Regarding technology, which has been growing, we all know it will create many lucrative job opportunities for the young generation. The fact is that the young workforce currently undertakes mostly jobs in the IT industry.
Mobile and software developments are considered the future of technology, and many youths started to consider iOS and Android developers fascinating careers.
Here are some reasons why you should start your career in iOS development, and how to become an iOS developer.
Job Description
What is iOS Development?
iOS, which stands for the iPhone Operating System, is a proprietary mobile operating system built by Apple. It supports programming languages, such as Objective-C, C, C++, and Swift. iPhone and iPad come with the iOS platform.
So app development for this platform is known as iOS app development.
What is an iOS Dev?
iOS developers refer to professionals who build apps for mobile devices that operate based on the iOS of Apple platform. So iOS developers must have a solid understanding of the patterns, practices, and ecosystems that revolve around the iOS platform.
These developers must understand how the apps work on different Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPod, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch.
Apart from making apps for any iOS device, these professionals should be responsible for maintaining the code, ensuring the app’s quality, fixing application bugs, and ensuring app updates.
Duties and Responsibilities
iOS developers are typically responsible for developing intuitive, interactive, and eye-catchy applications for the iOS platform of Apple’s devices.
These professionals dramatically contribute to the Apple brand in various ways since poorly designed apps will negatively impact the company.
Professionals in this field are expected to work in one team consisting of other iOS developers, designers, managers, and more.
Some other responsibilities and roles of iOS developers are:
- Building and designing advanced native iOS applications for the iOS platform.
- Working with cross-functional teams to design, define and deliver new features.
- Checking the code to determine sturdiness, including edge cases, general reliability, and usability.
- Identifying and correcting bottlenecks and fixing any bugs.
- Continue to evaluate, implement, and discover new technologies to maximize development efficiency
- Maintaining code quality, organization, and automation.
- Building sophisticated multithreaded applications.
Education
As for qualifications, an iOS developer usually has a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, or any related field.
Many experts in programming or related fields also expand and upgrade their skills to transition into iOS development.
If you do not have a degree, the greatest way to begin your career as one iOS Developer is to showcase that you own all the needed skills to work as a professional in this field.
To do so, we recommend pursuing online courses to help you build an iOS developer skill set and begin with some projects showcasing your skills to a potential recruiter.
Bootcamp education is also another great route that you can take to get the knowledge and skills to become one iOS developer.
Essential Skills
Like other information technology professionals, iOS developers need the right skills to get the job done.
Hard Skills
- Understand and can edit someone else’s code.
- Use the MWM, Rx, Services, etc.
- Familiarity with UI/UX requirements.
- Knowledge of rules and requirements of the App Store.
- Knowledge of Apple guidelines, such as design guidelines.
- Understand C ++.
- Work with Cocoa and Xcode.
- Understand object-oriented programming.
- Skills in CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.
- Ability to use the Core Data, APNS, GCD, and iOS SDK.
- Test applications, and fix bugs.
Soft Skills
- Determination
- Self-reliance, proactivity
- Spatial reasoning
- Determination
- Critical thinking
- Creativity, adaptability
- Communications skills
- Having discipline
- Empathy
- Stress tolerance
Essential Tools
iOS developers won’t be able to get the job done without the essential tools. Here are our recommendations for iOS developer tools to help you work as this developer.
Learning
- Hacking with Swift
- objc.io
- Raywenderlich
- Design+Code
IDEs and editors
- Xcode
- AppCode
- VSCode
Design
- Zeplin
- Mobbin Design
- dribble
Open-Source Projects
- SDWebImage
- Sourcery
- SwiftUIX
- Introspect
- Alamofire
Debugging
- Instruments
- FLEX
- Charles proxy
- Hyperion
Documentation
- Jazzy
- DocC
Automation
- Fastlane
- Codemagic
User Testing
- TestFlight
- TestFairy
Job Outlook
The popularity of iOS developer jobs is primarily because of the high demand, competitive salary, and decent working environment delivered by Apple. The iOS developer jobs are predicted to witness a massive 21% career growth from 2018 to 2028.
Many clients connect with businesses on their smartphones, so more and more firms, including small and big, rely on mobile apps to connect with clients.
More and more businesses are adopting the mobile-first approach, leading to high demand for iOS developers who can develop applications for Apple devices.
The talent shortage for the iOS developer further leads to various open opportunities with lucrative salaries.
With approximately 1.96 million available apps for iOS (as of 2023), the iOS platform is one of the promising mobile development platforms. So, the current and future job outlooks of iOS developers look bright.
