Smartphones have become an integral part of our lives, prompting numerous development companies to seek new and innovative approaches to designing smartphone applications and boosting revenue. Mobile developers are expected to translate their employer’s ideas into reality with a creative mindset and novel strategies, capitalizing on the burgeoning mobile app industry and the increasing popularity of programming. You can succeed as a developer and generate substantial income through application development, provided you pay close attention to the desires and preferences of your primary audience—mobile app users.
iOS stands out as one of the most sought-after smartphone operating systems. Android and iOS have engaged in a longstanding rivalry within the technology industry, unveiling diverse and innovative products each year. Behind these advancements lie the developers or programmers who contribute to building and enhancing application performance. Whether you are genuinely interested in iOS development as a developer or simply a curious individual, numerous avenues exist for furthering your understanding of it.
This article aims to introduce the iOS developer role, delineating its tasks, job market, income potential, and the path to becoming an iOS developer. You can also read the article “How to Become a Programmer” to understand programming and its career trajectory comprehensively.
What is the iOS operating system?
IOS is the official operating system for Apple phones, developed exclusively by Apple. It is the most popular operating system for smartphones after Android. As we said, all iOS-based programs are completely exclusive, and only part of their licenses have been made available under this company’s supervision through open source. iOS was first introduced to the technology world in 2007. Up to the present day, the latest version of iOS has been released, and it is available on the company’s latest phones.
What is an iOS developer?
IOS developers are responsible for designing and building mobile apps powered by the iOS operating system. They deeply understand the iOS ecosystem, which includes comprehending how a company’s programs operate on various devices. In simpler terms, these professionals should be able to create iOS mobile apps that adhere to the rules and frameworks of this major technology company.
The responsibilities of an iOS developer are as follows:
- Designing and building apps suitable for iOS
- Cooperation and interaction with other team members, especially the design team, to define optimal design features.
- Assuring the quality and performance of the program under various conditions, identifying and resolving potential issues.
- Debugging the program before the final and official release / also finding problems in the coding section.
- Publishing the final application on the App Store (the official iOS operating system store for application downloads).
- Managing a program’s entire development and design process, from conception to completion.
- Listening to customer needs and giving ideas to build a functional application.
- Monitoring the program’s implementation throughout its life cycle and incorporating necessary enhancements within this cycle.
- Paying attention to users’ opinions and expectations.
- Applying the latest updates to fix problems and add new features.
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and staying informed about the mobile application industry.
- Ensuring the application’s security.
- Designing and mapping out a comprehensive usage plan for the program.
- Engaging in project management, customer/user interaction, and effective communication.
- Offering proposals to implement significant and minor changes to a program, aiming to enhance its quality and…
Skills needed as an iOS developer
Since Apple’s products are highly popular, iOS applications and programs are consistently in demand. This ensures a promising future awaits you in the market, as every company and group seek to hire an iOS developer rather than a programmer. Need to learn these skills? Don’t worry; let’s examine the fundamental skills required for this profession:
Swift programming language
The Swift programming language is the most popular and official language for developing Apple mobile applications. To become a professional iOS developer, you must acquire sufficient skills in this iOS developer language and understand its structures. Syntax, Objective-C interoperability, Swift classes, and variables are some of the key elements you should master.
Apple Xcode IDE
IDEs are programming environments where you can input programming codes and visualize the outcomes of your work. Apple Xcode is Apple’s official IDE, enabling you to write clean code using variables, prebuilt libraries, and an appealing user interface. Moreover, this program facilitates testing and debugging to identify potential errors. If you plan to write iOS apps, learning how to work with the Xcode IDE is highly beneficial.
Spatial reasoning ability
You can enhance your spatial visualization and reasoning skills through practice and continuous improvement. This ability is considered one of the most crucial skills for a developer. Remember that every program is designed to retain and attract new users. Therefore, you should be capable of understanding and reaching the target users by thinking beyond the app’s design and development. As a developer, your role is to create an app with an intuitive user interface and an enjoyable user experience by placing yourself in the users’ perspective. Remember, making an app more user-friendly and engaging is essential to your role as a developer.
Design rules
One of the reasons Apple products are popular is their uniqueness, which entices users to purchase them. As mentioned earlier, this company has very few open-source programs, and all software is meticulously designed and produced according to the strict framework and rules set by the company. Therefore, it’s essential to understand iOS design rules during your necessary training. With this knowledge, you can design wonderful and flawless applications.
User interface design/user experience
UI and UX are integral components of an app, each serving a different purpose. Users interact with the appearance and layout of the application through UI, focusing on how the application is displayed. On the other hand, UX pertains to the feeling and experience of using the program. Interface/user experience directly impacts the application’s appearance and can significantly affect the interaction with the user. Therefore, as an iOS developer, you must comprehend design rules and concepts. Also, familiarity with iOS design and development rules helps clarify your path and reach the desired result more quickly.
Network knowledge
Another critical skill for an iOS developer is networking. Understanding JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is essential to grasp how to send and receive information in a network. Additionally, you should acquire sufficient knowledge about other network concepts and secure methods of transmitting and receiving packets.
Data analysis
To develop and enhance applications, application core data is crucial. You should be able to collect, analyze, and interpret this data effectively. Therefore, reading about database analysis is beneficial if you intend to round out your skill set.
Understanding the iOS Platform
Lastly, we will cover the iOS platform in this section. You must familiarize yourself with the platform’s frameworks, patterns, and technologies. Even if you use a language other than Swift to develop applications for this operating system, you should still possess a comprehensive understanding and familiarity with the platform’s nuances and comprehend how all parts work together.
