Develop an iOS App

Build and release a mobile app on Apple's App Store.

About Develop an iOS App

What is iOS App Development?

iOS apps run on iPhones and iPads. You build an app using Apple's tools, submit it to the App Store, and Apple users can download it.

The iOS ecosystem has advantages: users tend to spend more money, the platform is more standardized, and quality expectations are higher. But it also has barriers: you need a Mac, pay annual fees, and navigate Apple's strict review process.

The Honest Picture

Why iOS Attracts Developers

Users spend more on apps
Less device fragmentation than Android
Higher per-user revenue potential
Premium perception

The Challenges

Challenge	Reality
Mac required	$1,000+ investment
Annual fee	$99/year to stay listed
App review	Can be slow, frustrating
Competition	Millions of apps
Discovery	Getting found is hard

Realistic Expectations

Most indie iOS apps don't make significant money. Some do. The ones that succeed typically solve specific problems for specific audiences.

Getting Started

What You Need

Item	Cost	Notes
Mac	$1,000+	Required for development
Xcode	Free	Apple's IDE
Developer Account	$99/year	To publish
iPhone	Optional	Simulators work for testing

Development Options

Approach	Language	Notes
Native iOS	Swift	Best performance, Apple-preferred
Flutter	Dart	Cross-platform (iOS + Android)
React Native	JavaScript	Cross-platform, web skills transfer

For solo developers: Flutter is increasingly popular because you can target both iOS and Android with one codebase.

Learning Path

If you're new to iOS development:

Learn Swift basics (2-4 weeks)
Understand iOS UI concepts (2-4 weeks)
Build tutorial apps (2-4 weeks)
Create your first simple app (4-8 weeks)

Budget 3-6 months before you're ready to build something real.

Finding Your App Idea

Where to Look

Problems you personally have
Underserved niches you know
Bad apps with good reviews (people want it but execution is poor)
Specific professional tools

Validation

Before building:

Search the App Store
Check competitor reviews
Talk to potential users
Estimate market size

Good Niches for Indies

Type	Example
Productivity tools	Niche task managers
Health/fitness	Specific activity trackers
Education	Focused learning apps
Utilities	Specific calculators, converters
Hobby apps	Niche interest tools

Avoid broad categories dominated by big companies.

Development Process

Simplified Flow

Validate - Research, talk to users
Design - Wireframes, user experience
Develop - Build core features
Test - On devices and simulators
Polish - Fix bugs, improve UX
Submit - App Store review
Launch - Marketing, iteration

Keep Your First App Simple

One core feature
2-4 month timeline
Something you can actually finish
Learning experience mindset

App Store Submission

Requirements

Developer account ($99/year)
App screenshots (multiple sizes)
App description
Privacy policy
App category and rating

Review Process

Apple reviews every app:

Typically 1-7 days
Can be rejected for many reasons
Requires fix and resubmit
Sometimes frustrating

Common Rejections

Bugs or crashes
Incomplete features
Misleading metadata
Privacy policy issues
Guideline violations

Read Apple's guidelines carefully before submitting.

Monetization

Revenue Models

Model	Best For	Notes
Paid upfront	Quality utilities	$0.99-9.99 common
Freemium	Most apps	Free + paid features
Subscription	Ongoing value	Recurring revenue
In-app purchase	Games, consumables	One-time extras
Ads	Free utilities	Lower revenue per user

Apple's Cut

Apple takes 30% of app revenue (15% for small developers under $1M/year and for subscriptions after year one).

Realistic Revenue

Downloads	Possible Monthly
100-500	$0-100
500-5,000	$100-1,000
5,000-50,000	$1,000-10,000
50,000+	$10,000+

Most indie apps don't reach 5,000 downloads.

Marketing

App Store Optimization

Keyword research for title/description
Quality screenshots and video
Getting reviews
Regular updates

External Marketing

Social media presence
Content marketing
Community engagement
Product Hunt launch

What Works

Solving a real problem
Great user experience
Building audience before launch
Consistent improvement

Working While Traveling

The Challenge

You need a Mac, which means:

Carrying a laptop (MacBook)
Reliable power and internet
Secure workspace for expensive equipment

Making It Work

MacBook Air is light and capable
Cloud backups essential
TestFlight for beta testing
Remote debugging tools

Who Should Do This?

Good fit if you:

Have or can afford a Mac
Are interested in learning Swift/Flutter
Have patience for long projects
Accept uncertain financial returns
Want to build products

Not ideal if you:

Don't have a Mac (and can't get one)
Need income soon
Want guaranteed returns
Prefer client work
Get frustrated by review processes

Alternatives to Consider

Android development (cheaper startup)
Chrome extensions (simpler)
Web apps (no app store)
Cross-platform with Flutter (both iOS + Android)
Freelance iOS development for clients

Getting Started

Get a Mac if you don't have one
Download Xcode (free)
Learn Swift or Flutter basics
Build simple tutorial projects
Create a small, finishable app
Submit and learn from the process
Iterate based on feedback

The Bottom Line

iOS development offers access to users who spend money on apps, but it requires real investment: a Mac, annual fees, learning time, and patience with Apple's review process.

Most indie apps don't succeed financially. The ones that do typically solve specific problems for specific audiences, with developers who kept improving based on feedback.

If you're drawn to building apps and can make the initial investment, start small. Build something simple, get it approved, and learn from the experience. Your first app is education; success comes later.

Business Models

Product-Based 📦

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Mac?

For native iOS development with Swift, yes. Xcode only runs on Mac. Cross-platform tools like Flutter technically work on other systems, but you still need a Mac to build the final iOS app. Cloud Mac services exist but add complexity and cost.

How much does it cost to get started?

Apple Developer Program: $99/year. You need a Mac ($1,000+ for a capable one). An iPhone for testing helps but you can use simulators. Total: $1,100-2,000+ upfront, plus $99/year ongoing.

How hard is App Store approval?

Apple reviews every app submission. Common rejection reasons: crashes, incomplete features, misleading descriptions, privacy issues, or guideline violations. Review takes 1-7 days typically. Rejections require fixes and resubmission.

Is iOS better than Android for indie developers?

Depends on your app. iOS users spend more, so paid apps and subscriptions work better. Android has more global users, so ad-supported apps might do better there. Many developers use Flutter to target both platforms.