iOS app development
We handle iOS app development: we design the interface following Apple's design guidelines, write the code in Swift and SwiftUI, publish the app to the App Store and provide technical support after launch. A native app runs fast and uses Face ID, Apple Pay, the camera, NFC and other iPhone capabilities.
iPhone and iPad app development
01
What a native iOS app is
A native iPhone and iPad app is a program written specifically for iOS in Swift or Objective-C using Xcode, Apple's official development environment, and published to the App Store. The code of such an app works directly with Face ID, the camera, NFC and other iPhone features.
02
When to choose native development
We recommend native iOS app development in the following cases:
Special features and hardware. The app needs iPhone capabilities or connections to devices for which cross-platform technologies have no ready-made modules
Background operation. The app records a workout route or performs another task while it runs in the background. Swift code uses iOS background modes without an intermediate layer between the app and the system
High performance. The app processes video or graphics in real time, for example by applying effects to the camera image. Native code passes camera frames to Apple video and graphics libraries without intermediate conversions
A single platform. An Android version is not planned, so a shared codebase for two systems brings no savings
A long-term product. You plan to develop the app for many years. Native code uses Apple tools directly, so we update the app for a new iOS version right after its release
If you need the app for both iOS and Android at once and the budget and launch date are limited, we offer cross-platform development on Flutter or React Native. One app with a shared codebase usually costs less than two native ones.
Discuss a task03
iPhone and iPad app development
We design, program, test and publish your iOS app to the App Store. If the app needs a backend, we develop that too.
Swift and SwiftUI
We write the app code in Swift, Apple's primary programming language for iPhone and iPad, and build the screens in SwiftUI, Apple's interface library. These tools make the app run fast and smoothly.
Human Interface Guidelines
We design the screens according to the Human Interface Guidelines, Apple's interface design guide. Buttons, gestures and navigation work the same way as in standard iPhone apps, so users find their way around the interface right away.
iPhone and iPad
We adapt the app to iPhone screens of different sizes. If you need the app on the iPad, we design the interface for the larger tablet display.
Data from your website or server
If you have a website, the app gets data from it through the API, the website's programming interface. If there is no API, we add one to the website. If there is no website or it cannot be extended, we develop a backend on Laravel or Django that stores the app content, lets you manage it and exchanges data with your internal systems or services.
iPhone testing
We test the app on the minimum and latest supported iOS versions and on iPhone screens of different sizes. Before publishing, you can install each new version on your iPhone through TestFlight, Apple's app testing service.
04
Key App Store rules
To reduce the risk of rejection during Apple review, we take these rules into account at the design stage:
- in most countries, digital content and subscriptions to it, such as online courses, are sold through App Store in-app purchases with an Apple commission
- physical goods and services received outside the app are paid for by card, through Apple Pay or by another method without an Apple commission
- if users can sign in with a Google or social media account, Apple rules require us to add another sign-in option that lets users hide their email, such as Sign in with Apple
- if users can create an account in the app, we also let them delete the account right in the app
- when requesting access to the camera, location or contacts, the app explains to users why it needs this access
- on the App Store page, we state which data the app collects and add a link to the privacy policy
- Apple rejects apps that simply open your website inside a wrapper, so we design dedicated screens and features for the app
05
iPhone app features
Besides core features such as a catalog and a personal account, the app can include iPhone services and capabilities:
Face ID and Touch ID
Sign-in and confirmation of important actions by face or fingerprint without re-entering a password.
Apple Pay and in-app purchases
Payment for goods and services through Apple Pay. Sales of digital content and subscriptions through App Store in-app purchases.
Apple Wallet
Bonus and club cards, tickets and coupons in the iPhone wallet. A card can show the current balance and status from your bonus program.
Sign in with Apple
Registration and sign-in with an Apple account without a separate password.
Push notifications
Messages to users, for example about orders and promotions, through the Apple Push Notification service, Apple's service for delivering notifications to the iPhone.
Widgets and Live Activities
A widget shows data from the app on the iPhone home screen, such as order status. Live Activities display what changes in real time on the lock screen, such as delivery progress.
Apple Maps and location
A map with your locations, directions to them and detection of the user's location, for example to find the nearest store.
NFC
A user holds the iPhone near an NFC tag, and the app immediately opens the right screen, such as a product description or equipment instructions.
06
Publishing to the App Store
We publish the app to the App Store from your Apple developer account. We recommend registering it in advance because you already need it for TestFlight test builds. For an organization account, Apple requires a D-U-N-S number, a free company identifier in the international Dun & Bradstreet registry. If you do not have one, we help you obtain it. We prepare the App Store page from your texts and images and fill out the information Apple requests before review. If Apple rejects the app, we make the fixes and resubmit it.
07
iOS app development cost
The cost of iOS app development depends on the scope of work. General cost factors are listed on the mobile app development page. For an iOS app, the following also matter:
iPad version. We design, program and test the large-screen interface in addition to the iPhone version, so there is more work
Minimum iOS version. New SwiftUI capabilities are available only on recent iOS versions. If the app must run on older versions, we program equivalents of these capabilities ourselves and test the app on more iOS versions, so the scope of work grows
Apple Wallet. A card with a current balance is signed and updated by a server, so the scope of work includes a backend for Wallet cards
In-app purchases. We verify purchases and subscriptions on the server, as Apple recommends. Trial periods, renewals and cancellations change the user's access to content, so the more complex the subscription terms, the more work there is
We give a preliminary estimate for an iOS app after the brief.
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iOS development FAQ
01Can we release an Android version later?
Yes. An Android app is built from scratch in Kotlin. The Android version connects to the same website API or the same backend as the iPhone app, so we do not repeat the backend development.
02Which iPhones will the app run on?
We suggest a minimum iOS version based on which versions your customers have on their iPhones and which features the app needs. Once agreed, we put it in the technical specification. The app will install on iPhones with the agreed iOS version or newer.
03Why does an app need support after publishing?
Every year, Apple raises the minimum version of Xcode, the program used to build apps. The App Store does not accept updates built in an older version. In addition, an old app may run with errors on new iOS versions. That is why after publishing we offer mobile app technical support: we update the app for new iOS versions and App Store rules.
09
Order an iOS app
Why clients trust RIVERIT with iPhone app development:
- In business since 2015. 100+ completed projects, including mobile apps for businesses.
- Our own iOS team. We program in Swift and SwiftUI and build backends on Laravel or Django.
- We study your business. We analyze the market, processes and competitors and design the user path so the iPhone app brings you profit.
- Managed AI-assisted development. A framework defines the architecture, and tests check every change.
- Website and server support. We maintain websites and administer servers ourselves, so the iPhone app, website and server work together.
- Project manager. The manager in charge keeps you informed about progress and gets your approval before moving on to the next stage.
- Help with App Store publishing. We register a developer account in your company's name, prepare the App Store page and guide the app through Apple review.
- Support after the App Store release. We provide technical support for the app: we respond to requests within one hour during business hours and fix critical failures outside business hours, if your plan includes this.
To order an iOS app, describe your task in the form below. After the brief, we will suggest native or cross-platform development based on your plans for Android.
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