How to Develop Cross-Platform Mobile Apps?

Today, many businesses need to reach more clients through smartphones. This makes it important for apps to work on all smartphone operating systems.

Native apps are great because they work well and feel natural on any device. However, making two separate native apps can take time and money. That’s how the idea of making one app that works on different devices came about.

These kinds of apps, called cross-platform apps, are getting more popular. They let you use the same code to make an app for different devices. And because technology keeps improving, cross-platform apps can be just as good as native ones and cost less.

In this guide, we’ll talk about cross-platform app development. We’ll explain what it is, why it’s good, and give you tips on how to get started.

What is cross-platform app development?

Cross-platform app development means making apps that work well on different operating systems without being limited to one specific system. Instead of building separate versions for each platform like with native app development, cross-platform development uses one set of code that can be used on multiple platforms like iOS and Android.

Benefits of cross-platform app development

Here are examples of how various companies have benefited from cross-platform app development:

1. Code Reusability

React Native and Flutter are cross-platform frameworks that allow developers to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms, such as iOS and Android. This saves time and effort writing separate codebases for each platform, reducing potential bugs and inconsistencies. An example is Airbnb, which used React Native to develop its app, enabling it to maintain a single codebase for iOS and Android platforms.

2. Faster Development 

Walmart used React Native to speed up the development of its mobile app, resulting in quicker updates and new features across platforms. Cross-platform development typically offers faster development cycles compared to native app development. Developers can leverage shared code, libraries, and tools to expedite the development process.

3. Cost-Effectiveness 

With code reusability and faster development, cross-platform app development can be more cost-effective than building separate native apps for each platform. Delivery.com is an example of a company that saved costs by using React Native for its app, allowing it to reach both iOS and Android users without doubling their development expenses.

4. Consistent User Experience

Cross-platform frameworks enable developers to create consistent user interfaces and experiences across different platforms, ensuring a seamless experience for users. Bloomberg leveraged Xamarin to ensure a consistent user experience across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms for its news app.

5. Wider Reach 

Cross-platform apps can reach a wider audience by targeting multiple platforms simultaneously. This broader reach can lead to increased user acquisition and engagement. Instagram is a prime example, using React Native to maintain a consistent user experience across iOS and Android, thus reaching a larger user base.

6. Easy Maintenance

Maintaining a single codebase for multiple platforms simplifies the maintenance process, as updates and bug fixes can be applied universally. Tesla used React Native to streamline maintenance for its app, allowing for quicker updates and bug fixes across iOS and Android versions.

7. Native Features

Cross-platform frameworks usually offer access to native device functions using plugins or modules. This lets developers use features specific to each platform. SoundCloud used React Native to access native features in its app, such as push notifications and background audio playback. 

8. Rapid Prototyping 

Cross-platform development facilitates rapid prototyping and iteration, as changes can be applied universally and tested across platforms simultaneously. Discord utilized React Native for rapid prototyping, enabling them to iterate quickly on new features and improvements.

9. Future-Proofing 

Cross-platform apps can be more adaptable to future platform changes as they are less tied to specific platform technologies. Wix used React Native to future-proof its app, ensuring compatibility with upcoming platform updates and changes.

Step-by-step guide to developing a cross-platform mobile app

Now that we grasp the idea and advantages, let’s explore the practical actions for creating mobile apps that work on multiple platforms.

STEP 1: Choose the Right Framework

Choosing the right framework is important when you’re developing for multiple platforms. Options like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin are great choices. Consider factors such as community support, ease of integration, and performance when choosing.

STEP 2: Define the App Architecture

Establish a clear architecture for your app. Determine how data will flow, how the UI will be structured, and how components will interact. A well-defined architecture sets the foundation for a scalable and maintainable application.

STEP 3: Optimize for Performance

While cross-platform development offers efficiency, optimizing performance is paramount. Pay attention to factors like rendering speed, app startup time, and overall responsiveness. This ensures a positive user experience.

STEP 4: Utilize Native Features Smartly

Make the most of native features on each platform to enhance user experience. While the codebase remains shared, incorporating platform-specific functionalities ensures your app feels native on each device.

STEP 5: Test Rigorously

Comprehensive testing is pivotal for cross-platform apps. Utilize testing frameworks compatible with your chosen development framework to identify and rectify issues across various platforms. This step ensures a seamless user experience, irrespective of the device.

STEP 6: Responsive Design

Craft a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions. This guarantees that your app maintains its visual appeal and functionality across a spectrum of devices, from smartphones to tablets.

STEP 7: Implement Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD)

CI/CD pipelines streamline the development process, enabling automatic testing and deployment. Implementing CI/CD ensures that updates and improvements are efficiently integrated, maintaining a high standard of quality throughout the app’s lifecycle.

