Learn about mobile app development, its types, processes, and testing to understand how they contribute to better app quality.
Mobile app development is the process of developing applications for devices such as smartphones and tablets. This field has significantly surged in recent years, primarily due to the increasing prevalence of mobile devices and the demand for mobile apps in everyday life.
According to Statista, between 2024 and 2029, the worldwide smartphone user count is projected to grow steadily, adding 1.5 billion users, marking a 30.6 percent increase. By 2029, after fifteen years of consecutive growth, the smartphone user base is expected to reach a new high of 6.4 billion users.
Corresponding to the increase in mobile devices, mobile app development is also reaching a high peak to meet the high demand for mobile applications. Organizations invest in developing highly featured applications as they offer an opportunity to connect with users, perform crucial tasks, and gain good revenue. Thus, having a good understanding of mobile app development is one of the most demanding web developer skills. It will help you build engaging mobile apps.
This tutorial is dedicated to explaining what mobile apps are, their types, mobile app development, testing, and more. We will also learn the common mobile app development platforms, approaches, and best practices.
So, let’s get started.
A mobile application, commonly known as a mobile app, is a type of software designed to operate on mobile devices like smartphones or tablets. These apps often offer users services similar to those available on personal computers but in a more compact form. They are typically small, standalone software programs with specific functions. This concept of using app software became widespread through platforms like the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, where users can download apps for their devices. Additionally, some apps can be accessed through online marketplaces or web browsers.
Different types of mobile apps offer unique features and functionality. Understanding these types can help developers choose the right approach for developing a mobile app.
Below are common mobile app types.
To learn more about Native, Web, and Hybrid apps, you can go through this blog, which covers the differences between Native vs Web vs Hybrid apps in detail.
Mobile apps are created using various programming languages, such as Java and Swift. Developers write and run code for different features of these apps to ensure their functionality. It's important to note that mobile apps are designed for specific operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android. After development, they must be submitted to app stores for approval before release.
Users can download their preferred apps from app stores and install them on their mobile devices according to their needs. While some apps work offline, others require an internet connection for operation. Many apps rely on cloud services for data storage, processing, and other functions.
When a mobile app is opened, it communicates with the device's operating system and other software components to utilize its hardware and services, such as the camera, GPS, and internet connection. This allows the app to deliver its unique functions and services to the user.
Mobile apps interact with backend servers and external services using APIs, enabling them to communicate with other apps, web services, and databases. This functionality offers apps various features, such as payment processing and real-time data feeds.
As we have a basic understanding of mobile apps and their working, we will learn more about the development of a mobile app in detail in the section below.
Mobile app development involves creating software applications for mobile devices like smartphones and other handheld devices. This process includes several steps, such as market research, app design, testing, deployment, and maintenance. To start the development process, developers need innovative ideas that meet user demands, enabling the creation of user-friendly interfaces that are functional and easy to use.
While comparing web apps vs mobile apps, mobile app development focuses on leveraging the unique functionalities of individual devices. This process includes developing installable software bundles, integrating backend services, and conducting thorough software testing on the target devices to ensure compatibility and functionality.
Here are some key points to consider for mobile app development:
Note : Ensure your mobile application works as expected across various devices and operating systems. Try LambdaTest Now!
Developing mobile apps has several benefits for both users and organizations. Let us understand this from the below pointers:
Investing in apps can be profitable, leading to enhanced engagement and revenue. As per CB Insights, app-based startups experience IPOs that are 825 percent higher than non-app-based startups. Moreover, as per Data.ai the usage of mobile apps has increased by 50 percent in the last two years when comparing mobile apps with mobile web.
As per Gartner Inc., the low code development technologies market share was $26.9 billion in 2023, with an increase of 19.6% compared to 2022, which is critical to fulfilling the increasing demand for faster app delivery. Additionally, Gartner predicts that half of the new low-code customers will be business buyers from outside the IT department by the end of 2025,
Developing mobile apps can help businesses improve user satisfaction, increase brand loyalty, and drive revenue growth in today's mobile-centric world.
In the below section, let us learn the various technologies of mobile app development before we know the process of mobile app development.
There are different technologies for mobile app development that are categorized based on operating systems and applications. To understand the mobile app development process, it is important to note which type of mobile app will be developed and its supporting OS.
Here are the different types of technology used for mobile app development.
