When a program or game requires access to the Internet or another network computer, it must have access to send information over a network port.To help protect a computer from unauthorized access, a firewall blocks all unnecessary network ports, which prevents a network program from communicating with another computer.
Native Mac apps built with Mac Catalyst can share code with your iPad apps, and you can add more features just for Mac. In macOS Big Sur, you can create even more powerful versions of your apps and take advantage of every pixel on the screen by running them at native Mac resolution. Apps built with Mac Catalyst can now be fully controlled using just the keyboard, access more iOS frameworks, and take advantage of the all-new look of macOS Big Sur. There’s never been a better time to turn your iPad app into a powerful Mac app.
Designed for macOS Big Sur.
When an app built with Mac Catalyst runs on macOS Big Sur, it automatically adopts the new design. The new Maps and Messages apps were built with the latest version of Mac Catalyst.
Get a head start on your native Mac app.
Your iPad app can be made into an excellent Mac app. Now’s the perfect time to bring your app to life on Mac. The latest version of Xcode 12 is all you need. Begin by selecting the “Mac” checkbox in the project settings of your existing iPad app to create a native Mac app that you can enhance further. Your Mac and iPad apps share the same project and source code, making it easy to make changes in one place.
Optimize your interface for Mac.
Your newly created Mac app runs natively, utilizing the same frameworks, resources, and runtime environment as apps built just for Mac. Fundamental Mac desktop and windowing features are added, and touch controls are adapted to the keyboard and mouse. By default, your app will scale to match the iPad’s resolution. On macOS Big Sur, you can choose “Optimize interface for Mac” to use the Mac idiom, running your app using the native resolution on Mac. This gives you full control of every pixel on the screen and allows your app to adopt more controls specific to Mac, such as pull-down menus and checkboxes.
Even more powerful.
The new APIs and behaviors in macOS Big Sur let you create even more powerful Mac apps. Apps can now be fully controlled using just the keyboard. You can create out-of-window and detachable popovers, control window tabbing using new window APIs, and make it easier for users to select photos in your app by using the updated Photos picker. iOS Photos editing extensions can now be built to run on Mac. And your app is even easier to manage when it’s running in the background with improved app lifecycle APIs.
New and updated frameworks.
Mac Catalyst adds support for new and updated frameworks to extend what your apps can do on Mac. HomeKit support means home automation apps can run alongside the Home app on Mac. The addition of the ClassKit framework lets Mac apps track assignments and share progress with teachers and students. Plus, there are updates to many existing frameworks, including Accounts, Contacts, Core Audio, GameKit, MediaPlayer, PassKit, and StoreKit.
Tools and resources.
Download Xcode 12 and use these resources to build native Mac apps with Mac Catalyst.
When a program or game requires access to the Internet or another network computer, it must have access to send information over a network port. To help protect a computer from unauthorized access, a firewall blocks all unnecessary network ports, which prevents a network program from communicating with another computer. Follow the steps below to open ports in your Windows Firewall.
Opening a port in the Windows 8 and Windows 10 Firewall
TipIf you're trying to allow access to a multiplayer computer game, when the game is run, the Windows Firewall prompts you to allow that program access to the Internet.
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click System and Security
- Under Windows Firewall click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall to open a window similar to the picture below.
Opening a port in the Windows Vista and Windows 7 Firewall
TipIf you're trying to allow access to a multiplayer computer game, when the game is run, the Windows Firewall prompts you to allow that program access to the Internet.
- Click Start, in the Search for Programs and Files box, type: firewall and in the found programs click Windows Firewall.
- Click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall on the left column to open a window similar to the picture below.
In the Allowed Programs window, check the box for the program you want to grant access through the Windows Firewall. If you are playing a network game in your local network, only check the Home/Work (Private) box. If you need the program to have Internet access, check the Public box.
Windows XP users
TipIf you're trying to allow access to a multiplayer computer game, when the game is run, the Windows Firewall prompts you to allow that program access to the Internet.
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click Security Center and then Windows Firewall.
- Click Add Program to add a program you want to add as an exception to the Windows Firewall or Add Port if you know the port number you want to open.
Additional information
- See the firewall and port definition for further information and examples of network ports.
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