough for use on a Mac. Apps without any such notice indicate that the app developer has issued an optimized version that you can install right away.

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Using iPhone Apps On M1 Mac

The option to resize the interface of iPhone apps (and do not have an equivalent iPad version) is not available yet. In such instances, a small app interface window displays with limited functionality. Additionally, full-screen or split-screen viewing options are absent. You have to hit the spotlight buttons to minimize or close iPhone apps on M1 Mac.

Similarly, apps and games that heavily rely on touchscreen buttons and gestures will not work, even if you mimic triggers with mouse movements. Apple recommends using the Ctrl key while using the trackpad as a touchscreen alternative to performing multi-touch gestures. Inconvenience notwithstanding, this remains the only alternative until improvements to these functionalities arrive in future updates.

Using iPad Apps On Mac M1

iPad apps will display in their dedicated window with simple control buttons. Hover the mouse cursor over to some items showing on the app interface screen, but not all of them will be functional as their iPad counterparts.

Developers need to polish their iPad apps further before they’re fully capable of providing an intuitive experience on M1 Macs.

You can view iPad apps on a full screen or split-screen. Use Traffic light buttons on the top left corner for minimizing, maximizing, or closing the application.

Final Words

So this is all you need to know about downloading, installing, and using iPhone and iPad apps on any M1 Mac, Mac mini, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro with Apple Silicon inside them.

Have you tried any iOS or iPadOS apps on your M1 Mac? We would like to hear about your experience in the comments section below.