App Development for Native: Best Platforms, Methods, and Resources

The prevalence of mobile devices in our daily lives has made mobile app development essential to contemporary corporate strategies. The broad strategy known as “native app development” gives developers permission to create applications for a particular mobile platform, like iOS or Android. Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in native app development is essential due to the constant advancement of mobile technology.

According to Statista, the global mobile app market is expected to generate $430.90 billion in sales by 2022. With so much on the line, companies need to know the benefits of native app development and how it can help them reach their goals.

We will look at the factors influencing native app growth, how to select the best platform and tools, and the steps involved in app creation in this in-depth guide to native app development in 2023. In order to help you create a mobile app that engages your target audience and helps you accomplish your business objectives, we will also provide guidance for effective native app development.

This blog will give you the knowledge, resources, and platform you need to create a profitable native mobile app, regardless of your size—whether you are a startup, an entrepreneur, or a major organization. Keep checking back for our next piece, when we’ll go into further detail about native development and how it differs from alternative approaches to developing mobile apps.

Top Notable Native Applications

Over the past ten years, native apps have grown in popularity alongside mobile phones and tablets. Native applications are specifically designed to function flawlessly on a specific operating system, like iOS or Android. The user experience is improved, speed is increased, and native functions like GPS, video recording, photoshoots, live music, and many more are all accessible with these well-known apps.

Knowing where to begin with native apps can be difficult if you are new to them. Selecting which native apps to download might be challenging with so many alternatives. We have compiled the top 6 well-known native apps with their salient features for your convenience:

Instagram:

The popularity of the photo and video sharing app Instagram has skyrocketed lately. With Instagram, you can discover fresh material from across the world and post your own photos, stories, status updates, and videos to your followers. In order to help you create better images and movies, Instagram also provides features like tools for picture or video editing.

Facebook:

Facebook (Meta) is among the most widely used social networking applications globally. Facebook allows you to post photographs, videos, live status updates, and connect with friends, family, and business associates. It also allows you to receive information on current events and fashions, among many other features. Play games, look for employment, participate in Facebook events and groups, and shop straight from the app.

YouTube:

The video-streaming program YouTube has become a popular resource for news, events, entertainment, and information. You may watch, upload, and modify videos on YouTube covering a wide range of subjects, including news, academic subjects, humor, and music. To keep track of your favorite content, you can also make playlists and subscribe to the channels you love.

WhatsApp:

WhatsApp is a messaging program that lets you communicate with friends and family members all over the world by sending, receiving, and posting live status updates, images, and videos. WhatsApp provides group conversations, text, audio, and video calls in addition to end-to-end encryption for security.

Spotify:

Spotify is an app for streaming music that offers millions of songs and podcasts. You can create playlists, find new music, and listen to playlists that have been carefully chosen based on your tastes and preferences with Spotify. You may even share your favorite songs with your friends and download music for offline listening.

Google Maps:

You can navigate with the help of Google Maps, an app for navigation. You can use Google Maps to find your way there, get traffic updates in real time, find shortcuts, and use Street View to look around you. Additionally, you can create personalized maps and store your favorite locations to share with friends.

These are merely well-known, well-used native apps that are currently on the market. Every smartphone app has amazing features and benefits, so it’s worth trying out a few to see which ones work best for you. You’ll have an excellent starting point for using your mobile device to share locations in real time, be informed, and be amused with these six apps.

Platforms for Developing Native Applications

If you’re interested in creating a native application, you’ll need to decide which platform to develop it for. For the development of native apps, there are various platforms accessible, each with pros and cons. To assist you in selecting the best platform for your needs, below is a summary of some of the most well-known platforms for native app development.

iOS:

The iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices are the only devices that run Apple’s iOS operating system. You’ll need to use the iOS SDK (Software Development Kit) and Swift, Apple’s programming language, to create native iOS apps. The popularity and longevity of Apple’s App Store make it advantageous for developers to create for iOS. However, since you’ll need to buy a Mac and an iOS device in order to test your app, developing for iOS can be more expensive than developing for other platforms.

