Is iOS developer a good career option in 2021

Megha Poojari
McKinley & Rice
Published in
4 min readMar 22, 2021

IOS or formerly known as iPhone OS is the operating system of Apple phones created and developed by the company. It is the main software for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Annual updates on the operating system by the company for better usage on the device have got more scope for the iOS developers not only in software development but also application development for other products.

  1. Fast developing field
  2. Reaching billions of people
  3. Challenging tasks
  4. Great career opportunity
  5. Passionate about the technology you’re working

Essential skills for an iOS Developer

iOS Programming: a few of the must-have skills that will help you excel in your iOS development career are:

  • Ability to develop native, structurally sound software for iOS and Mac OS X platforms.
  • Keeping up with current UX/UI trends and remaining up to date on new functionality exposed through Apple’s SDKs.
  • Ability to utilize project management software, version control systems, and develop automated testing and deployment strategies.

For those with little or no experience in programming, starting a career in iOS development can be arduous. Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Learn iOS development — There are many online resources and online courses that can assist you in your learning.
  • Start making apps right away — The best way to practice what you learned is by developing applications. Start developing simple apps and make them available for free or at a low cost to the public so that you can get reviews and feedback. This will help you develop better ones in the future or further improve the existing ones.
  • Utilize any opportunity to create apps — You can improve your reputation by developing apps for small organizations at a low cost or for free. This will get you noticed for your skills.

To start a career in iOS development, you will also require the following.

  • An Apple computer — A advanced one would be better as you require good speed and memory when you’re developing and testing your apps.
  • iPhone /iPad /iPod — If buy one of each, you will need to test your app on different iOS platforms.
  • Become a member of the iOS Developer Program — You need to become a member to access all the developer tools made by Apple.

Learning iOS :

  • Objective C — iOS apps are created in this language, so having a firm foundation in it is essential.
  • iOS — Within iOS there are a host of frameworks and tools like adding text and images, building views, and handling user interactions, that a developer must know.
  • Swift — Swift is Apple’s programming language for iOS Apps. Learning the fundamentals of programming is the foundation for building apps.
  • XCode — XCode is the development studio for creating Apple-based programs and apps. It’s free to download and can be very helpful if you become proficient in it.
  • Interface Builder — It is a great tool by Apple that lets you create smart and eye-catching user interfaces via drag and drop.
  • Version Control — Learning to use a versioning system for code is an essential skill for any developer.
  • Frameworks — Being familiar with important frameworks makes the life of an iOS Developer fairly easier as it allows you to reuse code written by other developers in your apps.

What does an iOS developer do?

An iOS developer builds, tests, and refines applications for mobile devices that use Apple’s iOS operating system that is consistent with the goals and standards of their company or client. They need to have a strong understanding of iOS and how it works with different Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV and be able to adapt their applications to their firm’s or client’s requirements.

Responsibilities

  • Build advanced applications for the iOS platform
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define and ship additional features.
  • Unit-test code for robustness, including edge cases, usability, and general reliability.
  • Work on bug fixing and improving application performance.
  • Continuously discover, evaluate, and implement new technologies to maximize development efficiency.

Conclusion:

There is numerous demand for iOS Developers today. It’s a reality that recent jobs require even hotter skills to land a drool-worthy position. It becomes imperative to determine where to invest your time and energy for growth as a developer. Moreover, investing your time and resources in learning iOS development is the best step forward for a lucrative career.

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