Protecting data on the device
The most common iOS security mistakes happen with data at rest. Storing tokens, passwords, or personal data in plain files, UserDefaults, or an unencrypted database leaves it exposed. iOS provides the Keychain for secrets and Data Protection for file encryption tied to the device passcode, and using them properly is the baseline.
For biometric-gated access, Face ID and Touch ID through the LocalAuthentication framework let you protect sensitive actions without your app ever handling the biometric data itself. We build these in where they add real protection rather than friction.
- Storing credentials and tokens in the Keychain, never in UserDefaults or plaintext
- File Data Protection classes so stored data is encrypted at rest
- Face ID and Touch ID for gating sensitive screens and actions
- Avoiding logging or caching sensitive values where they can leak
- Minimizing what you collect and store in the first place
Securing data in transit and beyond
Data moving between the app and your servers needs protecting too. That means HTTPS with App Transport Security enforced, sensible certificate validation, and not trusting a connection just because it completed. For higher-risk apps, certificate pinning adds a layer against interception.
Security is also about the whole picture: how sessions expire, how you handle authentication, what happens on a jailbroken device, and reducing your attack surface. We build to Apple's guidance and current OWASP Mobile practices rather than treating security as a checkbox.
- App Transport Security enforced, with HTTPS everywhere
- Certificate pinning for apps that warrant it
- Secure authentication and session handling, with proper token expiry
- Careful use of third-party SDKs, which are a common data-leak source
- Following the OWASP Mobile Top 10 and Apple's security guidance
- A pre-launch review of the app's data handling
More on ios apps
Frequently asked questions
Isn't iOS secure by default?
The platform gives you strong tools — sandboxing, the Keychain, Data Protection, App Transport Security — but they only protect users if the app uses them correctly. Most real-world iOS vulnerabilities come from how an app stores data or talks to its backend, not from iOS itself. Getting those choices right is the work.
Do you handle security for the backend too, or just the app?
An app is only as secure as the server it talks to, so we look at both. Our focus is the iOS side — secure storage, networking, and authentication in the app — and we coordinate with your backend so the two are consistent. If you don't have a backend team, we can help there as part of a broader engagement.
Can you review an existing app for security issues?
Yes. We can review how an existing iOS app stores data, authenticates, and communicates, then give you a prioritized list of issues with fixes. A free consultation is a good place to describe your app and what you're worried about.