From Android Freelancer to Full-Time iOS Developer: My Journey

Alejandro Arciniegas

jan 15, 2024

Hey there! I wanted to share something pretty personal with you all - my journey from being an Android freelancer to landing a full-time iOS developer position. It's been quite the ride, and I hope my experience can help someone else who might be considering a similar transition.

The Android Days: Building My Foundation

When I first started in mobile development, Android felt like the natural choice. The barrier to entry was lower, the development environment was more familiar (coming from a Java background), and the Google Play Store seemed more accessible for publishing apps.

As a freelancer, I spent nearly three years (2016-2018) building Android applications for various clients - from small startups to medium-sized businesses, continuing with mobile development through Upwork until 2021. I loved the freedom that freelancing offered, but I also experienced the challenges:

  • Inconsistent income: Some months were feast, others were famine
  • Client management: Wearing multiple hats as developer, project manager, and sometimes even designer
  • Isolation: Working alone meant missing out on team collaboration and mentorship
  • Limited growth: Without senior developers around, I felt my growth plateauing

The iOS Pivot: Why I Made the Switch

The decision to learn iOS development wasn't initially about changing careers - it was about becoming more valuable to my clients. Many of them needed both Android and iOS versions of their apps, and being able to offer both services seemed like a smart business move.

But as I dove deeper into iOS development, I discovered something unexpected: I absolutely loved it.

What Drew Me to iOS:

// There's something elegant about Swift's syntax
func calculateTotalPrice(items: [Item], taxRate: Double) -> Double {
    let subtotal = items.reduce(0) { $0 + $1.price }
    return subtotal * (1 + taxRate)
}
  • Swift's Modern Syntax: Coming from Java, Swift felt like a breath of fresh air
  • Consistent Design Guidelines: Apple's Human Interface Guidelines provided clear direction
  • Better Performance: The optimization and performance of iOS apps impressed me
  • Developer Tools: Xcode, while not perfect, offered integrated debugging and testing tools

The Full-Time Opportunity

After diving deep into iOS development throughout 2021, I was approached by Walmart (through Monks) in early 2022. They had seen my work and were looking for someone who could help develop and enhance their iOS applications.

Here's what made me consider leaving freelancing:

The Compelling Factors:

  • Steady Income: No more worrying about finding the next client
  • Team Collaboration: Working with designers, product managers, and other developers
  • Learning Opportunities: Access to senior developers and code reviews
  • Bigger Impact: Working on a product used by thousands of users
  • Benefits: Health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off

The Transition Challenges

Making this transition wasn't without its hurdles:

Technical Challenges:

// Learning iOS patterns like delegation
protocol DataManagerDelegate: AnyObject {
    func didReceiveData(_ data: [Model])
    func didEncounterError(_ error: Error)
}

class DataManager {
    weak var delegate: DataManagerDelegate?
    
    func fetchData() {
        // Networking code here
        // Then notify delegate
    }
}
  • iOS-Specific Patterns: Delegates, protocols, and memory management
  • Xcode Learning Curve: Different IDE, different debugging approach
  • App Store Guidelines: More stringent review process than Google Play
  • Performance Optimization: Understanding iOS-specific performance considerations

Professional Challenges:

  • Imposter Syndrome: Feeling like I wasn't "iOS enough" for a full-time role
  • Salary Negotiations: Transitioning from hourly freelance rates to annual salary
  • Team Dynamics: Adjusting to code reviews and collaborative development
  • Corporate Culture: Adapting to company processes and meetings

What Made the Transition Successful

Looking back, several factors contributed to my successful transition:

1. Leveraging Transferable Skills

My Android experience wasn't wasted - many concepts transferred directly:

  • Mobile UX Principles: Understanding touch interfaces and mobile-first design
  • API Integration: RESTful services work the same way
  • State Management: Similar patterns across both platforms
  • Testing Strategies: Unit and integration testing concepts

