Step by Step Guide to Native Apps

What are the native technologies? How do you develop a native app? What are the advantages, and what are the concerns? In this thorough guide, you get to know all the answers and guidance to build your dream native app. 

Recent years have seen an exponential surge in software applications. Approximately 613 billion U.S. dollars will be generated by mobile apps in 2025, according to research. There are a lot of stats and figures that you need to look at, which justify this industry’s mind-boggling rise. Apps are a great channel for interacting with clients and boosting loyalty. Customize connections and engage clients in real-time. Because of its flexibility and convenience of it, you have the potential to grow profitability. Now that we have stir-up your curiosity, you may be wondering where to begin. So let’s dive into fundamentals without any further ado.

Table of Content 📋

What is a Native App?
Pros of Native apps
Cons of Native Apps
How to build a Native app
Top Examples of Native Apps
Possible Alternatives
When Developing a Native Mobile App

What is a Native App?

In simple terms, a native application is a program designed specifically for a particular platform. Thus, if you’re creating an app for an iPhone or other Apple device, you’ll be making an iOS native app. And the official development language for that platform is Swift. Apps developed for Android devices follow the same procedure and use Kotlin or Java as a programming language.

Apps of this kind have many advantages relating to usability, speed, flexibility, and other aspects of user experience and interface. The main reason for this popularity is that they take leverage of all the features the device offers. Camera, GPS, compass, list of contacts, and many more can be accessed by them. The standard gestures of the operating system can also be incorporated into native apps beyond these long lists of features. Also, some native apps can work without an Internet connection and use the device’s notification system. App developers develop native apps within the Integrated Development Environment, or IDE, for the chosen operating system, without relying on third-party libraries.

Pros of Native apps

After we’ve defined what a native app is, let’s look at some of the capabilities and qualities that distinguish native applications:

Ease in implementing UX/UI:

One of the most obvious perks of native apps is their user experience (UX). The principles developed for platforms such as iOS and Android are specifically intended to improve the user experience, and you can quickly grasp them to make sleek, seamless, and simple User Interfaces (UI) that satisfy clients.

You can also use push notifications, available through the iOS server (APNs) and Google’s Cloud Messaging (GCM), to connect with your app users and announce upcoming products and services.

Functional Compatibility:

Native device features can be utilized without limitations. It is much easier for native apps to access all the device-specific features, such as the camera, microphone, compass, and gestures, because native apps have access to all the device’s features.

SDK enhancements:

Google and Apple each offer their unique development resources, interface elements, and Software Development Kits to developers who use their platforms (SDK). Accessibility to SDKs speeds up the development cycle and gives developers direct availability to the most recent features.

When the operating system (iOS or Android) is upgraded, developers can gain access to native APIs and get rewarded by embedding exciting new features and updates into their apps.

Debugging:

Compared to hybrid apps and web apps, native apps are easier to fix bugs. With native apps, you do not need to use a bridge to access the hardware or device, as you do with cross-platform tools (such as Cordova or Xamarin).

Hybrid apps contain an extra layer that is beyond the control of the developer, making it much more likely to have bugs and more difficult to fix them. A smaller number of bugs will improve your app’s performance and lead to more loyalty from users. This will result in a higher reputation for your app and more revenue for you.

Performance and Security:

Because they are created for that specific OS and have direct access to their APIs, native apps are more intuitive, dependable, and speedier than substitutes. There will most likely be minimal platform-specific errors.

The Talent pool is large:

Due to the popularity and widespread use of native application platforms like iOS and Android, there are lots of developers who can create native applications. Considering Android’s open-source nature, it is easier to locate developers, since it provides developers with more support and tools. If you want to build a customized app for Apple devices as well, there are many native iOS app developers available.

Easily Scalable: 

Native applications are compatible with the operating systems that they were built for, which makes them highly scalable.

This combination of factors can help you save money on one end of development and boost revenue on the other end. Customers will find it more convenient to use your native apps, and developers will find it easier to develop and upgrade. Nonetheless, there are particular circumstances where native apps may be inferior to the web or hybrid applications. Let’s look at some of the disadvantages of native app development.

