Welcome to .NET MAUI Documentation

This documentation provides comprehensive guidance on building cross-platform native applications using .NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI). .NET MAUI is an evolution of Xamarin.Forms that allows you to create native UIs for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows from a single, shared C# codebase.

What is .NET MAUI?

.NET MAUI is a framework for building native UIs for desktop and mobile apps with C# and XAML. It extends the expressiveness of the UI development you already know with .NET, and continues the best of Xamarin.Forms, giving you the ability to create apps that run on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows from a single project.

Key Benefits:

  • Single Project: Manage all your platform-specific code and assets in one project.
  • Native Performance: Renders native UI controls on each platform.
  • Code Sharing: Maximize code reuse across Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.
  • Modern .NET: Leverages the latest features of the .NET platform.
  • Extensible: Easily extend or replace framework parts.

Getting Started

To begin building apps with .NET MAUI, you'll need to set up your development environment. This involves installing the .NET SDK and the .NET MAUI workload.

You can find detailed instructions in the Getting Started section.

Core Concepts

Understanding the core concepts of .NET MAUI is crucial for effective development. Explore the following key areas:

  • XAML: Learn how to define your user interface using declarative XAML, which separates UI from logic.
  • C# Markup: Discover an alternative to XAML for defining UIs programmatically in C#.
  • Controls: Familiarize yourself with the rich set of built-in UI controls available for creating your app's interface.
  • Layouts: Understand how to arrange controls on the screen using various layout containers like Grid, StackLayout, and FlexLayout.
  • Data Binding: Master the concept of data binding to synchronize data between your UI and your application logic.
  • MVVM: Implement the Model-View-ViewModel architectural pattern for better code organization and testability.

Tip:

Start with the official .NET MAUI samples repository on GitHub for practical examples.

Platform APIs

.NET MAUI provides access to native platform APIs, allowing you to leverage device-specific features like sensors, file system access, and more. Explore the Platform APIs section for details.

Deployment

Once your application is ready, you'll need to deploy it to your target platforms. Learn about the deployment processes for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows in the Deployment section.

Community and Support

Join the thriving .NET MAUI community! You can find help and share your knowledge on various forums and community channels.