Apple iOS Engineer Interview can be intimidating. Considering the fact that Apple is a legendary tech company with cutting-edge devices like the iPhone and MacBook, an interview for Apple iOS Engineer can be daunting.
Apple iOS is a tight-knit ecosystem and places a lot of emphasis on security. Unlike Android, it is not open-source and is tightly guarded. Understanding the Apple ecosystem is extremely crucial to cracking any Apple iOS Engineering Interview among other skills and technical requirements. In this blog, we will tell you how you can be prepared for an Apple iOS Engineer Interview.
Who is an iOS Engineer?
To understand what an iOS Engineer is, let’s talk about iOS first. You might be quite familiar with Apple, the legendary company responsible for the extremely popular iPhone. This company was responsible for creating legacy devices like MacBook, leaving a mark on innovation, creativity, and excellence.
Apple has been able to achieve such feats thanks to iOS, also known as the iPhone OS in the past. This operating system has allowed Apple to create phones with beautiful interfaces, creative features, and highly independent phones that need not rely on external parties like Google or Windows to create a device.
Source: Apple
An iOS Engineer is a person who either helps in improving this OS model further, for future projects or uses the pre-existing OS to develop impressive features for Apple Devices that use this OS. These apps are available on the official platform, App Store, which can be purchased by anyone with an iPhone or other devices with iOS.
Role of an iOS Engineer at Apple
To master the Essential Technical Skills for an Apple iOS Engineer Interview, it’s important to understand the role of an iOS Engineer. As one can figure out from the name, an iOS Engineer specializing in iOS uses their skills with different programming languages to develop applications for Apple-based devices.
Apple Devices tends to strongly gate-keep its devices from third-party software. In other words, it only allows people to download and install applications crafted and curated by Apple or companies that partner with Apple, and divide profits on an application to allow purchase on the official platform of Apple, the App Store.
This makes sure an iOS Engineer creates well-regulated software that adheres to legal policies, without risking the safety of the users. Additionally, an engineer is also expected to craft new innovative features for iOS, further extending its capabilities.
Essential Skills for an iOS Engineer
Working for Apple allows you to work alongside some of the most brilliant minds in the tech industry. This means you will be tested well for your abilities and technical skills when you apply for this role. Some of the essential iOS developer skills needed for an Apple iOS Developer Interview are as follows.
Coding
It goes without saying, but a technical job that includes application software development requires you to master your craft as a coder. Apple uses programming languages like Swift, Objective -C, and Assembly language. Additionally, the iOS was built using C and C++, thus some knowledge of these languages and OOPs-based concepts may be a bonus.
Problem Solving
Apple tends to take its candidates through multiple rounds, which can seem excruciating. This is not done without a reason, as the interviewer wishes to learn how to tackle different situations and circumstances. A strong ability to analyze problems and come up with technical solutions with your knowledge is vital for this role.
Creativity
Apple has followed the motto of “Rather than building a lot of it, build the best of it†which goes to show how much they value creativity. How you view a problem and see opportunities where others fail to do so can give you the cutting edge against competitors.
How to tackle the Apple iOS Engineer Interview?
To understand how to tackle this role, let’s talk about how the role of an iOS Engineer is different from other software or application engineers and developers. Apple initially never intended to allow any third-party application development for its devices. However, due to the request of the community, it found a soft balance between the safety of stock OS and first-party software and the Innovation of third-party software.
Understanding iOS Software Development Kit is Essential to Crack Apple iOS Engineer Interview
Apple created a kit known as iOS SDK (Apple Software Development Kit) which allows anyone to build applications for Apple. This kit is an absolute must to build an app that can work on iOS, and its knowledge as well as its latest update is a strong element of this role.
This kit is updated frequently based on the latest version of iOS, thus getting new features you can integrate into the apps or games you wish to develop. This also allows you to increase the potential of your app, as you implement new features that can be supported by the latest iOS model.
Mastering Xcode is an important skill to crack the Apple iOS Engineering Interview
Apple eventually included Xcode, an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). A platform to code in while developing apps for Apple, and also simulate what the app will look, sound, and feel like while running on the actual device. A knowledge of these technologies is an absolute must while approaching this role.
Understanding UI/UX is important for Apple iOS Engineering Interview
Besides the major skills, some soft technical skills can play a huge part in your chance at selection in this role. Some of them include Spatial Reasoning Ability, that allows you to imagine how the user may feel while using the app created by you. Other skills include a basic knowledge of User Interface (UI), User Experience (UX), Core Data, and Memory Management.
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The role of an iOS Engineer is a very promising one, which comes with a creative work environment, impressive salary, and collaboration between brilliant minds. It can feel daunting, especially for people who are applying for this role for the first time. You can even take up iOS mock interview to build confidence and get an understanding of how Apple iOS Developer interview can be.
With Interview Kickstart’s iOS Engineering Interview Prep Course, you can be prepared to nail your next interview. Led by industry experts from Apple, Facebook, and LinkedIn, our instructors will help you valuable skills, build a strong foundation in the subject, and give you all the tools required to be successful in your career or land your dream job.
You can check out some of the success stories of our alumni who have advanced their Apple iOS Engineering career with the help of Interview Kickstart.
FAQs: Apple iOS Engineering Interviews
1. Which are the programming languages I should know for the Apple iOS Engineer interview?
You need to know Swift, Objective-C, and C++. Understanding assembly language and OOP concepts can be a bonus.
2. Why do you need to know the iOS SDK for your interview?
To create an iOS Application, you must be familiar with the iOS SDK. Knowing it and its tools makes your apps compatible while maintaining a high quality.
3. What does an iOS Engineer do at Apple?
IOS Engineer develops apps & features for Apple devices and complies with security policy (as per client/configuration) for the iOS ecosystem.
4. What is Xcode and is it important for Apple iOS Engineering Interviews?
Xcode is extremely important for iOS app development. It is Apple’s Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that is used to test, code, and simulate the applications for iOS. Understanding Xcode IDE is extremely important for cracking Apple iOS Engineering Interview.
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