As of the fourth quarter of 2019, there are 2.57 million Android apps and 1.84 million apps for iOS. In 2018, the total revenue from mobile app downloads, advertising, and in-app purchases was $365.2 billion. In 2023, this number is projected to reach $935.2, which denotes a considerable jump by almost 2.7X. But given how mobile internet penetration has exceeded half of the world’s population, these statistics are not surprising at all. Consumers are still downloading mobile apps, even though the global uninstall rate after 30 days is 28%. That shows that although mobile apps are popular, it is not enough to just launch one anymore. Instead, the app’s success depends on how well it is developed, marketed, and updated. And in this article, we will focus on iOS app development.
iOS apps take the cake
Speaking of iOS, the Apple Store is the second-leading mobile app store in the world, which will comprise 5 million apps – including both iPhone and iPad – by the end of 2020. Besides, last year, Apple’s App Store was #1 in the US, garnering 3X more sales than Google Play. Ever since the tech giant opened the doors of its App Store, the number of developers from around the world trying to cash in on this lucrative opportunity has increased. According to Payscale, iOS developers with an experience of five years make $100K on average in the US, as of 2020. Whereas, in the UK, they can earn £36,000. In India, the average salary of a fresher is INR 6,56,000. The numbers are proof of the fact that app development can lead to high-paying opportunities – anywhere in the world. So, if you are a developer looking to get a head-start on developing an iOS mobile app or upskilling yourself, these iOS app development resources won’t disappoint.
Apple Developer
Digital resource If you want to learn the ropes of iOS development quickly, then Developer is apt for you. As the name suggests, it is a digital study resource offered by Apple itself. Developer’s learning contents revolve around iOS development, Xcode, Swift, programming guides, and presentations. You can quickly click through links and find resources under each Apple platform such as MacBook, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Further, the resource opens avenues to connecting with other Apple developers and exchanging knowledge.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn is a popular platform for online learning. It offers an exhaustive list of courses on iOS app development. You can pick any of them – depending on your expertise – and learn at your pace from easy-to-learn video lectures. Apart from developing, debugging, and deploying apps to Objective-C, explore design patterns, coding guidelines, and essential concepts related to app development such as storyboard, model-view-controller, and delegation. Besides, some LinkedIn Learning courses offer a checklist for successfully submitting the app on the App Store. The price for each course on the platform varies, so you can pick and choose the ones you like better.
Stack Overflow
Online community Not a tutorial site, but it is an excellent resource for learning iOS app development if you are just a beginner. Stack Overflow functions more like a Q & A community focused on programming in general, and it also allows you to connect with fellow developers. You can even browse through code solutions and snippets to resolve regular programming issues. If you have a particular problem and can’t find the answer to it on any of the tutorials immediately, then Stack Overflow is your go-to site.
Developing Apps for iOS
Apple Podcast course The free video course has been designed by Stanford’s School of Engineering and is conducted by Paul Hegarty. Available for viewing on Apple Podcasts, the course offers immense value to developers looking to start from the basics of creating apps for Apple products. You learn how to use iPhone APIs and tools, including Interface Builder and Instruments and Xcode, manage app memory, design user interface using multi-touch technologies, and create an object-oriented design using a model-view-controller pattern. Moreover, you can easily browse through videos and lecture slides to learn at your own pace.
Geeky Lemon Xcode Tutorials
Apple Podcast course Geeky Lemon is an excellent paid resource to learn to create iPhone, iPad, iPod to Apple Watch, and Apple TV. The Xcode tutorials will walk you through every step and teach how easy it is to copy/paste the codes. They contain everything you need to know from creating projects, necessary coding, visual development, and much more. The tutorials are in-depth and easy to follow using the latest versions of Xcode at the time. You can explore their full range of courses here.
Ray Wenderlich Blog
Online community This blog is a pool of over 3,000 high-quality online tutorials to help the newbies learn iOS development quickly. You can find courses on the most challenging topics related to iOS, app development, and other emerging technologies explained clearly. From videos and podcasts to written content – there is something for everyone on the Ray Wenderlich Blog. There is also a forum for the learners to discuss iPhone development, resolve whatever issues they may have on app development, and to connect with fellow students and experts.
iOS 11 & Swift Developer Course
Udemy course It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner, programmer, or pro-developer, this 34-hour rigorous Udemy course on iOS app development. Comprising 250 online lectures, it is a complete toolkit for anyone who wants to design apps such as iOS 11, ARKit, Depth Photo API, and Swift 4. The course touches upon the basics of Xcode9 and Swift 4 and then goes on to throw light on advanced iOS features, and also teaches you to clone popular interactive apps such as Instagram, Tinder, Uber, and Snapchat. At the end of every lecture is a challenge for the learners to complete. Whichever powerful strategies for using iOS 11 are taught in the course can be quickly incorporated in real projects. No paid software needs to be installed. Coding is taught on XCode9, which is free.
iOS 11 Fundamentals
PluralSight course Often called the Netflix for software developers, PluralSight has more than 5000 courses on iOS app development. One of the more popular ones is called iOS 11 Fundamentals, which will get you up and running on Swift 4 and Xcode 9 to build iOS 11 apps with adaptive user interfaces. From managing iOS projects and building blocks for the applications to understanding navigation options, the course informs on the latest best practices on iOS architecture. You can access the course at $299. However, if you are reluctant to invest upfront, sign up for its 10-day trial and watch 200 hours of content for free.
The Missing Manual
Paperback If you have mastered the iOS platform and know Swift like the back of your hand, this book will help you ready your app for the App Store. Yes, proper coding is an essential element for developing an app. However, that is not it. You have to understand the branding and design, your target audience, and the fundamentals of launching an app before you can submit to the App Store. If you are serious about publishing an app, this book will fill you on things you didn’t think you needed to know.
Cocoa Design Patterns
Paperback Published way back in 2009, the book still holds prominence for having lots of information for iOS developers, especially those working on macOS. However, Cocoa Design Patterns is not a book for amateurs. The begins with a chapter on the Model-View-Controller pattern and picks up the pace from there. Don’t expect to be filled in with every single technique. But if you have some experience with iOS programming, this book will help you enhance your skills in ways you didn’t imagine.
Wrapping Up
Being able to develop an app and have it published on the Apple store is rewarding indeed. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or a seasoned iOS app developer. If you have an idea and want to turn it into a reality, upgrade your skills with any of these courses. Moreover, your technical knowledge will always give you a competitive edge in the market. Therefore, don’t let this opportunity go and keep learning. And if you are unable to decide the course, get in touch with an expert iOS app developer for guidance.
