Simultaneous Android and iOS development allows you to achieve 60 to 80% savings and 234% higher ROI compared to native apps.
So favoring hybrids is a real saving of time and profitability! Want to know how to build a hybrid app? Let’s explore together the coding differences between these 2 systems, the reasons for processing them in parallel and how to get started in Android and iOS development!
What are the differences between app development on Android and iOS?
When you develop an application specifically for Android or iOS, it is called a native application. Each of these platforms has its own programming language and technical specifications.
programming languages
While Android apps are mostly built with Java and Kotlin, iOS apps only require Swift. The main difference between these two programming languages ​​is the ease of development.
With Swift, you have to write less code. So development on iOS is faster than on Android.
Development Environment (IDE)
Another major difference between Android and iOS development is the integrated environment (or IDE).
For development on Android, you must use Android Studio. Launched by Google in 2013, this tool has a wide range of features. This IDE has cross-platform support and lots of development and debugging options. Android Studio makes it easy to quickly build multiple versions of your app for different mobile devices.
Lastly, it provides a flexible build system based on Gradle, a build engine running on Java.
iOS developers, on the other hand, rely on the Xcode tools offered by Apple. The Apple-branded development environment also benefits from a variety of components for building your application, fixing bugs, editing sources, and checking compatibility across all Apple terminals.
Both Android Studio and Xcode provide a user-friendly and intuitive interface.
Actually, there is a slight difference regarding Android or iOS IDE. Some developers support XCode for its ease of installation, but there can be limitations when building large projects. Android Studio fans love it for its advanced code editor and user-friendly layout designer, although the tool sometimes consumes a lot of memory.
Manage device size
One of the main differences between Android and iOS development is the support for screen sizes. Apple only offers a limited collection of devices, and so there is little difference in resolution or screen size. Android, on the other hand, is installed on a large number of media in various formats.
Suffice it to say that coding for the latter is more complicated. You have to optimize the graphics for all devices, which means that the performance of your application should be regularly checked through simulators. The goal is to provide a seamless experience for all users.
Therefore, developing Android apps requires countless modifications and iterations, which may take more resources as well as time.
deployment speed
Android applications are published on the Google Play Store. But first, they go through a review process that includes automated testing.
However, the Mountain View firm simplifies the process so that apps can be referenced quickly. It also demonstrates flexibility, because in the event of a denial, developers can fix errors or problems, and resubmit their application in less than 24 hours.
For iOS apps, you have to wait at least 7 days. Before being published on the Apple Store, they are verified by human experts who control a number of points, including security. Unlike Google, submitting an application over and over again makes Apple annoyed. It is advisable to introduce a product for the first time that meets all the standards of the Apple brand.
Why favor hybrid Android and iOS development?
Developing an app for each platform requires a lot of time and work. While Android and iOS development in parallel generates several advantages:
A native experience with a simple backend
A hybrid application combines a native user interface with a simple back-end framework. Result: Whether on Android or iOS, mobile users benefit from an unparalleled experience. Even though you improve and update across all platforms, the UX remains fluid.
optimized loading speed
An app developed for Android and iOS provides a lightweight interface that loads content and graphics quickly. It easily adapts to different device screens for quick display of data.
Additionally, hybrid apps use the device’s operating system and its built-in capabilities without adding additional overhead. It allows you to innovate with new features for your target audience. You can provide performance that sets you apart from the competitors.
low development cost
Android and iOS development is less expensive, because you only develop one application. You reduce working time. Same for updates! They don’t need to evolve on different platforms, you kill two birds with one stone.
simplified development
Hybrid application development does not depend on complex programming languages ​​like Java, Objective C, SDK (iOS or Android). Instead, professionals combine HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, resulting in a simple mobile development framework.
This approach makes it possible to target Android and iOS without having to maintain two code bases. This greatly reduces time to market, as applications can be published to multiple app stores with a unique code.
offline use
70% of users abandon an app because it takes too long to load. The Offline Accessibility feature does away with this problem.
Hybrid apps use device APIs to retain important data even when there is no internet connection. So end users can have seamless access to application data, without performance issues.
How to get started in Android and iOS development?
To improve the profitability of your application, here are some rules to follow when developing a hybrid application!
1. Priority
It all starts with the purpose and required features of your app. What is needed to complete your application?
Setting design priorities determines the complexity of the development process for both platforms. You can also anticipate adding or removing elements, so that your application can serve its purpose on iOS and Android.
2. Find the Similarities with the Two Systems
Android and iOS are similar in some ways. For example, buttons and push notifications are relatively similar. The icons follow the same pattern, which makes the design process easier.
These similarities mean that the Android and iOS transition will be simplified. The more you find, the faster you can build the basic structure of your application so that it works on Android smartphones and tablets as well as Apple terminals.
3. Bypass Interface Difference
As you listed the similarities, we should now consider the inequalities.
The most obvious difference? Apple devices do not have a “Back” button. So you should keep this specification in mind. In order not to disrupt the user experience, provide a back button integrated into your application’s interface.
Differences between the two systems also relate to fonts, menu structure, and ergonomics. By estimating these disparities, you can find solutions to eradicate them from the start and offer an intuitive application on iOS and Android.
4. Test on All Platforms
Hybrid Android and iOS development doubles the amount of testing to be done. Don’t even think about leaving it! You will need to verify the performance of your application on each medium where it will likely be installed.
For this, in your retroplanning, remember to give extra time before putting the product online.
5. Use the Right Tools
There are tools specially designed to help you develop apps for Android and iOS. Among them are:
responsive
React Native, an open source framework created by Facebook, allows the development of complete mobile applications for iOS and Android.
his programming language? Javascript.
With support for the native features of each platform, React Native helps developers create code that can be used on the web as well as on Android devices and iDevices.
Under a free license, this framework has won over big names like Skype, Pinterest, SoundCloud or Instagram. Among its main features are:
- Components such as switches, pickers, buttons or sliders to form a basic interface.
- Widgets for easily adding things like progress bar, input help, drop-down menu bar, etc. to your app.
- A vibrant community is ready to help developers of all skill levels.
flutter
In 2018, Google launched Flutter! This Android and iOS development kit uses Dart as the programming language. So you can create dedicated applications for mobile (Android and Apple), but also for web, connected TVs or desktops.
Its intuitive interface and many of its features are admired by most of the professional developers. Among its major strengths, we can mention:
- Almost invisible compile time.
- Tracking and analysis tools to track changes to code (and easily spot bugs or errors).
- Its range of widgets, is essential to create a customized interface.
- An active and attentive community.
our tip
For a successful application, you must ensure that the chosen provider has the necessary expertise for simultaneous Android and iOS development.
To find a freelance developer to support you with your project, don’t hesitate to post an ad on Kodur with your specific needs!