One year to build PhotoMark app

PhotoMark is an image tool app that is only available on iOS. Its core function is to identify image metadata to draw a border watermark for the image. Based on this core function, a series of border styles and data configurations have been expanded to meet the user's needs in different scenarios.

In April 2024, I didn’t know how to develop iOS yet, so I started my first project in life through chatGpt, and I persisted in doing it for a year.

I found a pain point and decided to solve it in my own way, making it simple, beautiful, easy to use and efficient. I developed the first demo in one month and successfully launched it globally. After the launch, I shared it on social platforms and received positive feedback and encouragement from everyone. I was motivated to finish it.

From June to October 2025, I started my photography trip on a motorcycle while learning iOS programming and updating a version every two weeks. After October, I started to stay at home and devote all my time to project development.

From June to October 2025, I started my photography trip on a motorcycle while learning iOS programming and updating a version every two weeks. After October, I started to stay at home and put all my time into project development until now.

As of today, PhotoMark has completed 30 version iterations, which are divided into classic mode and professional mode. The classic mode contains the development content of the past 9 months, which I packaged into the classic mode and provided it to everyone for free. The professional mode requires unlocking membership.

To celebrate one year of development, I decided to give everyone a benefit. You can see it on the homepage of the app. New partners can unlock a one-month trial membership by giving a good review, and they can experience all the functions in the app.

The above is my main experience of working on this app for a year, which I would like to share with you. Only independent developers can resonate with the hard work, pain and insights involved.