SwiftUI Learning Path: Build Your First Monetizable iOS App

Welcome to your journey of becoming an iOS app developer! This learning path is designed with a singular, achievable goal in mind: to guide you from a complete beginner to publishing your first monetizable iOS app using SwiftUI.

If you want to get your first job as an iOS developer, you should follow this learning path instead.

Goals

By the end of this path, you will have:

  1. Built simple, small, yet functional iOS apps using SwiftUI
  2. Published your app on the App Store
  3. Implemented basic monetization, setting you up to potentially earn your first internet dollar

This path focuses on practical, hands-on learning. You’ll be building real components and features that will directly contribute to your first app. We’ve streamlined the content to include only what’s necessary to get your app from idea to App Store, giving you a quick win to boost your confidence and motivation.

Prerequisites

To make the most of this learning path, you should have:

  1. A Mac computer running a recent version of macOS (required for iOS development)
  2. Basic computer literacy and familiarity with using a Mac
  3. A willingness to learn and experiment with code (no prior coding experience required)
  4. An Apple Developer account (you can start with a free account and upgrade to a paid account when you’re ready to publish)

Optional but helpful:

  • Basic understanding of any programming concepts (variables, functions, etc.)
  • Familiarity with version control systems like Git (we won’t focus on this, but it’s a good practice)

Remember, this path is designed for beginners. We’ll start from the basics and build up your knowledge step by step. Don’t worry if some concepts seem challenging at first – with practice and persistence, you’ll see your skills grow rapidly.

Are you ready to start your journey to becoming an iOS developer and earning your first internet dollar? Let’s dive in!

Basic Terminology

Before we dive in, let’s clarify some terms you’ll often hear in iOS development:

  1. iOS: The operating system that runs on iPhones and iPads (like Windows for PCs or Android for some smartphones).
  2. Swift: Apple’s programming language used to write iOS apps. It’s the “language” you use to tell the iPhone or iPad what to do.
  3. Xcode: A program made by Apple that you use to write Swift code and design your app’s look. Think of it as a super-advanced text editor made specifically for creating apps..
  4. SwiftUI: A newer way to build user interfaces, introduced by Apple in 2019. It’s simpler to use than UIKit but works only on newer versions of iOS.
  5. API: Stands for Application Programming Interface. Think of it as a menu of tasks that iOS can perform for you, like showing alerts or playing sounds.
  6. Simulator: A program that acts like an iPhone or iPad on your Mac, so you can test your app without a real device.
  7. App Store: Apple’s digital store where you can publish your apps for others to download.

Learning Path

In the following, I will give you the moduls with topics that you should cover. I listed all major key learnings. You can use these as a guide to get a rough overview. Try to learn what each tool is and why and where it is used. I added resources to each section that can help you get started. There is a lot to learn, so dont get caught up in one area too long. As a beginner, try to focus on the basics.

1. Get Familiar with Xcode

This is where you get your toolbox ready! Xcode is like a super cool workshop for making apps. We’ll learn how to use it because it’s the main tool you’ll use to build your app.

  • Install Xcode from the Mac App Store.
  • Explore the Xcode interface: learn about the navigator, editor, inspector, and debugger areas.
  • Create a new Xcode project and understand the project structure.
  • Learn what Swift Playground is and how to use it for quick testing
 Resources:
learn xcode to make ios apps

Now we learn the language of apps! Swift is how you talk to your iPhone to make it do cool stuff. These basics are like learning the ABC’s of app-making

Start by going through each point to get an overview. Come back later in your iOS developer journey to deeping your understanding. Some of these topics are quite complex. Dont worry when you dont get them the first time:

  • Variables and constants (var and let).
  • stored and computed properties
  • Data types (Int, String, Double, Bool).
  • Arrays and Dictionaries
  • Control flow (if, switch, for-in loops, while).
  • Functions and closures.
  • Classes, structures, and enumerations.
  • Instance methods
  • Type methods (static methods)
  • Inheritance and polymorphism
  • Protocols and extensions
  • Optionals and unwrapping.
  • Naming conventions and best practices, why it is important to write readable code
 Resources:

3. Understand SwiftUI Basics

This is where the magic happens! SwiftUI helps you create what people see on their screens. It’s important because it’s how you’ll design your app to look awesome. Start learning SwiftUI with the basic components to get a sense of it:

  • Learn about Views, Modifiers, and Layouts.
  • Understand the declarative syntax of SwiftUI.
  • Create simple UIs using VStack, HStack, and ZStack. Learn about alignement and spacing.
  • Know about background and overlay
  • Explore basic components: Text, Image, system icons, Color etc.
  • Handle user input with Button, Menu, Textfield, Toggle, Picker, Slider etc.
  • Learn about gestures and touch target size
  • Work with List, ScrollView, ForEach loops and other container views.
  • Show UI element conditionally with if-else and Ternary Operators
  • Simple animations and transitions
 Resources:

4. SwiftUI App Essentials

Time to make your app come alive! We’ll create the screens people will see when they use your app. This is exciting because you’ll start to see your app take shape.

You’ll understand how to manage your app’s flow and how to navigate between screens. Knowing how to handle app states and user input makes sure everything works smoothly. With these skills, you’ll be able to create a more user-friendly and functional app.

