The iOS Development Landscape
iOS represents approximately 27% of the global mobile market but accounts for a disproportionate share of app revenue. iOS users tend to spend more on apps and in-app purchases, making the platform particularly attractive for commercial applications.
Native iOS development uses Swift (or legacy Objective-C) with frameworks like SwiftUI for modern declarative UI or UIKit for imperative approaches. This provides maximum performance and full access to Apple APIs but requires platform-specific expertise.
Cross-platform approaches using React Native or Flutter allow iOS development alongside Android from a shared codebase. For many applications, this provides the best balance of iOS quality with development efficiency.
Fastshot generates React Native code that produces true iOS applications—not web wrappers—distributed through the App Store like any native app.
iOS Development Approaches
| Aspect | Native Swift | React Native | Flutter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Swift | JavaScript/TypeScript | Dart |
| IDE | Xcode only | VS Code, others | VS Code, others |
| iOS API access | Complete | Most via modules | Most via plugins |
| UI components | Native UIKit/SwiftUI | Native UIKit | Custom rendering |
| Android version | Separate project | Same codebase | Same codebase |
| Build requirements | Mac required | Mac for iOS builds | Mac for iOS builds |
Getting Your App on the App Store
Join the Apple Developer Program
Enroll in the Apple Developer Program ($99/year). This provides access to beta software, App Store Connect, and the ability to distribute apps.
Configure App Store Connect
Create your app record in App Store Connect. Set your app name, bundle ID, and configure metadata including description, keywords, and categories.
Prepare Marketing Assets
Create app screenshots for various device sizes (iPhone, iPad if applicable). Write a compelling description. Design your app icon following Apple guidelines.
Build for Release
Generate a release build signed with your distribution certificate. With Fastshot, this happens automatically in cloud builds. Archive and upload through Xcode or CI/CD.
Submit for Review
Submit your build through App Store Connect. Apple reviews all apps for guideline compliance. Review typically takes 24-48 hours but can vary.
Address Review Feedback
If rejected, Apple provides specific feedback. Address the issues and resubmit. Common rejection reasons include incomplete functionality, placeholder content, or guideline violations.
iOS Development Considerations
Human Interface Guidelines
Apple publishes detailed guidelines for iOS app design. Following these ensures your app feels native and increases approval likelihood.
Device Fragmentation
iOS has less fragmentation than Android, but you still need to support multiple screen sizes, including various iPhone models and potentially iPad.
iOS Version Support
Decide which iOS versions to support. Supporting older versions increases your audience but limits available APIs. Most apps support the current version plus two previous.
Privacy Requirements
Apple enforces strict privacy requirements including App Tracking Transparency and privacy nutrition labels. Plan for these from the start.
iOS Development FAQ
About the Author
Elvira Dzhuraeva is an expert in AI mobile app development and React Native. A former Senior Product Manager at Google specializing in AI/ML and Generative AI, she is the Founder of Fastshot (YC-backed) and a founding contributor to Kubeflow.