How can I make a cross platform app (iOS+Android) using android studio?

Updated: November 1, 2026

In short: Android Studio cannot build an iOS app on its own - it is an Android IDE, and Apple only allows iOS apps to be compiled and signed with Xcode on a Mac. What you can do is write one shared codebase in Android Studio (with Kotlin Multiplatform, Flutter or React Native) and then use a Mac with Xcode, or a cloud macOS build service, for the final iOS build. In practice there are 3 realistic routes, and all of them end with 1 Mac step.

Can Android Studio Make iOS Apps?

Not directly. Android Studio compiles Android apps (Java or Kotlin, packaged as APK/AAB). An iOS app has to be compiled with Apple's toolchain, signed with an Apple Developer certificate and uploaded through App Store Connect, and that toolchain only runs on macOS. So the honest answer to "can Android Studio make iOS apps" is: it can be the place where you write most of the code for both platforms, but it cannot produce the iOS binary by itself.

The rest of this article covers the practical options, and then a step-by-step example with Flutter.

The Real Options for Building iOS and Android Apps from Android Studio

1. Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP)

Kotlin Multiplatform lets you share business logic - networking, data models, validation, storage - written in Kotlin between Android and iOS, while the UI can stay native on each platform or be shared with Compose Multiplatform. It is the most natural route if you already have an Android app in Kotlin, because you can move existing code into a shared module step by step. Android Studio supports KMP projects; the iOS part is still built and run through Xcode on a Mac.

2. Flutter

Flutter uses Dart and its own rendering engine, so one codebase produces the UI for both platforms. Android Studio has official Flutter and Dart plugins, which makes it a comfortable editor for Flutter projects. Building for iOS still requires Xcode on macOS (the flutter build ios command calls Xcode under the hood).

3. React Native

React Native uses JavaScript or TypeScript with React and renders real native components. Most teams write it in VS Code, but Android Studio is used to run and debug the Android side. The iOS side is built with Xcode, and CocoaPods dependencies are installed on the Mac. If your team already works in React on the web, this is usually the shortest learning curve - see our React Native development services guide for when it fits.

What you need for the iOS build in every option

• A Mac with Xcode: a physical Mac, a Mac mini in the office, or a rented cloud Mac. There is no supported way to run Xcode on Windows or Linux.
• A cloud CI service as an alternative: services such as Codemagic, Bitrise or GitHub Actions macOS runners can build and sign the iOS app for you, so developers on Windows can still ship iOS builds.
• An Apple Developer account: required for signing, TestFlight and App Store publishing.
• Testing on real Apple devices or the iOS Simulator: the iOS Simulator is part of Xcode and runs only on macOS, so Android Studio on Windows cannot show an iPhone emulator.

Which option should you choose?

• You have an existing Kotlin Android app: Kotlin Multiplatform, to reuse what you already wrote.
• You are starting from scratch and want one UI for both platforms: Flutter or React Native.
• Your team knows React/TypeScript: React Native.
• You need heavy platform-specific features (AR, advanced camera, deep OS integration): consider fully native apps - Kotlin in Android Studio and Swift in Xcode.

For a broader comparison of native, cross-platform and hybrid approaches, see our mobile app development guide.

Step-by-Step Example: Building for iOS with Flutter in Android Studio

Creating an iOS app using Android Studio, which is primarily designed for developing Android applications, is not a straightforward process. Android Studio uses Java or Kotlin as the primary programming language, and it’s tailored for building Android apps. However, there are alternative methods to achieve this, though they come with their own complexities. One such method is using frameworks like Flutter or React Native which allow for cross-platform development. Here’s a general outline of how you might approach this using Flutter:

1. Install Flutter: Flutter is a framework developed by Google for building natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Install Flutter by following the instructions on the official Flutter website: Flutter Install Instructions
2. Set up Android Studio for Flutter Development: You can use Android Studio for Flutter development. After installing Flutter, set up Android Studio for Flutter development by installing the Flutter and Dart plugins.
3. Create a New Flutter Project: Use the Flutter CLI or Android Studio to create a new Flutter project. Run the following command in your terminal:
   flutter create my_ios_app

4. Write Dart Code: Flutter apps are built using the Dart programming language. Write your app code in the lib directory of your Flutter project. Flutter provides a rich set of widgets to create beautiful native interfaces for both Android and iOS platforms.
5. Test on iOS Simulator or Device: On a Mac with Xcode installed, you can launch your Flutter app on the iOS Simulator or a connected iPhone directly from Android Studio, using its running/debugging tools. On Windows or Linux this step is not possible - use a Mac or a cloud macOS build service.
6. Adjust Platform-Specific Code (if needed): Although Flutter provides a single codebase for both Android and iOS, there might be scenarios where you need to write platform-specific code. Flutter provides mechanisms like Platform Channels for accessing platform-specific features.
7. Publishing to App Store: Once your Flutter app is ready, you can publish it to the Apple App Store following the standard procedure for iOS app submission.

Remember, while Flutter offers a way to write cross-platform apps, it may not always achieve pixel-perfect replication of native iOS UI components or behavior. However, it offers a balance between development speed and platform-specific performance. An example app that UIDB developed is Pais you can check it out

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I develop an iOS app in Android Studio on Windows?

You can write the shared code on Windows (Flutter, React Native or Kotlin Multiplatform), but you cannot compile, sign or run the iOS app there. For that step you need a Mac with Xcode or a cloud macOS build service.

Is there an iOS simulator or iPhone emulator in Android Studio?

No. Android Studio ships the Android Emulator only. The iOS Simulator is part of Xcode and runs only on macOS. When Android Studio runs on a Mac with Xcode installed, the Flutter plugin can launch your app in the iOS Simulator from inside Android Studio.

Can I convert an existing Android Studio app to iOS?

There is no one-click conversion. If the app is written in Kotlin, Kotlin Multiplatform lets you move the business logic into a shared module and reuse it on iOS, while the iOS UI is built separately or with Compose Multiplatform. Otherwise, the iOS version is a rebuild - often a good moment to move both platforms to Flutter or React Native.

Do I need a Mac to publish an iOS app built with Android Studio?

You need macOS at some point: Xcode on a Mac or a cloud CI service with macOS machines handles the build, signing and upload to App Store Connect. You also need an Apple Developer account.

What is the best way to build one app for both iOS and Android?

For most new business apps, a cross-platform framework (Flutter or React Native) gives one codebase and a shorter time to market. Kotlin Multiplatform fits best when you already have Kotlin code. Before choosing, write down the features and constraints in a product requirements document - our guide to building a PRD for app development walks through it - or talk to our development team.