iOS app development can be a lucrative venture. It allows you to reach the one billion people who use iPhones globally.
Existing businesses and new entrepreneurs alike recognize the opportunities associated with iOS mobile app development. But getting started is often the biggest hurdle, and that’s why we created this guide.
Continue below to find out everything you need to get started with iOS app development. We’ll even show you a shortcut to success.
What is iOS App Development?
iOS applications can be deployed on the Apple App Store for users to download.
iOS app development is the process of making software to run on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iTouch hardware. Like any software project, the iOS app development process has unique requirements to ensure the application is compatible and meets the specifications for Apple devices.
Prerequisites to Develop iOS Apps
There are certain requirements you need to have in place before you start developing iOS apps.
Most of these are technical requirements that provide you with the tools and resources for development. We’ll take a closer look at each one below and link out to some other helpful resources that you can use to learn more about the topics.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
The first thing you need for any mobile app development project is an integrated development environment—better known as an IDE.
There are some workarounds out there to use Xcode on a Windows-based PC. But generally speaking, it’s not in your best interest to go this route. If you’re serious about being an iOS developer, you should have the right hardware.
With Xcode, you can do more than just create apps for iPhones and iPads. You can also use this tool to create, test, and distribute apps for all Apple devices across every Apple platform.
The software offers a wide range of debugging tools, project management resources, and asset management features. Overall, it’s a great way to keep all of your coding files organized when you’re developing and deploying apps on the Apple App Store and Mac App Store.
We have a full tutorial on Xcode that you can use as a reference to get started. The tutorial covers all of Xcode’s requirements, how Xcode works, Xcode features, and how to use it for your iOS development project.
iOS Programming Language
The Swift programming language has become the new go-to option for iOS development. It’s commonly used and encouraged if you’re using Xcode. Objective-C is another popular option to consider.
With that said, you can also use a general-purpose programming language or object-oriented programming language to develop an iOS app. It all depends on your current programming skills and the type of app you want to create.
Swift has become so popular due to its flexibility and simplicity. The concise syntax makes it easy to learn, even for beginner iOS app developers.
The language is clean, easy to read, and easy to maintain. This is great for making changes and updates down the road. Having clean code also makes it easier to spot mistakes while you’re building an app.
Designed for safety, Swift also eliminates certain classes of historically unsafe code. These built-in safety features make it an easy choice for many developers.
iOS Software Development Kit
An iOS SDK (software development kit) is different from an IDE. By definition, an IDE only provides an interface for development. But an SDK offers all of the tools required for programming.
One cool part about using Xcode is that it comes with different SDKs. These come in the form of libraries that you can use to develop iOS apps.
We have a complete list of iOS development tools that you can use as a reference as you’re trying to find the best iOS SDK for your application.
Active Apple Developer Account
You need an active Apple developer account to get your app in the hands of real users via the App Store. Without a developer account, you cannot submit and distribute your application.
One cool part of the program is access to the latest betas. This allows you to leverage Apple’s latest technologies and integrate them into your applications for iOS apps, iPadOS apps, macOS apps, watchOS apps, and tvOS applications.
The program also gives you access to TestFlight, which is a great way to test your apps before a release. You can invite up to 10,000 external users to try your new builds before deployment. All you need to do is send it to their email address or share a public link.
Other Requirements For iOS Mobile Apps
Beyond the technical requirements specific to iOS apps, there are other things you need to have in place before you can create an app. These requirements apply to any type of mobile application, including iOS apps.
Clearly Defined Goals
Your iOS app needs a purpose. You can’t just build an app because it sounds cool or because everyone else has one.
Every successful app must have a goal. This goal will become your north star throughout the development process.
Ask yourself some basic questions to steer the ship in the right direction:
- Why are you building an iOS app?
- How will the app meet the needs of your target audience?
- What problems or pain points will your app solve for users?
- Does your app have any unique features to stand out from similar apps on the market?
Defining your goals early and sticking to the plan helps keep your development timeline on track and your project within budget. Otherwise, you can easily get distracted throughout the process and become tempted to add extra features along the way. But this is often expensive and detracts from the app’s main goals.
Market Research
Market research might be the most commonly overlooked step in pre-app development. But it’s also the key to success when you’re creating iOS apps.
Mobile app market research forces you to understand market trends, industry trends, your target audience, and your competition. This research will ultimately help validate your idea—ensuring the iOS application you want to build will actually address a current market need.
You don’t want to spend six months of your life and thousands of dollars on a project only to discover that nobody wants it. But your market research can also help you tweak your idea or adjust your target audience based on your findings.
The process involves lots of data collection and data analysis. You can use existing resources to learn more about general market trends. You can also conduct your own research through polls, surveys, and focus groups.
iOS Version Compatibility
You need to make sure that your app is compatible with the latest version of iOS.
As Apple releases new iOS versions and updates for each version, some apps might experience bugs or problems with features. This is also common as new devices are released.
So first, you need to make sure the tools you’re using are updated, and the libraries support new versions. But you also need to have a plan for updates in the future. Otherwise, your app can become obsolete if it’s not constantly being updated to keep up with new iOS releases.
Using Tronixinfo For iOS App Development
Tronixinfo is the fastest, easiest, and most cost-effective method for iOS development.
Tronixinfo provides non-technical users with the tools required to create an app without having to hire a developer or learn how to code. The entire process can be managed from an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. It’s 100% web-based, which means you won’t have to download any software to get started.
It’s a no-code app builder for both iOS and Android. So you can use it to create the Apple and Android versions of a mobile application—all from a single build.
Start by selecting a professionally-designed template. From there, it’s just a matter of customizing the content to match your app’s goal.
Final Thoughts
Having a blueprint to follow when you’re getting started with iOS development is crucial.
You can use this guide as a resource to ensure you have everything in place before you start building. Once you have everything organized, building the app will be much easier.
iOS app development shouldn’t be intimidating. Even if you don’t have any coding knowledge or technical experience, you can still create an app using an app maker like Tronixinfo.