iOS App Development - With React Native Instead of Swift and Xcode

Does your business need a custom iOS app? At Knguru, we develop exactly the iOS application your company needs to succeed. Whether you're a startup or a larger enterprise, we understand what makes an app successful—and we bring that insight into every stage, starting with the concept.

Are you looking for an app programming partner who implements your idea in an innovative way?

Then you've come to the right place! We understand the needs of start-ups and bring the necessary know-how. Startup apps must be individual. That is why we are always developing innovative solutions.

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iOS App Development for the Apple App Store

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! Our well-established development process sets the right course for your success from the very beginning.

UX/UI Design – First Impressions Matter

Today’s users expect thoughtful and visually appealing design—your app needs to compete visually with platforms like Google, Facebook & Co., and it should be intuitive and enjoyable to use. That’s exactly what our professional UX/UI designers deliver. They create designs that stand up to the industry's top players while ensuring a cohesive user experience.

We start by analyzing your corporate design and app concept, then create matching mockups and flow prototypes. Together with you, we review these designs and refine them until they’re ready for implementation. Using tools like Figma, we provide clear visualizations—so even without technical expertise, you can track progress and provide feedback. This ensures the development process stays on the right course from start to finish.

MVP Development – Build, Measure, Learn

Once the visual mockups are complete, our developers build the first usable prototype—the so-called Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This allows us to test the core idea behind the app together and address any fundamental issues before the codebase grows too large. During this phase, it's also common to identify which additional features make the most sense and should be prioritized in development.

Some startups need to generate revenue with the MVP to fund further development. If that's the case for you, we’ll already focus on market readiness at this stage and ensure publication in the App Store. This way, you can attract investors or start earning with the first version—while gathering valuable external feedback for future development!

Development in Sprints – Agile Development for Fast Results

Once the MVP has proven itself, we plan the further development together and set intermediate goals—such as key features. We implement these following the SCRUM model in sprints that each last a few weeks. At the end of each sprint, there is always a usable interim result.
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We present the results to you directly. This allows us, as with the MVP, to quickly gather feedback and fix issues—and if we’ve taken a wrong turn, the correction effort remains manageable. Additionally, this gives you tangible results on a regular basis—so you can always be confident that things are progressing!

Publishing in the App Store, Updates and Support

Once the project is ready for market, we can publish the app in the App Store. We have the required Apple Developer account and ensure throughout the development process that Apple’s guidelines are followed so your app passes the review process smoothly. We also discuss the pricing for publishing with full transparency.

Of course, the work doesn’t end there. The project must be maintained, updated, and cared for over the years—and user feedback plays a key role! That’s why we monitor sales and reviews through App Store Connect after launch and directly incorporate them into updates. Instead of relying on freelancers, we work with a dedicated in-house development team—this allows us to oversee the project long-term and provide effective support.

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UX/UI design — the first impression counts

Users today expect a well-thought-out and appealing design - the app must be visually able to keep up with Google, Facebook & Co., and it must be convenient and fun when they interact with the app. That is exactly what our professionals do UX/UI designer. They not only create a look that keeps up with the top dogs, but also ensure a coherent user experience.

First, we analyze your corporate design and app idea and create suitable mockups and flow prototypes. We will then go through them together with you and guide them until they are ready for implementation. With tools like Figma, we create visualizations for you - so you can see and comment on the current status even without your own expertise. In this way, we ensure that the development process can never “take the wrong turn.”

MVP Development - Build, Measure, Learn

Once the visual mockups are ready, our developers build the first usable prototype — the so-called Minimal Viable Product, MVP for short. This allows us to further test the idea behind the app together and fix any fundamental problems before the code becomes too big. In addition, during this phase, it is usually already noticeable which other features would make the most sense and should be programmed as a matter of priority.

Some startups already have to earn money with the MVP for further development. If this is the case for you, we are already working towards market readiness in this step and ensure that it is published in the App Store. In this way, you can attract investors or earn money with the first version - and at the same time collect valuable feedback from outside for further development!

Development in sprints - agile development for quick results

As soon as the MVP has proven itself, we plan further development together and set interim goals — e.g. important features. Using the SCRUM model, we implement these in sprints, each lasting a few weeks. At the end of every sprint, there is always a useful interim result.

