How to Develop a Mobile App for iOS

iOS, Apple's operating system for mobile devices, is projected to hold 28.46% of the global market share by 2024.

It's worth noting that Android is currently the dominant player in the mobile market, holding a 70.79% share. However, the split between iOS and Android varies significantly by region.

In North America, particularly in Canada, iOS and Android hold almost an equal market share, with iOS slightly ahead at 53% versus Android's 46%.

This balanced distribution underscores the importance of paying attention to iOS users despite Android's dominance. This post aims to guide you through developing an iOS mobile app and exploring various methods that can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

Why should you develop for iOS when Android has more users?

1. Profitable market: iOS users tend to spend more on apps and in-app purchases, making iOS development more profitable despite a smaller user base.

2. Closed ecosystem: Apple's closed environment enables stricter quality control and better app integration, which typically translates into a better user experience and optimized performance.

3. User loyalty: Apple users are often very loyal to the brand, which can lead to better user retention for iOS applications.

4. Presence in key markets: In regions like North America, where iOS is very popular, a well-designed iOS app can enable you to capture an influential and economically powerful market segment.

Solutions for iOS app development

In-house Coding

Creating an iOS app in-house requires expertise in specific tools. Among these, Xcode stands out. This integrated development environment (IDE) supports the two main languages (Swift and Objective-C) for developing iOS applications.

On the one hand, Swift is a modern programming language launched by Apple in 2014. It's appreciated for its robust performance and accessible learning curve.

Swift is particularly well suited to developers looking to develop mobile apps quickly, thanks to its features that facilitate fast and secure programming.

On the other hand, we have Objective-C. This language, introduced long before Swift, is often used to update and manage existing applications. With the advent of Swift, the use of Objective-C has diminished. However, it is still used to modify and extend systems and applications developed initially using this language.

In-house development has several advantages, especially for companies with iOS programming skills. This approach is ideal if you want to have total control over the process of creating your applications.

Agency iOS app development

Another option is to work with an agency specialized in mobile app development.

This approach provides in-depth technical expertise and broader project management experience.

In this respect, we have all the skills to develop your iOS app.

With our team, you benefit from the services of developers, designers, and testers who collaborate to design a high-performance, customized app while working together on tailored retention strategies. Your application, delivered turnkey, will meet Apple's exacting standards for the App Store.

We recommend this solution to companies wishing to minimize technical risks while ensuring high professional quality.

Freelance developers

If you're on a tight budget, choosing a freelance developer may be a more affordable option. Of course, costs will vary according to the developer's expertise.

Specialized skills: Selecting the right freelancer specializing in iOS development requires thoroughly evaluating their skills and work history. It's easy to be impressed by a CV, so remain vigilant about his real skills and what he can offer you.

Costs and deadlines: As with an agency, the cost of developing your application will vary according to its complexity. Discuss deadlines and budget expectations before starting your project.

Maintenance and scalability: Before finalizing your collaboration, discuss arrangements for application maintenance.

Remember that developing an application is not just about coding once; it's also about maintaining, resolving bugs, updating and tracking the evolution of your application.

Using app builders

Online app builders are suitable for those who want to quickly develop an iPhone app without delving into complex technical aspects.

These platforms provide ready-to-use templates and functional blocks, enabling you to compose an application without writing code.

Although this method can limit customization and influence app performance, it's ideal for those who need to launch a simple iOS app quickly and on a limited budget.

Notable examples of app builders include:

• Appy Pie: This platform is known for its ease of use. It lets you create apps without coding and offers various features, including the ability to integrate social media, forms, and more.

• BuildFire: This tool is particularly appreciated for its flexibility and powerful customization features. BuildFire is suitable for both novices and experienced developers looking to speed up the development process.

• GoodBarber: Offers a wide range of attractive designs and is mainly used to create eCommerce and content applications.

These tools simplify the creation of mobile applications and enable direct visualization of the final rendering on an iPhone. At the same time, they avoid the complexities associated with traditional development.

How do I develop an iOS application?

Developing an iOS application requires an understanding of the tools, practices and standards imposed by Apple.

Here are some things to consider to optimize your development process for iOS devices such as the iPhone and iPad.

Choose the right development environment and tools

Xcode is the integrated development environment (IDE) for all iOS development. It includes everything you need to create iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV apps.

Xcode combines a robust code editor with powerful debugging tools, a user interface manager, and access to a wide range of libraries (such as SwiftUI or UIKit).

Master Swift and Objective-C

Swift is Apple's preferred programming language for iOS development. It's designed to be both powerful and easy to learn. What's more, Swift promotes code security and speed. This distinction makes it ideal for new projects.

Conversely, Objective-C remains relevant for maintaining older applications that still need to be migrated to Swift.

If you're working with existing code bases, we advise you to be familiar with both languages.

Design with the user in mind

Apple's design guidelines, the Human Interface Guidelines, provide detailed instructions on designing for the iOS ecosystem.

Following these guidelines ensures a better user experience and a greater likelihood of approval during the App Store submission process.

Test your app

Use Xcode's built-in iOS simulators and real devices to test your app.

This allows you to detect bugs, test the user interface, and ensure the app works well on all iOS and Apple devices supporting it.

In addition, using tools like TestFlight allows you to conduct beta tests to provide valuable feedback before the official launch.

Optimize for download and performance

The size of an application influences its ability to be downloaded. This is particularly true on cellular networks, where downloads are limited in size.

To reduce application size, you can optimize images, choose the right file format and minimize dependencies.

By optimizing your app, you'll get an iOS app that consumes fewer battery resources and also runs more smoothly.

Get ready for deployment

Before submitting your app to the App Store, make sure you understand Apple's review process.

Each app must undergo a series of tests to ensure it meets all security, privacy, content and functionality guidelines.

About our agency

Our agency is fully equipped to handle the development of your Android or iOS application. We have all the human and material resources needed to turn your vision into a successful app or application.