Android:

The Google-developed Android operating system powers a plethora of gadgets from various vendors. You can utilize the Android SDK and either Kotlin or Java to create native apps for Android. One advantage of creating for Android is that it has a higher market share than iOS, which implies that there are more people who could use your mobile app. It can be more difficult to create content for Android than iOS, though, because different devices have varying screen sizes and hardware.

React Native:

With Facebook’s React Native framework, you can use the same codebase to create native apps for iOS and Android. Utilizing JavaScript, a well-liked programming language, React Native has various advantages, including quicker development times and cross-platform code reuse. Access to native features and performance may be limited, though.

Flutter:

With the Flutter framework, which Google developed, you can use the same codebase to create native apps for iOS and Android. Utilizing the Dart programming language, Flutter has a number of advantages, including quick development timeframes, great performance, and access to each platform’s native features. But, in comparison to other native platforms, Flutter is a very young technology; therefore, documentation and community support might be limited.

Xamarin:

Microsoft created the Xamarin framework, which enables you to use C# to create native apps for Windows, iOS, and Android. A huge community, cross-platform code reuse, and access to each platform’s native capabilities are just a few of the advantages that come with using Xamarin. However, compared to other mobile platforms, Xamarin can be more difficult to set up and utilize.

For native development, there are various platforms accessible, each with pros and cons. Your target market, budget, and the features your mobile app must have will all play a role in the platform you choose.

The process of developing native apps

It might be difficult for a developer or business owner to understand the native app development process. Nonetheless, the procedure might be expedited in the right direction. Here, the cycle will be dissected into six simple steps.

1. Step 1: Decide What Your Idea Is
   
   Finding your idea is the first step towards developing a native app. Perhaps it’s a brand-new product or a fix for an ongoing problem. Establish the purpose, USP, and intended user base for your mobile app.
2. Step 2: Identify the Needs
   
   Defining the requirements comes next after you’ve decided on your mobile app idea. It is your responsibility to determine the platform, technology, and features of the mobile application. What are the features, user experience, and interface design?

3. Step 3: Create the App
   
   Creating the mobile application’s user interface and experience is the focus of the design stage. It includes creating the screens, navigation, and general appearance and feel of the application. Making sure the design is navigable, user-friendly, and appealing to the target audience is crucial.

4. Step 4: Create the Application
   
   Writing the code for the mobile application is a part of the development step. It is where the user interface, features, and functionality are visualized. The software must be tested frequently to make sure it satisfies requirements and is free of bugs. The development cycle can be lengthy.

5. Step 5: Run an App Test
   
   An essential step in the development process is testing. Prior to the mobile app being published onto the market, it entails finding and repairing any faults or errors in the software. To ensure compatibility, testing the app across a range of platforms, devices, and networks is crucial.

6. Step 6: Open the application
   
   It’s time to release the mobile app after it’s been tested and approved. It pertains to submitting the mobile application to the relevant app store, like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. To reach the intended audience and acquire downloads, the app must be efficiently marketed.

Although developing a native app can be challenging, it can be made easier by following these six steps. Don’t forget to identify your concept, specify the requirements, create the app, test it, and then release it. Your mobile app can succeed if you put a lot of thought, effort, and attention into it.

Resources for Developing Native Apps

Creating a successful native application necessitates the use of specialized tools to ensure that the mobile application functions flawlessly across various operating systems. We go over a few of the most important tools for developing native apps here.

1. The environment for integrated development (IDE)
   
   An IDE is a piece of software that provides programmers with all the tools they require to write, modify, and test code. Two IDEs for creating native apps are Android Studio and Xcode.
2. Editors of Code
   
   Lightweight programs called code editors, such as Visual Studio Code and Sublime Text, allow developers to write and modify code for native development. They also make coding easier to understand by providing auto-completion and syntax highlighting.

3. Simulators
   
   Emulators are digital gadgets that replicate the settings of a real-world gadget, such as a tablet or phone. They allow developers to test their apps across a variety of devices without physically acquiring each one.