We will present the results to you directly. As with the MVP, this allows us to quickly collect feedback and fix problems - and if we do take a “wrong turn”, the amount of correction required is limited. It also allows us to constantly show you tangible results - so you can always be sure that things are “moving forward”!

App Store publishing, updates, and support

As soon as the project is ready for the market, we can publish the app in the App Store. We have the necessary Apple Developer account and ensure that Apple's guidelines are met during development and that your app passes through the review process without any problems. That too Pricing We will transparently go through the publication process with you.

Of course, that's not the end of the job yet. The project must then be maintained, maintained and updated for years — and user feedback is crucial! That's why we monitor sales and reviews after publishing via App Store Connect - and incorporate them directly into updates. Instead of freelancers, we rely on a permanent team of developers - this allows us to have a long-term overview of the project and provide effective support.

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iOS App Development at Knguru - That’s Why We Use React Native Instead of XCode and Swift

Swift and XCode – Development Environment and Programming Language for iOS

Apple provides its “official” tools for creating iOS apps for iPhone and iPad: the Swift programming language (or Swift alongside Objective-C) and the XCode development environment integrated into the Apple Developer Program. Developers who want to build apps specifically optimized for Apple devices typically rely on these tools. Apple even offers a dedicated tool called Swift Playgrounds to help beginners learn Swift and get started with iOS development.

However, there’s one major drawback. If we use these tools to create a native iOS app, it will only run on Apple devices in that form. Yet today, a mobile app should ideally work across all platforms—and better yet, be available as a web app without requiring installation. Not everyone uses an iPhone, and many users want immediate access without downloading or installing anything. So, if we build a native iOS app, we also need to create two additional versions—for Android and for the web.

iOS App in the Apple App Store – Even with React Native

You can confidently skip Swift when developing for iOS. iOS app development is entirely possible without Swift or XCode—by using a framework that supports all major platforms from the ground up. This approach is called cross-platform app development. We use React Native for this purpose. It allows us to work with a single codebase for iOS, Android, and the web—eliminating the need to develop separate apps for each platform. This means we can allocate all resources where they truly matter: building an app that drives your business forward.

Regardless of the framework used to build iOS apps, developers ultimately need to submit their app for review to the App Store. Some agencies make critical errors during this step—for example, by failing to tailor the UI design to iOS and its guidelines. That won’t happen with us. As participants in the Apple Developer Program, we’re thoroughly familiar with the requirements for developing native iOS apps. Our UI/UX team ensures that Apple’s design guidelines—crafted specifically to deliver a consistent user experience—are strictly followed. As a result, your app will make it through Apple’s review and be approved for the App Store.

Have Your Own App Built – Our Developers Bring the Code to Every Device

We pay close attention to all the critical details when developing mobile applications. Before development begins, we assess the app’s performance requirements and necessary permissions, and we take into account the different style guidelines across platforms. This ensures that the app works flawlessly and delivers a great user experience on every device.
Entrusting your project to us pays off—iOS app development is seamlessly integrated into the overall process through cross-platform development, with no compromises in quality. This makes standalone Swift-based apps from Apple unnecessary.

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Still not sure if we’re the right fit to help you out? Just book a free consultation with us or take a look at our FAQ section.

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Does iOS development with cross-platform frameworks offer the same capabilities as a “real” iOS app?

In almost all cases, yes. There are still some differences in performance or access to certain device features in specific areas. However, it’s quite likely that Apple will gradually remove these limitations as cross-platform apps become more popular. Even now, they only matter in very few special cases.

Aren’t universally usable apps more expensive than native iOS apps?

Nope! Building apps with cross-platform frameworks is often even easier. In many areas, they are more developer-friendly than the tools Apple provides for mobile app development. Ultimately, what matters most is which tool the developer is most comfortable with—and for us, that's React. That’s why we work faster and more efficiently with it, and we recommend building your app with it.

I heard Swift Playgrounds is still around. Doesn’t that make app development faster?

Not at all! This tool is purely a learning platform. It’s not really intended for professional app development. So, if you were hoping to create a budget-friendly iOS app with it, we have to disappoint you. Meaningful apps for iOS 14, Apple Watches & Co. can only be developed by actual professionals.