The type of mobile app you select to develop, such as native, web, hybrid, or PWAs, will define its design, features, and development approach. Understanding the types of mobile apps will help developers create an app that fits the client/business needs.
It is exclusively designed for mobile platforms; native apps utilize specific coding languages tailored for each system. Referred to as "native," these apps are directly installed on particular phones or operating systems, such as iOS for iPhones or Android for other smartphones. They leverage the full range of device capabilities, ensuring high performance. Native apps are directly installed on your phone, offering superior functionality and aesthetics compared to other app types.
Although traditionally distinct from mobile apps, web apps are similar to native apps in appearance and functionality on phones or computers. You can access this via browsers like Chrome or Safari; they adjust to fit various screen sizes. Unlike downloadable apps, web apps require minimal device memory. However, they may not offer the same smooth functionality or utilize device features as effectively as downloadable apps.
Hybrid apps combine the functionalities and features of web apps and regular mobile apps. They are developed using web technologies but are encapsulated within a mobile app shell for download from app stores. Hybrid apps offer some capabilities of regular apps, such as camera usage or notifications, as a compromise between regular and web apps.
Cross-platform app development allows developers to build mobile apps that can work in iOS and Android using a single codebase. Its development is less time-consuming than native app development, so developers highly prefer it. The reason is that native app development requires separate codes for each platform, and such aspects do not apply to cross-platform app development. It also ensures a consistent user experience across different devices and platforms, streamlining app development.
PWAs are websites that function like web apps while running in a browser. They can be added to the home screen, function without internet connectivity, and deliver notifications.
SSR enhances web app performance and search engine optimization by rendering pages on a server before reaching the client's device. While not a distinct app type, SSR is a technique to optimize web app functionality, particularly for mobile users.
All these types of mobile app development technology play crucial roles in mobile app development, addressing diverse needs based on app functionalities, target users, and budget constraints. Mobile app effectiveness is determined by its performance on mobile devices, irrespective of the underlying technology.
Choosing between Android or iOS development depends on individual taste and preference. Although some development teams prefer Android for its extensive user base, others choose iOS for its revenue potential. While considering both options, the decision is ultimately yours.
Android has become highly popular as an open-source initiative based on the Linux kernel as the leading mobile operating system. Its versatile and adaptable structure has attracted many hardware manufacturers, contributing to its widespread acceptance.
Android facilitates the development of high-performance apps not heavily reliant on device specifications. Java is the preferred choice for most developers creating Android apps due to its ease of use.
The Android developer website serves as a primary source of information for developers. Although more complex than iOS development, Android device statistics suggest that Android remains popular due to its continuously evolving app market.
iOS strongly influences high-end markets and advanced countries. Developing for iOS involves creating applications for Apple products like iPhones and iPads. Despite being viewed as easier than Android development, iOS development comes with more strict submission requirements set by Apple. The preferred programming languages for developing iOS apps are Swift and Objective-C.
It focuses on creating mobile apps for Microsoft Windows devices such as Lumia and Surface. The popularity of Windows-based applications among mobile users is rising, with certain specialized software, including Windows Media Player and Outlook, remaining in demand. As the number of mobile users surpasses that of computer users, Windows Phone App Development Services play a crucial role in enhancing accessibility to such software.
In mobile app development, different crucial parts integrate to render a functional mobile app. Those parts are explained below:
The mobile app backend handles data storage, security, and processing, operating behind the scenes during user interactions. Building a backend for the mobile app involves transmitting data for server processing, managing signups, logins, messaging, cloud data storage, and addressing user inquiries.
Backend development primarily involves storing data in a distant database, scripting for interactive logic, and designing a streamlined architecture for efficient data management.
Certain applications like calculators, cameras, notes, and voice recorders function independently without requiring backend development. They operate on mobile devices without network connectivity or the need to access remote servers. Conversely, apps like Amazon, Netflix, and Uber rely heavily on interconnected backend systems to function effectively.
Several key considerations are essential to ensure a successful and efficient backend system when developing a backend service for mobile app development.
Mobile applications have evolved to require continuous communication with servers. Fewer apps can function without connectivity as most rely on the backend, web services, and APIs. These APIs may come from industry giants like Amazon, Google, or Facebook, or mobile app development teams may internally develop them.
REST API is the primary choice for mobile API development due to its simplicity, enabling rapid interaction with remote cloud data servers. However, improper network requests can lead to significant issues.
