iOS App Development: Learn How to make an iOS App
Apps have become an essential part of our daily life. Most popular brands today have mobile apps, allowing customers to interact on the go. With the ever-expanding use of smartphones for consumerism, brands could use mobile apps to promote their products, boost sales, and improve their brand image.
Before you build your app, you must ensure that your app idea is unique. For this, you will need to conduct thorough market research. Read on for tips on building an iOS app.
What are the Best Ways to Build an iOS App?
Here is a step-by-step method to build an iOS app.
1. Setup your MAC
Apple prefers a closed ecosystem compared to an open system. iOS can only be run on Apple's devices like the iPhone or the iPad. Thus, you must set up your Mac before building your iOS app.
Although Mac can be run on Windows using Hackintosh and VMWare, it is usually not recommended for coding and safety purposes. As an iOS developer, investing in a Mac is essential for app development, debugging, testing, quality assurance, and so on.
2. Download Xcode
The best way to build an iOS app is by downloading Xcode. To create a successful iOS app, Xcode is the only tool you will need. Xcode is an integrated development environment (IDE) designed by Apple. You can download Xcode for free directly on your Mac through AppStore.
Xcode includes all the software you will need to build an iOS app, including Software Development services Kit, debugging tools, a source code editor, etc.
Once you have downloaded Xcode, you will need it to write code and build your user interface.
3. Learn Swift
Swift is the most popular and convenient programming language for writing iOS apps. After launching Xcode on your device, you must register Swift into Xcode, which is essential for Offshore iOS Developers working on remote projects.
Writing Swift into Xcode isn't as simple as it sounds, but there are thousands of resources online that can help you navigate. If you are a professional developer, you won't find any trouble writing Swift and building your app. But, if you are just getting started, it is advisable to learn the basics of Swift first.
4. Look for a Mentor
Apart from accessing online resources, you can look for a mentor or at least someone familiar with Swift to help you build your iOS app. A mentor can not only teach you coding tips they have learned in their years of work experience but also mentor you to make your app better.
There are several ways in which you can find a mentor. You can use LinkedIn to connect with interested iOS developers in your area, join an incubator, ask your friends/family to help you, go to coding boot camp, etc.
5. Run the App
To run your iOS app, select the device destination or simulator from the screen's top left corner on Xcode (near the Run/Stop button). Click Command ⌘ + R to initiate the iOS simulator and run your app.
Run your app
You can also run your iOS app on an actual device by connecting the device to a Mac via cable. Once successfully connected, you will automatically see the device in the list of device destinations. Select the concerned device and click on Command ⌘ + R to run.
6. Make your iOS App Advanced by Adding Features Programmatically (Optional)
You can experiment and make your app more advanced by adding features programmatically. Xcode has all the tools you will need for this. However, this step requires extensive knowledge of Xcode and Swift.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Before your iOS app is ready to be launched in the market, you need to test it for quality assurance. To give your users a seamless app experience, you must ensure it is bug-free and secure.
App testing refers to testing a software application using tools, scripts, and test automation frameworks to identify bugs. It helps developers release top-quality, bug-free, and robust software applications to the real world. It saves time if bugs are identified in the initial iOS app development process.
App testing is typically carried out in two phases: Frontend/User Interface Testing and Backend Testing. There are two ways in which iOS apps are tested, manual testing and automated testing.
App Testing is a challenging task that requires in-depth knowledge of the processes and hands-on experience. If you want a reliable software testing framework for your iOS app, collaborate withAppSierra. AppSierra is recommended by 96 percent of its clients and trusted by more than 500 companies across the United States.
As one of the fastest-growing software companies in the United States, AppSierra is a full-funnel Software Testing and Quality Assurance company deployed for any environment. Depending on your app testing requirements, you will be matched with the top talent and the best fit.
AppSierra also has a 7-day free trial and an easy exit policy in case its abilities don't meet your requirements. With AppSierra, your app will be in the best hands!
It was everything you needed to know about the best way to build an iOS app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How Much Does it Cost to Build an iOS App?
It isn't easy to quote a price range for building an app. It typically depends on several factors, including the software used, additional tools required, which features you plan to include, the size of the developing team, how quickly you want to launch the app, and so on.
Q2. Can you Make an iOS App with a Windows Operating System?
No, you cannot build an iOS app with a Windows operating system. Because Xcode is only compatible with Mac operating systems thus, Windows is strictly off-limits.
Q3. Which Programming Language is Best for the iOS App Development Process?
In most cases, Objective-C and Swift programming languages are recommended for iOS app development and for building apps that run on iOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS, and iPads.