  • Implementing basic navigation (NavigationStack and TabView)
  • Passing data between views (@State, @Binding, @ObservedObject,)
  • Be able to extract functions and subviews
  • Learn about iOS app lifecycle, scenes and windows
  • Know when to use onAppear, onDisappear and task view modifier
 Resources:
snippet sample project for swiftdata

 5. Work with Data

Apps need to remember stuff, like high scores or user preferences. Here, we learn how to store and use information in your app. It’s crucial for making your app useful and personal.

  • Understand how to work with local data. File system and UserDefaults 
  • Codable Protocol and JSON
  • Swift Concurrency
  • Load images from the web with AsyncImage
  • Work with a database lik Core Data. (or SwiftData which is newer)
  • Data modeling
  • Considering cloud services like Firebase for backend needs
 Resources:
swiftui demo project to store user data as json with Codable.

6. HIGS and UX Design Basics

Understanding HIGS (Human Interface Guidelines) and UX (User Experience) basics is crucial for making your app easy and enjoyable to use. You’ll learn about touch target size to ensure buttons and controls are easy to tap. Readability and accessibility ensure your app is clear and usable for everyone.

Following Apple’s design guidelines and using standard components helps create a smooth, familiar experience for users. As a developer, focusing on good UX makes your app more intuitive and appealing.

  • touch target size
  • readability
  • accessebility
  • Apple design guidelines
  • use apple standard components for better user experience
  • you are a developer but you should always keep an eye on good UX practice
 Resources:

7. The Business Side of App Development

This module covers everything you need to understand the business side of app development, from starting with small projects to making your first dollar. It’s all about starting small, learning the ropes, and scaling up as you gain experience and confidence!

7.1 Focus on Winning: Start Small, Build Confidence

  • Build Small, Simple Projects: The best way to learn is by doing. Start with small, manageable projects that help you practice and build your confidence. Each project will be a stepping stone toward creating a bigger, more ambitious app.
  • Gain Momentum: Completing projects quickly (in a few days or weeks) helps you stay motivated and sharpens your skills.

Examples of Small Projects:

  • Simple Calculator: Learn basic SwiftUI layout and logic.
  • Tip Calculator: Practice handling user input and managing state.
  • Habit Tracker: Build a list-based app with local data storage using UserDefaults.
  • Basic Quiz App: Practice navigation between screens, data handling, and conditional logic.

7.2 ASO and Marketing Basics: How to Make Your App Discoverable

  • App Store Optimization (ASO): ASO is all about making your app easier to find in the App Store. Learn how to optimize your app’s title, description, keywords, and visuals (icons and screenshots).
  • Research Popular Keywords: Look for keywords that are searched often but don’t have too much competition. These “low competition, high volume” keywords can help you choose an app idea and give you a better chance of success.
  • Competitor Research: Study similar apps that are already in the market. What features do they offer? What do users love or complain about? Use this information to improve your own app.
  • Use Keyword Research to Find App Ideas: Instead of guessing what users want, use keyword research tools to find what people are searching for. Build apps that address those needs.

7.2 Idea Validation and MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Start Smart

  • Create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product): Don’t try to build a fully-featured app right away. Focus on creating a simple version of your app with just the essential features. This will save time and help you avoid unnecessary complexity.
  • Deliver Value Quickly: Your MVP should solve a core problem or provide key functionality to your users. Don’t get caught up in adding extras before your app’s main purpose is clear.
  • Get Early Feedback: Release your MVP to a small group of users and gather their feedback. Use what you learn to refine and improve the app before you add more features.
  • You can distribute your app with TestFlight for beta users

7.3 Preparing for App Store Submission: Get Ready to Launch

  • Create App Store Assets: Learn how to design an app icon, take screenshots of your app, and write a simple, compelling description for the App Store.
  • Set Up App Store Connect: Create your Apple Developer account and set up your app details (like the app name, description, and pricing) in App Store Connect, the platform used to submit apps to the App Store.
  • Submit Your App: Follow the steps to submit your app for review, including providing the required metadata, setting your app version, and meeting Apple’s compliance requirements.

7.4 Launching and Marketing Your App: Getting Your App in Front of People

  • Launch Your App: Once your app is approved by Apple, it’s time to go live! Celebrate this achievement, but remember, this is just the beginning.
  • Share Your App: Promote your app to friends, family, and online communities. Use social media platforms or create a simple website to showcase your app.
  • Collect Feedback: Pay attention to user reviews and feedback. This information is crucial for improving your app over time and adding features that your users want.

7.5 Monetizing Your App: Making Your First Dollar

Wait for Downloads: Before you dive into monetization, make sure your app has a decent number of daily downloads (aim for more than 30 per day). Monetizing too early can be a lot of work, so it’s important to know you have an audience.

  • How Apps Make Money: Understand the different ways apps can generate income:
    • Paid Apps: Charge users a one-time fee to download your app.
    • In-App Purchases (IAP): Offer extra features, remove ads, or provide additional content that users can buy within the app.
    • Ads: Display ads in your app and earn money when users view or click on them.
    • Subscriptions: Offer ongoing features or services for a recurring fee.
  • Choose the Right Monetization Strategy: Decide how your app will make money based on its type and who your audience is.
  • Learn About In-App Purchases: Add a small feature that can be unlocked with an in-app purchase (e.g., removing ads or unlocking premium content). Optionally, use third-party services like RevenueCat to manage in-app purchases.
  • Pricing Strategies: Understand how to price your app—should it be free, freemium, or paid? Experiment with pricing models to find what works best for your users and app type.

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