How to Start iOS App Development With an Android Background
- Mobile
- December 17, 2019
Standing out in the growing pool of mobile app developers is quite challenging. A single slip in the algorithm can result in the collapse of your whole strategy. Yet if you know how to get past the roadblocks, you can achieve the desired status for your app.
Besides the general information, you must also know how to move forth in the selected platform. Usually, the vast majority of developers port their iOS apps to Android at some point.
The opposite route, that is, porting from Android to iOS, is not so common. Even as a developer, you must work on expanding your tech skills if you want to obtain a competitive edge in the market.
Currently, 2.5 billion devices are running on Android, while there are 1.4 billion active iOS devices. Hence, you cannot hide from the fact that you are losing a considerable number of prospects by choosing one platform only.
When switching to iOS from Android app development, there might be potential hindrances. Such as difficulty in implementation, lack of funds, and time.
Also, you may stress out during the process, as learning new skills is sometimes overwhelming. But on the bright side, this will be great news for your developing career.
It adds authority to your resume, and you can capture more clients in the future. Keep in mind; iOS app development is not difficult. Just different.
How to Start iOS App Development?
I have listed some helpful tips for our readers if they are thinking of making the transition. Let’s get down to them:
Learn the language
You can use two languages with iOS, Objective-C or Swift. Although there are other options, these two stand as most famous. For Android, you are fairly aware of Java. And in iOS, Objective-C is the typical language used.
The alternate language, Swift is easy to learn, and it has a similar syntax to Objective-C. This syntax will enable you to catch the speed instantaneously.
The difference between the languages used in iOS and Android is that of programming terms. Java uses words like “this, extends, implements,” and iOS languages use terms like “delegates, objects, inheritance, subclasses, etc.”
Pick the correct IDE
After being on the Android development sector for a long time, you may feel it tough to select an IDE.
Know that the Apple landscape uses a user-friendly and speedy IDE that goes by the name XCode. All you have to do is download it from the App Store. There are no other complexities involved.
Pay attention to User Interface
The design and presentation of UI are different for iOS and Android. The Android Studio makes use of XML files, and Xcode has Storyboards.
These Storyboards help you to connect ViewControllers and coordinate transitions. You can move and play around with the interface components, which is not possible in Android.
With Android, most of the UI comes through writing more than 95% of it on the XML sheets. And in the case of Storyboards, there are some irritating concepts like Auto Layout that always end up breaking. Regardless of that, if you get the hang of it, you will find it quite simple.
For App Screens
Select Activity = ViewController.
For Transition between screens
Use startActivity(Intent) = Segue
Segues bring similar functionality as launching an activity through the intent. The best part is, you can transition between screens without writing new code. It saves you the trouble and time that goes into designing new codes each time.
Understand the List Functionality
Create a TableViewController or simply the TableView to have a similar list functionality that you have been using with Android.
Making use of ListView/RecyclerView = TableView helps you to populate each item the same way as in Adapters of Android.
Android makes use of lists for RecyclerView, ListFragment, and ListActivity. Meanwhile, iOS uses lists for UITableView and UICollectionView. After knowing the differences, you should start learning how each of the lists works.
Consider Dependency Management
Android mainly makes use of Gradle’s dependency management. But in iOS, CocoaPods offer the same functionality. You have to add your dependencies in this file. Then it handles the installation and upgrading of those packages on its own.
Things to remember
Try these codes when you think that moving forward is tough:
APK = Archive
Interfaces = Archive
Emulator = Simulator
As mentioned above, shifting to iOS is going to be a road to new learning. You have to explore deeper to ensure that the apps you design won’t be a mess.
Read also: The Complete iOS App development Tool Kit
The Pros and Cons of iOS App Development
It is also quite essential to endorse the pros and cons attached to the iOS app development. These will allow you to make an informed decision.
Pros of iOS
- There are no diverse device fragmentations in iOS. This facilitates the process of development, making it stable and reliable.
- It has authentic toolkits to ensure app development.
- With iOS, the chances of revenue generation are pretty high as users often make in-app purchases and buy apps more
- The development of interface consumes less time
Cons of iOS
- App standardization process makes it difficult to stay distinct in the market
- Customizing an app is daunting due to restrictions
- Only accepts fully-functional apps
- Acquiring approval from Apple takes time
Learn how to build and learn
Android apps are simple to build. You have to select the device, build, and you are good to go. The same happens with iOS, except one difference. That is, building and running the simulator is faster on iOS than Android.
However, Google recently introduced the latest emulator version, which seems incredible and promising.
When going for release, things are easy on the Android platform. There are a few basic steps involved in signing a package with the selected Keystore. Most of the time, you can also go for a test release on an Android device to know how well it operates.
On the other hand, iOS has a couple of initial formalities to take care of. You have to configure with an Apple account, application provisioning profiles, etc. XCode lets you know if there are any errors and fixes them too.
Read also: Android or iOS App Development: Which is Best for Your Business?
Final Takeaway
Before jumping to the iOS bandwagon, it is vital to understand the entire functionality and design strategies that work for it. An impulsive switch can reap poor outcomes. Instead of hesitating and looking for an escape, try to know how the Apple world works.
The learning journey will be bumpy at times, but an optimistic outlook will keep you going ahead. There are, indeed, many similarities between the two platforms. So a few differences in the terms and programming language do not matter when growth and competitiveness are at risk.
By putting these ideas into practice, I hope you will be able to trigger your career in the iOS app development. Just take your time to learn and keep upgrading your knowledge about the new platform. Remember that being in line with new trends helps you to bring an edge to your app.
