A significant number of mobile-first applications can be found on the Mac App Store for Macs equipped with Apple silicon. In theory, these Macs are capable of executing any iPhone or iPad application; however, the choice to enable this functionality lies with the app developers. There are various reasons a developer might choose not to extend their iPhone app to Mac. They may wish to avoid optimizing for larger screens, may have technical issues to resolve, or simply might not be keen on supporting an additional platform.

This decision can be frustrating for users wanting to utilize these apps on their Macs. Fortunately, there is a semi-effective way to access these applications. PlayCover is an application designed to run almost any iPhone app, at least in concept. The challenge is obtaining compatible versions of these applications to use with it.

Navigating the iOS Encryption Challenge

Apple secures applications available on the App Store through encryption, which prevents direct downloads or installations—you must utilize the App Store to obtain them. The primary workaround involves jailbreaking an iPhone and employing tools that can decrypt apps. This method allows users to create .ips files from the applications they’ve either downloaded or purchased, making them compatible with PlayCover.

Alternatively, one could procure .ips files from unofficial sources, as there are some websites that facilitate this. However, this approach poses significant security risks, as it entails trusting potentially harmful software from unknown entities. This is not an advisable action, primarily due to the hidden dangers such as malware that could be embedded in those files. Furthermore, this practice often infringes upon copyright laws, specifically in regard to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, since it allows bypassing App Store encryption.

Limitations of PlayCover

Given the considerations mentioned, it is worth noting that PlayCover does allow for some iPhone apps to run on Macs. For instance, I successfully launched the iPhone version of Duolingo on my Mac. This is particularly beneficial, as the web version lacks numerous features found in the mobile application. Nonetheless, the experience is not identical; unlike the actual iPhone application, automatic updates are not available.

Aside from Duolingo, several other iPhone applications and games either failed to open or could not successfully log in on my Mac. Additionally, since these applications are effectively outside the Apple ecosystem, users lose access to in-app purchases and cannot make new transactions. This presents an imperfect scenario; while it enables the usage of software otherwise unavailable, it comes with considerable limitations.

Despite these drawbacks, PlayCover incorporates several clever features for controlling touch-optimized games. Users can map keyboard keys to emulate gamepad functions, enabling play of compatible games using a keyboard. If that functionality falls short, it also allows for key assignments to mimic screen taps, enabling control of games through keyboard inputs. While some initial setup is required, this functionality can facilitate playing touchscreen-optimized games using traditional input methods.

Thanks to Apple silicon advancements, the iPhone, iPad, and Mac have become interconnected platforms. Theoretically, there are no barriers stopping users from running iPhone applications on their Macs. Nevertheless, it is advisable for the average user to stay within the confines of the iPad applications available in the Mac App Store for a smoother experience.