Choosing an iOS App Development Company: 7 Key Questions to Ask

Having a great app idea is just the beginning. But turning it into a successful iOS product requires the right development partner.

In Apple’s tightly controlled ecosystem, quality, performance, and user experience matter more than ever.

Working with just any development agency won’t cut it. You need a team that understands Swift, Apple’s design philosophy, and the App Store approval process.

An experienced iOS app development company doesn’t just write code. They guide you through compliance—for example, meeting Apple’s privacy policies and interface standards.

They also plan for scalability—such as supporting more users and adding future features—and help you build an iOS app that users want to keep.

With over 2.2 million apps currently available on the App Store (Statista, 2024), competition is at an all-time high.

One poor development decision can lead to delays, rejections, or missed revenue opportunities.
In this blog, we will walk you through the seven most important questions to ask before hiring an iOS app development company.

These insights will help you choose an iOS app development company, one that can turn your vision into a scalable, secure, and high-performing iOS application.

Why Choosing the Right iOS App Development Company Matters

1. Apple Ecosystem and Quality Standards

Writing an iOS app is significantly different from writing an Android app.

Apple is a closed system with strict guidelines. Your app needs to meet Apple’s design and security guidelines, or it may be rejected from the App Store.

An experienced iOS development agency is familiar with Apple guidelines, such as the Human Interface Guidelines, and how to develop apps that display and behave correctly.

They also understand how to create applications that are compatible with all Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs. For example, layout elements and user interactions vary significantly between an iPhone and an Apple Watch.

2. App Store Rejections and Revenue Loss

Each week, Apple declines numerous apps that do not adhere to the guidelines. App rejection may hinder your launch and result in financial losses.

Experienced iOS developers are familiar with what Apple expects and can assist you in avoiding mistakes that commonly lead to rejection.

Also, your app may be removed from the App Store when Apple changes its system under the new rules. This is why your dev partner must keep current and ensure your app is compliant at all times.

3. Long-Term Support and Updates

Apple frequently upgrades the iOS. Your app will need to be updated as well, or risk becoming incompatible.

A reputable iOS firm should offer long-term support, such as:

• Fixing bugs
  
• Ensuring your app is compatible with the new versions of iOS
  
• Including new features depending on user feedback
  

You will also make use of the latest Apple features, such as ARKit (for immersive augmented reality), CoreML (machine learning), and SwiftUI (streamlined UI development), with their support.

4. Scalability and Business Growth

As your business grows, your app should grow too. A good iOS team will create an app with a modular architecture and clean code practices so it’s easy to scale.

They’ll also make sure the backend can grow too, using cloud tools like AWS, Firebase, or Azure for storage, performance, and flexibility.

Key Questions to Ask Before Hiring an iOS App Development Company

1. What is Your Experience in Native iOS Development?

Native development ensures high performance, better UI/UX, and full access to iOS features. (Native = built specifically for iOS using Swift or Objective-C, unlike hybrid apps, which use shared codebases.)

Ask the company:

• How long have you been developing iOS apps?
  
• Are you proficient in Swift and Objective-C?
  
• Can you provide examples of native iOS apps you’ve built?
  
• Do you follow Apple’s HIG and design best practices?
  

Many businesses often wonder: Swift vs. Objective-C – which is better for my project? A seasoned development team can explain the pros and cons of both based on your app goals.

Ask about their familiarity with newer tools like SwiftUI for interface design and Combine for reactive programming.

Also, explore whether the team is capable of handling edge cases like background task handling, push notifications, deep linking, and integration with native Apple features like Siri, HealthKit, or Apple Pay.

2. Can You Show Me Examples of Past iOS Projects?

A robust portfolio is a strong indicator of a company’s capabilities. Ask for:

• Live apps on the App Store
  
• Apps built for industries similar to yours
  
• Screenshots, user flows, and case studies
  
• Metrics like downloads, user retention, and client reviews
  

You’re not just looking for designs—you want examples of apps with strong user engagement or positive reviews.

