Apple officially opened its iOS app store in 2008, initially with 500 apps. Since then, people have been busy learning how to create iOS apps, bringing their app idea to life. As of 2022, there were 3.6 million apps available on the app store (plus another million game apps). And, with thousands of apps added every day, app creation doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
Whether you have an idea for an app, want to start a career creating apps for iOS, or just want to If you don’t know how to build an app, this blog post lists five simple steps every beginner should know when thinking about learning how to build an iOS app:
- Download Xcode
- Learn Swift
- Access online resources
- Find a mentor
- Sign up for Coding Bootcamp
Step #1 : Download Xcode
Before creating an iOS app, you’ll need the right tools. In building apps, the tool you need is called Xcode. You can download it directly to your computer from the App Store. Once downloaded, you’ll use it to build your user interface and to write code to respond to user interaction. And good news: it’s free.
Step #2: Learn Swift
Swift is the coding language you’ll need to learn to write iOS apps. After downloading Xcode, it will write Swift to Xcode. To get a better idea of what we mean, Code with Chris explains it with this analogy: Swift would be the English language, and Xcode would be your pen and paper. You’ll write the Swift programming language directly in Xcode.
After downloading Xcode and learning Swift, you’ll not only be able to create iOS apps for an iPhone, but also apps for other Apple products. like iPads, Apple Watch apps, Apple TV apps, etc.
Now, downloading Xcode and learning Swift is not as simple as it seems. Or, maybe it doesn’t sound so simple. Either way, you’ll need to learn how to navigate Xcode and LEARN a new language aka Swift. Lucky for you, there are plenty of resources out there to help you do these things.
[cta id=”967″ vid=”0″]Step #3 : Access the online resources
Like most businesses now, you can find an endless amount of free online resources to guide you through the process of navigating Xcode and learning Swift. Here are the benefits of learning how to build an app this way: 1) it’s free, and 2) you can work on your own timeline. With this type of learning, you will have to be very disciplined. Practicing what the Internet teaches you will also be essential to your success.
Depending on the type of learner you are, this could be a negative experience. If you use online resources and work on your own timeline, it will take a while to get to a place where you feel comfortable creating your own apps.
Step #4: Find a mentor
Along with using online resources, finding a mentor or someone who knows Xcode and Swift and has time to teach you will be one of the most effective ways to learn how to build an iOS app. A mentor can teach you the correct way to set up Xcode and teach you tips and tricks that they have learned in their years of experience. And even after you start building your app, you can lean on your mentor to make it better.
Finding a mentor will take some work. Here are some recommendations on how to find one:
- Look up iOS developers in your area on LinkedIn, connect with them, ask them about their work, and ask if they’d be interested in teaching. how they do what they do.
- Ask family and friends if they know anyone involved in app development. Even if they don’t work specifically with Mac/iPhone, they may be able to help you find others that do. Get her number and make the call.
- Go to coding boot camp. Bootcamps often have mentors who not only help you through the coding bootcamp course, but will keep in touch with you even after you’ve finished the course.
Step #. Code #5: Enroll in the coding bootcamp
A 16-week coding bootcamp fully immerses you in creating iOS apps and the iOS app network—that is, finding connections with the right people They can teach you what you need to know. In bootcamp, you will be taught by experienced professionals and mentored by others who have taken the course themselves. Bootcamp is cash, but usually costs $11,400 depending on where you go. Another added benefit of going to coding boot camp, if you’re hoping to make a career in building iOS apps, is certification. This shows potential employers that you know how to code an app (iOS certification looks good on resumes).
Other things to consider
- CostHow How much does it cost to build an application? There really isn’t a specific price range.It’s not uncommon for large enterprise-level companies to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on proprietary apps with dozens of features, and even the smallest companies can sometimes expect to spend more than $10,000 developing a single app. Does that mean you’ll have to empty your savings to turn your app dream into an iOS-based reality? Not necessarily. It really all depends on a variety of factors, including what additional tools you use, what features you plan to include, and how quickly you want to finish the app. The fact is, if you can develop proficiency with code and have the time, building your own iOS app doesn’t have to be expensive at all.
- Platform Compatibility Can you build an iOS app using the ¿ Windows operating system? The short (and official) answer is no. However, the longer and more accurate answer is yes… you’ll just have to use a workaround. This is because Xcode is only compatible with Mac operating systems, which makes Windows strictly off limits. However, it is possible to use virtual machines to run Mac OS on a Windows computer. Just be aware that using macOS on non-Apple hardware violates Apple’s End User License Agreement. So don’t (wink).
Using online resources, finding a mentor AND attending a coding bootcamp is the fastest and most effective. path to learn how to create an iOS app. Starting with any of these recommendations will surely put you on the right path to adding your app to the Apple App Store.
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