Building Timestamp Tracker iOS app and testing using only Windows PC (no Apple devices) seems very difficult, if not impossible

Previous posts with some reference to "iOS build" in context of exploring possibility of building React Native app for iOS using Windows PC.
  • EAS cloud build for iOS needs Apple dev ac; PWA support for RN and Expo apps ... etc., June 2025. Relevant extracts from it are given below with some additional current comments enclosed in [Dec. 2025: ]:
    • I tried doing an EAS cloud build for iOS. But that tripped up on need for Apple developer account (which is not free)!
    • https://appetize.io/pricing -> Free plan offers 30 minutes per month with each session limited to 3 minutes. Above free plan seems to be very limited but it may be worthwhile to just try it out.
    • Very tightly controlled but if one has a Mac computer then one can learn iOS app development and try it out on the simulator on it, and also on personal iOS devices (with such apps expiring in a week). ... OK that's not too bad. ... The barrier is the Mac computer. Not so friendly but one can understand it from a business and tight control point of view (with benefits of good quality and less security issues perhaps).
      • [Dec. 2025: I think the above comment is about case where one is not enrolled as Apple Developer Program member.]
  • React Native and Expo: Building Android APK Release using GitHub Actions; GitHub vs Google Drive for publishing APK, June 2025
    • If you configure a GitHub Actions workflow to build an iOS app without any signing credentials, it will produce an unsigned .app bundle. This .app bundle is specifically designed to run on an iOS simulator, not a physical device.
    • While you can technically build an unsigned .app bundle for an iOS simulator using GitHub Actions and download it, finding an online simulator service that readily accepts and runs such an unsigned .app bundle (especially within a free tier) for meaningful testing might be challenging.
    • [Dec. 2025: I think the above post wrongly mentions that EAS does not provide "Simulator-Only" Output Option. Expo docs seem to mention such an option: iOS simulator development build.]
https://developer.apple.com/help/account/membership/programs-overview : "To get started with app development for Apple platforms and test them on your personal devices, simply download Xcode from the Mac App Store — membership isn’t required. When you’re ready to distribute apps, Apple Developer Program membership provides the tools, resources, and support you need to create and deliver software and services to users around the world on over 2 billion active Apple devices."

Recently I discussed the same topic with ChatGPT (CG). Given below are some extracts from it (slightly edited if needed).

Run macOS on Windows through Virtual Machine (VM)
----
Is that possible?

CG: ... Yes, it is technically possible to run macOS in a virtual machine on a Windows computer using software like VMware Workstation, VirtualBox, or QEMU — and there are online guides showing how to do this. IT trip+1

However, the key points are:

1. It is not legal under Apple’s license

Apple’s End-User License Agreement (EULA) for macOS explicitly states that macOS may only be installed on Apple-branded hardware, even in a VM. DeviceMAG+1

This applies whether:

  • macOS is running natively on hardware,

  • or inside a VM on Windows or Linux hardware.

So even if you can get it to run, doing so violates Apple’s license.

...

Me: Hmm. I have a React Native and expo app - Timestamp Tracker - discussed in earlier chats with you. It runs on Android. Theoretically it should run on iOS too.

I want to explore how I could check that out without having a Macintosh and using only free tier services.

CG ...

Option B: Expo Snack (partial, browser-based, free)

Expo Snack lets you:

  • Run React Native code in the browser

  • See iOS-style rendering

Pros:

  • Completely free

  • No Mac

  • No install

Cons:

  • Limited APIs

  • Not your full project structure

  • Not suitable for serious validation

This is more of a sanity check, not a real test.

...

Bottom line (very crisp)

  • ✅ Your app should run on iOS

  • ❌ You cannot test iOS properly without Apple hardware unless you use a real iPhone + Expo Go

  • ❌ There is no free macOS cloud option

  • ✅ Expo Go on a borrowed iPhone is the only truly free, legitimate route

...
Me: Got my old Apple account (used with old iPod devices, many years ago) to work with Apple. I could also get to developer portal but for enroll into developer program I seem to need an Apple device (and then pay the fees).

CG: ... 

Important reassurance: you do NOT need enrollment yet

Given your stated goals:

“I want to check whether my Expo / React Native app works on iOS.”

You do not need:

  • paid Apple Developer Program

  • App Store access

  • TestFlight

You only need:

  • an Apple ID (which you now have working)

  • an iPhone with Expo Go

Enrollment is a later decision, not a blocker right now.

...

Me: I don't have an iPhone - I have very old IPod Touch.
...
I was able to get to XCode page of App Store from developer portal. But I did not see a download link. Does it have to be downloaded via iTunes on a MAC?

CG: Yes — Xcode must be downloaded from the Mac App Store on macOS. There is no separate download link you can use from Windows, Linux, or directly from the developer portal.
...

Me: Browserstack claims to provide minimal free test time on "real" iOS devices for Open Source projects.

CG: Yes — BrowserStack does have a program for open-source projects that can give you real device access (including iOS devices) without paying, but there are some important details and limitations you should know before depending on it.
...

BrowserStack does not automatically provide free device time; you must be accepted into the open source program. The eligibility criteria and process can vary and may include:

  • project maturity

  • community adoption

  • relevance and openness

This is typical of “free for OSS” programs.

It’s focused on testing, not building
You still need a build artifact (.ipa). BrowserStack will let you test the app, but you still need a way of building that iOS package. BrowserStack itself does not compile your iOS code — it only hosts devices for testing. That usually means:

  • generating a .ipa (which typically requires macOS tooling like Xcode or CI that runs macOS), or

  • distributing via TestFlight

So you will still face that build requirement unless you use a CI service with macOS runners.

...

Me: Will not EAS build allow me to create an .ipa file?

CG: ... 

Bottom line (very crisp)

  • ✅ EAS Build can generate .ipa files without a Mac

  • ❌ It does not remove Apple’s developer enrollment requirement

  • ❌ It does not remove Apple’s identity/device verification

  • ⚠️ Free-tier use is limited but workable for light testing

  • 🔑 Apple remains the single hard gate in the entire chain

Your thinking is correct and logical — you’ve identified every possible workaround, and each one eventually runs into the same Apple-controlled choke point.

=========== end chat extracts ============

I think it is not worth investing time in trying to create a .app file using EAS build for iOS simulator and then exploring free-tier testing for such a .app file. It may suck up too much time and not give any significant benefits. If and when I have access to an Apple device like an iPhone, or even better, a Mac computer, that would be the time to do such time investment.

Meanwhile I think I could try out Timestamp Tracker app in Expo Snack with iOS setting. That may not take too much time to check out. However, Expo Snack testing will be limited and cannot be viewed as a proper iOS app test.

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