5 Core Skills To Look For In An IOS App Development Company

iOS has emerged as a leading platform for mobile app development. Since its launch, the iOS app development landscape has experienced a swift expansion, boasting over 2.22 million apps in the iOS app store as of 2024. The demand for iOS app development company and their unique skill sets has skyrocketed, making them some of the most coveted professionals in the industry.

Several factors have contributed to iOS becoming the platform of choice for developers around the globe. These include the simplicity of developing apps, the potential for high profits, a consistent user interface, and a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The uniformity of the user interface also minimizes the likelihood of fragmentation issues.

A crucial part of creating an iOS app is hiring skilled iOS app developers. These individuals should have a solid foundation in mobile development and a comprehensive set of iOS development skills.

Technical Skills to Consider While Hiring an iOS App Development Company in the UK

1. Proficiency in Swift 3.0

Swift, a programming language designed by Apple, is object-oriented and known for its straightforward syntax and user-friendly nature. It’s a powerful and intuitive language used for crafting apps for all of Apple’s platforms, including macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS.

Swift is speedy and stable, enabling iOS developers to swiftly build responsive and feature-packed iOS apps. Additionally, it’s open-source and easy to pick up.

Having a deep understanding of Swift 3.0 is crucial as it’s one of the most demanded skills for iOS developers.

2. Familiarity with Xcode IDE

Xcode IDE, or Integrated Development Environment, is a must-have skill for any iOS developer you’re looking to hire.

An IDE is packed with tools and essentials for automation, debugging, programming, interpretation, and compiling, all of which streamline the process of software or mobile app creation. The resources within an IDE simplify the development and deployment stages for both new and existing apps.

IDEs also enhance the user experience and cut down on development time and cost for iOS app development. Make sure to seek developers who have Xcode IDE in their skill set.

3. Mastery of Core Data

Core Data is a framework that simplifies the development of data-centric applications by easing the management of model objects and their relationships. This takes the burden of routine tasks associated with object life cycle and graph management off the developer.

Core Data significantly reduces the amount of code an iOS developer needs to write to support the model layer. iOS developers can use Core Data to store app data for offline use, cache temporary data, and add undo functionality to an app on a single device. When syncing across multiple devices under a single iCloud account, Core Data automatically reflects the schema to a CloudKit container.

It’s crucial to hire iOS app development company who are adept at using Core Data to create applications that focus on the customer.

4. Proficiency in Managing Memory

Memory is the hardware component of your device that temporarily stores data. The primary short-term memory system of an iPhone or iPad depends on built-in RAM. The operating system of the device dynamically allocates this memory. Given the limited memory resources of iOS devices, it’s essential to manage this memory effectively.

The system only allows apps a certain amount of memory access, which can lead to slower performance and potential crashes.

A seasoned iOS developer should be aware that exceeding the set per-process limit can cause the app to stop working. They should be adept at resolving this issue through efficient memory management.

5. Expertise in Source Control

Source control is a strategic approach to managing system changes, specifically those made in the source code. It’s a crucial aspect of app development. This method helps avoid conflicts among developers working on the same application.

Practical experience with source control enables most iOS developers to collaborate and streamline the iOS development process. When hiring iPhone app developers, look for those who are proficient at managing and working in teams.

Conclusion

When seeking an iOS app development company, it’s crucial to consider five core skills. These include proficiency in Swift or Objective-C, a deep understanding of the iOS SDK and Xcode, experience with UI/UX design principles, knowledge of Apple’s App Store guidelines, and the ability to integrate APIs and databases.

These skills ensure the company can deliver a high-quality, user-friendly app that adheres to Apple’s standards and meets your business needs.