Today mobile app development landscape is aimed to cover as many potential users and in a variety of ways as possible. Currently two dominant operating systems that account for more than 99% market share of the global mobile operating systems are Android and iOS. However, they serve to different users’ bases: With Android, users get open source with a significantly greater array of devices, whereas iOS represents a tightly managed platform and a religiously devoted customer base.
That said if you have a mobile app that is only created for a single platform you may be missing out on about half the market. Switching between and developing Android and iOS applications makes it easier to provide client-side experiences, brings exposure, and opens up opportunities to grow. But this conversion indicates that there are lots of key differences between ecosystems where both strategic planning and careful execution will be in play.
Key Feature Differences: Android vs iOS Development in Applications
Despite the general similarity of the approaches to creating applications with a focus on a single operating system, there are fundamental differences between Android and iOS since from their origins and architecture, from the technological basis and consumers’ expectations. Let’s inpack key distinguishing elements:
Programming Languages
Android applications are developed in Java or Kotlin and iOS applications are developed in Swift or Objective-C; Kotlin and Swift are the recent languages for their respective platforms; both are faster with a much neater code. This means, changing the code in order to encourage its compliance with each one.
Development Environments
Android developers get Android Studio as the main instrument for Android app development process while development in iOs continues in Xcode. IDE-specific tools will be created for each IDE and suit the supported platform, and a developer will have to change according to the environment of the IDE.
Design Guidelines
In Android, we are witnessing a new trend of Material Design which emphasizes on usability and depth for the personal account, but iOS is obsessed with simplicity and simple gestures described in Human Interface Guidelines. The interesting element which we could name the key one while porting of application is the changes in design and user experience.
Device Fragmentation
Android is available on a large number of devices, which implies that developers have to take into account the type and version of the hardware they are targeting and the OS on the device as well as iOS has comparatively few numbers of devices, but the apps have to be compatible with the latest hardware and the innovations Apple brings to the platforms.
App Store Policies
Google Play offers faster updates, while the App Store is much more selective when it comes to accepting new apps and much more stringent with the apps they approve. As suspected, the submission review might be even tighter and takes more time in iOS submissions.
A Step-by-Step Guide: How to Convert Android into iOS
This is not just changing the code from one type to the other; in fact, it means to port your app to the other platform that has certain principles of design, interaction, and, certainly, constraints. The following outline should help you:
Step 1. Discuss the Android Architecture in particulars
Start by disassembling your application’s architecture because a lot of things can be platform-dependent, including, for instance, inclusion of Google services in other gestures specific to the Android platform. Several of those will need some rewriting to fit into the controlled environment of iOS.
Step 2. Adapt UI to iOS Guidelines
The interface design for iOS strictly follows the HIG principles, which greatly advocate simplicity. Refactor your app’s UI to incorporate navigation patterns, gesture, and controls typical of iOS including the Tab Bar.
Step 3. Port Android Logic to Swift
Convert Java or Kotlin-logic of Android to Swift. That is not simply just refactoring from android activity oriented dispersion to iOs view controller based structure, it is rewriting the architecture.
Step 4. Replace Android Features
For example when implementing notifications use UNUserNotificationCenter to follow what iOS has established, for managing permissions to be able to work with the iOS’s Privacy framework and for updating hardware to be in line with iOS regulations.
Step 5. Check Your App On iOS Devices
Testing on all iPhone and iPad models is achievable using the simulators provided by Xcode. In older devices, make performance, battery efficiency, and UI responsiveness turn on.
Step 6. Align With Apple’s Ecosystem
Fully integrate it with iOS by utilizing other iOS assets such as, Siri, Apple Pay as well as Core Motion.
Step 7. Release Your App to App Store
A real cautious publishing review process is ahead of iOS. This implies that your app needs to meet one hundred percent of Apple’s usability and execution rules, including their privacy rules concerning monetization through in-app purchases.
Common Issues with App Conversion
Inter-conversion between apps for Android and app for iOS can seem quite direct. But in practice, there are few companies where the developer will not need to solve at least some technical and design problem. Still, each of the platforms possesses its own rules and the range of user habits; therefore, the process of conversion may be very problematic. Here is a list of some common issues:
User Interface and User Experience Differences
The process of adapting the UI and UX to the new platform standard is of extreme importance. Android is built based on Material Design, which emphasizes flexibility, whereas iOS is based on Human Interface Guidelines, which is centered around simplicity. Such implies that a full redesign, rather than a simple copy, is highly essential, especially in navigation and appearances.