Here are some key considerations to take into account when developing mobile APIs:
There are two ways to integrate APIs into mobile apps:
Developing your API is best done using a common architecture, which speeds up development by providing a familiar framework. Common architectures include pragmatic REST, web services, event-driven, and hypermedia, offering streamlined options. Pragmatic REST and event-driven architectures are particularly favored for mobile app development.
Comprehensive documentation of the API process is also crucial. It helps track historical progression and current status, making future updates easier and enabling external use of the API.
The user interface needs APIs and backends for some mobile app development, while others only use local databases provided by the platform.
You can use various web programming languages to build the backend of your mobile app. For native applications, there are technology-specific options available. For instance, if you're developing iOS apps, you can choose Objective-C, Swift, Flutter, or React Native. Similarly, for Android apps, you can opt for Java, Kotlin, Flutter, or React Native.
Each programming language has unique capabilities and is designed for your chosen platform. Consider hiring professional custom mobile app development services to create the best mobile app possible. They can help you select the most suitable programming language for the right technologies.
Certain commonly used platforms are used to develop mobile apps. The platform allows you to create an app and helps you test, debug, and optimize simultaneously.
Here are some of the most commonly used mobile app development platforms:
It's noteworthy that PhoneGap operates as a distribution of Apache Cordova, which is often mentioned in conjunction. Apache Cordova is the engine powering PhoneGap, establishing a symbiotic relationship between the platforms.
Choosing the right platform for app development depends on the project requirements. Having said that, Flutter vs React Native are the two most popular choices among developers when it comes to mobile app development. If you want to know which one to choose, go through this blog on Flutter vs React Native.
Before developing a mobile app, you must consider certain factors. Knowing the key factors will help in developing quality mobile apps. Here are some of those:
Familiarize yourself with the financial requirements for business mobile app development. Appropriately distribute your budget across various stages of development, including app creation, maintenance, updates, and marketing. Your app's type and content will dictate your budget allocation.
During pre-launch marketing, establish your brand identity, identify relevant channels to reach your audience, create engaging content, and collaborate with industry influencers for promotion.
App development includes various steps and processes essential to complete the production cycle effectively.
While the approach to app development may vary for each project based on its unique characteristics, resources, and objectives, the fundamental steps typically remain consistent.
You can focus on the following in the market research:
Here are additional benefits of conducting market research:
During this step of the mobile app development process, your idea begins to freeze and transforms into an actual project. Analysis and planning commence with defining use cases and capturing detailed functional requirements.
In planning for mobile app development, you must identify the required skills to initiate the development process. For example, iOS and Android platforms utilize distinct development technology stacks. If you aim to develop an app for both platforms, ensure your mobile development team includes iOS and Android developers. Alternatively, if your app's scope is less complex and doesn't require platform-specific controls, consider utilizing cross-platform stacks such as React Native and Flutter.
Have you settled on a name for your mobile app? Mobile app names, such as domain names, must be distinctive within each app store. Research each app store to confirm your mobile app's name isn't already used.
Creating a minimum viable product serves several purposes:
Key components of a Minimum Viable Product:
Here are the steps involved in the mobile app design process:
In creating wireframes, the emphasis is placed on aesthetics and user experience rather than color schemes and styles. This approach to mobile app design is both rapid and cost-effective. The goal is to ensure intuitive and user-friendly designs across devices. Designers can use wireframe tools such as InVision, UXPin, Balsamiq, Fluid UI, and Proto.io.
Additionally, you will select database engines and a hosting environment. The backend segment of your app development life cycle is pivotal and dictates the scalability of your mobile app in the future.
To perform thorough mobile testing for your apps, create test cases covering all mobile app testing scenarios and choose either a manual or automated approach.
Manual testing involves a human tester checking the mobile application's functionality manually. However, it is time-consuming and prone to error. On the other hand, automation testing is performed using automation testing tools that expedite the testing of repetitive tasks, saving testing time and effort.
There are different types of tests that you need to perform while mobile app development. Some of the important ones are as follows:
Additionally, after meeting fundamental performance criteria, evaluate the app, API, and backend for load by simulating the highest number of concurrent users. Your app must manage the load and maintain optimal performance during usage surges.
