Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
Scratch is one of the best coding programs for kids
Websites & Apps Coding for kids: the best free and paid programs in 2025
A hacker typing on a MacBook laptop with code on the screen.
Pro I am a coder by trade and this is why AI is going to change programming forever
ChatGPT coding
Pro Forget AI, children still need to learn how to code, Github CEO says - here's how you can get them to start
Translate via the Action button on the iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone This overlooked iPhone feature helped me level up my Duolingo learning – here's how
Apps
Software & Services Best no-code platforms of 2025
Smartphone
Software & Services Best mobile app development software of 2025
Lingokids
Websites & Apps This app got my kids off YouTube and into learning through play
  1. Phones
  2. iOS

8 iOS Apps That Teach You How to Code

News
By MacLife published 9 August 2013

We’re rapidly heading into a world where those who can’t understand code are left behind.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

We’re rapidly heading into a world where those who can’t understand code are left behind. Everyone should try learning at least one programming language, even if it’s just so that they can communicate their needs to tech people. Knowing some code-fu does wonders for your problem-solving and logic, too. Whether you're aiming for eventual App Store success, dipping your toes into a new hobby, or just trying to learn a new skill, these eight iOS apps will help you distinguish loops from conditionals and provide all the groundwork you need to become a 1337 coder — no matter your age or technical know-how.

It may be targeted at kids, but Hopscotch (Free, iPad) is a great tool for people of all ages eager to learn the fundamentals of programming before facing the headaches of more complex syntax and code. It involves dragging and dropping method blocks and objects into a script, tweaking a few values, and then marveling at the resultant animation or simple game.

For building practical skills that you can put to use right away, you can’t pass up L2Code CSS ($2.99, Universal). It’s a fantastic crash course in CSS, which is the underlying code that determines how websites look (while HTML is for the actual content). Each lesson is clearly explained, with examples and step-by-step instructions that’ll have you making websites from scratch in no time.

If you feel like diving straight into the deep end, Codea ($9.99, iPad) has excellent documentation to keep you afloat but little guidance in teaching you how to swim. Master its labyrinth of functions, classes, tools, and syntax, however, and you’ll not only know your way around the app but also the Lua programming language. Plus you can export projects to Xcode and then sell them on the App Store.

Cargo-Bot (Free, iPad) is a fine example of what you can do with Codea, and it just so happens to be a game about programming. You program a robotic crane to move crates around, trying to put them in a specific arrangement. The trick is that you have limited steps, so you have to use recursion and a few other tricks. You also get bonus points for figuring out more efficient solutions.

Light-bot ($1.99, Universal) started life as a popular educational Flash game, but it’s no less potent on iOS. You program a cute little robot to light up the colored tiles in a sparsely-furnished factory. In the process, you’ll pick up key computer science concepts like recursion, procedures, overloading, and conditional branching. Get those ideas down and coding becomes a cinch.

Hakitzu Elite: Robot Hackers ($2.99, Universal) seems intimidating at first, but it actually offers a gentle learning curve. It teaches JavaScript, the scripting language behind many web apps, through a fun robot combat game. You take baby steps to mastery through the single-player levels and challenges, while there’s also a multiplayer mode for serious skill testing.

If you’re more of a visual learner, Cato’s Hike: A Programming and Logic Odyssey ($4.99, Universal) might be ideal. You program Cato’s movements with cards and colored flags, building fairly complex chains of commands further into the experience. There’s also a map editor for creating your own problems, and a thorough tutorial.

Our older readers may remember LOGO, a functional language created in the '60s to teach programming concepts. It’s still a great first foray into coding, as exemplified by i-LOGO ($2.99, iPad). You instruct a tiny turtle to wander around drawing strange shapes and patterns, using special commands that are easy to master thanks to the built-in help and examples.

Page 1 of 1
Page 1 of 1
MacLife
See more News about Phones
Read more
Scratch is one of the best coding programs for kids
Coding for kids: the best free and paid programs in 2025
A hacker typing on a MacBook laptop with code on the screen.
I am a coder by trade and this is why AI is going to change programming forever
ChatGPT coding
Forget AI, children still need to learn how to code, Github CEO says - here's how you can get them to start
Translate via the Action button on the iPhone 16 Pro
This overlooked iPhone feature helped me level up my Duolingo learning – here's how
Apps
Best no-code platforms of 2025
Smartphone
Best mobile app development software of 2025
Latest in iOS
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
Using Apple Products
This is my favorite 'hidden' iPhone feature and if you also own a Mac, you should be using it right now
A hand holding an iPhone with the iCloud logo on screen.
iCloud was down – Here's everything we know about issues with Apple's web apps, Photos, and more
Collage of iOS 26 features
New iOS 26 beta fixes the one thing everyone hated about Liquid Glass
Apple Journal
Apple's Journal app is finally coming to the iPad and Mac with 6 new features – and they could be the reason I switch from Notes
Visual Intelligence providing a summary in iOS 26
Visual Intelligence is getting a big upgrade with iOS 26, and here's why I can't wait to use it again
Latest in News
ChatGPT Crunchyroll
ChatGPT faceplants while translating Crunchyroll anime, and some viewers are demanding human localization
a promotional image for Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 9
How to watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked on July 9: get ready for new foldable phones and more
Christopher Nolan at film premiere
Want a first look at Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey? There's currently only one place to see the trailer
A hand holds a smartphone displaying the NordVPN logo
NordVPN blocks 90% of phishing sites and earns AV-Comparatives certification – again
Two hands holding an iPhone that shows the Siri voice assistant being activated
Hurry! It's your last chance to claim in Apple's $95 million Siri settlement – here's how to do it
Windows 10's grave
Confused by a mysterious update that's suddenly appeared on your Windows 10 PC? Don't panic – here's what you need to know
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    ChatGPT faceplants while translating Crunchyroll anime, and some viewers are demanding human localization
  2. 2
    Is the world's largest CCTV surveillance camera vendor going to be the next Huawei? Canada bans Hikvision amidst security fears
  3. 3
    I've been using Google AI Search mode for 4 months, and here are 5 tips to get the best results
  4. 4
    This is probably the most powerful rugged laptop ever built - and you can even add a barcode scanner
  5. 5
    Viewsonic unveils monitors with infrared cameras - but misses a trick by allowing them to be powered by USB-C (and shame they're not 4K)

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...