What a native iOS app can do
A native app talks to iOS directly, with no layers in between. That gives it access to everything Apple opens up to developers, usually as soon as a new feature appears in the OS.
- Apple Pay and in-app purchases;
- Sign in with Apple, plus Face ID or Touch ID instead of a password;
- home screen widgets, actionable notifications, background tasks;
- the camera, document and barcode scanning, location, maps;
- sync across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, if your product needs it.
Not every project needs all of these. We add only what serves your business goal, because every feature is extra code you'll have to maintain for years.
Benefits of native iOS development
- Smooth and fast. Swift code compiles for Apple processors, so with careful development, animations, long scrolling lists, and camera features stay fluid even on older models.
- Familiar behavior. Standard iOS elements — menus, toggles, the edge-swipe back gesture — work exactly the way users expect from other apps.
- New iOS features without the wait. When Apple adds a new feature, it's immediately available to native code. Cross-platform frameworks often need time to support it.
- Official tooling. Xcode, TestFlight, and Apple's own memory and energy diagnostics. Less reliance on third-party libraries means fewer surprises during updates.
Drawbacks to be aware of
- One platform only. Android requires a separate app with a separate codebase — effectively a second project.
- Double the work with two native versions. Every new feature is built twice, and iOS and Android releases have to be coordinated.
- Manual App Store review. Apple reviews every version and can reject it for crashes, incomplete data collection disclosures, or guideline violations. Build this into your release plan.
- Payment rules. Digital goods and subscriptions inside the app are usually sold through Apple's in-app purchase system, which takes a commission. Physical goods and services can be paid for through regular payment processors such as Stripe.
When another approach is better
A native iOS app isn't the default answer. We'll recommend something else if:
- iPhone and Android users matter equally to you and the features are standard (catalog, account, orders) — then a single Flutter or React Native codebase will cost less to build and maintain;
- most of your customers use Android — it makes more sense to start with an Android version and add iOS later;
- you only need to validate an idea, and an app store install isn't critical — sometimes a progressive web app is enough.
Native development is worth it when the app is your product, when it works deeply with iPhone features, or when interface quality directly drives sales.
Swift, SwiftUI, and UIKit
Swift is the primary language for Apple devices. It's strict about errors: many problems that in other languages only show up for users, Swift simply won't compile.
Today, interfaces are built in two ways. SwiftUI is the newer approach: screens are described concisely and are easier to change and test. UIKit is older but very mature, and most existing apps are built on it. For new projects we usually choose SwiftUI, and build complex screens that need precise control in UIKit. The two coexist well in the same app.
Another early decision is the minimum iOS version. The older the devices we support, the wider the audience, but the more limits on using new features. We discuss this trade-off with you separately.
A new app or improving an existing one
A new app starts with a list of user scenarios: what a person does in the first minute after installing, what they do daily, and what they do once a year. The first version includes only the key scenarios, so you reach the App Store sooner and see how real users behave.
An existing app we audit first: what language it's written in (some older projects are still in Objective-C), which libraries are outdated, and where it crashes according to crash reports. Then we propose a plan: what to fix right away and what to rewrite gradually, without pausing your update releases.
Backend, data, and integrations
An app rarely works on its own. Behind the screen is a server that stores accounts, orders, and history, and the app exchanges data with it through an API. We can connect to your existing API or build the backend along with an admin panel.
We also plan for offline use: what to show when there's no internet connection, and how to save user actions and send them later. Business apps often need integrations with a CRM, an accounting system, a payment provider, and shipping carriers.
App Store publishing and life after launch
We recommend registering the Apple Developer account in your company's name, so the app and all its reviews belong to you. For review, we prepare screenshots, the description, data collection disclosures, and test access for the Apple reviewer.
The work doesn't stop after launch. A new iOS version comes out every year, App Store requirements change, and users leave reviews. We can take your app on for support and ongoing development: monitoring crashes, updating dependencies, and shipping new features.
What affects development cost
- Number and complexity of screens: standard lists and forms, or custom animations and non-standard elements.
- Backend: whether there's a ready API, or it needs to be built along with an admin panel.
- Device features: payments, camera, background location, widgets, offline mode.
- Platforms: iPhone only or iPad too, and whether you need an Android version in parallel.
- State of the existing code: for improvements — the language, the age of libraries, and whether there are tests and documentation.
We provide an estimate after reviewing your project: we break it into phases and explain what each one includes.
Frequently asked questions
Can we start with iOS and add Android later? Yes, that's a common path. The backend, design, and logic are already worked out, so the second platform usually takes less work than the first.
Will an iPhone app work on iPad? It will, but it'll look like an enlarged phone. If people use tablets often, it's better to adapt the interface for the larger screen.
Why might Apple reject an app? Most often because of crashes during review, incomplete data collection disclosures, missing test access, or selling digital goods outside Apple's payment system. We check all of these before submission.
Do you work with older Objective-C apps? Yes. That code can be maintained as is, while new parts are written in Swift — both languages work in the same project.
Why Promodex
We've been launching digital products since 2015 — from websites to mobile apps, 750+ projects in total. Mobile apps are one of our core areas: our portfolio includes Yerevan Mall, MyAmeria, Telcell Wallet, and Kinodaran. Our designers and developers are an in-house team, and we never outsource the work. After your App Store launch, we stay with you: updating the app and growing it alongside your business.
