Converting an App from iOS to Android and Vice-Versa

As of now, the two most widely used operating system platforms are the Android and iOS. For different purposes, both developers and users prefer using the platforms respectively. Developers can use either one of them for varied purposes.

While Android apps have the highest reach and are feasible enough, iOS apps have the sophistication and robust security features that appeal to everyone. Which is why it is good to not miss out on either one of them.

Now suppose that you have created an app for the platform of Android, and now wish to switch to iOS. How can you do that?

In this blog, you will find the steps to convert an app from Android to iOS and vice-versa.

What are the Points to Consider While Shifting from iOS to Android?

The users of Android apps are obsessed with one key feature, the familiarity of the app. And that helps save their time because they know exactly what to do.

While porting an app from iOS to Android, there are some key differences that need to be looked upon, because they would be the ones to make a difference.

• Division of devices
• Design of apps
• Frameworks

Division of devices: Your market of iOS users might not be very big, but the Android market is going to be. Reaching out to this dynamic market requires setting the app according to the target audiences.

You will have to redesign your app according to the preferences of the market of Android. For doing so, you can simply analyze your target audience and find out the top 10-12 mobile devices that the users tend to use, and study their interface. Once you understand that, you can further base your interface according to that.

Also, before anything, understand the functionalities of both the platforms and their key features. Get a brief notion about the key aspects of differentiation, and modify the features while converting the app accordingly.

Design: The designing of the platforms of iOS and Android are poles apart. While it happens in Flat design in iOS, Android has Material Design.

Not just, everything ranging from the icons to the fonts is different in both of them. Converting the app would require the iOS app developer to thoroughly factor in all these differences.

For instance, the number of buttons in Android are multiple, whereas iOS works on one single home button. The standard font in Android is Roboto which is not the case with iOS.

Frameworks: While developing apps, every mobile app development company would have to indulge in using the external libraries. Since the development of iOS and Android apps do not happen in the same language, re-coding cannot take place while porting.

Hence, while you are converting the app, you have to consider all aspects of the architecture of the app, the libraries and everything else before you write the app in a completely new language.

Testing of the app

The process of conversion of the app does not end with the porting itself. After that is done, the next step is to check the quality of the app. Look out for any errors that might have taken place or any bugs before you make the app live on Play Store.

Also, for Android, it becomes necessary that the app is working on all devices. There are a plethora of available devices and it is important to make sure that your app works on all the devices. Check whether the screen resolution is working fit or not.

Porting an app from iOS is not an easy task, because of its specifications, it becomes a very tedious job to do. As an app development company, you should make sure to develop strategies and understand every step before the final implementation.

What are the Points to Consider While Shifting from Android to iOS?

Migrating from an Android platform to iOS can be a very difficult task to do. Especially because the features are very specific, and where Android is super dynamic, iOS, on the other hand, is very specific.

But before that, it is also important to know why it is a good decision to shift on iOS. To begin with, even though Android has a wider usage, iOS comes ahead when it comes to the revenue. Also, it is that iOS users are more loyal than Android.

Furthermore, here are the major aspects that are taken into consideration:

• Navigation
• Design
• Screen Size
• Code Library of Android
• Navigation

The functionality of both Android and iOS differs, and the biggest differentiation point lies in the home button. While iPhones have one single button, Android phones have multiple buttons.

Android users have to press the back button to go on the previous screen, but that cannot happen in iPhone. Majorly all the tools used for navigating the users are different.

• Design

This has been mentioned before that iOS uses a flat design technique whereas Android uses the Material Design. This can be illustrated by examples; In Android, the navigation bar is always on the left, and in iOS, it is in the center. Similarly, the fonts are also different.

• Screen Size

In this scenario, where you have to convert from Android to iOS, you will face comparatively fewer problems. Since there are not many screens on iOS to work on, the task becomes easier.

However, while you get an advantage here, you also need to make sure to use to undertake the compatibility measures as Apple does not consider giving much space when it comes to accessing components.

• Code Library of Android

While building apps, Android App Developerscan make use of the external libraries and elements. However, that is not the case when you are converting the app from iOS to Android. You have to evaluate the compatibility of the elements, and then choose the framework accordingly.

Since the coding of an app is done in different languages, it is not possible to recompile it while converting the app. Although what can be done is developers can use the C Code as it is used in both platforms, and then the app can be ported keeping into consideration the specific conditions.

Testing of the app

Quite similar to the process of converting from iOS to Android, in this too, the testing of the app is mandatory. The one thing app developers should make sure is to check for any bugs or errors that might have happened during the conversion. Other than that,

Checking the integration, where you conduct the final testing of software.

Checking the accuracy of the text, where you analyze whether everything is matching up with your expectations or not.

Launching in beta version, where before you finally launch the app, you give a preview of what the app would be like, and whether or not it is suiting the requirements of the users.

Conclusion

The fact that the competition in the world of mobile app development is rapidly increasing is not a matter of surprise. Amongst everything, the first choice of every enterprise would be to make their app as widely liked as possible.

Which is why keeping your app compatible with multiple platforms has become more than just necessary. And if have not considered doing it until now, you should definitely think twice now!

My name is Hemendra Singh. I am Managing Director and Co-Founder of The NineHertz, a Mobile App Development Company. My ideology is that, a clear vision and hard work builds a great company.