Introducing OpenSilver 3.2

OpenSilver 3.2 Brings WPF Apps to iOS, Android, and Beyond via MAUI Hybrid!

TL;DR

  • OpenSilver 3.2 now integrates .NET MAUI Hybrid, enabling WPF-compatible apps on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux (via Photino), and Web from a single codebase
  • Practical migration path – OpenSilver implements a growing subset of WPF API, preserving your existing skills and code investments
  • Native + consistent – Like Blazor Hybrid, a WebView is used for pixel-perfect consistency across platforms, while C# is compiled to native and gets direct access to device APIs (camera, sensors, files, notifications…). Apps can be published to Apple’s App Store, Google Play, and other native apps marketplaces
  • Free and open-source – MIT licensed with full source code on GitHub
  • Complete tooling – Visual Studio and VS Code extensions (VSIX) with cross-platform XAML designer (also available online at XAML.io)
  • See it in action – Two sample applications demonstrate cross-platform deployment and native API integration
  • Attend the launch webinar on April 8 at 11 AL ET (register)
  • Dozens of improvements – Read the full changelog below!

Today we’re launching OpenSilver 3.2, a major update that brings WPF applications to mobile platforms through .NET MAUI Hybrid integration. Our mission is to enable .NET developers to deploy their applications everywhere, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux (via Photino), and Web from a single WPF-compatible codebase.

WPF Goes Cross-Platform with OpenSilver 3.2
WPF Everywhere with OpenSilver 3.2: From Desktop to Web to Mobile

WPF Applications Go Mobile

Until now, OpenSilver has focused on bringing WPF and Silverlight applications to modern web browsers. With version 3.2, we’re expanding this reach to mobile and desktop app stores through integration with .NET MAUI Hybrid. This approach combines the consistency of web-based UI rendering with the power of native .NET runtime.

How It Works

OpenSilver 3.2 leverages .NET MAUI Hybrid to deliver your WPF-compatible UI through WebView while compiling C# business logic to native code. This approach:

  • Maintains a single XAML/C# codebase across platforms
  • Provides access to native device APIs through MAUI
  • Enables app store distribution
  • Preserves a consistent UI across all platforms

To support this capability, we’ve added a new project template that creates a MAUI Hybrid app with OpenSilver integration. Existing OpenSilver applications can easily add mobile support by adding a MAUI Hybrid project to their solution.

OpenSilver 3.2 ‘New Project’ dialog inside Visual Studio
OpenSilver 3.2 ‘New Project’ dialog inside Visual Studio

Demo Applications

We’ve published two sample applications that demonstrate these capabilities:

1. A full-featured task management application with native calendar integration, available on App Store, Google Play, and other platforms

Sample Cross-Platform OpenSilver 3.2 App
Sample Cross-Platform OpenSilver 3.2 App

2. The OpenSilver Showcase application has been updated to demo native platform API integration, such as sensors, vibration, location, flashlight, notifications, file access, and more. We plan to add more demos in the coming weeks.

Native API access samples in the updated OpenSilver Showcase app

Both applications share a single WPF-compatible codebase that runs on web, mobile, and desktop, with platform-specific functionality isolated to conditional statements.

Enhanced WPF Compatibility

In addition to MAUI Hybrid integration, OpenSilver 3.2 includes significant enhancements to WPF compatibility:

  • Right-to-left support: Full bidirectional text and layout support for RTL languages
  • WPF-like event bubbling: Enhanced event routing that matches WPF behavior
  • Advanced animations: Support for WPF-style animation techniques
  • VirtualizingStackPanel improvements: Better performance for large collections
  • Mobile scroll inertia: Smooth, native-feeling scrolling on touch devices

Visual Studio & VS Code Integration

OpenSilver 3.2 features enhanced tooling support with:

  • Extensions available for the first time in the Visual Studio Marketplace, and in the VS Code Marketplace
  • The first-ever XAML designer for VS Code with drag-and-drop capabilities (try it online at XAML.io)
  • AI-assisted XAML design features
  • Comprehensive project templates for web, MAUI Hybrid, and desktop
The OpenSilver extension for VS Code, featuring a XAML designer
The OpenSilver extension on VS Code, featuring a XAML designer

Migration Considerations

For teams considering migration from WPF to OpenSilver with MAUI Hybrid, here are key factors to consider:

  • OpenSilver supports a growing subset of WPF, with the goal of enabling more complex applications over time
  • Web and mobile platforms require moving direct database access and file I/O to backend services
  • Some Windows-specific APIs will need alternatives
  • A service-based architecture is recommended for data operations

Despite these considerations, migration complexity scales with application size—from hours for small applications to a few months for enterprise solutions with hundreds of thousands of lines of code. The benefit is a single codebase that can target virtually any platform.

Looking Ahead

Having completed full Silverlight support, our development focus is now on expanding WPF compatibility. Upcoming features include:

  • Expanded third-party component support
  • Enhanced XAML.io online designer capabilities
  • Integration with Blazor components
  • Designer support in Rider
  • 3D user interfaces via XRSharp.io
  • A yet-to-be disclosed feature to be released in 2025

Launch Webinar

We’ll host a launch webinar on April 8, 2025, at 11 AM ET, featuring a live demo of cross-platform development, migration strategies, and Q&A with the development team. Register here!

Get Started Today

OpenSilver 3.2 is available immediately through:

Other resources:

For teams with complex migration needs, our experts can help accelerate your path to cross-platform deployment. Contact us at opensilver.net/contact.

Other improvements in OpenSilver 3.2

  • Implement EventManager
      • Register new routed events
      • Register class handlers
  • Flow direction
      • Implement layout mirroring
      • Add support for mixed LeftToRight and RightToLeft flow direction
  • Animations
      • Add multiple targets support to Storyboards
      • Add support for animations without Storyboard on UIElements
  • Improve scrolling on touch devices
      • Implement panning support
      • Implement scroll inertia
  • VirtualizingStackPanel scrolling improvements: ItemsControl can now adjust the scrolling speed, which can make it smoother when displayed items are very large.
  • Multiple other small improvements
    • Implement BindsToWayByDefault, DefaultUpdateSourceTrigger, IsNotDataBindable property for FrameworkPropertyMetadata
    • Implement Visibility.Hidden
    • Add MousePoint, Absolute, Relative placement modes to Popup
    • Implement Control.MouseDoubleClick routed event

And dozens more… Check the full list in the GitHub Commits History.

Previous release: OpenSilver 3.1

It introduced the first-ever XAML designer for VS Code, and a modern UI theme. If you missed it, catch up through the links below:

Previous release: OpenSilver 3.1

It introduced the first-ever XAML designer for VS Code, and a modern UI theme. If you missed it, catch up through the links below:

Read the announcement

Press Kit

For media inquiries, please send an email to: Vasil Buraliev Media Relations at Userware [email protected]

Press Release:

High resolution logo: