Developing for the iPhone is a valuable skill, but it's hard to know where to start if you've never developed an app before. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create iPhone apps. To create an iPhone app, we will start from the early stage and show you how to create a simple real app that can be run on your mobile device or uploaded to the App Store. In this way, we will learn about the basic steps to create iOS apps. This guide will take you through the steps of how to create iPhone apps, test and improve your idea, craft a UI and UX design, code the app using Objective-C and Swift, submit it to Apple for approval, and put it off the App Store.
Determine the reasons for creating the iOS app
There are several reasons why people create apps for their favorite phones. According to Statesman , in 2021, Apple's App Store had more than 2.2 million apps, downloaded more than 60 billion times. This trend has increased the demand for making iPhone apps. Let's take a look at some of the reasons why people create an iOS app:
To build a business or increase sales for an existing project
This might be the most famous reason for creating iPhone apps as it helps in amplifying the revenue from the business. If you own a business and want to sell more products or services, creating an iPhone app for your business can help you do that. For example, if you own a restaurant and need to drive orders from your customers, you can create an iPhone app that allows customers to order food directly from their phones. You can also include things like coupons or specials in your app. Another example could be if you own a retail store and you want to attract more people to your store so they can see what you have to offer. You can create an app with details about your store so people know where to find it.
To build a career as an iOS application programmer
Developing apps for iOS can help you advance your career as a mobile app programmer, or you can even start a company that builds iPhone apps.
To earn money by selling apps
It is no secret that Apple's app market is a huge source of income for many people who know how to create an app on iOS. It appears every week. There is a news story about a guy who quit his job to focus on making iPhone apps and made more money in a month than I did by working all year.
To build reputation and show off skills
Many app developers learn how to create iPhone apps to create a good reputation and showcase their skills. If you have a great creative idea, the App Store can be a great way to showcase your work to the public. If you work for an employer, you can create an iPhone app as part of your job. If you are creating an app for business purposes or just want to make something fun, the iPhone app allows you to interact with your audience and provide them with content that they can use in their daily lives.
Steps before creating an iPhone app
Have you ever thought of making an app for iPhone? If so, you are not alone. Thousands of new apps are added to the Apple App Store every day. It can be hard to know where to start when building your app with so much competition.
If you are an aspiring app creator, you must know all the steps required to create an iOS app.
There are four important steps that you should follow when educating yourself on how to create your own iPhone app:
Research your competitors
To succeed, you need to learn more about your competitors and see what's out there. If a developer has already created an app that works like yours, chances are you won't get much of an impact with your release. So, you need to locate a blank in the market and make sure no one has already built an app with these features before.
You can also use this opportunity to learn from mistakes made by other developers. If other apps aren't working as you expect, make sure your app isn't suffering from the same issues.
Try the apps for yourself
"It's really important to try different apps on your own," says Scott Nelson, founder of The Next Step Design, a design firm that specializes in mobile apps. "If you've never designed an app before, it might be a good idea to gain some experience." This can be done by learning how to create an app for iOS.
The first thing to do before getting your hands on how to create an iPhone app is to try out some of the exact apps out there in the market. There are several reasons for this:
You can see what works and what doesn't.
You can see how much competition you have.
You can see the general direction the market is moving.
You can learn from other people's mistakes.
You can get ideas for functionality your app might want to include.
Examine customer feedback
When you start thinking about creating iOS apps, you should look at the ratings and reviews first. Remember to read reviews of competing apps and similar apps that don't directly compete with yours. This will give you an idea of what people are looking for in an app like yours, what they expect it to do, and how it should work.
User feedback will be the best source of facts about what features need to be included or changed. You can get a lot of valuable information by reading reviews.
Analysis of potential application users
Before diving into building an iOS app, you should do some preparation. First, get feedback from your potential users to see if they want your app. Next, design an Excel database or spreadsheet to keep track of all the information required for the mobile app.
Surveying potential customers is one of the most important steps before educating yourself about creating an app for iPhone. To succeed in business, you need to know your target customers and their desires. Asks questions: What do your target users need? If you are developing a new mobile application, it is essential to know the desire of the users of the application before spending hours and money creating it.
The best way to do this is to talk to the users who will eventually use your app and ask about their goals, habits, frustrations, and motivations. When you have the answers to these questions, you can build a better product.
Ways to perform an iOS app scan
When planning to create a survey for your iOS app, you must first have an idea of what questions you want to ask the respondents. Here are some tips on how to create an effective survey for your iOS app:
Specific inquiries should be made. The main point in crafting a survey is to gather feedback from the respondents. You should be precise and direct in your requests as this will help you get more accurate and useful answers.
Use closed questions . This is one way to help make it easier for respondents to answer surveys. This type of questionnaire requires less thought and effort from the respondent because they choose among the answers.
