Elain Brown Tech 08.30.2022 21:Aug PM EDT

Apple's Xcode Cloud Now Offers More Compute Hours for Developers

Apple developers can now avail extended compute hours in Xcode Cloud.

The tech company just released a new subscription plan for developers to choose.

After spending more than a year in closed beta testing, Apple made Xcode Cloud accessible to all developers earlier this year.

Xcode Cloud is a platform that was initially revealed at WWDC 2021. During its first year of operation, however, only invited developers were able to subscribe to Xcode Cloud.

However, starting today, developers are now able to sign up for the most recent Xcode Cloud subscriptions as of today.

After previously having increased access to the platform, Apple is now giving developers the option to purchase additional compute hours on Xcode Cloud if they need them.

Apple's Xcode Cloud for Developers

Apple's Xcode Cloud access was expanded for all developers during WWDC 2022; however, this only applies to the free plan that provides 25 compute hours per month.

According to Apple, with this news, developers now have the ability to upgrade their subscriptions to plans that include extra compute hours beginning today.

Apple claims that from now until the end of 2023, any user who configures a workflow in Xcode will receive 25 hours of compute time each month for free.

In the event that developers require additional hours, they are able to purchase them through a subscription in the Apple Developer app.

Xcode Cloud is a cloud service built on Xcode. It is developed exclusively for Apple developers and teams of all sizes.

Xcode Cloud enables developers to speed up the process of developing and delivering high-quality applications.

This is accomplished through using cloud-based tools that assist developers in building their applications; running automated tests; distributing apps to testers; and helping developers view feedback from users.

Apple's Newest Subscription for Xcode Cloud

After its beta testing, Xcode Cloud became available to all developers in June of this year. However, developers were unable to buy subscriptions until today.

According to MacRumors, Apple now offers a total of four different monthly plans available for developers to select from, each of which is differentiated based on the required total number of compute hours.

At the moment, the 25 compute hours that are provided each month are provided free of charge, but in the future, they will cost $15 each month.

100 compute hours in Xcode Cloud will cost $50 monthly, while using it for 250 hours in a month costs $100, and using it for 1000 hours in a month costs $400.

Apple says that developers have the ability to switch between different plans at any time. In addition, the company emphasizes that the free plan is a limited offer that is only available to developers who are participants in the Apple Developer Program. The plan with 25 compute hours will cost $14.99 per month in 2024.

A task that is carried out in the cloud, such as the creation of an application or the execution of tests, takes one hour of time, which is referred to as a compute hour. Both the Apple Developer app and the App Store Connect website will help users determine their usage of compute hours.