One of the great advantages of Apple’s new ARM architecture for the Mac is that iOS and iPadOS programs can now also be run on the company’s computers. For this purpose, Apple has implemented a new operating strategy in which, for example, the trackpad of a MacBook simulates the screen of an iPhone or iPad. That doesn’t always work very well, but users who thirst for certain mobile apps should accept that – the main thing is that their favorite programs are running.

Big developers don’t (yet) want The problem: By default, by far not all apps are included, because Apple allows developers to opt out if they wish, in order not to use the so-called Unified App Store to show up. The rejection applies to the official application of Facebook as well as to its daughters Instagram and WhatsApp. The iOS version of Facebook Messenger does not run on the Mac either. Google doesn’t always take part either: Google Maps, Google Drive and Gmail are annoyingly missing. Various well-known games have also remained outside so far. And Amazon too initially decided against participating in its Prime Video application.

Like MacRumors now demonstrated in a video, there is a way to still get to beloved iOS and iPadOS apps on the Mac. However, a tool is required for this, the well-known administration tool iMazing. This has also allowed applications to be downloaded from the App Store for a long time, as long as they have been purchased in the regular way. The “Manage Apps” feature also offers the export of complete iOS and iPadOS applications in the form of so-called .ipa files – these were once accessible directly on the Mac via iTunes, which Apple has been preventing for a long time.

Download, click, use First you download the desired application in iMazing. The .ipa file is then written to the desktop or to the download folder via the export menu. Then you move it to the application folder and you only have to run it to start the installation: Voila, the iPhone or iPad app runs on the M1 Mac.

Unfortunately, many of these programs do not work perfectly, after all, they are even less optimized for macOS than applications that are officially approved. For example, many programs lack full screen modes and sometimes crashes. It is worth a try, however. iMazing can be tested free of charge, a license for three devices costs later 45 euros. Alternatively, you can use Apple’s Configurator 2 application to extract .ipa files; however, this is a little less convenient. (bsc)