A Quick Guide to iOS Development and Prerequisites

Published on February 22nd, 2023

It can be very lucrative to develop iOS apps. This allows you to reach the 1 billion people who use iPhones worldwide.

Both existing businesses and entrepreneurs recognize the potential of iOS mobile app development. This guide by iTechnolabs is designed to help you get started.

You can find everything you need to start developing iOS apps below. Even a shortcut to success will be shown.

What is iOS App Development?

iOS app development refers to the creation of software that runs on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iTouch devices. The iOS app development process is like any other software project. It has specific requirements that ensure the application meets Apple specifications.

iOS apps can be downloaded from the Apple App Store.

Apple provides developer guidelines specifically for iOS apps. These guidelines provide the best practices and rules for iOS app development. They also include what you need to publish your app to the Apple App Store.

Prerequisites for developing iOS apps

Before you can start creating iOS apps, there are some things you should know.

These are generally technical requirements that will provide you with the resources and tools for development. Below, we’ll be taking a closer look at each of these requirements and linking to other useful resources that can help you learn more about them.

• Integrated Development Environment (IDE).

An integrated development environment, also known as an IDE, is the first thing you will need to start any mobile app development project.

An IDE is a software that allows developers to create applications. IDEs combine a variety of developer tools to create one GUI (graphical user interface).

Xcode is Apple’s official IDE and requires a Mac to run.

There are a few ways to use Xcode with a Windows-based computer. This route is not recommended. You need the right hardware if you want to be an iOS developer.

Xcode allows you to do more than create apps for iPhones or iPads. This tool can be used to create, test and distribute apps across all Apple platforms.

These include applications for Apple TV, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV. This will allow you to have a text editor, a compiler, and a naming system in one place.

It offers many debugging tools, project management resources, and asset management features. It’s an excellent way to organize all your code files when you are developing and deploying apps for the Apple App Store or Mac App Store.

To help you get started, we have a complete tutorial on Xcode. This tutorial will explain how Xcode works and what features it has. It also explains how to use it in your iOS development projects.

• iOS Programming Language

It is also important to choose the programming language that you will use to create an iOS application.

Swift is the preferred programming language for iOS development. If you are using Xcode, it is encouraged and commonly used. Another popular option is Objective-C.

To create an iOS app, you can use either general-purpose or object-oriented programming languages. Your programming abilities and the type of app you are trying to create will determine what it takes.

Xcode supports Swift, Objective-C, and Java. It is also compatible with Objective C++, C++++, Java, and Python. To learn more, check out our guide on the best programming languages for iOS applications.

Swift’s simplicity and flexibility are the reasons it is so popular. Swift’s concise syntax is easy to understand even for novice iOS app developers.

It is easy to understand, simple to use, and easy to maintain. This makes it easy to make changes and update the code as needed. Clean code makes it easier for you to spot errors while building apps.

Swift is designed to be safe and eliminates unsafe code. Swift’s safety features make it an attractive choice for many developers.

• iOS Software Development Kit

An iOS SDK (software developer kit) is different from an IDE. An IDE is a tool that allows you to develop. An SDK provides all the tools necessary for programming.

SDKs are the software programs that you need to create specific programming languages.

One of the best things about Xcode is its availability with various SDKs. These libraries can be used to create iOS apps.

As you search for the best iOS SDK, we have a comprehensive list of iOS tools to help you.

• Active Apple Developer Account

To get your app into the hands of real users via App Store, you will need to have an active Apple developer account. You cannot submit or distribute your app without a developer account.

To get started, sign up for the Apple Developer Program. Apart from being required, membership includes many perks you can benefit from.

Access to the most recent betas is one of the best parts of the program. This allows you to use Apple’s most recent technologies in your apps for iOS, iPad, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

You also have access to TestFlight which allows you to test your apps before releasing them. To test your new builds before they are deployed, you can invite up to 10,000 users. You can send it to their email address, or share a link.

Either an individual or an organization can sign up for the developer program. Both require an Apple ID that supports two-factor authentication.

To verify their legal status, organizations must be registered as legal entities and have a D–U-N-S number. Apple does not accept trademarks, DBAs, or fictitious business name registrations. A publicly accessible website must be available with a domain associated with the company.

