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How to Hire Objective-C Developers
Objective-C is the foundation of mobile app development for Apple’s universe. From iOS apps to macOS software, its compatibility with modern tools and legacy systems makes it a key technology for companies focused on performance and user experience. But finding Objective-C developers who can deliver high quality work on time is tough. That’s where we shine—we receive 2.2 million applications every year and hire less than 1% of them, so you get the top talent for your team.
This guide is based on our experience delivering over 1,200 projects across 100 industries. You’ll learn how to find the right Objective-C developers, what skills to prioritize, and how to navigate the hiring process. By the end, you’ll know how to make informed decisions and move forward on your roadmap.
Before You Start Hiring
Project or Team Requirements
Defining the scope of your engagement is key when you hire Objective-C developers for mobile app development or other Apple ecosystem work. Are you building a new iOS app, updating an existing macOS system, or maintaining a legacy Objective-C codebase? Knowing what technical skills are required—API integrations, user interface updates, or compatibility with Swift—ensures you hire developers who can deliver what you need. For example, if your app involves complex APIs or integrations with Apple’s Core Data framework, having that clarity helps you find developers who have worked with the right tools. For instance, if your app involves complex APIs or integrations with Apple’s Core Data framework, this clarity helps you find developers who have used the software development tools.
Timeline and Budget
Defining deadlines and budgets helps you find Objective-C developers who can deliver high quality without unnecessary delays. For example, if you’re launching a product, hiring experienced iOS developers with Objective-C and Xcode skills can speed up timelines. This way, you maximize efficiency and resources, whether updating legacy systems or building new features.
Modernization
Objective-C is often at the core of legacy systems that need to be updated to match current programming language standards. Hiring developers who can modernize allows you to adapt your applications to Swift and other Apple technologies. For instance, an Objective-C developer might refactor legacy code to improve performance and maintainability or add features like multi-threading using Grand Central Dispatch (GCD). Choosing the right developers keeps your mobile app development aligned with industry best practices and user expectations.
Location and Timezone
Collaboration is key to successful engagements, especially in mobile app development, where updates or iterations are frequent. Hiring Objective-C developers in your timezone helps with productive communication and fast response to issues. This is especially important for tasks that require close coordination, like debugging a live application or integrating Swift into an existing Objective-C project.
Communication Skills (include documentation)
Objective-C development is technical and requires a lot of collaboration with other team members like designers and iOS developers. Good communication skills are essential to explain concepts, align on deliverables, and ensure long-term maintainability through documentation. For example, when working on a mobile app development project that involves both Objective-C and Swift, well-documented code reduces handoff issues and supports future development without confusion or delays.
20 Skills Every Objective-C Developer Should Have
Objective-C is a core programming language for mobile app development to build and maintain high-performance iOS and macOS applications. It’s part of legacy systems and integrations with modern tools like Swift. Developers with strong Objective-C experience and software development tools skills can deliver robust, scalable, and feature-rich applications.
Hiring Objective-C developers with advanced technical skills means consistent progress on your roadmap. They can handle challenges, implement solutions, and deliver value across your mobile app and iOS development engagements.
Technical Skills to Look for in Your Ideal Objective-C Developer
1. Objective-C Syntax and Concepts
Objective-C has its own syntax, square brackets, and runtime-based method calls. Proficiency means clean code, no errors, and smooth integration with Apple frameworks like Cocoa and Cocoa Touch.
2. Memory Management
Objective-C uses manual reference counting (MRC) and Automatic Reference Counting (ARC). A developer who knows memory allocation and deallocation can prevent memory leaks and ensure application stability.
3. Foundation Framework
This is the core of Objective-C, which provides classes for strings, arrays, and dictionaries. Proficiency means developers can manipulate data and app logic efficiently.
4. Cocoa and Cocoa Touch
These frameworks power macOS and iOS apps, respectively. Proficiency means smooth UI/UX design, event handling, and integration with device features like cameras and sensors.
5. Swift Interoperability
Many modern Apple apps use both Objective-C and Swift. Developers who can bridge these languages can make it easier to modernize legacy codebases.
6. Xcode
Xcode is Apple’s IDE for Objective-C development. Developers need to use its tools for debugging, profiling, and interface design to build efficient and polished applications.
