[BUG] MLX doesn't publish iOS-compatible wheels
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- Dominant language
- C++
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Description
Describe the bug
As of Python 3.14, Python supports iOS. However, mlx only publishes binary wheels for macOS. As a result, it's not possible to use MLX on iOS hardware.
To Reproduce
Use Briefcase to package a Python app for iOS that includes mlx as a dependency.
Expected behavior
A clear and concise description of what you expected to happen.
Desktop (please complete the following information):
- OS Version: macOS 26, iOS 26.
- Version: all
Additional context
I am a member of the CPython core team, the author of PEP 730 (which added support for iOS), and the maintainer of Briefcase. I'm eager to provide any technical assistance that would move this forward.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start by reproducing the issue with Briefcase when packaging a Python app for iOS with mlx as a dependency, then inspect the project's wheel build and release configuration. Done means MLX publishes binary wheels that can be installed and packaged for iOS hardware alongside the existing macOS wheels.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- cpp, ios, python
- Domain
- build-system, machine-learning, mobile-dev
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100