Universal apps
- A single macOS Universal app includes native binaries for Intel-based Macs and Apple Silicon Macs
- “Any Mac” destination in the toolbar builds a Universal app, even on Intel-based Macs
- Standard Architectures build setting defaults to Universal, and Xcode offers to upgrade your project if needed
- Run and debug the Intel binary within a Universal app by selecting “My Mac (Rosetta)” on a -Developer Transition Kit (DTK) from the Universal App Quick Start Program
NOTE: Xcode 12.2 adds support for macOS Big Sur and Universal apps.
Refined user interface for macOS Big Sur
- Document tabs open any type of document, including logs, asset catalogs, and UI files, in a lightweight editor tab
- Toolbar, icons, and sidebar designs match the beautiful new aesthetic of macOS Big Sur
- Navigator fonts track the size of the system setting or can be manually set to a custom size
- Organizer is completely redesigned and reports new app metrics, such as hitches in animation and scrolling
Swift and SwiftUI
- App lifecycle in SwiftUI enables entire apps to be written completely in SwiftUI for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
- WidgetKit built on SwiftUI makes it easy to share code for widgets that run on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS
- SwiftUI performance is improved throughout, and new Lazy views efficiently handle enormous data sets
- Multiplatform templates make it easy to share SwiftUI code across all Apple platforms, customized for each
- SwiftUI Views can be turned into reusable components that appear in the Xcode library and in code completions
- Swift Package Manager supports resources and localizations, making it great for sharing SwiftUI components
- Improved Swift language diagnostics make it much easier to understand coding mistakes, especially in SwiftUI code
Mac Catalyst
- Mac idiom displays your app’s user interface in 100% native Mac size and scale for total customization
- Additional frameworks and controls are available, including HomeKit and AVCapture
- Keyboard APIs and OS integration make it easier to completely control your app with the keyboard
- Apps built with Mac Catalyst automatically inherit the new look and feel of macOS Big Sur