How to go about developing IOS application from scratch

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iphone-app-development

In this digital era, mobile phones have already crossed the desktop in terms of a number of users. With the increase in the number of mobile users, the number of mobile apps is constantly increasing.

Due to substantial growth in the mobile world, all business owners and entrepreneurs want to start their business through mobile apps.

According to 2018, Tim Cook declared that there are more than 20 million registered iOS developers serving more than 500 million visitors every week. Until July 2019, there were more than 2.2 million apps available on the App Store. 

The above stats prove that, in order to reach a wide audience and establish your brand, you have to develop an iOS App.

Are you confused about how to develop an iOS application from scratch? If yes, then you have the right place, as here we will provide you with a step-by-step process for iOS or iPhone App development from scratch.

But, before you develop an iOS App, you will need these three things:

  1. Mac
  2. Xcode
  3. iPhone (simulator can be used for testing; however, while submitting your app to the app store, this becomes essential)

How to go about developing the IOS application from scratch?

1. Create an Apple Developer Account

In order to launch your app on the App Store or allow others to test, you must have a developer account. The cost of the account is $99 per year and to create it you have to enter your tax and bank details. To create an account, visit the Apple Developer Website.

2. Download and Install Xcode on Mac

Xcode is mainly a development environment in which all the iPhone & iPad applications are being developed. Xcode is available for free for Mac; however, it requires OS X 10.14.4 or above to be installed. 

3. Define and Research your app

Whether you are developing an app for your business or for your client, you have a clear idea about the app and its features. 

This consists of a design document that lists all the functionality of the app, sketches of the user interface and flow between screens and the main purpose of the kind of system that needs to be implemented.

4. Learn and understand Swift 5

Swift 5 is a general-purpose programming language developed by keeping in mind safety, performance, and software design patterns.

You can learn and understand Swift within a few weeks. After this, you can start using swift in developing iOS Apps.

5. Outsource Development

If you don’t have enough time to learn or understand Swift, then you can reach out to a popular iOS App Development Company. They will develop an app as the current market scenario and deliver your project as soon as possible.

6. Know the target audience

The audience of the app will have a significant impact on the UI/UX design and functionality of the application. For instance, a pdf file viewer app has a different audience than a car racing game. 

7. Check the competitors of the app

Don’t start developing an app instantly. Research more about the idea. This is the thing that the majority of people don’t do in the process. 

It is essential to know successful competitors in your niche as it will give you more insights into your current ideas, layouts, and functionalities.

Lastly, check out the pros and cons of the competitors’ app and then plan your idea accordingly.

8. Choose the Development Model

An iOS App can be developed keeping in mind the following models:

  1. Prototype model
  2. Agile methodology
  3. Waterfall model

Now, we will provide you with a detailed process to develop an iOS App using these models:

Prototype Model

  • Requirement gathering and analysis

This model begins with the requirement analysis. Here, first of all, all the requirements of a client are mentioned in detail. In the process, clients have been interviewed to know what are his/her expectations from the system.

  • Fast Design

After analysis, a preliminary design of the app is made. It mainly includes a simple and effective design that provides an overall idea of the system to the client. This fast design is useful in prototype development.

  • Develop Prototype

In this step, a real prototype is being designed based on the information obtained from the quick design. It is a tiny working model of the desired system.

  • Client’s Evaluation

Now, the prototype is being given to the client for the first evaluation. It allows a client to list out all the pros and cons of the working model. Suggestions and reviews of the model are obtained from the customer and then passed on to the developer.

  • Improving Prototype

If the client is not satisfied with the prototype, then you have to improve the prototype based on feedback and suggestions. 

This step will continue until all the requirements mentioned by the client are not met. As soon as all requirements are finalized, the app is developed.

  • Develop Product and maintain

After the app is developed as on the final prototype, it is tested and deployed in the app store. The system carries out routine maintenance for reducing downtime and preventing big failures.

Agile methodology

  1. Plan
  2. Design
  3. Develop
  4. Test
  5. Release
  6. Feedback

Waterfall Model

  1. Requirement Analysis
  2. Design
  3. Develop
  4. Testing
  5. Deployment
  6. Maintenance

You might be thinking, then both Agile Methodology and Waterfall Model are the same; however, the main difference between the two methods is that Agile follows an iterative approach while the waterfall model follows and sequential approach.

 9. Upload your app to Apple App review board

Select Generic iOS device from the device tab and then click on product menus and select archive. It will take about 5-10 minutes to create an archive of your project.

10. Open App Store Connect Dashboard

Visit appstoreconnect.apple.com and sign in to your account. It will take you to the dashboard of the App Store Account. Ensure that tax and bank details are stated properly.

11. Provide all of your app’s information

Click on the + icon on the top-left corner and click on the new app. Enter App name, SKU number, choose the bundle ID, and App language. Choose your app bundle from the drop-down menu. 

Next, enter all the essential details such as description, keywords, support site, category, contact email, copyright information, etc. Enter all the details incorrectly Pricing & Availability Section.

Submit screenshots of the app in the required size.

12. Distribute your app to App Store

As we created an archive of the app two steps ago, now we have to open the organizer in the Xcode and then select our app and its build appropriately and click on the distribute an app. Lastly, follow the on-screen instructions properly.

Read Apple Appstore review guidelines properly to get minimum errors while the app is in the review.

13. Wait for the review

Apple will alert you about the outcome of the app in a few days. If your app fails, then you will get a message in the resolution center. But, if your app is perfect as per apple review guidelines, then you will see your app in your dashboard, with the message “Ready for sale.”

14. Promote your app

After iPhone App Development, it is very much important to spread the word. For this, you can approach a digital marketing agency, who will market your app through different mediums.

So, these were some of the steps that you should consider while developing iOS Applications from scratch.