iOS App Development.
iOS app development for iPhone and iPad in Swift and SwiftUI: design to Apple’s guidelines, backend API, App Store submission and long-term support.
iOS app development is building software for Apple’s iPhone and iPad, written in Swift and released through the App Store. EqualPixels designs and builds native iOS apps in Swift and SwiftUI, and cross-platform apps that ship to iPhone alongside Android, for startups and growing businesses. We cover design, the backend API, TestFlight testing, App Store review and the updates that follow every new version of iOS.
What iOS apps do we build?
Native iPhone apps
Apps written in Swift and SwiftUI that use the platform fully: Face ID, Apple Pay, the camera and photo library, location, notifications, widgets and Siri Shortcuts.
iPad and universal apps
Layouts that adapt from iPhone to iPad with split views, keyboard and pointer support, for field teams, retail counters and anyone who works on a larger screen.
Companion apps for SaaS platforms
The iPhone app your customers’ staff carry while the office works in a web dashboard, talking to the same API so nothing is typed twice.
AI features on iPhone
Assistants, voice input, document scanning and natural-language search. Larger models run behind your own API, and smaller tasks such as text recognition can run on the device with Apple’s frameworks, which keeps them fast and private.
Upgrades and App Store rescues
Older Objective-C or UIKit apps moved to Swift and SwiftUI, apps rejected in review brought into line with Apple’s rules, and apps broken by a new iOS release fixed and re-shipped.
Native iOS or cross-platform: which do you need?
Build native in Swift when the iPhone is the product; build cross-platform when the iPhone is one of the places your product lives. If most of your users are on iPhone, or the app depends on widgets, Apple Watch, CarPlay, HealthKit or heavy background work, native gives you the best experience and same-day access to new iOS features.
If you need iPhone and Android at the same time and the app is mostly forms, lists, maps and notifications, Flutter or React Native covers both from one codebase at a lower cost. Our mobile app development page compares the options in detail.
How we build iOS apps
- Scope and App Store checkWe agree the core features and check them against Apple’s rules early: payments, sign-in options, user-generated content and data collection all have requirements that shape the design.
- Design to Apple’s guidelinesFigma screens that follow the Human Interface Guidelines: native navigation, Dynamic Type, dark mode and VoiceOver support, so the app feels like it belongs on the phone.
- Architecture and APIA SwiftUI app structured for testing, talking to a versioned backend API. Offline storage and sync are designed in when the app is used with poor signal.
- Build in two-week sprintsA new build on your iPhone through TestFlight after every sprint, and a live demo every week.
- Test on real devicesOlder and current iPhones, iPad where relevant, denied permissions, low storage, slow networks and the app being closed mid-task.
- App Store submissionListing, screenshots, privacy nutrition labels and review, following the App Store Review Guidelines. The app is published under your own Apple Developer account.
- Support and iOS updatesA 30-day warranty, then optional ongoing support to test and update the app for each major iOS release every autumn.
iOS tech stack
| Layer | What we use |
|---|---|
| Language and UI | Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit where a component needs it |
| Data and sync | SwiftData or Core Data, URLSession, background tasks |
| Apple services | Sign in with Apple, Apple Pay, StoreKit, push notifications, WidgetKit |
| Cross-platform option | Flutter or React Native when Android ships at the same time |
| Backend and API | Laravel, Node.js, Python, PostgreSQL |
| AI | OpenAI and Anthropic models through your API, Apple’s Vision framework on device |
| Release | Xcode Cloud or GitLab CI, TestFlight, App Store Connect |
How much does iOS app development cost?
iOS app projects typically start at $12,000 for a native iPhone app with a focused feature set, including design, development, testing and App Store submission.
The price rises with iPad layouts, offline sync, in-app purchases and subscriptions, integrations with Apple services such as HealthKit or Apple Watch, AI features, and a backend we build from scratch rather than one you already have. Adding an Android version later is cheaper when the API is designed for both from the start, so we plan for it even if iPhone comes first.
How long does it take to build an iOS app?
| Scope | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Clickable prototype | 2 to 3 weeks |
| iPhone MVP | 8 to 12 weeks |
| iPhone and iPad app with backend and payments | 3 to 5 months |
Plan for a few days to a week of App Store review on the first release. Updates usually clear faster, and we keep a TestFlight build ready so fixes can ship quickly.
When an iOS-only app is the wrong choice
An iPhone-only launch makes sense when your buyers are mostly on iPhone, which is common in the UK, North America and among high-value consumer segments. It is the wrong call when your users are drivers, field staff or customers in markets where Android dominates, including Pakistan and much of the Gulf’s workforce. In those cases we recommend a cross-platform build so nobody is left out on launch day.
Live on the App Store: Odobase Driver
Odobase Driver, the app we built for fleet drivers, is live on the App Store for iPhone and on Google Play. Drivers sign in with a phone number and PIN, run assigned trips with odometer readings, log expenses with receipt photos and receive trip alerts in their own language. Location is recorded only while a trip is running, and iPhone shows its location indicator the whole time.
It talks to the same versioned API as the Odobase web dashboard. Read the Odobase case study for how the platform behind it is built.
Case study
Odobase: fleet operations for car rental
Odobase Driver is live on the App Store: drivers run trips, log expenses and get alerts from their iPhone.
Read the case study: Odobase: fleet operations for car rental
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Write to us at [email protected]
How much does it cost to build an iOS app?
iOS app projects typically start at $12,000 for a native iPhone app with a focused feature set, including design, development, testing and App Store submission. iPad layouts, offline sync, in-app purchases, Apple service integrations, AI and a new backend raise the price. You get a fixed quote before work begins.
How long does it take to build an iPhone app?
An iPhone MVP typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, and an iPhone and iPad app with a backend and payments takes three to five months. You get a TestFlight build after every two-week sprint, and the first App Store review usually takes a few days to a week.
Do you build native iOS apps in Swift?
Yes. We build native iOS apps in Swift and SwiftUI, using UIKit where a component needs it, and we migrate older Objective-C apps to Swift. When Android has to launch at the same time, we may recommend Flutter or React Native instead.
Do you build apps for both iPhone and iPad?
Yes. We build universal apps whose layouts adapt from iPhone to iPad, with split views and keyboard support where they help. If only iPhone matters for your users, we design for it first and keep iPad as a later step.
Do you handle App Store submission?
Yes. We prepare the listing, screenshots and privacy labels, submit the app, and handle any feedback from Apple’s review team. The app is published under your own Apple Developer account, so you own the listing and the customer relationship.
Can an iOS app take payments or subscriptions?
Yes. Digital goods and subscriptions inside an iOS app usually go through Apple’s in-app purchase with StoreKit, while physical goods and services can use Apple Pay or a card processor. Apple’s rules differ by product type and region, so we confirm the model during scoping.
Who owns the code for my iOS app?
You do. All source code, designs and assets are transferred to you when the project is complete, the app is published under your Apple Developer account, and the backend can run on your own infrastructure. Every release is covered by a 30-day warranty.
Let’s build what’s next.
Tell us about your iOS App Development project. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a clear plan and estimate.