Apple’s System Design interview isn’t just about solving coding problems—it’s about thinking critically, communicating clearly, and designing scalable systems under pressure. Here’s how to prepare.
1. What Makes Apple’s System Design Interview Different?
Apple’s interview focuses on why you make specific design choices, rather than just what you choose. Expect:
- Scalability: Can your system handle millions of requests? Think iPhones waking up simultaneously during an update.
- Trade-offs: You need to justify every decision, whether it’s choosing Kafka or a database solution.
- Performance: How will you optimize for speed, cost, and efficiency?
- Product Focus: The design must work in the real world, not just theoretically.
Don’t just memorize templates—Apple values critical thinking and adaptability.
2. What to Expect in the Interview?
You’ll be asked to design systems like iMessage or iCloud, and your interviewer will likely throw in unexpected constraints to see how you adapt. For example:
- How would you design iMessage? How do you handle offline messages?
- Design a cloud storage system like iCloud. How do you sync millions of files at once?
- Build a global Apple Pay system. How do you prevent fraud while maintaining low latency?
Apple isn’t looking for perfection but for your ability to explain trade-offs, adapt to changes, and think through complex problems.
3. How to Prepare
Focus on core concepts rather than memorizing solutions:
- Load Balancing & Caching: Apple values systems that are fast and responsive under high load.
- Database Choices: Understand when to use SQL or NoSQL and why.
- System Design Fundamentals: Know APIs, databases, and distributed systems, and practice articulating trade-offs.
Finally, practice explaining your solutions out loud—this will be crucial in interviews.