Avoid asking too many questions . A good rule of thumb is that a survey should contain no more than eight questions. If you want to learn more, try creating a second survey aimed at another group of respondents.
Polling potential iPhone users will help you understand what people are looking for in a mobile app and what functions to look out for when you learn about iPhone app creation.
You can specify if it is needed for your specific application. Get insight into how people use your app, what features they would like to have, and how much they are willing to pay for it. Consider sending out a short survey via email or social media to friends, family, and acquaintances. Ask them if they use mobile apps on their phones or tablets why they use them. Ask them if they would buy an app or download a free app that has embedded ads.
Plan your application
When you first started, you probably had an idea of what kind of app you wanted to build. The design process is where this idea begins to take shape.
You might think that planning is only necessary when you are gathering ideas about creating very complex iPhone apps. Even if your app is relatively simple, it's a good idea to start with a plan, and it will help you ensure that every part of your app serves a purpose.
Primary features vs. secondary features
In this step, you will focus on two different types of features: primary and secondary.
A core feature is an essential functionality of your app, which is why people download it in the first place. Essential features make sure that your app delivers the intended value.
A secondary feature is an additional functionality to your application that may be useful but is not essential to the primary value. Secondary features are what differentiate your app from others in the same space.
An example of a core feature is Uber's core functionality: getting you from A to B as quickly and easily as possible. Scheduling a capture at a specific time is a secondary benefit as it helps deliver that core value but is not necessary for the application to serve its purpose.
Essential features are often set by regulations or requirements when the application is for a specific industry.
For example, a banking app should include features to:
Check balances
make payments
Transfer money between accounts
But it doesn't stop there. If you want to build an application that will be used, you have to go beyond the basic requirements, and this is where the secondary features come into play.
These additional features will make your app stand out from others in the same niche. For example, a banking app may have secondary features such as:
Preparing direct debit and standing orders.
Design custom alerts, so customers are notified when their balance is running low or if payment is imminent.
Make payments using location data to identify nearby merchants that accept mobile payments.
Create a wireframe for your iOS app
You may have a mobile app in mind or you are just beginning the brainstorming process for iPhone app development. It's important to start by evaluating how your application will perform its intended task.
The first step is to create a wireframe. This is basically a diagram showing the essential features and screens of your app, including how they interact with each other. It doesn't have to be fancy - the key is to focus on performance and user experience (UX).
A wireframe is an outline or rough sketch of your app idea - it's a visual representation of the features and functionality you'd like to include in your app.
Your wireframe can be as detailed or simple as you want it to be, but it should ideally include all the important elements of your application. It will indicate what your application needs to perform and the time and effort it will take to implement your idea.
Here are six steps to creating a successful wireframe for your app:
1. Determine and prioritize your goals for the application. Make sure you understand exactly what you want the app to achieve and why it will be useful to your users.
2. Determine which features are essential and which can be saved for subsequent iterations. Don't feel like you have to include all of your ideas in version 1.0; Part of the rapid development is to deliver an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) and then build on it over time based on user feedback and analytics data.
3. Determine the 'flow' of activities through the app, using pen and paper or simple software tools such as Balsmac mockups or Mockingbot. Don't worry about making it look pretty at this point - just focus on the basic functionality.
4. Know your users. Before you start drawing a wireframe, take a moment to decide who will be using the app (or website). This identification process is called personas, which is developed by collecting data via interviews, observations, and surveys of potential users. Prototype the entire user experience and flow.
5. Find inspiration from other apps. Before you begin the design process, be sure to do your research. A good way to start is to look at other mobile apps. Browse app stores, make a list of features you like, or take screenshots of widgets you find interesting.
6: Turn your sketches into digital wireframes. Before moving on to the digital version, actually draw the wireframe. The physical version will allow you to quickly draw without the distraction of visual design elements.
Once you've created your initial sketches with pen and paper, it's time to transfer them to a digital copy so others can view them and provide feedback. Engage early and often with key stakeholders. Showing a wireframe to customers early on will allow feedback that can help shape the product before it goes too far in the process.
How to create an iOS app?
There are three main ways you can create iOS apps.
The first is to use an app builder like Andromo App Maker for iOS. This tool allows you to upload your own content and build the app from simple in-app templates.
The second option is to code the app yourself using the Xcode framework for IOS and the Objective C programming language. This is a steep training curve for most people and requires solid knowledge of coding and software design to build a decent app.
The third option is to hire a developer from a platform like Freelancer, Guru, Upwork, or PeoplePerHour to code the app for you.
This can be a good option if you have some cash available, but it's not cheap. You need to involve the developer in your vision of what the app should do, which can be time consuming and difficult if you're not technical yourself. You also need to be careful about handing over money upfront before doing any work, especially if you're new to outsourcing development work.
