Apple still charges a $99 yearly developer fee, even if you don't want to publish your app on the Appstore. The provisioning certificate that Xcode provides only lasts one week.

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Apple charges a $99 yearly developer fee even if you don't want to publish your app on the Appstore. The provisioning certificate in Xcode provides temporary access to the app on your device. Apple's Appstore guidelines can be confusing, making it difficult to publish niche hobby applications.

Apple doesn’t want you developing hobby apps

Wait, why am I paying for an app that’s not being distributed?

<p>Can’t tell anything on their hardware, they build good quality piece of machine. But it’s all about $$$.
I prefer running with Linux and android. It’s not the same, it’s raw, less usefriendly (for most), but it’s “mine”.</p>
