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Compatible Computer

Compatible Computer

Time Estimate

If you are building with a Mac and Xcode:

  • 5 minutes, if you have a Mac with Sonoma (macOS 14.0) or higher
  • 30-60 minutes, if you need to install macOS updates

Hint: OS stands for Operating System

Build with Browser

If you do not have a Mac, you can build Loop 3 with any computer using a browser. If you want to use that method, review this list and head over to Build with Browser.

Summary

Your computer, iPhone and Xcode must have compatible versions to build the Loop app using a Mac.

If you are buying a Mac specifically to use the build with Mac method, chose one with capabably of being updated to the Sonoma (macOS 14) operating system and at least 256 GB (512 GB is better). The Build with Browser method works on any computer or tablet.

FAQs

  • "Do I need a Mac or Virtual Machine?." Not any more! You can build Loop 3 with any browser on any computer.
  • "I want to use the build with Mac method. Can I use a PC or Windows computer? I don't own an Apple computer." Yes, you can but only if your PC uses Intel chips. Please read this FAQ about using a Virtual Machine.
  • "How often do I need to use the computer if I choose the build with Mac method?" Computer access is required when
    • Initially installing the Loop app
    • Loop app expires (Annually for a paid account or weekly for a free account)
    • Updating to a newer Loop release
    • You do NOT need access to an Apple computer to update your phone iOS, troubleshoot or change Loop settings

If you have access to a computer with MacOS 14.0 or newer, you can skip ahead to Check Space Available.

Compatible Versions

The current release of Loop  requires Xcode version 15 or higher regardless of the iOS on the phone. This requires macOS 13.5 or higher.

  • If your phone is iOS 17.4 or newer, you must have macOS 14.0 or higher.
  • If your phone is iOS 18.0 or newer, you must have macOS 14.5 or higher.
  • As an alternative, use Build with Browser, which supports iOS 15, 16, 17 and 18.

When this page was last updated, macOS 14.6 and Xcode 15.4 were tested to successfully build the app for phones with iOS 15 through iOS 18.0.1. Newer versions, macOS 15 and Xcode 16 work as well.

Release 3.4.2 and newer fix an issue building Loop with Xcode 16. If your current Loop app does not show your expiration date, please rebuild to version 3.4.4 as soon as possible.

The table below lists the minimum requirements to build the current release of Loop 3.4.4. If your macOS or Xcode version is higher, you can build with Mac.

Find your phone iOS in the table below. If your iOS is not listed, e.g., 17.6.1, choose the first row that is less than your iOS.

iOS Version minimum Xcode minimum macOS
18.0 15.4 14.5
17.5 15.4 14.0
17.4 15.3 14.0
15.1 to
17.0		 15.0 13.5

iOS Dictates Your Computer Needs

The more up-to-date you keep your phone iOS, the more up-to-date your computer and macOS needs to be to build the Loop app with the Mac build method. A new build is required at least once a year. More information on iOS is on the Xcode Version page.

There are important security updates that go along with iOS updates. Please install those iOS updates as soon as you can.

Do not use any of the beta macOS versions. (If you don't know what that means, you aren't using one.)

Check Your macOS Version

To find your macOS version, click on the Apple icon in the computer's upper left corner and select About this Mac. The graphic below highlights the macOS version with a red rectangle. Your computer can be a MacBook, iMac, macMini, etc. It will work to build Loop if it has the minimum required macOS version and enough storage.

With the Ventura macOS version, the About this Mac display changed. For Ventura, when you tap on the More Info icon, it opens the General -> About screen from the System Settings menu. This is very similar to the phone Settings -> General -> About screen.

Sonoma, macOS 14.0, was released September 2023.

image showing macOS and system details

If you do not have the required minimum macOS version

  • For macOS 12.6.1 or earlier, check the Software Update button on the screen shown above
  • For macOS 13.0 or later, click on the Apple and choose System Settings
    • Select General and Software Update, just like you would on the phone interface

Apple says upgrading to macOS Sonoma requires 26 GB of available storage.

Check the Space Available

You need to have 50 GB free space in order to install Xcode as directed on the Xcode Version page. At the top of the menu on the graphic above, click on the Storage Tab highlighted with a red rectangle, or, if running Ventura, tap on More Info to open the About screen (under System Settings->General), which includes storage at the bottom of the display.

To free up space, move things like photos to an external drive. The Xcode application cannot be run from an external drive.

If you are evaluating a used computer, it's best to have at least 256 GB total disk space (more is better).

Which Macs Are Compatible with macOS Sequoia?

Sequoia is not yet required for building the Loop app on a phone running iOS 18 or higher with the Mac method. The normal Apple schedule is that you will be required to have this installed by April of the year after the iOS version increments. The only difference between this list and the one for Sonoma is the MacBook Air must be newer for Sequoia.

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later
  • MacBook Air introduced in 2020 or later
  • Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
  • iMac introduced in late 2019 or later
  • iMac Pro introduced in 2017 or later
  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later
  • Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later
  • get the full list from Apple for Sequoia

Which Macs Are Compatible with macOS Sonoma?

Sonoma is required for building the Loop app on a phone running iOS 17.4 or higher with the Mac method. You can install Sonoma on the following:

  • MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later
  • MacBook Air introduced in 2018 or later
  • Mac mini introduced in 2018 or later
  • iMac introduced in late 2019 or later
  • iMac Pro introduced in 2017 or later
  • Mac Studio introduced in 2022 or later
  • Mac Pro introduced in 2019 or later
  • get the full list from Apple for Sonoma

Older Macs

Look into building with GitHub Actions - no need to worry about versions for Mac OS or Xcode - all done for you on GitHub (some configuration required). Works with any computer (PC or Mac or Tablet).

Next Step:

If you already have an Apple Developer ID or you are using a free ID, next step is Xcode Version.

Free ID

The free ID method only works when using the build with Mac method. The Build with Browser method requires a paid developer ID ($99/year) but does not require a Mac computer.