How do I deploy an App Designer Application to a Standalone Desktop App?

I designed an app using MATLAB App Designer and now I want to deploy my app as a standalone application using MATLAB Compiler, so that users without MATLAB can still use my app.

How can I do this?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

After performing the following steps, you will have generated an executable file for the MATLAB App Designer application (MLAPP), which you can send to end users. The end users can run the executable file, which will install the app along with MATLAB Runtime (MCR), which allows users without MATLAB to use the app. 

The simplest way to create an executable file for an App Designer app is to select Share > Standalone Desktop App from the DESIGNER tab, as shown in the screenshot below:

This will open the Application Compiler app where you can configure the MATLAB Runtime packaging and other application information:

As you enter information into the Application Compiler app, MATLAB creates and saves a PRJ file continuously. The PRJ file enables you to quit and resume the app creation process where you left off, and to do faster deployment iterations.

More information on Applicaion Compiler can be found in the following documentation link: (along with links to other informative webpages)

https://www.mathworks.com/help/compiler/create-standalone-app-using-application-compiler-app.html

NOTE: More advanced command-line based approaches are also available for compiling App Designer applications. You can use functions such as "mcc" or "compiler.build.standaloneApplication", but instead of an M-file, you specify an MLAPP-file:

appFile = "app1.mlapp";
% using mcc
mcc -m appFile
% using compiler.build.standaloneApplication (R2020b and later)
buildResults = compiler.build.standaloneApplication(appFile);

For more information, refer to the following:

https://www.mathworks.com/help/compiler/create-standalone-app-from-matlab-function.html