There are various mobile app testing tools available to perform the tests mentioned above. However, the true potential of such tools can only be leveraged when used with some effective mobile app testing strategy.
You can further enhance your automation testing process by running it over a cloud-based platform. With this approach, you can run mobile automation tests on various mobile devices and operating systems, ensuring thorough test coverage and faster test execution.
One such cloud-based platform is LambdaTest. It is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that lets you run manual and automated tests at scale with over 3000+ real devices, browsers, and OS combinations. It allows you to test various types of mobile apps on both virtual and real device cloud. With its scalable mobile device lab, you can ensure that your web and native apps perform as expected across Android and iOS devices.
According to the Future of Quality Assurance survey, organizations increasingly use emulators/simulators and real devices to test handheld devices. While 33% reported using this approach, 25% still rely on browser mobile viewports for mobile app testing, which may lead to a higher risk of missing device-specific bugs. This signifies the importance of testing mobile apps on emulators/simulators and real devices.
Wondering which one to choose for your testing needs? This blog on emulators vs simulators vs real devices can help you choose the right one.
In the further section of this blog on mobile app development, we will leverage LambdaTest to perform virtual device testing for demonstration and better understanding purposes.
To learn more about the LambdaTest platform and how it helps you overcome challenges faced during automation testing, watch the video tutorial and get started with LambdaTest.
Here are some key points to consider while launching the application.
In this section of this blog, we will be leveraging the LambdaTest cloud testing platform to perform manual and automated mobile app testing.
To get started with manual app testing, please follow the below steps.
Your virtual device is launched in a cloud environment based on the configuration and app upload.
With the help of the left menu options, you can perform manual testing on the mobile app, such as taking advantage of various device controls such as changing keyboard language, adjusting device orientation, activating sleep mode, and adjusting volume levels. Simply access these options through the Device Controls menu.
You can also record the activity performed during testing the mobile device and share it with the time by selecting the Record Session option from the left menu. You can also test native mobile apps from different geographical locations by selecting the IP Geolocation option from the left menu.
To learn more about real-time and real-device testing, watch this video demonstrating how to perform real-time testing on a real-device cloud.
When it comes to automated mobile app testing, there are various frameworks available, including Appium, XCUITest, and Espresso. However, the true capabilities of these platforms can be leveraged when used with cloud testing platforms like LambdaTest.
You can watch the video below to get started with app test automation on LambdaTest.
Subscribe to the LambdaTest YouTube channel for more video tutorials on automation testing for mobile and web applications, including Selenium, Cypress, Playwright, and Appium. These tutorials will help enhance your web and mobile app testing experience.
As we have learned the entire mobile app development and testing process, we will learn how to submit your mobile apps to the well-known Google Play Store and App Store in the below section.
When the mobile app has been developed, the next important step is to submit it for download. However, this must be done when the mobile application's functionality is error-free. To ensure this, you can first introduce the beta version of the mobile application.
Releasing a beta version of your app can draw in early users, a key move towards making your mobile app widely popular. These initial users offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of your app. Their feedback and ratings indicate the app's acceptance and demand. This organic form of marketing increases your app's credibility and helps attract more users.
To submit your app to the Apple App Store, you can follow the below-mentioned steps:
To submit your app to the Google Play Store, you can follow the below-mentioned steps:
Following the app's launch, the subsequent crucial step is marketing. Without proper promotion, your app may go unnoticed. To maximize outreach, you can make informative videos to market its features and share them on social media and other digital platforms.
In the below section, we will learn trends that can enhance the effectiveness of mobile app development and how the development process of mobile apps will adapt to new technologies.
The mobile app development process has changed according to new technologies and trends. To ensure that you develop quality mobile applications, you must follow the latest mobile app development trends:
While developing mobile apps, you need to be careful with some pitfalls that can interfere with the process and make the mobile app less functional. Some common mistakes are as follows:
Here are some best practices that can be considered while developing mobile apps.
In this tutorial, we have comprehensively learned the mobile app development process and provided great insight into its key concept. It is a process that has to be continuous even after its launch. This not only helps maintain its usage but also allows the mobile app to be updated as per market trends.
Mobile app development should strictly follow its development strategy and plan, so there is no scope for any mistakes. This is very important due to the high competition for mobile applications. If any error or flaw in the application can reduce user engagement and cause a loss in revenue to the organization. Thus, every single step of mobile app development must be tested and reviewed.
