Migrating from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI

Make your move today and propel your apps into tomorrow

.NET MAUI vs Xamarin

.NET MAUI and Xamarin stand out as two powerful platforms. As .NET Multi-platform App UI emerges as the successor to Xamarin.Forms, MAUI continues its legacy with enhanced features and capabilities. Both frameworks offer a rich set of features. While their common ground is essentially the same, advancements in .NET MAUI significantly elevate the development experience, offering a glimpse into the future of app development. Let’s compare how .NET MAUI’s performance and features stack up against Xamarin.

Feature

Xamarin

.NET MAUI

Project structure

Requires separate projects for each platform.

Single project for multiple platforms, utilizing the Resources folder for assets.

Library unification

Separate Xamarin.Essentials library.

Merges Xamarin.Essentials into MAUI for direct access to common services and sensors.

Hot reloads

Does not support hot reloads in the same capacity.

Allows editing of source code and XAML on the fly, enabling real-time observation of changes.

Framework integration

Based on .NET Core 3.1.

Integrated with .NET 6, allowing the use of new C#10 and .NET 6 features.

Renderers

Uses custom renderers.

Utilizes slim renderers for a more lightweight app and enhanced development experience.

Graphics APIs

Lacks direct graphics APIs, requires native side renderers.

Provides direct cross-platform graphics functionality for drawing and painting.

Microsoft support

No longer available.

Actively developed and supported.

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Why you should migrate from Xamarin to MAUI

As technology progresses, your app development tools need to keep up. Microsoft has announced that support for Xamarin.Forms will end on May 1, 2024. After that date, Xamarin apps won’t get bug fixes, security updates, or new features, which may cause issues with newer versions of Android and iOS. Developers will also be unable to deploy updates or new Xamarin-based apps to the Google Play or Apple App Store. At Innowise, we understand how important .NET MAUI is for the future of cross-platform development, and we’re dedicated to helping businesses smoothly transition to this advanced framework.

Our MAUI migration services

We offer end-to-end migration services to transition your existing Xamarin.Forms applications to .NET MAUI, facilitating a smooth and successful upgrade process.

Consulting

Kicking off with a deep dive into the MAUI framework, we introduce clients to .NET MAUI benefits and advancements. This stage thoroughly assesses the project’s scope and understanding of MAUI’s new features and capabilities.

Codebase analysis

Our team analyzes your current app’s codebase, dependencies, APIs, and architecture. We identify components that can be reused or need to be refactored for the MAUI platform. This includes a detailed backup management strategy for critical data.

Code optimization

Our professionals tackle platform-specific code to ensure your app is compatible with the .NET MAUI framework. We refactor your code to leverage MAUI’s cross-platform capabilities while optimizing for seamless operation.

UI/UX enhancement

With .NET MAUI’s powerful UI/UX features, Innowise enhances your app’s design and user experience, optimizing for both mobile and desktop environments. We aim to design intuitive and aesthetically-pleasing interfaces.

Customizations

Our expertise extends to implementing platform-specific customizations so that an application takes full advantage of .NET MAUI’s capabilities. This way your app will deliver a native look and feel on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and tvOS.

Testing and quality assurance

Our team conducts exhaustive testing across multiple platforms and devices to pinpoint and rectify any issues. Utilizing Visual Studio’s debugging tools and conducting beta testing with user groups, Innowise aims for the highest quality and performance.

Deployment

We prepare your app for launch, updating app metadata, icons, and screenshots to meet app store requirements. Our team handles the submission process to the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and other platforms, providing compliance and smooth approval.

Ongoing support

Understanding that software applications may encounter issues or require updates, Innowise provides continuous support and maintenance services. We stand by our clients post-launch to ensure their applications perform consistently and remain up to date.

Craft once with precision, reach all with vision

Leverage a single codebase to bring your app to Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and tvOS, expanding your audience.

Migration process

Transitioning from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI is a significant step, yet with a clear plan and expert advice, it can be both smooth and efficient. Here’s a structured guide to ensure a seamless migration.

