Compared on approval risk, how native the result feels, cost, and how much work you'll do yourself
Disclosure: This article is published by LetsDeployIt, which is ranked first below. We've described every other option as fairly as we can, including when it's the better choice.
If you're a developer helping a founder (or yourself) ship a Lovable app to mobile, this is the landscape in 2026, with the trade-offs that actually matter for review.
You built something real with Lovable. It works, people like it, and now they're asking the inevitable question: "Is it in the App Store?"
Here's the catch most people hit first: Lovable builds web apps, not mobile apps. Its own FAQ says it doesn't generate React Native projects, and it suggests two routes to phones: turn your app into a Progressive Web App, or wrap your published URL with a tool like Capacitor and submit that to the stores.
Those aren't your only options, though. Below are six ways to get a Lovable app onto iPhones and Android phones, ranked for the most common goal: a real app in both stores, that passes review, without rebuilding everything yourself.
The quick comparison
| # | Option | What you get | App Store approval risk | Your effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LetsDeployIt | Native React Native rebuild + full submission | Low | Very low | Founders who want a real app, done for them |
| 2 | Median.co | Web app in a native shell, plus native plugins | Medium | Low to medium | Apps that can stay web-based inside |
| 3 | Capacitor (DIY) | Web app in a native shell you configure | Medium to high | High | Developers who want full control |
| 4 | Rebuild yourself with an AI coding tool | Native React Native app you build | Low (if done well) | High | Developers with time and mobile experience |
| 5 | Hire a freelancer | Depends on the freelancer | Varies | Medium | Teams with budget and a trusted hire |
| 6 | Progressive Web App | Installable website, not in the stores | N/A | Very low | Testing demand before going native |
Why "just wrap it" isn't always enough
Before the list, one rule shapes everything: Apple's App Store Guideline 4.2 (Minimum Functionality). Apple rejects apps that are essentially a website repackaged in an app shell, without native, mobile-specific features.
That doesn't make every wrapped app a rejection. Wrappers that add real native features (push notifications, biometrics, offline support, device access) can and do get approved. But a wrapper with nothing added is the most common first-submission rejection for web-based apps, and that risk is why the rankings below look the way they do.
1. LetsDeployIt: native rebuild and submission, done for you
What it is: a done-for-you service that rebuilds your Lovable app as a real native app (React Native and Expo, not a WebView) and submits it to both stores.
How it works:
- Bring your Lovable project. Upload the project file or connect GitHub. With GitHub, the mobile app can stay in sync as you keep changing things in Lovable.
- It's rebuilt as a native app. Screens, navigation, and gestures are native. Your Supabase backend (database, sign-in, and data) stays exactly as it is, so web and mobile users share the same accounts.
- Preview it on your phone for free before you pay anything.
- Store submission is handled: certificates and signing, screenshots, privacy labels, Google's Data Safety form, and the review back-and-forth.
- You own it. The app is published under your own Apple and Google developer accounts.
Why it's #1: it's the only option on this list that combines a genuinely native app (the lowest Guideline 4.2 risk) with someone else doing the store work. For most founders, the hard part isn't the code; it's the certificates, forms, testers, and rejections. This handles both halves.
Watch out for: you'll still need your own developer accounts ($99 per year for Apple, $25 once for Google), and a rebuild takes longer than wrapping a URL. If you just need something in the store this week and approval risk doesn't worry you, a wrapper is faster.
Best for: non-technical founders, and anyone who wants real users finding them in the App Store without spending weeks on mobile tooling.
→ Preview your Lovable app as a native app, free
2. Median.co: a native shell with plugins
What it is: Median wraps your published Lovable URL inside native iOS and Android shells, then adds device features through a plugin library.
Strengths:
- No code changes. You paste your URL and configure the app.
- Native features through plugins: push notifications, haptics, biometric login, deep links, and in-app purchases through a RevenueCat plugin.
- Automated store setup after you connect your Apple developer account.
- Pricing: self-serve plans start at $179 per year, with managed tiers above that.
Watch out for: your app's screens are still your website, so scrolling, buttons, and transitions feel web-like. Median's own guidance is that you need to add enough native functionality to make the case under Guideline 4.2, so plan to use the plugins rather than shipping the URL as-is.
Best for: apps where the web experience is good enough and you mainly need store presence plus a few native features.
3. Capacitor: wrap it yourself
What it is: an open-source tool that packages a web app into native iOS and Android projects. It's the option Lovable's own FAQ names.
Strengths:
- Free and open source.
- Full control over the native projects, with plugins for device features.
- Keeps your existing code.
Watch out for: you do everything yourself: Xcode and Android Studio setup, signing, store listings, privacy forms, and rejections. And the same Guideline 4.2 risk as any wrapper applies, so budget time for adding genuinely native features.
