iOS 26 Programming for Beginners (Paperback)

Build real-world iOS apps from scratch while learning the latest Swift 6, Xcode 26, and Apple Intelligence features in this fully updated 10th edition

Free with your book: DRM-free PDF version + access to Packt's next-gen Reader

Key Features

• Have fun building your first iOS app and start your iOS programming career
• Learn to integrate Apple Intelligence and the sleek new Liquid Glass UI for modern app experiences
• Establish a solid foundation with UIKit, testing, and deployment best practices

Book Description

iOS 26 Programming for Beginners returns in its 10th edition, fully updated to reflect Apple’s latest innovations in app development. Perfect for complete newcomers as well as those transitioning from other platforms, this practical guide walks you through every step of building your first iOS app using Swift 6 and Xcode 26.

Following a project-based approach, you’ll create a feature-rich journal app while mastering UIKit fundamentals, including storyboards, navigation, data persistence, media integration, and map-based features. Each chapter builds on the last with clear explanations, step-by-step instructions, and real-world examples that reinforce your learning.

Along the way, you’ll enhance your app with Apple Intelligence, Apple’s on-device AI platform, to deliver smart, personalized user experiences. You’ll also leverage the elegant Liquid Glass UI design system introduced in iOS 26, to give your app a modern and immersive feel.

By the end of this book, you’ll have built and deployed a complete iOS app and gained the essential skills to pursue a career in mobile development.

What you will learn

• Install and configure Xcode 26 for iOS development
• Build intuitive user interfaces using UIKit and Auto Layout
• Handle JSON data and persistent storage
• Integrate Core Location and MapKit for GPS features
• Enhance app features with Apple Intelligence
• Apply the new Liquid Glass UI for visual polish
• Submit and deploy your app to the App Store

Who this book is for

This iOS programming book is for beginners with minimal coding experience who want to enter the world of Swift programming and iOS app development. A basic understanding of programming concepts is all you need to get started.

Table of Contents

1. Hello, Xcode
2. Simple Values and Types
3. Conditionals and Optionals
4. Range Operators and Loops
5. Collection Types
6. Functions and Closures
7. Classes, Structures, and Enumerations
8. Protocols, Extensions, and Error Handling
9. Swift Concurrency
10. Set Up the User Interface
11. Build the User Interface
12. Complete the User Interface
13. Modify App Screens
14. MVC and Table Views
15. Getting Data into Table Views
16. Pass Data Between View Controllers
17. Core Location and MapKit
18. JSON Files
19. Custom Views
20. Camera and Photo Library
21. Search
22. Collection Views
23. Adopt Liquid Glass
24. Icon Composer
25. Apple Intelligence
26. Foundation Models
27. Test and Submit Your App to the App Store

Ahmad Sahar is a trainer, presenter, and consultant at Tomafuwi Productions, specializing in conducting training courses for macOS and iOS, macOS Support Essentials certification courses, and iOS Development courses. He is a member of the DevCon iOS and MyCocoaHeads online communities in Malaysia and has conducted presentations and talks for both groups. In his spare time, he likes building and programming LEGO Mindstorms robots.