Strategic planning

We collaborate with your team to draft a precise plan that aligns with your unique needs and objectives. Our experts evaluate your current framework, pinpoint potential hurdles, and develop strategies to reduce risks and enhance efficiency.

Technical guidance

Our team is on hand to offer technical advice, helping you manage the migration’s complexities. From pausing Xamarin development to moving over to MAUI, our specialists handle each step with attention to detail and deliberate action.

Install Visual Studio 2022

.NET MAUI calls for Visual Studio 2022, so we help you get this key platform set up in your development environment. We make certain your setup is optimized for high productivity and aligned with the latest tech standards.

Review third-party packages

Evaluating third-party packages is a complex task, and our professionals have the skills to tackle it. We carefully review your app’s dependencies, find MAUI-compatible options, and guide you through decisions that maintain functionality and performance levels.

Address custom renderers

Custom renderers are essential for your app’s interface and need a strategic approach when transitioning to .NET MAUI. Our experts review your custom renderers, explore opportunities for optimization, and provide customized solutions to facilitate a smooth transition while keeping your app’s features intact.

Moving forward, .NET MAUI is starting a fresh chapter in cross-platform development, picking up where Xamarin.Forms left off and redefining app development. This framework lets us develop for multiple platforms using just one codebase, improving performance and making development more straightforward. By switching to .NET MAUI, we’re not just keeping up with tech trends – we’re setting a new standard for what’s great in our industry.

Eugene Shapovalov

Head of Mobile Development at Innowise

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What our customers think

We are delighted with Innowise's commitment to delivering quality work and solving issues quickly. They lead an engaged approach to understanding the team's needs and accomplishing their goals.

Or Iny CEO Zero Beta

Our team was happy with Innowise's work; they met specifications at a competitive hourly rate. The team improved with deadlines through requirement adjustments partway through the project. Their efficient onboarding process was a highlight.

Marco Wülser Project Manager IMT

They’ve exceeded our expectations and are responsive when we request for changes or ask for more information. Their communication is easy and efficient. They have a strong understanding of the task at hand, enabling them to offer the most suitable development approach.

Ilya Radniany CEO Duck.design

FAQ

Why migrate from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI?

Migrating from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI provides significant benefits, including improved application performance, a streamlined development process through a unified project structure, and the ability to leverage the latest .NET 6 features. This transition ensures applications are ready to meet future technological demands, offering a more robust and flexible foundation for cross-platform app development.

How long does the migration process typically take?

The duration of the migration process from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI can vary greatly. It typically depends on the complexity of the app, the extent of platform-specific customizations, and the overall size of the codebase. For a medium-sized application, the process might take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, while larger, more complex applications could require several months to complete the migration successfully.

What is the cost of Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI migration services?

The cost of migrating from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI can differ greatly based on various factors such as the application’s complexity, the need for additional features or re-architecture, and the rates charged by the service provider. Prices generally start from a few thousand dollars for simpler applications, escalating for more complex projects that require extensive redevelopment and testing.

Will my app continue to support iOS and Android after migration?

Following the migration to .NET MAUI, applications will continue to support iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, .NET MAUI expands support to include macOS and Windows, allowing for a universal application experience across all major desktop and mobile platforms, thus enhancing the app’s accessibility and potential user base.

Contact us!

Book a call or fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you once we’ve processed your request.

What happens next?

Once we’ve received and processed your request, we’ll get back to you to detail your project needs and sign an NDA to ensure confidentiality.

After examining your wants, needs, and expectations, our team will devise a project proposal with the scope of work, team size, time, and cost estimates.

We’ll arrange a meeting with you to discuss the offer and nail down the details.

Finally, we’ll sign a contract and start working on your project right away.

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Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI migration services

.NET MAUI vs Xamarin

Why you should migrate from Xamarin to MAUI

Enhanced performance and scalability

Unified development experience

Better UI/UX

Increased platform support

Our MAUI migration services

Consulting

Codebase analysis

Code optimization

UI/UX enhancement

Customizations

Testing and quality assurance

Deployment

Ongoing support