Compatibility of Codebase
The core codebase must largely be replaced within the process of conversion. While applications made on Android are mostly coded in Java or Kotlin, those on iOS are written in Swift or Objective-C. These differences in language inherently make them non-interchangeable, hence, large rebuilding must occur. Apart from this, there could be incompatibility problems with the third-party libraries, too, not all Android libraries may have their iOS versions.
Performance Optimization
Optimization of performance is difficult since different resource management approaches are applied. For example, while Android provides greater flexibility concerning background services, iOS has a more severe resource policy. This can often create bottlenecks in execution performance, especially in background processes and animations. Testing will also be needed more when it comes to the smooth operation across diverse hardware on Android compared to iOS, which has more homogeneity across its environment.
Platform-Specific Features
Each of the platforms has individual features where direct counterparts are missing. For example, on the Android level, there is an opportunity for customizations with the use of widgets; iOS doesn’t have such support. On the other hand, iOS has features like SiriKit and ARKit, which require native support. In such a case, if they want to keep similar functionality, they may have to skip those features or work up alternatives that are native to the other platform.
App Store Compliance and Policies
Other challenges include developing apps that comply with app store policies. While the approval processes are not that rigid in Google Play, the review guidelines are very strict in Apple’s App Store. Developers have to go through Apple guidelines carefully; not hobbies in design guidelines or using of private APIs may result in rejection. Also, Apple has more severe policies on in-app purchases, which may need some changes in an app monetization strategy.
Cross-Device Testing
Testing is essential but complicated due to the fragmentation of Android. Developers are required to support an enormous number of devices, screen sizes, and OS versions, which makes the whole test process quite labor-intensive. Even though iOS has fewer devices, users expect a great experience across the ecosystem; this could make optimization for all relevant devices and iOS versions painful.
Post Conversion App Performance
The conversion of an application from Android to iOS or vice versa is just the first step. Above all, post-conversion ensuring consistent performance across the platforms is a key user satisfaction element. Code optimization and resource monitoring play an important part in avoiding any platform-specific problems. The milestones for achieving peak performance are highlighted below.
Optimization of Code for New Platform
Give the codebase a closer look based on best practices for the new platform. What works on Android might not yield great results with respect to performance on iOS and vice versa. Fine-tune the processes by using Instruments in Xcode or Android Profiler to identify inefficiencies that can lag your system.
Adapt to Hardware and Software Features
In developing your app, it should be optimized for unique platform features. While iOS generally uses consistent hardware, taking advantage of this for example, A-series chips may help improve performance. For Android, consider hardware configurations via techniques like lazy loading.
Efficient Memory Management
Efficient memory management is different for different platforms. Refactor your memory managing strategy after conversion because poor implementation may make the app prone to crashes. On iOS, manage object references to avoid memory leaks. On Android, Memory Profiler is used for monitoring usage.
Optimize for Battery Efficiency
The battery life of an app is critical in terms of user satisfaction. Tune your application to avoid excessive battery drain since Android and iOS handle tasks and notifications so differently. Use efficient background processing methods and optimize network requests.
Cross-Platform Consistency with API Integrations
APIs behave differently across platforms due to various reasons that can further impact performance. Refactor APIs for seamless integration at the time of porting and keep a performance check to avoid slowing down.
Post-Launch Performance Monitoring
Performance monitoring post-launch is as crucial because real-world conditions will throw up many issue not seen before. Firebase Performance Monitoring can be used for monitoring Android, while for iOS, metrics available in Xcode should suffice.
Leverage User Feedback
User feedback is very important regarding the performance maintenance of your app. Encourage users to report issues through the app stores or via small in-app forms. By analyzing feedback, you can resolve concerns on time and improve performance and user satisfaction.
Author’s bioYuliya Melnik is a technical writer at Cleveroad, an iOS and Android app development company. She is passionate about innovative technologies that make the world a better place and loves creating content that evokes vivid emotions.