The minimum cost of iOS app development is at least $10,000, and if you ask me the average and maximum, it will be $25000 to $50,000+, respectively. So, if you're thinking of learning iOS development, it will be highly profitable for you. According to Glassdoor, an iOS developer is currently earning around $1,25,713 per year in the USA.

In March 2023, Apple shared that iOS App Store developers generated over $1.1 trillion. Not only that, the App Store is growing 29% more every year, with over 650 million average weekly visitors.

In such cases, what you need is a perfect iOS development guide. Right? But before you go, you should be looking over some prerequisites to start the iOS development learning journey. So, let's get started.

Prerequisites to Start iOS Development:

1. Basic Equipment and tools

iOS development and web development have pretty good differences. For iOS, you need a Mac system to practice Swift when developing or testing an app. However, it can be done in Swift Playground online, but Mac is always a better option.

The next thing you need is an integrated development environment (IDE) and code editors for developing any software or app for Apple's screen devices. According to a survey by Stack Overflow, 78% of professional developers consider a well-designed IDE crucial for productivity.

You can download Xcode, Sublime Text, Visual Studio, AppCode, CodeRunner, Eclipse, or JetBrains, which works best. Now, you start new projects and build your first iOS app.

2. Apple Developer Account

Although you certainly don't need an Apple Developer account to build and test any iOS app, it is for distribution. If you want to deploy the app for users or use the Agile SDLC approach to get feedback from users, you have to create one. For an Apple developer account, enroll yourself for the Apple developer program, create an Apple ID, sign in, verify, and make your payment, and you're all set!

However, if you're using Xcode, which is Apple's official IDE, you can test the code on the actual iPhone or targeted iOS device. In case the device isn't available, you can test your code in Xcode's simulators. Also, familiarize yourself with Xcode's interface, debugging tools, and version control systems like Git.

3. Foundational Programming Knowledge

Before delving into iOS development, it's important to have a strong foundation in programming fundamentals. Familiarize yourself with languages like Swift and Objective-C and basic programming principles such as variables, loops, and conditional statements.

There are several technical blogs and online resources that help 80.13% of people learn programming and coding effectively. Typically, individuals who grasp basic programming concepts are more likely to excel in advanced programming tasks.

Statista Stats graphic

Source: Statista

4. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

A comprehensive understanding of Object-Oriented Programming is fundamental to iOS development. OOP fosters better code organization and maintainability. It is a structured method or programming paradigm to create a code with proper organization of data and related functions into objects. These objects are the instances of classes that are used to design and organize code. Brush up on concepts like classes, objects, inheritance, and polymorphism, which form the backbone of iOS app development.

5. Learn Swift Programming Language

Swift is the preferred and official programming language for iOS development due to its speed, safety, and expressiveness.

Research conducted by Swiftify indicates that Swift is consistently gaining popularity among developers, and 90% of all App Store apps use Swift in the main binary. Without Swift, you won't be able to walk in your journey to learn iOS development. Make sure to delve into Swift's syntax, data types, control flow, features, and best practices to build a solid foundation.

However, indeed, you can also build your first iOS app by using Java, as it works on Android, Mac, Linux, and Windows. But if you're a beginner or it is your first time, you should be focusing on Swift, Cocoa Touch, or Objective-C for iOS.

6. iOS Ecosystem

iOS development is more than just coding. Get a deep understanding of the broader iOS ecosystem. Business Of Apps reveals that the Apple App Store boasts over 2.2 million apps, underscoring the vastness of the iOS platform.

Explore the App Store guidelines, Human Interface Guidelines (HIG), and App Store Connect to comprehend the complete app development lifecycle.

7. UX/UI Design Basics

User experience (UX) & user interface (UI) design play an important role in the success of an iOS app. According to a report by Forrester Research, well-designed user interfaces (UI) can increase conversion rates by up to 200%. Acquaint yourself with design principles, usability guidelines, and tools like SwiftUI, UIkit, Sketch, or Figma to create visually appealing and user-friendly iOS apps.

Additional Tips To Become an iOS Developer

  • Familiarize yourself with key iOS frameworks such as UIKit, Core Data, Core Animation, and others.
  • Regularly refer to the official Apple Developer Documentation to understand best practices, guidelines, and updates.
  • Learn common design patterns like MVC (Model-View-Controller), MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel), and others.
  • Learn and master version control systems, such as Git.
  • Connect with other iOS developers through online communities, forums, and social media platforms. Platforms like Stack Overflow, GitHub, and Reddit are some suggested ones.
  • Start creating applications even if they are immature and not so good. It will help in gaining experience in the iOS development life cycle.
  • You should have the ability to integrate APIs and RESTful web services into the apps.
  • You can also take a bachelor's degree in computer science or relevant areas.
  • Get a good understanding of CI/CD pipelines.

Bottom Line

Software developers, including iOS developers, are getting high in demand, and the vacancies will be increased by 25% by 2031 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). So, becoming an iOS developer will be a great opportunity for you ahead. But it takes a lot of work! 

It takes a lot of deep dedication, knowledge, and skills to learn how to develop any iOS app.

Make sure to focus on your soft skills as well. You have the power of good adaptability, critical thinking, and communication. I hope this blog is helpful to you. Have a nice day!