Port iOS app to Android: Tips to Enable Smooth Transition

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Android and iOS are two of the most popular choices of OS in the world at the moment. However, there has been an increasing inclination towards iOS even though it lags behind Android in popularity. This is because of the countless benefits it brings to the table for not only the business but also the app’s users. So, if you too are considering porting your Android app to iOS, here are some factors you must keep in mind.

1. Code components: Unfortunately, this is one of the most challenging aspects of the transition to iOS. You see, unless it is a hybrid app, the code written for an Android app is not going to work on iOS. For starters, native apps for both platforms are coded using different languages, frameworks, etc. This means you will have to write the entire code for the new iOS app from scratch. However, your workload will likely be much higher in the case of porting from an Android app instead of simply developing a brand new iOS app. This is on account of the fragmented nature of the Android OS.
2. Architectural differences: We don’t have to tell you that one of the key and most important differences between the two platforms is the architecture. So, features and functionalities that may have been available in the Android app may not necessarily also be available when the app is ported to iOS. This is also because of the unique set of in-built tools and solutions for each of the two OS. Anyway, to cut a long story short — it is critical to keep these differences in mind when you are developing the menus, navigation strategy, push notifications, file management, compatibility with third-party applications, etc.
3. Design features: Of course, when you port your app from one OS to another, the design of the app is bound to be affected as well. So, when you undertake to move yours to iOS, this is one factor that must be high up on your priority list. Remember that the design elements featured in one app will not be compatible with another iOS, at least not without necessitating some changes in the code. It may also help to remember that Apple makes use of a flat design tenet, whereas Android is underpinned by the Material Design ideology. Keep these differences in mind when you are adapting your app for iOS.

Sure enough, Android currently commands a bigger share in the market as compared to iOS’s share. Nonetheless, there is no denying that Apple’s offering continues to gain more and more traction in the global OS market. Plus, there is the world of benefits you stand to gain from iOS, such as high levels of security, premium experience, and so much more — all factors that have made iOS apps such a major hit in the world. Hence, it makes complete business sense to port iOS app to Android, to reach out to a different set of target audience for your offering. So, what are you waiting for, then? Go find yourself an expert developer who can help you seamlessly and successfully port your app to iOS.