# Xamarin Ios Migration

> >

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-davidortinau-maui-skills-xamarin-ios-migration`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [davidortinau](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/davidortinau)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [davidortinau](https://github.com/davidortinau)
- **Source:** https://github.com/davidortinau/maui-skills/tree/main/plugins/maui-skills/skills/xamarin-ios-migration

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-davidortinau-maui-skills-xamarin-ios-migration
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Xamarin.iOS / Xamarin.Mac / Xamarin.tvOS → .NET Migration

For SDK-style project templates, MSBuild property tables, RuntimeIdentifier conversion tables, and namespace mappings, see `references/ios-migration-api.md`.

## Migration Workflow

1. Create new .NET for iOS/macOS/tvOS project (same name, copy code into it)
2. Update MSBuild properties (see `references/ios-migration-api.md`)
3. Move `MinimumOSVersion` from Info.plist → `SupportedOSPlatformVersion` in csproj
4. Copy code, resources, storyboards, entitlements
5. Update NuGet dependencies
6. Migrate binding libraries (if applicable)
7. Replace Xamarin.Essentials with `true`
8. Remove `.dll.config` files (not supported in .NET)
9. Delete `bin/`/`obj/`, build, verify code signing, test on device

> **Strategy:** Create a new project and copy code into it — don't edit the existing project file.

## Critical Gotchas

### ⚠️ No Backward Compatibility for iOS/Mac NuGet Packages

Unlike Android, there is **no backward compatibility** with old Xamarin iOS/Mac TFMs. Packages targeting `monotouch`, `xamarinios`, `xamarinios10`, `monomac`, or `xamarinmac` **will not work** — they must be recompiled for `net8.0-ios` etc.

### ⚠️ `CodeSigningKey` → `CodesignKey` Rename

```xml

Apple Distribution: My Company

Apple Distribution: My Company
```

Also rename `MtouchEnableSGenConc` → `EnableSGenConc`.

### ⚠️ No `.dll.config` or `.exe.config` Support

`.dll.config` and `` are not supported in .NET Core. Migrate configuration to `appsettings.json`, embedded resources, or platform preferences.

### ⚠️ watchOS Is Not Supported

Xamarin.watchOS has **no .NET equivalent**. Bundle Swift extensions with .NET for iOS apps instead.

### ⚠️ OpenGL (iOS) Is Not Supported

OpenTK is unavailable in .NET for iOS. Migrate to Metal or SceneKit.

### ⚠️ Linker Behavior Is Stricter

Update `LinkDescription` XML files if custom linker configuration was used. The linker in .NET is stricter and may trim symbols that the Xamarin linker preserved.

## Platform-Specific Pitfalls

| Pitfall | Impact | Mitigation |
|---------|--------|------------|
| iOS/Mac NuGet packages not backward-compatible | Build failures for packages targeting `xamarinios` | Recompile or find .NET-compatible alternatives |
| `CodeSigningKey` silently ignored | App fails to sign but no clear error | Rename to `CodesignKey` |
| `MtouchArch` not converted | Wrong architecture targeted | Convert to `RuntimeIdentifier(s)` — see reference tables |
| `MinimumOSVersion` left in Info.plist | Ignored — uses csproj value | Move to `SupportedOSPlatformVersion` |
| Entitlements path wrong | Build succeeds but runtime failures | Verify `CodesignEntitlements` points to correct file |
| `.dll.config` files present | Silently ignored at runtime | Remove and migrate to alternatives |

## Binding Library Migration Tips

- Use SDK-style project format with `net8.0-ios` TFM
- The binding generator and API definitions work the same way
- Verify native frameworks are updated for the target iOS version
- **Test thoroughly** — binding edge cases are common in .NET migrations

## NuGet Compatibility Decision

| Situation | Action |
|-----------|--------|
| You own the package | Recompile with .NET TFMs |
| Package has preview .NET version | Use preview |
| No compatible version | Replace with .NET-compatible alternative |
| .NET Standard library (no platform deps) | ✅ Still works |

## Build Troubleshooting

| Issue | Fix |
|-------|-----|
| Namespace not found | Most UIKit namespaces are unchanged — verify against .NET for iOS API surface |
| Linker errors | Update `LinkDescription` XML files — linker is stricter in .NET |
| Code signing failure | Verify `CodesignKey`, `CodesignProvision`, `CodesignEntitlements` |
| Entitlements mismatch | Ensure entitlements file matches provisioning profile |

## API Currency Warning

If your migrated app will also adopt .NET MAUI controls (e.g., via `UseMaui`), check the **maui-current-apis** skill for deprecated MAUI APIs to avoid (ListView, Frame, Device.*, etc.).

## Quick Checklist

1. ☐ Created new .NET for iOS/macOS/tvOS project
2. ☐ Set `TargetFramework` to `net8.0-ios` (or `-macos`/`-tvos`)
3. ☐ Moved `MinimumOSVersion` → `SupportedOSPlatformVersion` in csproj
4. ☐ Converted `MtouchArch` → `RuntimeIdentifier(s)`
5. ☐ Converted `HttpClientHandler` → `UseNativeHttpHandler`
6. ☐ Renamed `CodeSigningKey` → `CodesignKey`
7. ☐ Renamed `MtouchEnableSGenConc` → `EnableSGenConc`
8. ☐ Copied source, resources, storyboards, entitlements
9. ☐ Updated NuGet dependencies (no backward compat with Xamarin TFMs!)
10. ☐ Added `UseMauiEssentials` + `Platform.Init()` if using Essentials
11. ☐ Removed `.dll.config` files
12. ☐ Deleted `bin/` and `obj/` folders
13. ☐ Verified code signing and provisioning
14. ☐ Tested on physical device

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [davidortinau](https://github.com/davidortinau)
- **Source:** [davidortinau/maui-skills](https://github.com/davidortinau/maui-skills)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-davidortinau-maui-skills-xamarin-ios-migration
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/davidortinau
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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