Best for: developers who are comfortable with native tooling and want to own every detail.
4. Rebuild it yourself with an AI coding tool
What it is: recreate your app's screens in React Native and Expo using a coding agent like Claude Code or Cursor, keeping your Supabase backend.
Strengths:
- Truly native, with the lowest approval risk when done well.
- Your Lovable app is the spec. Every screen and flow is already defined, which speeds up the rebuild.
- No service fees.
Watch out for: it's real engineering work. Agents are fast at screens but often miss what reviewers check: permission messages, empty and error states, account deletion, privacy manifests, and in-app purchases. And you still own the whole store submission.
Best for: developers with mobile experience and time to spare.
5. Hire a freelancer
What it is: pay a developer (on Upwork, Fiverr, or similar) to convert and publish your app.
Strengths: a human handles it, and a good freelancer brings experience with review.
Watch out for: quality varies enormously. Many "Lovable to App Store" gigs are wrappers, which brings back the 4.2 risk. Before hiring, ask:
- Will it be a native rebuild or a WebView wrapper?
- Will the app be published under my developer accounts?
- Do I get the full source code?
- What happens if Apple rejects it?
Best for: teams with budget and a freelancer they already trust.
6. Turn it into a Progressive Web App
What it is: make your Lovable app installable from the browser. Users tap "Add to Home Screen," and it opens full screen with an icon. Lovable's FAQ lists this as an option.
Strengths: free, immediate, no review, no developer accounts.
Watch out for: it isn't in the App Store or Google Play, so nobody finds you there. Many users never discover "Add to Home Screen," and you can't sell in-app purchases.
Best for: validating demand before you invest in a store app.
How to choose
- "I want a real app in both stores, and I don't want to do the mobile work." → LetsDeployIt
- "My web app is good enough on phones; I just need store presence." → Median
- "I'm a developer and want full control." → Capacitor, or a rebuild with an AI coding tool
- "I'm not sure anyone will use it yet." → Start with a PWA, then move to a native app
What will it cost?
| Option | Upfront cost | Ongoing cost | Your time |
|---|---|---|---|
| LetsDeployIt | Free preview, then a one-time service fee | Store fees only | A few hours of review and approvals |
| Median.co | From $179/year (self-serve) | Yearly plan + store fees | A few days |
| Capacitor (DIY) | Free | Store fees | Days to weeks |
| Rebuild with an AI tool | Free (tool subscriptions aside) | Store fees | Weeks |
| Freelancer | Varies widely | Varies | A few hours of managing |
| PWA | Free | None | Hours |
Store fees for every store option: $99 per year for Apple, $25 once for Google.
Before you start: a 5-minute checklist
Whatever you choose, do these today. They take longer than you'd expect, and none of them depend on which option you pick.
- [ ] Create your Apple Developer and Google Play accounts (identity checks can take days)
- [ ] Write down every service your app uses (Supabase, analytics, payments) and what data each collects; you'll need this for the privacy forms
- [ ] Make sure users can delete their account inside the app
- [ ] Create a demo account with sample data for reviewers
- [ ] If you have a new personal Google Play account, line up 15 to 20 people willing to test for two weeks (Google requires at least 12)
What every option still requires
Whichever route you pick, the stores ask for the same things:
- An Apple Developer account ($99 per year) and a Google Play developer account ($25 one time)
- A privacy policy at a public URL that matches what your app collects
- Apple's privacy details and Google's Data Safety form
- Account deletion inside the app, if users can sign up
- Screenshots that show the real app
- A demo account so reviewers can get past your sign-in screen
- For new personal Google Play accounts: a closed test with at least 12 testers for 14 days before the app can go public
Frequently asked questions
Can Lovable publish to the App Store directly?
No. Lovable builds web apps and doesn't generate native mobile projects. You need one of the routes above.
Will Apple reject a wrapped Lovable app?
Not always, but it's a real risk. Apple's Guideline 4.2 targets apps that are just a website in a shell. Wrappers that add meaningful native features have a better chance.
Do I lose my Supabase backend if I rebuild natively?
No. A native rebuild replaces the screens, not the backend. Your database, sign-in, and data can stay exactly as they are.
How long does it take to get into the stores?
For brand-new accounts, plan on two to four weeks from start to live. Google's 14-day closed test for new personal accounts is often the longest single step.
Who owns the app?
Make sure it's published under your developer accounts, whichever option you choose. If someone else's account owns the listing, you don't fully own your app.
Ready to turn your Lovable app into a real iOS and Android app? Preview yours free with LetsDeployIt.
What route did you take with your Lovable app? Drop it in the comments, especially if you've been through Guideline 4.2.
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