Cons of Native Apps

The Native approach has its benefits, but as with any other development technique, it is not as ideal as it may seem. The following are some disadvantages of creating Native applications:

Development Effort: 

Because Android and iOS applications don’t share the same features and capabilities, developing those will need separate time and resources for each. Furthermore, you will have to hire specific developers for each project, as most developers have expertise in one platform.

Time-Consuming Development:

Your product will take longer to develop if you are looking to cover both Android and iOS rather than if you adopt a hybrid or shared codebase approach.

A Rise in Costs for Development and Maintenance:

The cost of developing each app will increase because two separate teams will need to work on each product. It will require a longer timeframe than if they were to create only one product for app development. Each application uses a different programming language and release cycles. Maintaining and adding new features to an application requires unique skills, which could add to the cost of the product.

How to build a Native app?

You need certain requirements before you can build a native mobile app for your business. There are several categories of requirements. Let’s look at how native mobile apps are developed, the top tools you require, and the resources you can’t do without.

Which one to opt for Android or iOS?

When you want to dip your toes into the waters of native app development, this question naturally will linger in your mind. We will help you with some of the stats which can guide you to choose which you would like and some distinct reasons that make both these platforms popular and ubiquitous.

• The average consumer spends $5.03 on apps.
• On the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, mobile app spending is forecast to reach 185 billion U.S. dollars and 85 billion U.S. dollars, respectively, by 2025.
• A combined 36.8 billion apps were downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play in the first quarter of 2022.

The two systems’ architectures are similar, but they still vary notably in terms of their user bases, methods for development, and maintenance. Additionally, iOS consumers are infamously devoted to Apple. It is to be anticipated that Apple users will be a continuous stream from this side of the market, as they seem reluctant to quickly transfer to a competing mobile device provider.

On the other hand, Android is compatible with gadgets made by a variety of manufacturers, including LG, HTC, and Samsung. Cost is one area where Android dominates the worldwide mobile device market. The fact that so many businesses use Android also makes it possible to commercialize, diversify, and create many “pricing tiers” without harming one company’s reputation. How do these facts matter to you? Even when one provider has a bigger market share in your nation, ignoring the other would mean ignoring and losing a sizable portion of the market. Therefore, it is advisable to create native applications for both Google Play Store and the App Store.

Step 1: Conceptualize and Assess the Idea

Native mobile apps must be validated before they can be developed for the market. Check to see if consumers are ready to adopt the mobile app you intend to create. Ask yourself and consider the following points:

• Your application will address a genuine issue.
• Do people think there is a problem?
• Are they trying to find a solution?
• Will they embrace the mobile app as a workaround?

If you believe that a native app will address the problem and that people will install it, you should try turning your vision into a native mobile app.

Step 2: Hiring Native app Experts

You will have to have developers on your team who possess the expertise required to create an app on the platform of your choice, as well as cross-platform skills when desired. This involves either recruiting talent within or contracting a mobile app development company to assist you.

Step 3: Plan UX/UI

How the users will come to a solution, how they will navigate, how you can make it easier to understand, and how you will gain their trust. All these questions and the answer is a one-of-a-kind user experience and interface. As mentioned earlier native apps have the super advantage to make the UX/UI of an app a smooth ride with the best tools. Swift is a powerful and user-friendly programming language developed by Apple for creating apps for iOS, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Watch. Since it is free and open source, iOS app developers have more control than ever.

The SwiftUI tool is used to create user interfaces (UI) for apps. Another Apple user interface tool is UIkit. You can create a visually rich, event-driven user interface for your iOS application using UIkit. The declarative nature of SwiftUI means developers don’t need to intervene in events and presentation changes. With UIkit, developers are more involved in the process.

Creating a layout in Android is either done using a traditional layout or using Jetpack Compose. Google’s Jetpack Compose tool lets you build declarative UIs. In the same way, as SwiftUI and UIkit differ, you must choose how much you want your developers to mediate as your app’s UI changes between this and traditional layout options.