IOS developer language
iOS programming encompasses several programming languages, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. According to this company’s statistics, a staggering 2.5 billion iPhones have been sold to date, drawing many programmers into this field. Below are the recommended languages for programming in this domain:
1- Objective-C
Objective-C is a robust programming language that serves as a thin layer over the C language. Apple utilized this programming language before the advent of Swift. Objective-C finds applications in various domains, including mobile phone applications. Due to its extensive use, many programmers prefer to avoid learning new languages. Consequently, when visiting Stack Overflow, you’ll encounter more programmers proficient in Objective-C compared to similar languages.
Learning the Objective-C language is relatively straightforward, making it easy to begin working with it quickly using self-study materials or resources provided by the creators of this language. Investing time learning this programming language is worthwhile for the next few years.
2- Swift
Swift is a popular Apple programming language known for its high development speed as a compiler language. Unlike Objective-C, Swift boasts enhanced security, faster growth, and reduced errors. It is a versatile language, allowing you to achieve multiple objectives by mastering it.
3-C#
C# is a potent programming language, often regarded as the fourth most influential globally. Microsoft introduced this language in 2000. It’s important to note that to create an iOS application using C#, you need to utilize the Xamarin framework. Xamarin is a multi-platform framework that facilitates the development of iOS, Android, OS X, and Windows applications using C#. Additionally, Xamarin enables the creation of shared code for iOS and Android applications, streamlining the development process.
What is the process of becoming an iOS developer?
In this section of the article, we will outline the steps to becoming an iOS developer, guiding you in entering this lucrative field by following these steps.
Step 1: Learn Swift
Programming skills are indeed transferrable from iOS development to other platforms. However, when aiming to specialize in iOS development, the most efficient choice is to focus on programming languages designed specifically for this ecosystem. Swift, in particular, is the optimal programming language to begin with, especially if you are new to coding or intend to create applications exclusively for iOS and Apple.
Build a solid foundation by understanding the basics, including variables, numbers, strings, constants, and operators. Progress to more advanced concepts and then delve into the intricacies of the iOS platform. Since many iOS developers opt to learn Swift and iOS concurrently, this approach is commonly adopted to enhance their understanding of both elements. For effective learning, consider the following approach:
- Basic Concepts: Covering variables, numbers, strings, constants, and operators.
- Collections: Encompassing dictionaries and arrays.
- Control Flow: Comprising input/output, loops, switch statements, if-else statements, and more.
- Advanced Concepts: Incorporating structures, enumerations, methods, functions, protocols, extensions of types, and interfaces.
- Object-Oriented Programming Concepts: Including inheritance, classes, and polymorphism.
Step 2: Learn the iOS platform
Once you’ve gained proficiency in Swift, the next crucial step is to familiarize yourself with the iOS platform. This entails studying design patterns, frameworks, and other key technologies. Understanding the workings of the iOS ecosystem is paramount, regardless of the programming language you choose to develop iOS applications.
Mastering the basics is the cornerstone of expertise. A strong grasp of the fundamentals is essential to leverage advanced technologies such as augmented reality, artificial intelligence, or game development. It is pivotal to prioritize learning the basics, as they serve as the foundation for securing a job or creating highly desirable and functional applications.
Step 3: Learn essential iOS developer skills
Once you have honed your coding abilities for developing iOS apps, it’s crucial to broaden your expertise in other critical areas. This will elevate your professionalism and enable you to become a seasoned developer. With increasing experience in these domains, you can continually enhance your skill level and achieve expert status.
There are various fields to work in. Also, understanding the following areas will significantly impact your iOS development journey:
Databases
iOS and most contemporary apps heavily depend on databases for storing and retrieving data. A comprehensive understanding of how databases function is paramount for progressing in iOS development.
Network
In-depth knowledge of how the internet operates is vital for iOS developers. Apple offers various APIs for handling network requests within its SDKs. Alongside these APIs, grasping concepts like DNS, URLs, and other fundamental networking principles is essential.
Learn iOS skills and start your career
Developing iOS apps is a challenging task. Mastery in this field requires patience, perseverance, and determination. IOS developers for hire in companies need to practice and learn continuously, and they should also choose reliable sources for learning. To get started, you can find various resources and courses online.
IOS developer salary
Various factors affect iOS developers’ salary, including desired skills and knowledge, experience level, company size and type, and location. The table below refers to iOS developer salary in the nations with the most advanced technology.
| Countries | Average Salary |
| USA | $145,000 |
| Switzerland | $111,925 |
| United States | $91,675 |
| Denmark | $76,017 |
| Germany | $61,594 |
| Australia | $58,449 |
| Canada | $56,289 |
| Finland | $51,504 |
| Poland | $26,295 |
| Russia | $22,540 |
| India | $6,733 |
Programming and its various branches are among the highest-paying careers, attracting many individuals to study it. You can read “How to make money as a programmer?” for more details about programmers’ earning potential.
The job market for iOS programmer
In today’s tech-driven era, smartphones represent one of the most significant technological revolutions. Each day, an increasing number of smartphone users are joining the ranks. This surge has propelled businesses to employ more innovative methods to gain visibility and deliver services—methods tailored to engage and captivate smartphone users quickly. Consequently, there has been a surge in demand for skilled and proficient iOS programmers from businesses and various government or non-governmental organizations.
The present times epitomize the age of applications. Developing an application is the most potent way to gain visibility and impact. Given Apple’s extensive user base owning their smartphones, the demand for hiring iOS programmers is set to soar. Projections indicate a significant 21% growth in demand for iOS developers from 2018 to 2028.
As an iOS developer, numerous career paths await you, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. These roles include senior developer, application architect, supervisor, software engineer, lead developer, and more. Each role carries its unique set of tasks and workloads, corresponding to different salary brackets based on individual experience and credentials.