Most focused first versions of an iOS app take 4 to 10 weeks from the first call to the App Store. Larger products take a few months. The difference is rarely the code itself; it is how clear the scope is and how quickly decisions get made.
Here is how the time usually breaks down on our projects.
Week 1: Discovery
We pressure-test the idea and decide what the first version must do, and what it must not. The output is a short written scope: screens, features, integrations and a fixed price.
- A 30-minute call to understand the product and the users
- A list of every screen and what happens on it
- Decisions on accounts, payments and the backend
- A timeline with weekly milestones
Skipping this step is the single most common reason projects run late. Every unanswered question becomes a delay later.
Weeks 2 – 3: Design
We design the interface and the motion, then turn it into a clickable prototype you can hold on your own phone. Changing a design here costs minutes. Changing it after it is built costs days.
Weeks 3 – 8: Build
Engineering in Swift and SwiftUI, the backend, payments and analytics. You get a TestFlight build every week, so you are holding real progress instead of reading status updates.
How long this phase takes depends on:
- Scope: the number of screens and flows
- Backend: a ready-made backend like Supabase is days; a custom one is weeks
- Payments: subscriptions and paywalls add a few days
- Integrations: each third-party service needs setup and error handling
- Feedback speed: replies within a day keep the schedule; replies within a week stretch it
Week 8 – 9: App Store review and launch
We prepare the App Store listing (name, subtitle, keywords, screenshots and privacy details) and submit the app. Apple reviews most submissions within a day or two. If something is flagged, it is usually small; our guide to the most common App Store rejections covers how to avoid them.
After launch
The first weeks after launch are when you learn the most. Our engagements include 30 or 90 days of support for fixes and the first round of improvements based on real usage.
What makes app projects run late
- A scope that keeps growing. New ideas are welcome, but they belong in version two.
- Waiting on content. Texts, logos, legal pages and test accounts should be ready before the build ends.
- Unclear ownership. One person on your side should be able to make decisions.
- Building for every platform at once. Starting with iOS ships sooner. See Swift vs Flutter vs React Native for the trade-offs.
Frequently asked questions
Can an app be built in two weeks?
A small, focused app with up to five screens and a ready-made backend can be. Our Launch package is designed for exactly that.
How long does Apple take to review an app?
Usually a day or two. New apps sometimes take longer, and a rejection adds a few days while you fix and resubmit.
Do I need to be available during development?
A short weekly check-in and quick replies to questions are enough. Most of your time goes into testing the TestFlight builds.
How do I keep my project on schedule?
Agree the scope in writing, prepare your content early and keep new ideas for the next version. Fixed scope is what makes a fixed timeline possible.