Xamarin was Microsoft’s cross-platform framework for mobile app development with C# and .NET. The service was discontinued on May 1, 2024. Existing apps should be migrated to .NET MAUI.
What was Xamarin?
Xamarin enabled development of native iOS and Android apps with a shared C# codebase. The framework offered two approaches: Xamarin.Forms for UI sharing across platforms (up to 95% code sharing) and Xamarin.iOS/Xamarin.Android for platform-specific development with native UI.
Microsoft officially discontinued Xamarin on May 1, 2024. The successor is .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI), part of .NET 6+. Extended support for Xamarin ends in May 2025. New projects should start directly with .NET MAUI, existing Xamarin apps should be migrated.
Xamarin.Forms projects can be migrated to .NET MAUI relatively easily, as MAUI is based on Xamarin.Forms. Microsoft provides migration tools and detailed documentation. Platform-specific code can often be adopted 1:1.
Typical Use Cases
Legacy App Maintenance (existing apps only)
Maintain existing Xamarin apps until migration to .NET MAUI is complete. Do not start new Xamarin projects. Extended support ends May 2025.
Migration to .NET MAUI
Gradual migration of existing Xamarin.Forms apps to .NET MAUI. Microsoft provides Upgrade Assistant tool for automated migration. Plan migration effort (approximately 20-40% development time for refactoring).
Frequently Asked Questions about Xamarin
Is Xamarin really discontinued?
Yes, on May 1, 2024, Microsoft officially marked Xamarin as End-of-Life. Extended support runs until May 2025, after which no security updates. All new projects should use .NET MAUI.
What is the difference between Xamarin and .NET MAUI?
.NET MAUI is the evolution of Xamarin.Forms with more modern architecture, better performance, and additional platform support (Windows, macOS in addition to iOS/Android). Single Project Structure instead of separate projects per platform. Modern tooling and Hot Reload.
How do I migrate from Xamarin.Forms to .NET MAUI?
Microsoft provides the .NET Upgrade Assistant for automated migration. Typical steps: 1) Migrate project to .NET 6/7/8, 2) Namespace changes (Xamarin.Forms to Microsoft.Maui), 3) Replace deprecated APIs, 4) Adapt platform-specific code. Migration takes 1-8 weeks depending on app complexity.
Can I migrate Xamarin.iOS/Android (not Forms)?
More difficult than Xamarin.Forms. For platform-specific Xamarin code without UI sharing, .NET for iOS/Android is the successor. Alternatively: Complete rewrite in .NET MAUI (if UI sharing desired) or native development (Swift/Kotlin).
Do existing Xamarin apps still work?
Yes, already published apps continue to work. Problems arise with: new iOS/Android versions (no adaptations from Microsoft), new Xcode/Android Studio versions, security vulnerabilities (no patches after May 2025). Migration is urgently recommended.
What alternatives exist to .NET MAUI?
For new cross-platform apps: Flutter (Google, Dart language, very popular), React Native (Meta, JavaScript/TypeScript), or native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android). .NET MAUI makes sense if .NET ecosystem and C# skills are present.
Do I need Azure for Xamarin/MAUI?
No, neither Xamarin nor .NET MAUI require Azure. Both are open-source frameworks developed locally with Visual Studio. Azure offers optional services like App Center (Mobile DevOps), Azure AD B2C (Authentication), or Azure Functions (Backend).
What happens to Azure App Center for Xamarin?
App Center continues to support .NET MAUI. Migration from Xamarin to MAUI in App Center is seamless, only SDK update required. App Center remains the recommended Mobile DevOps solution for Build, Test, Distribution, and Analytics.
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you in migrating from Xamarin to .NET MAUI. We help with assessment of existing Xamarin apps, migration planning, development with .NET MAUI, and optional integration with Azure services for backend, authentication, and mobile DevOps.
Contact us for a non-binding consultation on Xamarin migration and .NET MAUI.