2. Building a Portfolio

I created several iOS apps during my learning phase:

// Example from my weather app
class WeatherViewModel: ObservableObject {
    @Published var weather: Weather?
    @Published var isLoading = false
    
    func fetchWeather(for city: String) {
        isLoading = true
        weatherService.getWeather(for: city) { [weak self] result in
            DispatchQueue.main.async {
                self?.isLoading = false
                switch result {
                case .success(let weather):
                    self?.weather = weather
                case .failure(let error):
                    // Handle error
                    break
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

3. Networking and Community Engagement

  • iOS Developer Meetups: Attending local iOS developer events
  • Online Communities: Participating in iOS development forums and Discord servers
  • Open Source Contributions: Contributing to iOS projects on GitHub
  • Content Creation: Writing blog posts about my iOS learning journey

4. Continuous Learning

  • Apple Documentation: Becoming intimately familiar with Apple's docs
  • WWDC Videos: Watching sessions from Apple's developer conference
  • iOS Newsletters: Staying updated with iOS Weekly and similar publications
  • Podcasts: Listening to iOS development podcasts during commutes

The Reality Check: 18 Months In

Now, having spent over a year and a half in full-time iOS development at Walmart, here's the honest truth about the transition:

The Good:

  • Steady Growth: Having senior developers review my code has accelerated my learning
  • Work-Life Balance: No more weekend client calls or late-night bug fixes
  • Team Collaboration: Building features with designers and product managers is incredibly rewarding
  • Impact: Seeing users benefit from features I've built gives me a sense of purpose

The Challenges:

  • Less Flexibility: Missing the ability to work from anywhere at any time
  • Corporate Processes: Sometimes bureaucracy slows down development
  • Salary vs. Freelance Peaks: Good freelance months used to pay more than my salary
  • Learning Curve: Still discovering iOS best practices and company-specific patterns

Advice for Others Considering This Transition

If you're thinking about making a similar move, here are my key recommendations:

1. Start Learning While Still Freelancing

Don't wait until you're "ready" to start applying. Begin building iOS skills while you still have freelance income to support you.

2. Build Real Projects

// Don't just follow tutorials - build something original
class TaskManager {
    private var tasks: [Task] = []
    
    func addTask(_ task: Task) {
        tasks.append(task)
        notifyObservers()
    }
    
    func completeTask(at index: Int) {
        guard index < tasks.count else { return }
        tasks[index].isCompleted = true
        notifyObservers()
    }
}

Create apps that solve real problems, not just tutorial projects. This shows potential employers you can think beyond following instructions.

3. Network Strategically

  • LinkedIn: Connect with iOS developers and recruiters
  • GitHub: Contribute to open-source iOS projects
  • Conferences: Attend iOS conferences and meetups
  • Twitter: Follow iOS developers and participate in discussions

4. Prepare for the Interview Process

  • Technical Questions: Review iOS-specific concepts like memory management, protocols, and concurrency
  • Portfolio Presentation: Be ready to walk through your code and explain your decisions
  • Behavioral Questions: Prepare stories about client management and independent work

Final Thoughts

The transition from Android freelancing to full-time iOS development has been one of the most rewarding career moves I've made. While I miss some aspects of freelancing, the stability, growth opportunities, and team collaboration have been worth the trade-off.

The key insight I want to share is this: your existing skills are more valuable than you think. Don't let imposter syndrome hold you back from pursuing opportunities that excite you. The mobile development fundamentals you've learned translate across platforms, and companies value developers who can adapt and learn.

Whether you're considering a platform switch, a transition from freelancing to full-time, or both, remember that career pivots are normal and often lead to unexpected opportunities for growth.

What's your experience with career transitions in tech? Have you made a similar jump? I'd love to hear your stories and answer any questions you might have about making this kind of career change.

Currently working on some exciting iOS projects and always happy to chat about mobile development. Feel free to reach out via email or connect with me on LinkedIn.