Q:

Is cordova platform add ios/android necessary?

I am starting to dig into cordova and using Phonegap-Build to test applications on my iPhone. Since I work in a cloud environment (and dont have a mac), I cannot execute the rules to add platforms to my project, ex:
cordova platform add ios
cordova platform add android

From my understanding you only do this when you want to test it in your web browser, is that correct?
Now I assume that when you use Phonegap-Build, and dont add the platforms to your project, but only install the /www folder on your phone (through Build), then everything should work fine... Moreover the platform is already on your phone.
Am I getting this right or does it work otherwise?

A:

You, and many others, seem to have missed the point of Phonegap Build.
You do not need to add ANY platforms on your computer.
Phonegap Build is a cloud service that builds everything for you in the cloud! That is the point. You only need your HTML, JS and CSS (and images). You use the config.xml file to the following things, things you would do in a command line if you were using Phonegap.

set the platforms you want to build on: iOS, Android, Windows etc.
choose the plugins you want to use including those that access native features like the camera or geolocation

Read the Phonegap Build docs. It's all in there and its very simple.
The only thing you cannot do, in terms of iOS if you have no Mac, is you cannot actually release your app on the App Store. You can make a working apk and install on an iPhone though.  