Remember that there is a small membership fee. Developer program memberships cost $99 per annum. Some organizations may qualify for discounts from the government, education, and nonprofit sectors.

• Hire Professional iOS Developer

Not everyone is tech-savvy to have the skills to create the app. For this, you must hire professional iOS app developers from iTechnolabs.We’ll show you how to create iOS apps without having to worry about anything. 

As you make this decision, you will find many resources to help you. Check out our guide on how to hire an application developer. Our guide will show you how much it costs for a developer.

Noting that developers come in different forms, it is essential to remember. Most fall into either one of two categories–freelancers and development agencies. This guide explains the differences between hiring app developers and freelance developers.

Download our ebook on building a mobile app development team. This ebook includes information for app developers, contractors, project managers, quality assurances, and other important players in an iOS app development team.

Additional Requirements for iOS Mobile Apps

You must meet additional requirements for iOS apps before you can create an application. These requirements apply to all types of mobile apps, even iOS apps.

• Clearly Defined Goals

An iOS app must have a purpose. It is not enough to just create an app because you think it’s cool or because someone else does.

A goal is the cornerstone of any app that succeeds. This will be your North Star throughout the entire development process.

To steer the ship in the right direction, ask yourself these basic questions:

• What are the benefits of building an iOS app for your business?
• What will your app do to meet the needs and wants of your target audience
• What are the problems and pain points that your app will solve for users?
• Are there any features that make your app stand out among other apps in the marketplace?

These questions will help you decide if you are ready to build.

It is important to define your goals early on and stick to them. This will help you keep your project on schedule and within your budget. You can get distracted and be tempted to add more features as you go along. This can be costly and distract from the main purpose of the app.

• Market Research

Pre-app development is a difficult step that many people overlook. It’s the key to creating iOS apps that are successful.

Market research helps you understand the market, industry trends, and who your competitors are. The research will help you validate your idea and ensure that the iOS app you are building will meet a market need.

It is better to start your research earlier. It could be costly to make a mistake by not doing so.

It’s not worth spending six months of your time and thousands of dollars on a project that you don’t need. Your market research can help you refine your idea or target your audience based on your findings.

This process requires a lot of data collection and analysis. To learn more about market trends, you can use existing data. You can also conduct your research by conducting surveys, polls, and focus group discussions.

The best market research is done using both. This thorough research gives you the confidence to continue with your iOS development project.

• iOS Version Compatibility

It is important to ensure that your app works with the most recent iOS version.

Apple releases iOS updates and new iOS versions. Some apps may experience bugs or issues with certain features. This is also common with new devices.

The latest iOS 15.6 version is compatible with apps that were created using iOS 6.0 and shipped with the iPhone 5 in 2012.

First, ensure that the tools and libraries you use are up-to-date. You should also plan for future updates. If your app isn’t updated regularly to keep up with iOS updates, it could become outdated.

• iTechnolabs for iOS App Development

iTechnolabs is the most efficient, cost-effective, and fastest method to develop iOS apps.

You can create apps for iOS and Android with no code. It can be used to create both the Android and Apple versions of a mobile app from one build.

iTechnolabs gives non-technical users the tools they need to create apps without the need to hire a developer. You can manage the entire process using a simple drag-and-drop interface. You don’t need to download any software to start the process.

Start by selecting a professionally-designed template. It’s then easy to customize the content to suit your app’s goals.

You are in complete control of the colors, branding, and look and feel of the app.

It is easy to add features. You can easily add functionality to your website using a plugin purchased from the iTechnolabs marketplace.

iTechnolabs, unlike other app builders on market, is very developer-friendly. The iTechnolabs SDK allows you to create custom features if you don’t find a part that performs exactly as you need it to.

You have the option to hire your developers to create the function, or you can ask iTechnolabs to help you build it.

You won’t need to worry about maintaining your infrastructure and ensuring compatibility with iOS updates. iTechnolabs will take care of everything and even publish your app to the App Store.

Related Article: How To Find The Right iOS App Development Company in the USA

Have you created a Plan for iOS App Development for Your Startup?

The guide to iOS development by iTechnolabs can be used to make sure you have everything you need before you begin building. It will make it much easier to build the app once you have everything in order.

It doesn’t have to be difficult to create an iOS app. You don’t need any programming knowledge or technical experience to create an iOS app with an app maker such as iTechnolabs.