Challenges in Cross-Platform App Development

While cross-platform app development offers numerous advantages, it also comes with challenges you must navigate. Understanding these challenges is crucial for successful cross-platform app development. Here are some common hurdles:

1. User Experience (UX) Consistency: Achieving consistent user experience across multiple platforms can be challenging due to differences in design guidelines, device capabilities, and user expectations. Developers need to carefully design and test their apps to ensure a seamless experience on each platform.
2. Performance Optimization: Cross-platform frameworks often introduce an additional layer of abstraction, which can impact app performance compared to native apps. Developers need to optimize their code and leverage platform-specific features to ensure optimal performance across devices.
3. Limited Access to Native APIs: While cross-platform frameworks provide access to a wide range of APIs, there may be limitations in accessing certain platform-specific APIs or hardware features. This can restrict the app’s functionality and require workarounds or custom plugins.
4. Code Maintainability: Managing a single codebase for multiple platforms can lead to complexity in code maintenance and updates. Changes made to accommodate one platform may affect the app’s behavior on other platforms, requiring careful version control and testing.
5. Tooling and Ecosystem Support: The methods and tools for developing apps that work on multiple platforms are always changing. Developers should keep up with these changes and make sure their apps still work well with new updates and features on different platforms.
6. Fragmentation Across Platforms: Different platforms have varying degrees of fragmentation in terms of OS versions, screen sizes, and device capabilities. This fragmentation can lead to compatibility issues that must be addressed during development and testing.
7. Debugging and Testing: Debugging and testing cross-platform apps can be more challenging compared to native apps, as developers need to account for differences in behavior across platforms. Comprehensive testing strategies are essential to identify and address platform-specific issues.

The Best Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks

When it comes to cross-platform app development, choosing the right framework is crucial for building high-quality apps efficiently. Several frameworks have gained popularity for their ability to streamline the development process and deliver native-like experiences across multiple platforms. Here are some of the best cross-platform app development frameworks:

1. React Native: Developed by Facebook, React Native is one of the most popular frameworks for building cross-platform mobile apps. It uses a single codebase written in JavaScript and allows developers to create apps that look and feel like native applications. React Native is known for its performance and extensive community support, making it a preferred choice for many developers.
2. Flutter: Created by Google, Flutter is an open-source UI toolkit for building natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Flutter uses the Dart programming language and offers a rich set of pre-built widgets, enabling developers to create visually appealing and highly customizable interfaces. Its hot reload feature allows for quick iterations and rapid development.
3. Xamarin: Owned by Microsoft, Xamarin is a popular framework for building cross-platform mobile apps using C#. Xamarin allows developers to share a significant amount of code across platforms while providing access to native APIs and UI components. Its integration with Visual Studio and support for Azure services make it a compelling choice for enterprise app development.
4. Ionic: Built on top of Angular and Apache Cordova, Ionic is a framework for building cross-platform mobile, web, and desktop applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript/TypeScript. Ionic provides a library of UI components and tools for building responsive and interactive apps. It’s known for its ease of use and extensive plugin ecosystem.
5. PhoneGap / Apache Cordova: PhoneGap, now known as Apache Cordova, is an open-source framework that allows developers to build cross-platform mobile applications using web technologies. Cordova provides a set of APIs for accessing native device features, and its plugins extend functionality for various use cases. It’s a good choice for web developers familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
6. Unity: While primarily known as a game development engine, Unity is also used for building cross-platform AR/VR applications and interactive experiences. It offers extensive support for 2D and 3D graphics, physics, and animation, making it suitable for creating immersive and visually rich applications across multiple platforms.
7. Electron: Electron is a framework for building cross-platform desktop applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript web technologies. It powers popular applications like Slack, Visual Studio Code, and Discord, demonstrating its capabilities for creating feature-rich desktop apps with a consistent user experience across operating systems.

Each of these frameworks has its strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of framework depends on factors like project requirements, development team expertise, performance considerations, and target platforms. For a more comprehensive guide on these frameworks, read our blog post on the Top 12 Popular Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks in 2024

How can ScaleupAlly Help?

At ScaleUpAlly, we know how complex it can be to develop apps that work across different platforms. We’re here to be your strategic partner as you navigate this process. 

Our approach focuses on working together efficiently and understanding your business needs exactly. 

We have a wide range of skills and use advanced technologies like React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin to ensure your app not only meets but surpasses industry standards. Our team is committed to creating apps that match your vision, balancing cost-effectiveness with delivering a great user experience. 

Join forces with us at ScaleUpAlly, and together, we can create cross-platform apps that grow with your business and open up new opportunities in the digital world.

Conclusion

Developing mobile applications that function across various platforms requires a combination of skill and scientific understanding. This guide offers valuable advice to help entrepreneurs start this process confidently, equipped with the information to make smart choices.

Keep in mind that the aim is not just to make an app but to build an online presence that connects with your intended users. Be adaptable, be creative, and hopefully, your cross-platform projects will result in apps that excel in both how they work and how users enjoy them. Best of luck!