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Introduction to .NET MAUI

.NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) is the evolution of Xamarin.Forms, enabling developers to create native apps for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows using a single C# codebase.

What is .NET MAUI?

.NET MAUI lets you build cross-platform applications using a shared UI and business logic layer. It uses C#, XAML, and the .NET ecosystem to deliver native performance and appearance on all platforms.

  • Write once, run anywhere (mobile + desktop)
  • Single project structure
  • Built-in support for platform-specific APIs

Supported Platforms

  • ✅ Android
  • ✅ iOS
  • ✅ macOS
  • ✅ Windows (WinUI)

.NET MAUI Architecture

MAUI abstracts platform-specific UI frameworks using a unified API:

  • XAML + C# UI Layer: Your layout and UI logic
  • .NET MAUI Handlers: Talks to native controls
  • Native Platform Code: Android/iOS/macOS/WinUI
MAUI App Structure

Getting Started

To begin developing with .NET MAUI:

  • Install Visual Studio 2022/2023 (Preview) with ".NET MAUI" workload
  • Enable Android/iOS emulators or physical devices
  • Use dotnet workload install maui via CLI (optional)

Creating a .NET MAUI App

Use Visual Studio:

  1. File → New Project → .NET MAUI App
  2. Select a template like "MAUI App" or "MAUI Blazor App"
  3. Run on Windows, Android, iOS, or macOS

.NET MAUI is a game-changer for developers looking to reach multiple platforms from a single codebase. In the next lesson, we’ll create your first MAUI app and explore the project structure.

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