When trying to hire iOS developers for a new project, knowing what to ask is important to make sure you can work together and will produce a quality end product. In this article, you are going to find some actionable advice and important questions, formatted in a cool way, to help anyone decide whether to hire iOS app development services.

Top Tips On What to Ask Before Hiring an iOS App Developer

1. Understanding Your App Goals

Before talking with any developer, be clear on what the app's purpose is, what the main functions are, its target audience, and all the possible special requirements. Are you building a game, a utility tool or a business solution? The more specific you are about your goals will make it a lot easier to communicate your ideas to a developer and find one that can make your objectives a reality.

2. Determining the Right Developer Type

Ask yourself if you need a freelancer to complete a short-term job or someone hired full-time for a commitment. Freelancers can be helpful for specific tasks and quicker launches, while full-time hires are best for complicated multi-phase projects. Remote developers may also be something to explore in your workflow, or you may want someone local.

3. Essential Skills and Technical Proficiency

It is always a good idea to verify that the developer is proficient in Swift and Objective-C. These two programming languages are fundamental to iOS development. In addition, the developer will have experience with common frameworks, such as UIKit and SwiftUI, and have knowledge of Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. You should ask them the following:

1. What programming languages and libraries do you use?

2. What iOS platforms ( iPhone, iPad, Watch, etc.) have you designed for?

3. Have you developed similar apps? Can you show me a demo or talk to me about downloads/ratings?

4. Live Coding and Technical Assessments

It is useful to know how a developer thinks about and solves actual problems. You can have the developer do a live coding/junior optional take-away assessment, applying your application ideas and objectives. This is a great way of testing his ability and investigating inline collaboration is necessary with the intention of bringing the dev on as a collaborator to develop new code.

5. Project Requirements and Documentation

The developer should assist you in fleshing out your app requirements. You will want to find out if the developer will create or review a requirements document. Good documentation saves time and reduces the chance of misunderstanding later on. Sample questions:

1. How do you gather requirements and manage change?

2. Can you provide a sample of your requirements document from a prior project?

3. How do you keep clients aware of project status? 

6. UI/UX Expertise

User experience is the difference between the success or failure of an app. You need to ask about their design process and if they are familiar with Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. Good questions would include:

1. What process do you use to create intuitive navigation and an attractive layout?

2. Can you show me apps you designed that were praised for their UI/UX?

3. How do you consider accessibility and localization? 

7. App Security Measures

Security is, of course, paramount when developing apps that process sensitive user data. You want to verify that a developer understands cryptography practices, security of network requests, and data privacy standards. Sample questions:

1. What do you do to secure user data in your apps?

2. Have you used biometric authentication or two-factor login?

3. What do you do to ensure that you avoid the common security vulnerabilities?

8. Performance Optimization

A developer should be able to demonstrate that their app is performant, does not kill the battery, and can work offline (if offline functionality is part of the requested project). Some questions to ask are:

1. How do you test for and optimize performance?

2. Can you tell me about an occasion when you identified speed/memory concerns?

3. What product(s) do you use to monitor app health?

9. App Store Submission Experience

An experienced developer will also have some knowledge of Apple's review process and be able to help you navigate it. Some questions to ask are:

1. How many apps have you submitted to the app store?

2. What did you think were the good/bad parts of going through Apple's review process?

3. Do you have any tips or tricks to obtain a quick and successful launch? 

10. Communication and Collaboration Style

Finding a good cultural fit is essential. Some questions to ask are:

1. How do you deal with feedback and disagreements?

2. Can you articulate technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders? 

3. What project management tool do you use?

11. Cost and Payment Structure

Have a budget for the project start, and just ask them about what to expect for workflow costs. Know your estimates and payment schedule before you start. Your questions could include:

1. How do you bill (hourly, fixed, milestone)?

2. What costs may arise during development?

3. Do you offer maintenance or update packages?

12. Hiring Models

Decide whether you are going to subcontract, hire some freelancers for a limited project, or form an in-house team. Know which hiring model fits your needs, your time frame, and your budget. Questions to consider: 

1. Which model is best for the scope of my project?

2. What are the pros and cons of the model you recommend? 

3. What is the prospect for me to up-scale if circumstances change? 

13. Soft Skills and Problem Solving

The relevant computer skills are not necessary. Such soft skills as teamwork, creativity, being self-opinionated, and an eagerness to engage with others and bring them up to speed are of considerable value. Example questions: 

1. How do you keep up with the latest developments and shifts in iOS? 

2. Please give me an example of a time when you had to learn new technology in a short time frame. 

3. What are the ways that you demonstrate a self-starter attitude for the work you do? 

14. Long-Term Commitment and Support

Make sure there is continued support, particularly if you plan to continually update your app. As a client, you might ask: 

1. Do you offer support post-launch, bug fixes, and updates as part of your offering? 

2. What is your procedure in dealing with customer inquiries and crash reports?  

3. Do you have the capacity to scale your resources in the event that the app unexpectedly experiences rapid growth?

Final Tips Before You Hire iOS Developers

1. Clearly define your app’s concept and be open about your timeline and budget. 

2. Look for a well-rounded team; coding is just one half of the job. 

3. Remember the importance of good communication. 

4. Check them out via their previous work, a live coding test, and a chat interview. 

5. Feel free to drill down with specific questions, even if you’re a beginner at iOS apps.

Hire iOS developers or iOS development firms that will care about your project and success in the long run. Finding the right people really can make all the difference. When it’s time to look for iOS developers to build this app of yours, these questions and tips will help you be sure you pick the right developer.