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How to Develop an App for Android and iOS: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

The global mobile app industry is on fire. Statista predicts that by 2025, mobile apps will generate over $613 billion in revenue. Whether you’re launching a startup, expanding your business to mobile users, or building a side project, targeting both Android and iOS platforms ensures you reach the widest possible audience.

But developing an app for these two platforms isn’t just about coding — it’s about planning, designing, choosing the right technology, testing, and marketing your product for success.

This comprehensive guide walks you through how to develop an app for Android and iOS — from idea to launch.

1. Start with a Clear Concept

Every successful app starts with a solid idea. Before you think about the design or tech stack, you need to answer:

What problem will my app solve?

Who will use it?

How will it stand out from competitors?

How will it make money (ads, in-app purchases, subscriptions, or paid download)?

Tip: Write a value proposition statement — one sentence that sums up your app’s uniqueness.
Example: "A travel budgeting app that uses AI to predict trip costs in real time."

2. Research Your Market and Competitors

Market research helps you avoid wasting resources on an app nobody needs.

Steps:

Study competitor apps — read user reviews to find what’s missing.

Survey your target audience — use tools like Typeform or Google Forms.

Check trends — use Google Trends or App Annie to gauge interest.

Identify gaps — focus on features that competitors don’t offer.

A data-backed concept makes development decisions easier later.

3. Decide on Your Development Approach

There are three main ways to build apps for Android and iOS:

A. Native Development
Android: Kotlin or Java

iOS: Swift or Objective-C

Pros: Best performance, full access to device features.

Cons: Two separate codebases → higher cost and time.

B. Cross-Platform Development
Popular frameworks: Flutter, React Native, Xamarin.

Pros: One codebase for both platforms, faster launch, lower cost.

Cons: May not match native performance for very complex apps.

C. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Web-based apps that behave like native apps.

Pros: Cheaper, no app store approval.

Cons: Limited device access and offline functionality.

Recommendation: Use Flutter or React Native for most startups unless you need top-tier native performance.

4. Plan Your Core Features (Start with an MVP)

Resist the temptation to pack your app with features from day one. Instead, start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) — the simplest version that solves your main problem.

Example MVP for a fitness app:

Account registration

Workout library

Progress tracking

Push notifications

Once you validate the MVP with real users, you can roll out advanced features.

5. Design the UI and UX

UI (User Interface) is about how your app looks, while UX (User Experience) is about how it feels to use it.

Steps:

Sketch wireframes for each screen.

Use design tools like Figma or Adobe XD.

Follow platform-specific guidelines:

Android: Material Design

iOS: Human Interface Guidelines

Ensure:

Simple navigation

Consistent colors and fonts

Readable text and accessible layouts

Touch-friendly buttons

Tip: Always design for the smallest screen first — it forces you to prioritize essential elements.

6. Choose the Right Tech Stack

A typical cross-platform app stack looks like this:

Frontend: Flutter or React Native

Backend: Node.js, Django, or Laravel

Database: MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB

APIs: REST or GraphQL

Cloud Hosting: AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure

Push Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging or OneSignal

For native apps:

Android: Kotlin + Android Studio

iOS: Swift + Xcode

7. Start Development

The development phase involves:

Setting up the environment — IDEs, SDKs, emulators.

Frontend coding — building the screens and connecting them to backend APIs.

Backend coding — setting up servers, databases, and business logic.

Integrating APIs — payment gateways, geolocation, analytics, push notifications.

Security measures — encrypt data, secure API calls, implement authentication.

Tip: Use Git for version control and Trello/Jira for project management.

8. Test Your App Thoroughly

Testing ensures your app works as intended across devices and OS versions.

Types of testing:

Unit Testing: Checks small parts of code.

Integration Testing: Ensures modules work together.

UI Testing: Validates interface usability.

Performance Testing: Measures speed and responsiveness.

Beta Testing: Release to a small group for real-world feedback (TestFlight for iOS, Google Play Beta for Android).

9. Publish to App Stores

Google Play Store:
Developer account: $25 one-time fee.

Prepare:

App name, description, and keywords

Screenshots

App icon (512x512 px)

Upload APK/AAB, set price, and publish.

Apple App Store:
Developer account: $99/year.

Prepare:

App name, description, and keywords

Screenshots for different devices

App icon (1024x1024 px)

Upload via Xcode or Transporter, submit for review.

Note: Apple’s approval process is stricter and may take a few days.

10. Market Your App

A great app without marketing will get lost in the app store crowd.

Promotion strategies:

App Store Optimization (ASO): Use keywords in titles/descriptions, add compelling screenshots.

Social Media Campaigns: Share sneak peeks and testimonials.

Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with niche influencers.

Paid Ads: Google App Campaigns, Facebook Ads.

Press Outreach: Pitch your app to tech blogs.

11. Maintain and Update

After launch, you’ll need to:

Monitor performance using Firebase Crashlytics.

Release updates for bug fixes and new features.

Keep up with Android/iOS OS updates.

Gather user feedback and act on it.

12. Cost and Timeline

Typical ranges:

Simple MVP: $10,000–$30,000 (2–4 months)

Mid-level app: $30,000–$80,000 (4–8 months)

Complex app: $80,000+ (8–12 months)

Cross-platform can save 30–40% in cost and time compared to native.

Conclusion

Developing an app for Android and iOS in 2025 is both an exciting opportunity and a competitive challenge. Whether you choose native or cross-platform development, success comes from:

Validating your idea with research

Prioritizing core features

Designing with the user in mind

Testing rigorously

Marketing effectively

Read More: How to Develop an App for Android and iOS

With a clear plan, the right tech stack, and a strong launch strategy, you can build an app that not only works on both platforms but also delights users.

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