Starting with Xojo 2022r4 we’ve helped you clarify the minimum operating system needed for your compiled desktop apps to run on. You will be able to set the macOS minimum version required to run your compiled apps. Plus updated “Runs On” build settings for Windows 10/11 and Windows 7/8 compatibility. Continue reading to learn how!
macOS Minimum Version
This new build setting is available in the Build Settings panel for desktop projects when the macOS entry is selected in the Navigator panel. It defaults to macOS 10.14.0 if nothing is entered; that is the minimum macOS version supported by Xojo as stated in the Minimum Requirements section of the Xojo documentation for deployed apps.
But you can certainly set a lower value in that field. Though you do so at your own risk since it will be below the minimum macOS version supported by Xojo. We know that many solutions out there will run without problems if you set a lower macOS version, but in more complex projects, or depending on the controls or framework functionality your app may be using, it may not work as you hope! Thus, make sure to test your macOS apps thoroughly when setting the minimum macOS version lower than the current supported one.
What happens if you set the macOS minimum version to a value higher than the one used by the computer you are using for developing and debugging your solutions from the IDE? Let’s say you are running Xojo under macOS 12.6.2 but you intend to build the final app for macOS 13.x. In that case, you’re safe! When debugging the app from the IDE the value entered in the macOS Minimum version Build Setting will have no effect, so you will continue debugging your code without problems.
It is only when you build the final app, using for example macOS 13.0 as the macOS Minimum Version in the Build Settings, and try to run it from a lower macOS version when you (or your users) will see a dialog similar to this one:
Build Settings for Windows
This updated build setting is available in the Build Settings panel for desktop projects when the Windows entry is selected in the Navigator panel. Now, the ability to set the app’s compatibility with Windows 10 and Windows 11 is set out very clearly. Additionally, compatibility with Windows 7 and Windows 8 is still possible but clearly marked as not officially Xojo supported versions.
So, as you can see, now it is possible to set more clearly the minimum OS versions both for your macOS and Windows apps using Xojo!
Javier Menendez is an engineer at Xojo and has been using Xojo since 1998. He lives in Castellón, Spain and hosts regular Xojo hangouts en español. Ask Javier questions on Twitter at @XojoES or on the Xojo Forum.