iOS Developer is a professional designation for someone who develops software for Apple's iPhone and iPad devices. Having well-prepared iOS Interview Questions is essential for finding a suitable applicant.
Before we get into it, let's learn a little more about this important career position.
An iOS Developer is a software developer, the developer typically works with Objective-C or Swift, and designs user interfaces using Interface Builder. They design, build, and test apps, as well as fix any errors that may occur. In order to become an iOS developer, you will need to have strong programming skills and knowledge of the Apple platform.
iOS Developers often have a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related field and prior hands-on experience.
The primary role of an iOS Developer is to design and create software applications for Apple devices such as mobile devices, laptops, and desktops, specifically those running on the iOS operating system. They are responsible for coming up with ideas for new apps, determining how an app will work, and then actually creating the code that makes it all work. They design, build, and test apps, and work with teams to release products to the App Store.
iOS Developer work with teams of engineers and designers to build products that meet the needs of customers. They also collaborate with other developers to create and improve features. In addition, they test and debug apps to ensure they are of high quality.
Essential Interview Questions
What programming languages are you proficient in?
Listen fora strong grasp of Swift and Objective-C with practical application experience.
Have you ever developed an app for the iPhone or iPad? If so, can I see it?
Listen fora portfolio showcasing published apps with user engagement metrics.
Do you have any experience with Objective-C or Swift?
Listen forhands-on coding experience in both languages, demonstrating versatility in projects.
What design patterns are you familiar with?
Listen forknowledge of MVC, MVVM, and Singleton patterns applied in real projects.
Are you comfortable working in a team environment?
Listen forprevious collaboration examples highlighting effective communication and conflict resolution.
How would you handle a situation where you had to work with legacy code?
Listen forstrategies for refactoring, documenting, and improving legacy code efficiently.
What is your experience with version control systems, such as Git or SVN?
Listen forproficiency in Git workflows, including branching, merging, and pull requests.
Do you have any experience with unit testing and debugging?
Listen forfamiliarity with XCTest and TDD principles, demonstrating a proactive testing approach.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced when developing iOS apps?
Listen forspecific technical hurdles faced, with examples of successful resolutions.
How do you handle project deadlines?
Listen foreffective prioritization techniques and examples of meeting tight deadlines.
Rate each answer as you hear it, not from memory afterwards. Use the same scale for every candidate so the notes stay comparable.
iOS developer · Candidate Scorecard
Score every candidate against the same six criteria, so two interviewers reach comparable conclusions instead of competing impressions.
Swift Proficiency
demonstrated ability to write clean, efficient Swift code in projects.
iOS Frameworks
experience with UIKit, Core Data, and other essential iOS frameworks.
App Store Submission
knowledge of the app submission process and compliance with guidelines.
Debugging Skills
ability to troubleshoot and resolve bugs effectively using Xcode.
User Interface Design
experience designing intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for apps.
Agile Methodology
familiarity with Agile practices and experience working in sprints.
Take this scorecard into the interview
Download the fillable PDF, or have it emailed to you with all 10 questions attached.
Why is it important to prepare when interviewing a job applicant?
The role of an iOS Developer is important because they are responsible for developing and maintaining software applications for Apple devices. They help make sure that the user experience is a good one and that the apps are easy to use. When interviewing an iOS Developer, it is important to ask questions about their experience with developing mobile apps and what kind of challenges they have faced.
You should also inquire about their thoughts on the current state of the iOS platform and where they see it going in the future.
Want a Structured Interview Toolkit?
PDFThe Interviewing Toolkit is a practical guide covering interview preparation, structured questions, evaluation strategies, and common hiring challenges to help small and mid-sized teams hire with confidence.
Download the free Interviewing Toolkit nowGet instant access to the PDF version. No signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many interview questions should I ask?
Plan for 5–7 core questions in a 45–60 minute interview. This allows time for follow-up questions and gives candidates space to provide detailed examples.
What are red flags during an interview?
Watch for vague answers, lack of specific examples, blame-shifting, or inability to explain their role in past results.
How do I evaluate interview answers objectively?
Use a consistent scoring rubric for each question and focus on measurable examples and demonstrated skills.
Do structured interviews improve hiring results?
Yes. Structured interviews increase consistency, reduce bias, and make it easier to compare candidates fairly.
How do I assess technical skills without a hands-on test?
Ask candidates to walk through their diagnostic process for common problems, explain how they use specific tools, and describe recent challenging repairs they completed successfully.
iOS Developer Job Description Template
These questions are written against the same role definition. Post the job description first, then interview from this scorecard, and the criteria you screened on are the criteria you score on.