According to Apple, there are over 20 million registered app developers on iOS. However, these figures don't reflect "active" developers. A more accurate estimate would be 1.6 million active Objective-C developers and 2.1million Swift developers (the two primary languages app development companies use for iOS development).
With this in mind, does the market have room
for more iOS Developers? Absolutely! Mobile app
development companies are still one of the top businesses. Anyone with
an idea for an app can develop it, but not everyone knows how.
Ways to Build an iOS App
There are three main ways to go about this.
1. iOS app builders
These online platforms allow you to create an
app without coding knowledge. All you need to do is input your app's
information, such as the name, purpose, and target market, and the platform
will take care of the rest.
One such example is AppyPie. It's an app
maker that doesn't require coding and lets you create an iOS app in minutes.
The downside is that you'll have limited control over your app's design and
functionality.
If you're not too concerned about having a
cutting-edge, bespoke app, then using an app builder could be the way to go. If
you want more control over your app's design and features, or if you want to
eventually submit it to the App Store, you'll need to learn how to code.
2. Learn iOS development
If you want more control over your app and to
create something unique, then learning iOS development is the way to go.
It's not as difficult as it may seem,
especially if you have some coding knowledge already. However, learning the
ropes will still take time and effort.
Step 1: Choose an iOS Language
You can use two languages to develop iOS
apps: Objective-C and Swift.
Objective-C has been around for a while and
was the standard language for developing iOS apps up until 2014. It's a
powerful but complicated language that can be difficult to learn.
Swift is a newer language that Apple
developed in 2014. It's much easier to learn than Objective-C and is now the
recommended language for developing iOS apps.
If you're just starting, we recommend learning
Swift. It will simplify the learning process and give you valuable skills that
will be in demand for years.
Step 2: Find an iOS App Development Tutorial that Best Fits Your Learning Style.
There are many ways to learn Swift and iOS
app development. You can find free tutorials online, enroll in an online
course, or attend an in-person Bootcamp.
The method you choose will depend on your
learning style and how much time and money you're willing to invest.
If you want to learn for free, many excellent
resources are available online. Apple has its own Swift programming language
guide that covers the basic concepts of the language.
Once you've learned the basics of Swift, you
can move on to more advanced tutorials that will teach you how to develop iOS
apps.
Step 3: Enrol in the Apple Developer Program
Once you've learned how to develop iOS apps,
you'll need to enrol in the Apple Developer Program. This will give you access
to the tools and resources you need to build, test, and submit your app to the
App Store.
The annual membership fee varies for individuals
and businesses.
Step 4: Download XCode
After you've enrolled in the Apple Developer
Program, you can download XCode from the Mac App Store. XCode is the IDE
(integrated development environment) you'll use to develop iOS apps.
Step 5: Create Your First iOS App
Now that you have everything you need, it's
time to start building your app!
There are many different ways to approach
this, but we recommend starting with a simple app first. This will help you get
a feel for the development process and allow you to experiment with different
features.
Once you've built a few simple apps, you can
start working on something more complex.
Step 6: Test & Deploy Your App
Before you submit your app to the App Store,
you'll need to test it on a physical device. This is because the iOS simulator
included with XCode doesn't support all of the features of a real device.
You can either use your apple device or use a
device rental service. Once you've tested your app and proven it's working
correctly, you're ready to deploy it to the App Store!
There are many different ways to develop iOS
apps, but these steps will give you a solid foundation to get started. With
time and effort, you'll be able to create amazing apps that people will love to
use.
3. Find An iOS Developer
If you finally decide that you cannot build
your app, you will need to hire app developers. You
can find many developers online, but choosing someone experienced and reputable
is important.
Here are some tips for finding an iOS
developer:
Check out online portfolios: When you're looking for a developer, the first place you
should start is online. Many developers have their websites or portfolios that
you can peruse. This will give you a good idea of their work style and
experience.
Read online reviews: Once you've found a few developers that you like, take
some time to read online reviews about them. This will help you understand what
others think of their work and whether they would recommend them.
Ask for recommendations: If you know someone who has already built an app, ask
them for recommendations. This is a great way to find someone who is both
experienced and reputable.
Meet in person: Once you've narrowed your choices, you can meet with the
developers. This will allow you to get a feel for their personality and see if
you could work together well.
Negotiate price: Once you've decided on a developer, it's time to
negotiate the price. Be sure to agree on a fair price for both of you,
including all the features you want.
Tips to Learn iOS Development with Ease
Learning iOS development is not a cakewalk.
It requires passion, dedication, and consistency. However, following certain
tips can make your job easier.
Here are some of them:
Use online resources: Plenty of online resources can help you learn iOS development
easily. You can find many tutorials, books, and blog posts online that can
guide you through the process.
Attend an in-person Bootcamp: If you want to learn iOS development in a more immersive
environment, you can attend an in-person Bootcamp. These boot camps usually
last a few weeks or months and will give you a comprehensive overview of the
subject. You can attend this at some app
development company.
Find a mentor: If you know someone already experienced in iOS
development, ask them if they can be your mentor. Having a mentor will help you
learn faster and give you someone to turn to when you need advice.
Practice, practice, practice: The best way to learn anything is by doing it yourself.
So, once you've gone through the basics of iOS development, start building your
app. This will help you get a feel for the development process and allow you to
experiment with different features.
Our Final Thoughts
Building an app can be daunting, but it's
possible with time and effort. If you're not sure you're up for the challenge, hire iPhone developers with
relevant expertise to help you build the perfect app.