Of course, it’s also quite possible to develop an app single-handedly, in which case an iOS Developer would oversee all of the following steps themselves. That being said, the development of an iOS product typically involves the following stages. IOS apps are written in Swift or Objective-C and must follow Apple’s strict design, performance, and privacy standards. Android apps use Java or Kotlin and allow more flexibility in design, app stores, and device compatibility. While ChatGPT itself runs on external servers, the iOS front-end handles UI, user input, and communication logic within Apple’s mobile platform.
Step 2: Choose a Programming Language
- IOS development involves creative device applications used for iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers.
- It was developed by iOS developers at Electronic Arts (EA), a video game publishing company.
- It allows shared logic across platforms while accessing native APIs on Apple devices.
- Xamarin is a Microsoft-owned framework that enables cross-platform mobile app development using .NET and C#.
- Data has shown that about 90 percent of iPhone users have downloaded the latest iOS update, whereas only about 10 percent of Android phone users have the latest iteration of their operating system.
For example, Evernote is a robust note-taking app that stores text, links, images, files, and more. The Grammarly app checks content for grammar mistakes and suggests improving your writing. Creating a to-do-list-style productivity app is an excellent exercise for a novice iOS developer.
This account provides access to items such as the Xcode, iOS Software Development Kit, Development videos, and Technical resources. Additionally, these 2 areas will allow a massive proficiency impact in iOS development. With standardization, functionality, and consistency in mind, Apple released native APIs and libraries that are easy to use, stable, and feature-rich. It’s best to have at least an Intel i5 (or an equivalent CPU version) and at least 2. While you can run apps on 8 GB RAM, a bigger capacity allows you to run more apps simultaneously without the dreaded lag. You’ll also need at least 256 GB of disk space though a 512 GB storage is what I recommend.
Experience with APIs and Integrations
Apple’s x.5 updates have historically had fewer features than earlier releases, because Apple is often already transitioning much of its new development to the next-generation version of iOS. We’re just a couple of months way from when iOS 19 will be introduced at WWDC, so Apple is working to get it ready to go. You can then scroll to Software Downloads to check out everything you can install, including the iOS 18.5 developer beta. Amid a tech scene where companies are struggling to find top development talent, iOS Developers stand out as particularly scarce. Because Android is used by a wide variety of devices, you might have to update your app for many, many OS versions, a repetitive task with no creative reward.
Leverage Community Support
IOS developers create and program apps for Apple products, ensuring they meet functional and aesthetic standards. On average, an iOS app developer in India had an annual base salary of ₹3,84,774 per year in March 2024, according to Indeed 6. With the latest Swift Language, Apple has optimized the tools and simplified syntax. Now, you just require a Mac with Xcode installed in it and helpful resources to get started. As every app developer knows, the key to success is to keep going and to try new approaches at every step of the process. If you are searching for professional assistance, try outsourcing with the best iOS app developers.
Interface Builder in Xcode simplifies visual arrangement and connects layout elements to logic. Hiring the right iOS app developer can be an uphill battle, especially if you have a limited budget or HR team. This course is designed like an in-person coding bootcamp to give you the most amount of content and help with the least amount of cost. Master in-demand skills for your workplace with Udemy’s online development and engineering courses. The full compensation package for an iOS developer depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s experience and geographic location.
Alamofire is an open-source HTTP networking library written in Swift for macOS and iOS developers. It provides an easy-to-use API for common networking tasks, simplifying the process of making network requests in iOS applications. An intelligent IDE for macOS and iOS development, AppCode focuses on efficient code navigation, code quality, on-the-fly code analysis, and smart code completion. Besides Swift, it supports Objective-C, C, C++, and many other languages via plugins.
- IOS developers can work in a variety of fields since most industries rely on applications for customer relations or product support.
- Tools such as Swift Playgrounds can be recommended to learn coding; it is an interactive tool designed for new coders.
- Released in 2017, Flutter allows developers to create visually consistent apps for iOS and Android using its own rendering engine and widget system.
- If you’re ready to start preparing for your first iOS developer job, you can build in-demand skills with an industry leader through Meta’s iOS Developer Professional Certificate program.
- It is easier to use than UIKit due to its simplified syntax and real-time visual feedback.