4. Frameworks for Testing
   
   Native app functionality and performance are tested using testing frameworks like Espresso and XCTest. They provide developers with permission to verify that the software functions as intended and find any bugs or problems.

Certain tools are needed for native app development in order to produce reliable, high-caliber applications. In addition to using tools like IDEs, code editors, emulators, and testing frameworks, app developers can choose between the Android, iOS, or cross-platform platforms. Developers can create effective native apps for many operating systems if they have access to the appropriate tools and platforms.

The Best Practices for the Development of Native Apps

Establishing native app requirements and adhering to best practices guarantees that the application functions flawlessly and meets user expectations. The top methods for native development are listed here.

1. Design with the user in mind
   
   The first and most important native development best practice is to prioritize user-friendly design. It entails creating an application that is user-friendly, straightforward, intuitive, and visually beautiful. To do this, developers should investigate the needs and preferences of their target market, create an intuitive user interface, and conduct frequent testing to ensure the app lives up to user expectations.
2. Keep Things Consistent
   
   Creating a native app requires consistency. The user interface, features, functionality, and design of the app should operate reliably and be consistent across all screens. It ensures that consumers will be able to swiftly and easily explore the app and understand how to use it.

3. Enhance Efficiency
   
   Performance optimization is necessary for native apps to ensure seamless operation across various devices. This entails streamlining the app’s memory footprint, cutting down on energy usage, and improving the app’s loading time. To ensure smooth operation, developers should also optimize the app’s audio, animations, and graphics.

4. Maintain Simplicity
   
   Another excellent practice for native development is to keep the program basic. Only distinctive features or functionalities that perplex or control consumers should be added by developers. Rather, they ought to concentrate on giving customers the essential features they need and making sure the app is simple to use.
5. Assure Safety
   
   When creating a native application, security is crucial. The privacy of users and the security of the app’s data should be prioritized by developers. It entails utilizing safe data storage, putting particular authentication procedures in place, and making sure the app is secure.
6. Frequent Updates
   
   Frequent updates guarantee that the app remains current and useful. Updates should be constantly released by developers to address bugs, improve speed, and add new features to the application. Additionally, it makes it possible to keep users interested and customers loyal.

For native development to be successful, best practices must be adhered to. User-centered design, simplicity, consistency, speed optimization, security, and frequent updates are the key points of emphasis for developers. These strategies ensure that the application meets user needs and succeeds in the marketplace.

Native App Development’s Future

Since its inception, native app development has advanced significantly, and as technology advances, the field’s future appears bright. 

1. Growth in the Use of Cross-Platform Development
   
   With cross-platform development, developers may use a single codebase to create apps for both iOS and Android. Cross-platform development will probably become more widely used in native development in the future, cutting costs and development times while improving app performance.
2. Combining traditional and new technologies 
   
   Native development is anticipated to include more future technologies—like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI)—into apps as they progress. App developers will be able to create more engaging and customized user experiences with the help of this connection.

3. Growing Utilization of Low-Code Development
   
   Developers can create apps fast and effectively with drag-and-drop tools and visual interfaces thanks to low-code development platforms. Low-code development platforms are expected to be used more frequently in native development in the future, enabling programmers to write sophisticated programs with very little code.

4. Increase in IoT and Wearable Devices
   
   Native development is expected to drastically shift toward creating apps for wearable and IoT devices as their popularity grows. The main goals for app developers should be to create user-friendly, low-power-consuming applications that work well on smaller screens. 

With the growing popularity of cross-platform development, integration with new technologies, improved app security, sophisticated usage of low-code development, and the expansion of wearable and Internet of Things devices, native programming appears to have a bright future. To ensure that they produce inventive and profitable apps, app developers need to keep up with the newest tools, trends, and technology. 

FAQ

Conclusion

Businesses in need of software solutions are increasingly choosing native app development as their option. We hope that this tutorial has provided you with an overview of the key benefits and factors to consider while using native development. The long-term success of your product can be ensured by understanding the difficulties of native app development, regardless of whether you’re wanting to create your first mobile application or redesign an old one.