What you need before you start building
To make an iPhone app, you need three things: a Mac computer running macOS, Apple's development tools (called Xcode, which is free), and an Apple Developer Account (which costs $99 per year). You cannot build iPhone apps on Windows or Linux — Apple requires macOS. The $99 yearly fee is what lets you submit apps to the App Store; without it, you can only test on your own devices.
Xcode is the actual workspace where you write code and design your app's interface. It includes a simulator that lets you see how your app looks and behaves on different iPhone models before you submit it. You read Xcode from the Mac App Store at no cost, but the Apple Developer Account membership is required to publish anything.
You will also need to decide what programming language to use. Swift is Apple's modern language and the one most new developers learn; Objective-C is older but still supported. Swift is simpler to read and write, so it is the standard choice for people starting out.
Key Takeaways
- You need a Mac computer, Xcode (free), and an Apple Developer Account ($99 per year) to build and submit an iPhone app.
- Swift is the programming language most developers use for new iPhone apps, and learning it takes weeks to months depending on your background.
- Your app must follow Apple's App Store Review Guidelines, which cover safety, privacy, performance, and content — rejection is common on the first submission.
- The submission process involves creating an app record in App Store Connect, uploading your built app, filling in screenshots and descriptions, and waiting for Apple's review team to test it.
- The entire review process typically takes three to five business days, though some apps are rejected and require changes before resubmission.
Learning Swift and building your first app
Swift is designed to be readable, which makes it more forgiving for beginners than older languages. Apple provides free tutorials and documentation on their Developer website. Many people use online courses from platforms like Udemy, Coursera, or YouTube to learn the fundamentals — variables, functions, loops, and how to handle user input.
Once you understand the basics, you move into building the actual interface. Xcode includes a visual tool called Interface Builder where you can drag buttons, text fields, and images onto the screen instead of writing code for every element. You then connect those visual elements to your code so that tapping a button actually does something.
A straightforward app — something like a to-do list, a calculator, or a weather display — typically takes a few weeks to a few months to build, depending on how much you already know about programming. You test constantly in the simulator, fixing bugs and adjusting how things look as you go.
Understanding Apple's App Store Review Guidelines
Before you submit, read Apple's App Store Review Guidelines in full. These are the rules your app must follow to be accepted. They cover safety (no apps that could harm users), privacy (how you collect and use data), performance (your app cannot crash or drain the battery excessively), and content (no hate speech, illegal activity, or deceptive behavior).
A common reason for rejection is privacy violations — for example, collecting location data without clearly telling the user why you need it, or selling user data to third parties. Another frequent reason is misleading marketing: if your app's description or screenshots promise something it does not actually do, it will be rejected.
Apps that crash on startup, load extremely slowly, or have obvious bugs are also rejected. Apple's review team tests your app on real devices, not just the simulator, so problems that only show up on certain iPhone models or iOS versions will be caught.
Preparing your app for submission
Before you upload anything to the App Store, you need to create an app record in App Store Connect, which is Apple's portal for managing your apps. You give your app a name, choose a category (Games, Productivity, Health, and so on), and write a description that explains what it does.
You also need to provide screenshots — typically five to eight images showing your app in use on different iPhone screen sizes. These screenshots are what potential users see in the App Store, so they should show the most useful or visually interesting parts of your app. You write a short tagline (30 characters or less) and a longer description (up to 4,000 characters) that explains the features and what problem your app solves.
You must also set a price (free or a specific amount) and choose which countries you want to sell in. If your app collects any personal data — even something like a username or email address — you fill out a privacy policy form describing exactly what you collect, how you use it, and how long you keep it.
Building and uploading your app
When your app is ready, you build it in Xcode, which compiles your code into a format the iPhone can run. Xcode creates a file called an archive. You then use a tool called Xcode Organizer to validate this archive — it checks for common problems like missing icons or incompatible code — before uploading it to App Store Connect.
The upload process is automated. You sign in to App Store Connect, select your app, and choose the build you want to submit. Xcode uploads the archive to Apple's servers. This usually takes a few minutes to an hour depending on file size and your internet connection.
Once the upload is complete, your app enters the review queue. You can check the status in App Store Connect — it will show "Waiting for Review", then "In Review", then either "Ready for Sale" (approved) or "Rejected" (with reasons why).
What happens during Apple's review
Apple's review team tests your app on real iPhone hardware running the iOS version you specified. They check that it launches without crashing, that buttons and features work as described, that it does not violate the guidelines, and that the screenshots and description are accurate.
This process typically takes three to five business days. During busy periods (like after a major iOS release), it can take longer. You cannot speed up the review, but you can check the status anytime in App Store Connect.
If your app is rejected, Apple sends you a detailed message explaining which guideline it violated and what you need to fix. You then make those changes, rebuild the app, and resubmit. The second review usually happens faster because Apple already knows what to look for.
After your app is approved
Once approved, your app appears in the App Store within a few hours. You can set a specific release date if you want to delay the launch, or it goes live when ready. Users can then search for it, read your description and reviews, and read it.
After launch, you can update your app with new features or bug fixes. Each update goes through the same review process, though updates are usually approved faster than the initial submission. You can also change your description, screenshots, and price without needing approval — those changes take effect within a few hours.
Monitoring user reviews and ratings is important. If users report crashes or bugs, you can fix them and push an update. If your app gains traction, you may want to add features based on user feedback.
Common reasons apps get rejected on first submission
The most frequent rejections are for incomplete functionality (features that do not work), misleading descriptions (the app does not match what you said it does), and privacy issues (collecting data without permission or without a clear privacy policy). Apps that crash on launch or have obvious bugs are also rejected when ready.
Another common issue is using Apple's private APIs — functions that Apple provides for its own apps but not for third-party developers. If your code uses these hidden functions, the review team will catch it and reject your app.
Some apps are rejected for business model reasons. For example, if your app is free but then asks users to pay for basic features that should be free, or if it uses aggressive notifications to push users toward in-app purchases, Apple may reject it as deceptive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test my app on a real iPhone before submitting?
Yes. You can connect your own iPhone to your Mac and run your app directly on it through Xcode. This requires adding your device to your Apple Developer Account, which takes a few minutes. Testing on a real device is important because the simulator does not catch all bugs — some issues only show up on actual hardware.
What if my app is rejected and I do not understand why?
Apple's rejection messages are usually specific, but if you need clarification, you can appeal the decision through App Store Connect. You write a response explaining why you believe the rejection was wrong or describing the changes you made. A different reviewer will then re-examine your app.
Do I have to pay the $99 developer fee every year?
Yes, the membership renews annually. If you do not renew, your app stays in the App Store but you cannot submit updates or make changes. Your existing app will eventually be removed if the account remains inactive for a long time.
How much does it cost to make an iPhone app?
The only required cost is the $99 yearly Apple Developer Account. Learning to code is free (tutorials and tools are free), though many people pay for online courses. If you hire a developer to build it for you, costs vary widely depending on complexity — anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands.
Can I build an iPhone app on Windows?
No. Xcode only runs on macOS, so you need a Mac computer. You cannot develop iPhone apps on Windows, Linux, or Chromebooks. If you do not have a Mac, you would need to buy one or use a cloud-based Mac service, both of which add cost.