Let's now dive in and explain each one in detail:
Use the app builder
Here I'll show you how Andromo is easy and intuitive to use, and in doing so, I'll show you how to build an iPhone app with little to no programming or design experience.
Andromo is a mobile app building platform where you can build professional Android apps without writing a single line of code. Turn your ideas into reality with just a few clicks. Create exciting video apps, useful apps, ebooks, audio apps, business productivity apps, and more.
No need to learn programming
Andromeda is trusted by professionals and hobbyists around the world to create powerful business applications.
No programming needed. Andromo app maker requires zero coding knowledge and is perfect for non-coders. You don't need to be an expert or write any code at all! Simply add content and define the functionality required to create professional-quality mobile apps suitable for Android devices everywhere.
Android also has an extensive library of resources that can help you learn how to develop apps for iOS.
Andromeo has a 14-day trial period. Before subscribing, you can use it to try Andromo's functionality and make sure it meets your needs.
If you do not cancel your account within 14 days of creating it, your account will automatically be upgraded to a paid subscription at the end of the trial period. If you want to continue using Andromo after this point, select a subscription plan and enter your billing information.
Application code yourself
Xcode is a great way to create an app for the iPhone. It's a free download from Apple and it's easy to use. Xcode has a built-in interface builder that makes it easy to prototype your design and then connect the interface to your source code. You can also debug your app and submit it to the App Market.
If you're not familiar with creating software, it might be worth taking a course on how to develop an iOS app before diving into writing code. The Harvard Extension School offers great options for beginners.
The most popular language for creating iOS apps is Swift, which was developed by Apple in 2014 and has been updated since then. It's great for beginners because it's easy to understand and similar to English, which makes the learning curve less steep than other languages like Objective-C.
Once you get a handle on a programming language, you will need to install Xcode on your Mac computer if you want to build an iOS app. Xcode is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) that contains all the tools needed to develop software on Apple platforms.
If coding sounds intimidating, don't worry! Many resources on the internet can help you learn how to use Swift via videos or blogs. Here are some places to start:
Pay the developer
The first thing you need to do is find a developer. If you are not a programmer yourself or do not have access to an in-house development team, outsourcing is your best bet. You have two options: You can either hire someone full time, or you can hire a company to do it for you.
If you choose to go with an individual, find someone who has extensive knowledge in creating apps for the iPhone. If you want to go with a company, make sure they have experience developing apps similar to yours. If possible, hire someone who has developed and published an app on the iTunes App Store. Remember how I said it's easy to compile a bad app? The same applies to developers. It doesn't matter how impressive someone's resume looks if they have no idea how to design a user interface or write code that doesn't crash every five seconds, don't hire them.
Test your application
Before publishing your app, it is important to test it thoroughly. You can use the service below to test the application internally and externally:
TestFlight for the Apple iOS App Store
Test your app internally before submitting it for review. Use the TestFlight app to submit a beta build to internal testers and collect feedback on performance, crashes, or other issues.
Internal testing is a great way to provide a more limited access group of users with early access to a beta version of an app. It's also an effective way to get valuable feedback before launching your app.
TestFlight allows testers to install and test beta apps on iOS, tvOS, and watchOS devices. Testers must receive a direct invitation from a developer before they can start testing with TestFlight. Once invited, testers can redeem invitations in TestFlight to install, test, send valuable feedback, and get updates for the beta app.
Call testers
You can manage testers in App Store Connect. To add a new tester, click Add New Tester and enter their email address.
If you have an iTunes Connect user with the same Apple ID as their App Store account, they'll instantly be added to your list of testers when they accept your email invitation or follow your public link.
To invite a user with a role other than Administrator or Technician, you need to add them as an iTunes Connect user (see Users and Roles). Create a separate user for each member of your team that you want to invite to test with TestFlight. Otherwise, users will receive multiple email invitations and will not join your beta test group.
Add devices
To add a test phone to the list of TestFlight devices, you must sign in with the same Apple ID that you use in the App Store Connect app.
Before you go public with your app, you need to make sure it's ready. You've already tested it internally, but you should also have some external testers. External testers are people who can give a neutral opinion of your app.
You can obtain external testers in several ways:
Send your app to friends and ask them for their honest opinion. Friends can be very critical and are not likely to back down if anything is wrong with your app.
Hire testers from websites such as MyCrowd or uTest. These sites allow you to post a job listing for beta testing, complete with a description of the features you want to test along with any other requirements you may have.
Ask on forums or social media platforms like Reddit or Facebook if anyone would like to test your app for a free download or discount code.
Publish your application
You have finally built your app. Now you need to get it out there.
The process of getting your app ready and available on the App Store is called "launch". There are several different launch methods, but the most popular is the "test launch". You are launching your app in different markets, such as Germany or the USA.