Salary
The average annual salary for an iOS Developer in the US is $137,070. It equates to $65.89 per hour, $2,636 per week, or $11,423 per month.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- High demand for iOS developers.
- Lucrative salaries.
- Work with top companies.
- Access to the latest technologies.
- Better income due to less competition.
- Respectable and reputed job title.
- Easier job responsibilities.
Cons
- Development and implementation of in-app updates and app support on different Apple devices are expensive.
- App Store app review is laborious and time-consuming.
- Configuring the application is typically tricky as the iOS platforms have certain limitations.
- It isn’t possible to guarantee that the app will be authorized and approved in the App Store.
FAQs
What Are Popular iOS App Development Companies?
Here are some of the popular iOS app development companies in the world:
- Fueled
- TechAhead
- WillowTree
- AppInventiv
- Chop Dawg
- Algoworks
- CMARIX
- Techuz
- Softeq
- Intellectsoft
- Y Media Labs
- Magneto IT Solutions
- Konstant Infosolutions
How To Become an iOS Developer?
Here is a four-step path you can follow to become an iOS developer:
Step 1. Learn Fundamentals
You’ll need to start by learning iOS development fundamentals, including a solid understanding of the iOS platform, its frameworks, design patterns, etc.
As one iOS developer, it is essential to know Objective-C and the iOS programming languages Swift. You must also master Xcode, Apple’s integrated development environment for developing apps for any Apple device.
Step 2. Pursue an Online iOS Developer Course
To get knowledge of iOS development, taking up a beginner’s, and advanced development course is alright.
A certification and online course in iOS development will allow you to familiarize yourself with the opportunities and challenges of developing iOS apps.
iOS developer courses are also a great way to learn how to build user-friendly iOS apps before deploying them to the App Store.
Step 3. Build Projects & Portfolio
Once you have learned the basics, it is time to develop small practice apps.
The next step is to build an iOS development portfolio you can utilize to display your work to your potential recruiters. You should list your best projects in the portfolio to show your iOS development skills to employers.
If you hold a massive portfolio of projects, we recommend listing only your perfectly finished projects and highlighting the kinds of tasks you can do well.
Step 4. Apply for Jobs
After developing your iOS development skills and working on various projects, you can start applying for an iOS developer position.
You can make your profiles on various job portals and publicize your iOS apps portfolio and resume to show your skills.
What Is the Main Difference Between Developing Android and iOS?
There are some crucial differences between Android and iOS app development, including:
- iOS developers typically use Swift, whereas Android developers usually use Kotlin or Java.
- Regarding Apple devices, there are standardized screen sizes for iPads and iPhones. For Android devices, there are various screen sizes, making developers need to work more on interface design and case-by-case programming to ensure compatibility and functionality across devices.
- Android and iOS apps have different user demographics, including income, hours spent on apps, age, locations, and more.
- Apple users tend to be more affluent and younger than Android users. Proof that Apple devices are often more expensive than Android ones.
- Android applications typically take longer to build due to device fragmentation. The truth is that there are plenty of Android OS versions on the market.
Are iOS Apps Easier to Develop Than Android Ones?
For both experienced and new developers, iOS is usually more straightforward to develop.
iOS developers typically use Swift, Apple’s native programming language, while Android developers usually use Java and Kotlin.
Regarding native mobile app development, Swift commonly requires less coding work and is more convenient.
Less coding allows you to cut costs in terms of money and time for developing apps for iOS devices, such as the iPhone or the iPad.
Is Android Development Difficult?
If you are patient with the learning process and have the right goal, you will feel that iOS development is not complicated. Honestly, it is even considered more effortless than Android development.
Android OS is reliable, flexible, and compatible with many devices, unlike the iOS operating system.
How Long Does It Take Me to Learn iOS Development?
According to our estimates, spending one hour or two learning about developing this operating system daily will take around one year. But, of course, the time it takes might differ considerably depending on many other factors.
If you prefer to pursue this field, here is an estimated range you can expect:
| The Time You Spend Every Day | How Long Will It Take You? |
|---|---|
| Six hours | 1 month |
| Two hours | 2 months |
| One hour | From 6 to 12 months |
Career Advice
iOS development is not complex for you if you have the proper expectations and be patient. However, it will be a challenge for people with the wrong mindset.
If you want to start your career in iOS development, take up iOS development courses right now to strengthen your iOS skills and take the essential steps toward a lucrative career.