7. Storyboard and Interface Builder
These tools simplify UI design in iOS apps. Developers who are skilled here can build visually appealing and responsive UI with less development time.
8. Debugging and Error Handling
Good debugging skills mean developers can identify and resolve issues quickly. Using LLDB and Instruments in Xcode, they can maintain application stability and performance.
9. Multithreading and Concurrency
Objective-C developers use Grand Central Dispatch (GCD) or NSOperation to manage concurrent tasks. This means apps remain responsive and efficient even under heavy load.
10. API Integration
Objective-C developers should be able to integrate third-party APIs for features like payment gateways, analytics, or social sharing. This means more app functionality and better user experience.
11. Unit Testing and TDD
Proficiency in XCTest means that the code is reliable and minimizes regression. Developers who test first produce high-quality and maintainable code.
12. Networking and Core Data
A good understanding of HTTP/HTTPS protocols, RESTful APIs, and Core Data means developers can build apps with robust networking and persistent storage.
13. Performance Optimization
Using Instruments, skilled developers can optimize memory, CPU usage, and app launch time to deliver smooth performance on older devices.
14. Legacy Code Management
Objective-C is used in older projects. Developers need to navigate and improve legacy codebases without breaking existing functionality.
15. Localization and Internationalization
For apps targeting global audiences, developers need to manage text, date formats, and layouts to ensure cultural and linguistic accuracy across regions.
16. App Store Guidelines
Developers need to make sure apps comply with Apple’s submission guidelines to avoid delays or rejections during deployment.
Soft Skills to Look for in Your Ideal Objective-C Developer
17. Communication
Objective-C developers need to be able to explain technical decisions, share updates, and document processes. Good communication means smooth collaboration and less confusion, especially when integrating Objective-C modules with Swift.
18. Problem Solving
Debugging legacy code and adapting to new Apple APIs is common. A good problem solver can debug crashes or memory leaks using Instruments and deliver stable and reliable results.
19. Flexibility
Apple’s ecosystem is changing rapidly. Developers need to adapt to new frameworks and standards. Adapting legacy Objective-C to SwiftUI or Combine shows they can modernize without breaking functionality.
20. Attention to Detail
Objective-C’s syntax and memory management require precision. Developers who pay close attention to detail produce fewer bugs and prevent memory leaks, resulting in high-performing, stable apps.
12 Questions to Ask Objective-C Developers
When interviewing Objective-C developers, you should ask questions that first test the candidate’s technical skills and knowledge. Employers will usually do a coding test to test specific on-the-job knowledge.
The following questions will test the developer’s technical knowledge and problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and adaptability — all important skills for a team environment.
Here are a few technical questions:
1. What are categories in Objective-C, and when have you used them?
I use categories to add functionality to a class without subclassing or modifying the original source code. For example, I once extended NSString by adding a custom method for string validation, which simplified code reuse across multiple modules in a large iOS app.
2. How do you make an Objective-C app perform well on older devices?
I use Xcode’s Instruments to profile CPU and memory usage. In one project, I optimized image loading times by using asynchronous loading with Grand Central Dispatch and caching frequently used assets so the app could run smoothly on older iPhones.
3. Can you give an example of when you had to modernize legacy Objective-C code?
I worked on an enterprise app that needed to support the latest iOS features. I replaced deprecated APIs, modularized the codebase, introduced Swift for new features, and kept Objective-C for the core functionality. This way, the team could add new features more efficiently.
4. How do you combine Objective-C and Swift in one project?
I use bridging headers to connect Objective-C code with Swift. For example, I developed a SwiftUI feature while keeping the Objective-C backend logic. This hybrid approach allowed us to release modern UI updates without rewriting the critical legacy code.
5. What tools do you use for Objective-C development and why?
I use Xcode for development and debugging, Instruments for performance profiling, and CocoaPods for dependency management. In one project, I used Instruments to find and fix a memory leak, which improved the app’s stability.
6. How does delegation work in Objective-C? Can you give an example?
Delegation allows one object to act on behalf of another. In an iOS app, I implemented a UITableViewDelegate to handle user interactions with a table view. This way, the view controller could focus on high-level logic, and the code was more organized.
