Updated September 2026 · Written and maintained by the Progression Agency strategy team
Progression Agency is an iOS app development firm building iPhone and iPad apps for businesses across the United States. We design to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, build in Swift and SwiftUI or cross-platform when Android is needed too, prepare apps for App Store review, and support them through every annual iOS release.
On this page · 10 sections
- What does an iOS app development company do?
- Our iOS app development services
- How does app development in iOS work?
- Getting through App Store review
- How much does iOS app development cost?
- Hiring an iPhone app developer vs an iOS development firm
- Why choose Progression Agency for iOS development?
- App Store submission requirements
- Which Apple platforms should your app support?
- Swift for app development: why we build iPhone apps in Swift
The short answeriOS mobile application development services cover UX and interface design for iPhone and iPad, Swift and SwiftUI engineering, backend and API work, TestFlight beta testing, App Store submission and ongoing updates. Native iOS gives the best access to Apple features such as Apple Pay, HealthKit, widgets and Live Activities. As a US planning range, a moderate iPhone app commonly costs $50,000-$130,000 and takes 3-5 months.
Platform details reflect Apple Developer documentation as of September 2026. Cost ranges are planning figures, not quotes.
What does an iOS app development company do?
It designs, builds, tests, publishes and maintains apps for iPhone, iPad and other Apple devices, including the backend services behind them and the App Store listing that presents them.
Our iOS app development services
Native iPhone app development in Swift
We build native apps in Swift and SwiftUI following Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, so navigation, typography and gestures feel familiar to iPhone users.
iPad and multi-device apps
iPad apps use larger layouts, split view, keyboard shortcuts and Apple Pencil; we design them as their own experience rather than stretched phone screens.
Cross-platform iOS and Android
If you also need Android, React Native or Flutter reaches both stores from one codebase.
App Store submission
We prepare App Privacy details, screenshots, review notes and test accounts, submit through App Store Connect and handle reviewer feedback.
iOS app maintenance
Apple ships a major iOS release every year. We test beta releases in advance and update your app so it keeps working and can adopt new capabilities.
How does app development in iOS work?
iOS apps are written in Swift using Xcode and Apple’s frameworks such as SwiftUI and UIKit, tested on simulators and devices, distributed to beta testers through TestFlight and published through App Store Connect after App Review.
| Layer | Tools |
|---|---|
| Language | Swift |
| UI | SwiftUI, UIKit |
| IDE | Xcode |
| Data | SwiftData, Core Data, CloudKit |
| Testing | XCTest, TestFlight |
| Publishing | App Store Connect |
Getting through App Store review
Most rejections come from incomplete metadata, privacy details that do not match the app, missing account deletion, or in-app purchase rules. We check each against Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines before submission.
How much does iOS app development cost?
As a US planning range, a simple iPhone app commonly costs $25,000-$60,000, a moderate business app $50,000-$130,000 and complex apps more. The Apple Developer Program costs $99 per year.
| Scope | Typical range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple iPhone app | $25,000-$60,000 | 2-3 months |
| Moderate business app | $50,000-$130,000 | 3-5 months |
| iPhone + iPad + Watch | $100,000+ | 5-8 months |
| iOS + Android cross-platform | $60,000-$160,000 | 4-6 months |
Apple’s App Store Small Business Program charges a 15% commission on paid apps and in-app purchases for developers with up to $1 million in prior-year proceeds. More in app development cost.
Hiring an iPhone app developer vs an iOS development firm
An individual iPhone developer can build a small app; a firm adds design, backend, QA, App Store compliance and maintenance across iOS releases. See hiring app developers.
Why choose Progression Agency for iOS development?
- Native Swift and SwiftUI, or cross-platform when Android is needed.
- Design to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines.
- App Store review preparation done up front.
- TestFlight betas every sprint.
- Launch marketing and App Store optimization.
- You own the code and developer account. Headquartered in New York City.
App Store submission requirements
Apple reviews every app and update before release. Planning for these requirements early avoids the rejections that delay launches by weeks.
| Requirement | What it means for your app |
|---|---|
| Apple Developer Program | $99 per year for the organization that publishes the app |
| Current SDK | Builds must be made with the Xcode and iOS SDK versions Apple currently requires |
| App privacy details | The App Store listing declares what data is collected and how it is used |
| Privacy manifest | Apps and SDKs that use certain system APIs must declare the reasons in a privacy manifest |
| In-app account deletion | Apps that support account creation must let users delete their account in the app |
| Login services | Apps offering third-party social login must also offer a privacy-focused equivalent option |
Summarized from the App Store Review Guidelines and Apple’s privacy manifest documentation.
Which Apple platforms should your app support?
Most businesses start with iPhone. Other Apple platforms are worth adding when your users have a clear reason to use them, and SwiftUI lets much of the interface code be shared.
| Platform | When it is worth building |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Almost always: the primary iOS audience |
| iPad | Field work, retail counters, education and content creation |
| Apple Watch | Quick glances, health and fitness data, notifications that need action |
| Mac (via Mac Catalyst or SwiftUI) | Professional tools used at a desk |
| Apple TV | Streaming and media apps |
| Apple Vision Pro | Spatial experiences in design, training and retail |
Beta testing with TestFlight
Every sprint ships to TestFlight, which supports up to 10,000 external testers, so stakeholders and pilot users try real builds before review.
Swift for app development: why we build iPhone apps in Swift
Swift is Apple’s language for iPhone mobile app development, and SwiftUI is its interface framework. Our Swift app development services use both for new apps, with UIKit where an existing codebase needs it. App developers for iPhone who work in Swift get first access to new iOS capabilities each year, which is why iOS app development firms that still ship Objective-C are becoming rare. Watch companions are built alongside; see wearable app development.
Building an iPhone app?
Tell us what it needs to do. We will recommend Swift or cross-platform with a planning estimate.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an iOS app development company do?
What language are iPhone apps written in?
What is SwiftUI?
How much does it cost to build an iPhone app?
How long does iOS app development take?
How much does Apple charge developers?
What commission does the App Store take?
Do I need a Mac to develop iOS apps?
What is TestFlight?
Why do apps get rejected by the App Store?
Should I build native iOS or cross-platform?
Can you build iPad apps?
Can you build Apple Watch apps?
Do iPhone apps need updates every year?
Can I hire an iPhone app developer through you?
Can you integrate Apple Pay?
Can you work with HealthKit?
Who owns the iOS app?
Do you market iOS apps?
Where is Progression Agency located?
What do your iOS mobile app development services include?
Can I hire an iPhone app developer from your team for an existing app?
Do you offer Swift app development services?
Is iPhone mobile app development different from iPad development?
Planning an app?We design, build, launch and maintain iOS, Android and web apps, with a written scope before any code.
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