Cross-Platform App Development Made Easy with .NET MAUI

4 min readJan 31, 2025

Building an app for multiple platforms has never been simple. Juggling different codebases, debugging platform-specific issues, and maintaining consistency can drain resources. In 2024, the mobile app development industry saw over 218 billion app downloads, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year.

To address these challenges, .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) offers a way out. It’s Microsoft’s latest evolution in cross-platform development, allowing developers to write a single codebase and deploy it on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. With stable tooling, adoption numbers for .NET MAUI are at an all-time high, and developer engagement is impressive.

Why .NET MAUI? A Quick Look at the Numbers

Before diving in, let’s check some facts:

Cross-platform development saves time. According to Statista, 38% of developers prefer cross-platform tools over native development due to efficiency.
.NET is widely adopted. With over 6 million .NET developers worldwide, Microsoft’s ecosystem continues to expand.
Performance matters. .NET MAUI builds on Xamarin but removes limitations, improving performance and reducing complexity.

If you’ve struggled with maintaining multiple codebases, .NET MAUI might be what you need.

One Codebase, Multiple Platforms

The biggest advantage? One project, one codebase, multiple outputs. No more writing separate Swift, Kotlin, or Java code.

Here’s how it works:

Shared UI & Logic: Write C# and XAML once and use it across platforms.
Native Controls: Unlike some cross-platform frameworks, .NET MAUI doesn’t just mimic native elements — it uses them.
Performance Optimizations: MAUI uses .NET 6+ runtime, improving execution speed and memory management.

UI Development with .NET MAUI

How does UI design work in MAUI? Simple. It uses XAML for defining UI elements and C# for business logic.

A basic MAUI button in XAML looks like this:

And in C#:

private void OnButtonClicked(object sender, EventArgs e)

{

((Button)sender).Text = “Clicked!”;

}

Easy, right?

For developers familiar with Xamarin, MAUI feels natural, but it’s more streamlined. No need for separate projects for each platform — everything stays in one place.

Native APIs & Device Features

.NET MAUI provides direct access to platform-specific APIs. Need to use GPS, camera, or notifications? MAUI handles that.

Example:

var location = await Geolocation.GetLastKnownLocationAsync();

That works on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS without extra effort.

Performance and Hot Reload

Two things developers love: speed and instant feedback.

.NET MAUI supports .NET 7+ optimizations, meaning faster execution and lower memory use. Plus, Hot Reload lets you see UI changes immediately without restarting the app.

Integration with Blazor for Web & Desktop

Want a single codebase for mobile, desktop, and web? .NET MAUI supports Blazor Hybrid Apps, allowing you to reuse Blazor components within a MAUI app.

This is useful if you already have a Blazor web app and want to extend it to mobile with minimal effort.

Testing & Debugging Across Platforms

Testing cross-platform apps can be painful, but MAUI simplifies it:

.NET MAUI supports automated UI testing through Appium and other frameworks.
Emulators & Simulators: Debug directly on Windows, Mac, or emulated devices.
Hot Reload: No need to restart the app for minor changes.

.NET MAUI vs. Other Cross-Platform Frameworks

How does .NET MAUI compare to other tools like Flutter and React Native?

.NET MAUI offers deep platform integration and native controls, making it ideal for performance-intensive applications.

Migration from Xamarin to .NET MAUI

If you’re already using Xamarin, migrating to .NET MAUI is straightforward:

Update project files to .NET 7 or later.
Adjust dependencies and namespaces.
Modify platform-specific code.

Microsoft provides detailed migration guides, ensuring minimal disruption.

Who Should Use .NET MAUI?

.NET developers looking to expand to mobile and desktop.
Businesses wanting cost-effective cross-platform solutions.
Startups needing fast app development without maintaining multiple codebases.

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

While .NET MAUI simplifies development, challenges exist:

Learning Curve: If you’re new to XAML, expect some learning time. C# developers usually adapt quickly.
Limited Third-Party Libraries: While growing, MAUI’s ecosystem isn’t as vast as Flutter or React Native yet.
Mac Requirement for iOS: If you plan to develop for iOS, you still need macOS for builds.

Future of .NET MAUI

Microsoft continues investing in .NET MAUI, with updates planned for better performance, new controls, and more integrations.

Ready to Build with .NET MAUI?

If you’re looking for .NET development services to build a cross-platform app, the right expertise can save you time and effort.

Want to get started? Hire .NET developers who understand MAUI inside out and can help bring your project to life.