You can also choose to make the app available exclusively to a limited list of beta testers. This allows you to make sure everything works as planned, get initial feedback from real users, and make any necessary adjustments before you introduce your product to the world.
Once you're satisfied with the results of the beta test or soft launch, you can submit your app to Apple for review. The process takes about a week or two and includes checks for quality, content, and whether your app follows Apple's guidelines for developers. If approved, it will be officially available on the App Store.
To do that, you can follow the process below.
Build your App Store product page
1. Sign in to the Apple Developer Program
2. Select "App IDs" in the left menu, then click the blue "+" button in the upper right corner to create a new App ID.
3. Fill out the form with the information you created earlier in this tutorial and hit Next, then hit Submit when you see the confirmation page. The App ID should now appear on the homepage for this section of your creator profile.
When done, click Continue, then Submit when you see the confirmation page. Your device should now appear in your list of devices on the home page.
Choose the correct name for your application
Choosing the right name for your app is important during the app building phase. A name is a great way to make a first impression, and it can get people curious about your app and give them an idea of what it does. People might not even know how to use your app, but the name might interest them enough to try out its features.
You should make sure that you choose a unique name for your app that stands out among all the other apps in the App Store. If you want your app to be found easily, make sure you choose a name that describes the functionality of your app so that people looking for that kind of job can find it easily using the search bar on the App Store.
A good app name helps you stand out from your competition, makes it easy for people to remember and recognize your app, and conveys the kind of experience people will have when they download it.
Here are three tips that can help you choose a great name:
1. Be accurate : An accurate name can help potential users understand what your app does at a glance, which helps them decide whether to download it or not. Avoid generic or ambiguous names, especially those that can be used to describe multiple types of applications.
2. Be unique : A unique name helps with discoverability on the App Store and can make it easier for you to start building buzz with word-of-mouth marketing at launch.
3. Be impactful : An evocative name can create an emotional connection with potential users by suggesting what they might experience once they download your app while also making it memorable.
Don't forget your application code
Now that your app is ready to submit, don't forget to code. This is a very important part of your app (it will be seen by millions and millions of people) so it needs to be taken seriously.
Your app icon is the image users will see on their home screen when they download your app, so it needs to be memorable and represent your brand.
If you don't have a designer on hand to create an icon for you, plenty of online tools can help. You need to provide versions of the icon in multiple sizes, which Apple lists on their requirements page.
The smallest size is a small square of 29px, and the largest square is 1024px (yes, a whole 1024px!). Once you have prepared all the icons of the necessary size, you must compress them into one folder and upload them to iTunes Connect.
Sub-address
Adding a subtitle is another good way to describe your app and let your users know exactly what they'll be getting when they download your app. A good subtitle should be short but descriptive and highlight your app's features. It is also recommended to use keywords in translation. For example, if you have a game app, you can add " Rocket League – CD Playstation " as one of the keywords in your translation.
If your app is not localized to other languages, Apple will translate it for you. You still need to provide all the required assets, such as screenshots and icons, in every language that you want to display on your app.
Application previews and screenshots
There are two parts to the App Store product page:
Application previews . You can create short videos to show your app in action.
The app preview should be between 30-60 seconds long and include screenshots captured on the device. You can use an app called Reflector (http://www.airsquirrels.com/reflector/) to mirror your device on your PC, or you can use QuickTime Player on your Mac to record your device.
screenshots . These images still give users an idea of what it's like to use your app. Screenshots are a great way to showcase your app's functionality without the user downloading the app first. Mark these screenshots for the different languages it supports to boost downloads all over the world.
You can include up to 10 photos or videos in your app profile, and they will appear in your account in the order you upload them.
If your app is listed for iPhone 6 or later, you can also upload three additional screenshots per translation that show your app on iPhone 6 Plus or iPhone 7 Plus.
Application description
If you are coding with the Xcode project editor, it is possible to view the application's metadata in the identity pane of the editor.
Note: To prevent your application from being rejected during the screening phase, be sure to include a clear and complete explanation about your application. Do not include unwanted search terms in the application's explanation box; Instead, focus on describing uses and performance.
Find your flight
In order to rank in the app marketplace for specific searches, you must include your intended search terms in the app's caption box, along with the keywords and content that will result in the user downloading.
Include search terms in your app's name: Apple now uses search ads, so just putting search terms at the end of a subtitle is very manipulative. It is advisable to place search terms in the application explanation area. These search queries matter a lot in the Apple app market, and they help potential app customers see exactly what the mobile app is when they search for similar topics.
Final thoughts
Now that you know how to create an app for iPhone, the next step is to get your hands dirty and start creating something. It is recommended to start with something simple. If you have any questions about getting started, please leave a comment below, and we'll do our best to help you.