Top Skills Needed for iOS Developer in 2024: Learn How to Hire iOS Developers

The global market for mobile apps has hit an astonishing $240 billion in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 13.4%. The Apple App Store itself generated $24.6 billion in consumer spending in one quarter in 2024, up 11.3% from the same period last year. 

This shows how significant it is for a business to invest in an experienced iOS app developer. However, hiring iOS developers can be pretty confusing.

A good iOS developer app hire requires much more than just hiring based on technical skills. It is equally important to assess their problem-solving ability, design sense, and soft skills to understand if they are a good fit for your company’s requirements. 

Here is a guide to give you an idea about the top skills needed for iOS developers so you can make informed decisions about your company’s growth!

The Top Technical Skills to Hire iOS Developers

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Let us look at the technical skills that hold the foundation of a successful iOS app developer. Following is the list of key technical competencies on which you must rely when hiring iOS developers:

1. Expertise in Swift and Objective-C

Swift has been the new standard for iOS application developers since Apple introduced it in 2014. Swift’s clean syntax makes its code even more readable, resulting in fewer bugs and easier maintainability. 

Objective-C can be used with Swift, and this code forms an integral element of the iOS app development process. This has been very useful for apps like Snapchat and Instagram, which were developed primarily on Objective-C.

2. Xcode and Interface Builder: The iOS Developer Toolset

Xcode is the critical package required for building, testing, and debugging applications in iOS. It comes with comprehensive tools that introduce code editing, deployment, and debugging all under one robust platform to boost developer productivity.

Interface Builder in Xcode helps users design interfaces visually within a given app, making the UI design process much easier. While hiring remote developer like iOS you must check if your talent is well-versed in its quick UI layout changes through rapid prototyping or not.

3. Knowledge of RESTful APIs and Integration

RESTful APIs are all about communicating the client-side app with the server-side backend so that data flows seamlessly. The new hire should be well-equipped with standard methods like HTTP methods and knowledge of API security techniques, including OAuth 2.0.

Effective API integration results in smooth communication of the application with external data sources via iOS-native tools. The iOS developer you hire must be aware of best practices, like reducing API calls and caching responses, for improved performance.

4. Understanding of the Core Data and SQLite

Core Data is Apple’s framework for handling large datasets and syncing them across various devices. You must ensure that the iOS developer is familiar with its key features, such as iCloud integration and undo or redo operations.

SQLite is best for small—and medium-scale data management. SQL-based queries support several complex data queries by handling data quickly and efficiently. Currently, apps like WhatsApp and Skype can function without internet connectivity by managing data locally using this technology.

Critical Soft Skills to Hire an iOS Developer

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Although technology skills are a given, soft skills define how an iOS developer will essentially assist your team to be successful. Here is a list of the key soft skills required:

1. Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is one of the most important soft skills in iOS development. It helps developers craft efficient solutions that can make an app functional and user-friendly.

Analytical thinking helps developers break down problems into manageable pieces, pinpoint root causes, and design scalable solutions. This approach becomes significant when optimizing performance by implementing long-term fixes step-by-step.

For instance, developers with knowledge of different platforms are better at solving problems because they know how to use different techniques to get better results to get apps back on track if they run into a problem.

2. Effective Communication for Collaboration

Clear communication aligns a developer’s technical expertise with the broader business goals. It ensures that everyone involved in the project is on the same page for less confusion.

Developers must work closely with designers, product managers, and QA engineers. According to a study, 78% of leaders said that too many meetings and unclear decision-making processes are obstacles to cross-functional collaboration.

An iOS developer who can mediate across different teams and propose solutions will keep projects on track and increase productivity.

3. Attention to Detail

Detail-oriented ability is a critical skill that affects the quality of both functionalities and the design of the app. Detail-oriented developers minimize bugs, optimize performance, and create a seamless user experience. They should be able to produce clean, structured code. 

Testing and Debugging: The Essentials for iOS Developers

Testing and debugging skills enable the developer to deliver apps with flawless output:

1. Experience with Unit Testing and XCTest

Unit testing is very important for testing the code functionality on a small level because it tests the functionality of individual components within the code. It catches bugs very early in the development process, hence saving time and cutting down the cost of repair later.

As IBM puts it, the costs of detecting a bug through unit testing may reach up to 90%. The candidate should be familiar with XCTest, Apple’s native framework for creating and running automated tests for iOS applications. 

2. Debugging and Performance Tuning

Practical debugging revolves around finding and fixing code issues. Common debugging techniques include:

• Breakpoints in Xcode allow developers to pause a code’s execution, inspect variables, and identify errors simultaneously.
• Performance tuning is one of those areas that are essential for app responsiveness and the efficiency of resources.

Common Tools for Performance Tuning in iOS

• Memory Leak Detection: In Xcode, such tools identify the memory leak condition that deteriorates the application’s performance and crashes.
• Optimize app launch times
• Minimize battery use 

Continuous Learning and Adaptability in iOS Development

Here are skills needed for iOS developers if they want to keep up with the emerging technologies and trends so they can help your company grow:

1. Keeping Up with iOS Updates and Trends

iOS developers need to keep up with iOS updates and trends so they know how to succeed in the industry. Guide the iOS developers to refer to online courses, tutorials, and other resources to update them on newer iOS versions and programming languages.

These keep developers up-to-date, and they know how to tackle newer technology so they work faster and better.

2. Adaptability to New Technologies

Effective iOS developers add new tools and frameworks to their applications, which enables them to achieve more functionality, save time, and keep abreast of recent trends.

With the phasing out of old technologies like Objective-C, developers move to new frameworks, such as SwiftUI and Combine, to ensure easier app development.

Here are some recent iOS innovations that developers must know about:

• Apple made several major announcements at WWDC 2024, one of which was the updates to SwiftUI.
• ARKit 6 took augmented reality experiences to some new heights.
• Core ML allows developers of iOS apps to tap into machine learning to add, for instance, image recognition and natural language processing capabilities.

Final Thoughts

In the fast-growing world of mobile technology, you must vigilantly hire iOS developers with the best iOS developer skills needed for applications to succeed in this intense industry.

This guide covered the most significant skills that an iOS developer needs to know through this book and have technical and soft skills that are already a provider for your success. Key essentials, among others, include technical expertise, testing and debugging, adaptability and learning, and key soft skills.

Hiring the best iOS developer is more than checking their technical competencies; it’s getting a problem solver who is also a lifelong learner and a team player.