These hard skills can be straightforward to learn, but will require dedicated study. What’s more, the best iOS Developers combine technical expertise with a range of soft skills. These may take additional time to hone, but fortunately, they can be practiced across a range of disciplines. As the CEO of Full Scale, he has helped over 100 tech companies build their software services and development teams.
To develop intuitive and striking iOS apps, iOS developers must understand how iOS works on different Apple devices, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. They should also have at least several years of experience developing iOS apps in Swift, a high-level, multi-paradigm, and fundamental programming language for all Apple platforms. A combination of technical know-how, practical experience, and soft skills is needed to become an iOS developer. You may build a solid foundation in programming, become familiar with the iOS development tools and frameworks, construct your first iOS app, and build a great portfolio by following the instructions provided in this essay. With these qualifications, you can begin exploring employment possibilities and advance your career as an iOS developer. IOS development popularly known as “Apple Development”, is what is ios developer so called because the only recruiter of iOS developers is Apple Inc.
Prepare for your first iOS app developer role with Coursera
Simply put, these apps organize software design on objects or data instead of logic and functions. Most developers opt to maintain their legacy applications in this language rather than integrating them into the Swift framework. Basically, iOS app development is the process of building applications specifically for iOS—Apple’s main operating system. The latter is an OS platform used to run software on mobile devices like iPhones and iPad. If you have ever used an iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch, you have experienced the work of an iOS developer.
When designed for computers, these types of apps run locally (in the computer itself) because they can manage a large database. According to Mondo’s 2020 Salary Guide, iOS Developer salaries range between $90,000 at the low end and $165,000 at the high end. Those numbers increase to $180,000 for a Full-Stack Developer (apps or software).
It supports cross-platform development and provides UI rendering using native elements rather than HTML-based views. NativeScript is moderately easy to use and is suited for developers with web or Angular experience. Required tools include NativeScript CLI, a text editor, Node.js, and Xcode for compiling and deploying apps on Apple devices through the App Store. IOS developers use various skills to create, test, and maintain iOS apps, including programming, user experience (UX), and user interface (UI) skills. An iOS developer candidate is often expected to gain applicable experience in mobile application development for iOS platforms. Knowledge of Objective-C and Swift programming, mobile app IDEs, app development frameworks, Apple OS frameworks and UI/UX design fundamentals are recommended.
Developed by Progress, it allows developers to access native iOS and Android APIs directly, without needing web views. NativeScript bridges JavaScript logic with native components for near-native performance. Ionic supports cross-platform development, targeting iOS, Android, and web from a single codebase.
Designing, testing, and implementing apps requires using development tools like XCode, Interface Builder, and the iOS Simulator as well as having an insight into the special features of the iOS platform. You will start by learning the basics of iOS app development using the Swift programming language and Xcode, Apple’s development environment. Then, you’ll progress to build more complex and advanced applications, using networking, and Apple’s Grand Central Dispatch and Core Data, and will be ready to publish your capstone project to the App Store. Becoming an iOS app developer starts with learning, understanding, and being able to write code in either Swift or Objective-C.
The UI is built using frameworks like UIKit or SwiftUI (View), the app’s data and logic are handled in the Model layer, and the Controller manages input and flow. This structure ensures clean separation of concerns, scalability, and faster debugging, making it standard practice among professional iOS application developers. Senior-level iOS developers have over six years of professional iOS development experience.
You can also download the iOS 18.5 developer beta with your Mac
Titanium supports cross-platform development with strong API support and built-in modules for native UI components. It has a steeper learning curve than web-based frameworks but offers near-native performance and tight control over device capabilities. To use it for iOS apps, developers need the Titanium CLI, Appcelerator Studio, Node.js, and Xcode for packaging and submission to the App Store. Xamarin supports full cross-platform development, but provides better performance when using Xamarin.iOS for Apple devices.
Contract developers
According to CIO’s 2018 State of the CIO survey, 59 percent of CIOs reported problems with skills shortage, with 15 percent specifically reporting a shortage related to mobile development talent. The U.S. Department of Labor also predicts “much faster than average” 24 percent growth in the field by 2026, with an estimate of 302,500 new jobs. That high demand for iOS Developers translates into competitive compensation, with average annual salaries that sit comfortably above the $100,000 mark. And with each programming language and specialized skill you learn, the more compensation you can demand – a combination of both Swift and its predecessor Objective-C is an exceptional way to burnish your resume.