Step 4: Environment and IDE

After you’ve picked your devices and hired qualified developers, you must select the most suitable development environment. The options now are a bit more basic, and they are mostly determined by the device on which you wish to release your app. If you want to release it on iOS, you just need a device that runs macOS software. Android is slightly more adaptable as it might be developed on Mac, PC, or Linux devices. IDE is an abbreviation for an integrated development environment. It is an app development tool that integrates conventional plug-ins into a single graphical user interface (GUI).

If you’re working for iOS, you have two options: XCode or AppCode.

Xcode is a productive environment for developing fantastic apps for Apple devices. It is tightly linked with the Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks.

For Android app development, Android Studio is the official-integrated development environment (IDE). Code editing and developer tools are based on IntelliJ IDEA, a Java-integrated development environment.

Step 5: Security

The security of users’ personal information is crucial. A secure app is precisely defined in the Apple app store. Although both Android and iOS devices have secure inherent technologies, you should follow the rules established by the app stores. It will make it easier to create extremely secure apps for various platforms. In general, native apps are regarded as secure and data-protective. But you can’t just gamble. Check all the data security safeguards that apply to that platform. Determine the compliance you must implement in the particular operating system. Prepare your native mobile applications for security and authentication. You may create a secure and reliable app for platform-specific app stores using these techniques.

Step 6: Releasing the App and Feedback

Before it is fully published and ready for people to buy or download, your software must go through some releases. Beta testing is the initial step. Beta testing, also called user validation or testing guarantees that prospective customers are pleased with a tech product before you allow it freely accessible. For beta testing, Apple provides a special initiative called Testflight, and Android also has a special app for the Play store. A review of the app follows. Again, there are particular rules for app reviews for both Apple and Android.

Before permitting free ad displaying, the app review procedure essentially assesses the quality of a mobile app’s inventory. As you proceed with the process, you’ll receive a comprehensive overview of the approval status of your app along with useful feedback from the related app store. To guarantee that upgrades function properly and older versions are kept as needed, you will require a team that can manage different app versions during the development, launch, and maintenance of your app.

Top Examples of Native Apps

Spotify

One of the essential apps that aficionados of music should install on their phones is Spotify, one good example of a native app. It is a center for digital music services that gives customers access to millions of tracks and podcasts from major studios and media networks.

Other than that, Spotify stands out as an exceptional example of a cloud-native application. Spotify can now better serve its users as a result of Google Cloud’s significant performance efficiency gains in its workloads.

Waze

Drivers from all across the world have given the GPS navigation software Waze positive reviews. This native app illustration works with mobile devices and tablets that have GPS capabilities. Specifically, the app helps users navigate by providing turn-by-turn instructions, route details, and user-submitted travel times. Waze also has the benefit of being free to download and use.

Tesla

The most recognizable brand in the electric vehicle industry, Tesla, is yet another well-known case of a native app. Using the Tesla mobile app, customers can remotely operate their Tesla vehicles. Using the Tesla app, you can see how quickly your Tesla is recharging and even start and stop it. Versions of the app are available in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

WhatsApp

The messaging app WhatsApp is popular throughout the world and was developed as native software for iPhones and Android phones. With more than 140 million downloads, this app was the fourth most downloaded app globally in Q3 2020. In a  nutshell, this native app example is a workable alternative for corporate messaging services in the workplace.

Possible Alternatives 

You might want to think about alternative build types before diving in. The primary substitutes for native apps are listed below:

Progressive Web App: 

Utilizing HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, progressive web apps are created and deployed over the internet. Although it integrates certain UX/UI changes to make it usable on mobile devices, it is fairly comparable to a website.

Hybrid Applications: 

Using a single application programming interface, or API, developers can create a single mobile application that runs on both Android and iOS.

When Developing a Native Mobile App

Native apps are built for a particular device and its operating system. In addition, they employ hardware and software that are specific to each device. The latest technologies, such as GPS, can be accessed through native apps, which provide optimized performance. In the long run, you’ll save time and money by getting it right the first time, even if the initial costs are higher. 

It is possible to provide a more tailored user experience, and better performance and use device features to provide an enhanced experience for your users. The long-term benefits will be worth it. In addition to improving conversion rates, a native mobile app can increase client loyalty. Which means an increased retention rate. If you have any app ideas, contact us now to get the wings for your project.