7. How do you handle concurrent tasks in Objective-C apps?
I use Grand Central Dispatch for lightweight concurrency and NSOperation for more complex dependencies. For example, I managed parallel image processing tasks in a photo app so the results would be faster without overloading the main thread.
8. How do you prepare an Objective-C app for App Store submission?
I test the app on multiple devices and iOS versions, address memory issues with Instruments, and make sure it complies with Apple’s guidelines. In one project, I used TestFlight to gather feedback, which helped us fix UI issues before submission.
9. What made you choose to work with Objective-C?
This question gives the hiring manager insight into the candidate's motivation and mindset. It reveals whether their choice to work with Objective-C was driven by curiosity, career goals, project needs, or a passion for solving specific challenges. It can also show their willingness to learn legacy or less mainstream technologies, which indicates adaptability and a problem-solving attitude.
10. Can you give an example of a tough Objective-C project? How did you solve it?
This question reveals how they approach complex challenges, troubleshoot issues effectively, and apply their knowledge to overcome obstacles. Their response can also highlight their ability to think critically, collaborate with a team, and adapt to unforeseen technical difficulties.
11. How do you balance legacy code with modern development?
This question evaluates a candidate’s ability to navigate the challenges of maintaining and improving legacy code while integrating modern development practices. It tests their adaptability, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills in balancing stability with innovation. Their response can reveal how they assess technical debt, refactor code incrementally, and implement new features without breaking existing functionality.
12. How do you work with teams that use other languages or frameworks?
This question provides insight into their willingness to learn from others, document code for clarity, and ensure smooth collaboration between teams with different technical backgrounds. Strong answers will demonstrate their ability to bridge gaps, contribute to a cohesive workflow, and maintain project efficiency in diverse development environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why hire Objective-C developers instead of Swift developers?
Objective-C developers are required to maintain and update legacy iOS app development and macOS apps built before Swift was introduced. They know the language and version control systems to ensure the stability and continuity of your software. If your project involves legacy systems or older frameworks, Objective-C developers have the technical skills to maintain and reduce risks during transitions.
Can an Objective-C developer work with Swift on the same project?
Yes, many Objective-C developers are experienced in both languages. They use bridging headers to communicate between Objective-C and Swift code. This is important for mobile developers who work on projects where legacy systems coexist with new features so updates can be done without disrupting the existing functionality.
What tools and environments should an Objective-C developer know?
Objective-C developers should be proficient in Xcode, Apple’s main IDE for writing and debugging code. They should also know version control systems like Git for collaboration, Instruments for performance profiling, CocoaPods or Carthage for dependency management, and TestFlight for beta testing. They should have a good understanding of Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines to build apps for Apple devices.
What difficulties will an Objective-C developer face, and how do they overcome them?
Difficulties include managing memory with Automatic Reference Counting (ARC), debugging legacy code, and integrating with Apple’s modern frameworks. Experienced developers use version control systems to track changes, Instruments for performance analysis, and structured coding practices. These practices maintain the stability and quality of your apps.
How do Objective-C developers modernize legacy apps?
Objective-C developers modularize the codebase, replace deprecated APIs, and introduce Swift for new features where possible. They use version control systems to track changes and maintain smooth transitions. For example, they might rewrite a high-priority module in Swift while keeping Objective-C for foundational parts, allowing for progressive modernization without sacrificing stability.
What industries or applications need Objective-C expertise?
Industries like healthcare, finance, and enterprise software require Objective-C developers to maintain critical systems. These apps built for Apple devices use the language for legacy features, custom UI components, or integrations created before Swift was introduced.
How can I test an Objective-C developer’s ability to work with legacy code?
Ask the candidate about their experience with legacy Objective-C codebases, including examples of fixing bugs or integrating older systems with Swift. Look for knowledge of version control systems essential for managing complex codebase changes. A live coding challenge with legacy code will give you more insight into their problem-solving skills.
What’s the onboarding process for an Objective-C developer in an existing project?
Objective-C developers will review the existing codebase, technical documentation, and architecture diagrams. They will work with your mobile development team to identify high-priority areas like fixing bugs or performance optimization. Using version control systems, they will track all changes and align with your software development goals so you can move faster.
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