Go deeper by requesting:

• A breakdown of project scope and team involvement
  
• Duration of project timelines
  
• Challenges faced and how they were overcome
  
• Design and development iterations
  

3. How Do You Handle App Store Guidelines and the Approval Process?

This is one of the most overlooked questions to ask iOS developers—but it’s vital for timely launches.
Apple’s App Store has stringent rules related to content, design, performance, user privacy, and in-app purchases. A reliable company should:

• Be well-versed in Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines
  
• Handle app submissions and resubmissions
  
• Know how to respond to Apple’s rejections
  
• Understand metadata rules (titles, descriptions, screenshots)
  

4. What is Your Development Process and Communication Style?

Understanding how a company manages development and communication helps you gauge whether they’re organized and transparent.
Ask:

• Do you follow Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall methodologies?
  
• What tools do you use for project management? (Jira, Trello, Asana)
  
• How often will we have check-ins or progress updates?
  
• Will I get access to a project dashboard or version control system (e.g., GitHub)?
  

Knowing how to vet an iOS development agency includes evaluating their process rigor, transparency, and communication practices.

5. Do You Offer Post-Launch Support and App Maintenance?

Post-launch support is crucial for app stability, feature upgrades, and user satisfaction. Ask if they:

• Offer maintenance contracts or service-level agreements (SLAs)
  
• Monitor the app post-launch for crashes, bugs, and performance
  
• Provide support for feature requests, analytics integration, and user feedback updates
  
• Help with version upgrades after each new iOS release
  

Also ask:

• How quickly do you respond to bug reports?
  
• Do you offer performance monitoring using tools like Crashlytics, Firebase, or AppDynamics?
  

6. How Do You Ensure App Security and User Privacy?

Data privacy is a top concern for both users and Apple. A trustworthy iOS app company should prioritize:

• End-to-end encryption of user data
  
• Secure authentication methods (OAuth, Face ID, Two-Factor Auth)
  
• Compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and Apple’s App Tracking Transparency policy
  
• Protection against data breaches, injections, and leaks
  

Ask if they:

• Perform penetration testing and code audits
  
• Secure backend APIs with tokens and throttling mechanisms
  
• Provide security best practices for third-party integrations
  

For example, protecting sensitive user data like location, health records, or payment details is essential for compliance and trust.

7. What’s the Estimated Cost and Timeline?

Clarity around budget and schedule prevents surprises. Ask for:

• Transparent pricing models (hourly vs. fixed cost)
  
• What’s included in the estimate (UI/UX, testing, deployment, support)
  
• A realistic project timeline based on your scope
  
• Payment milestones and revision policies
  

Consider requesting a discovery phase to refine your scope and receive a more accurate estimate.

Learn more about iOS app development cost in our detailed guide: iOS App Development Cost Breakdown

Bonus Tips for Vetting an iOS App Development Company

1. Check Online Reviews and Ratings

Look for verified client feedback on:

• Clutch.co
  
• GoodFirms
  
• Upwork
  
• G2
  

2. Schedule a Technical Interview

Conduct interviews with their tech leads to assess:

• Problem-solving and architectural skills
  
• Knowledge of Apple’s frameworks and SDKs
  
• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines, Git, and testing tools
  

3. Ask for Client References

Talking to previous clients gives you an honest perspective on:

• Project management
  
• Post-launch support
  
• Handling unexpected changes or delays
  

4. Evaluate Their UI/UX Design Process

Great iOS apps are not just functional but beautifully designed. Ask to see their:

• Design mockups and wireframes
  
• Prototypes and user flow diagrams
  
• Experience with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD
  

5. Consider Industry Experience

If the company has prior experience in your niche (e.g., healthcare, fintech, e-commerce), they’ll understand your domain better. This can accelerate development and reduce friction.

Conclusion – Your Trusted iOS App Development Partner Awaits

Hiring the right iOS app development company is a strategic decision.

It has a direct impact on the performance, scalability, user adoption, and ROI of your app.

Research potential partners instead of hurrying to make a choice. Ask the right questions outlined above and assess their technical skill, design ability, and communication style.

The iOS partner will develop an app that meets Apple standards and is reliable. They will assist with App Store rejections, post-launch support, and scalable, secure, and well-designed software.

Ready to bring your iOS app to life? Partner with iCoderz for world-class Swift development. Let’s build your vision. Contact iCoderz today.

About Author