A Guide to Converting iOS App into Android App

Creating an iOS mobile app to promote your business or brand among your customers is a great idea. The platform has proven to be the right choice for a start, enabling you to generate more revenue from the App Store.

However, missing out on an Android share is not affordable, given that the platform currently dominates approximately 80% of the mobile devices OS market. While you can initiate with an iOS app, it's crucial to engage an iOS app development company to convert the iOS app into Android development and harness various additional benefits.

Porting iOS apps to Android offers a significant advantage: the potential to increase earnings on the App Store. Once your iOS app establishes success in the market, creating an Android version becomes a wise move to provide users with a rich and consistent user experience across platforms.

Now, if you wonder why converting an iOS app to Android is necessary, consider these important reasons that will persuade you to hire a development team.

Why Should You Convert an iOS App to an Android App?

• Seizing Consumer Markets with Better Opportunities: As you are aware, Android OS holds an 80% share in the mobile OS version market. If you only possess an iOS application, you are forfeiting a significant percentage of potential customers in this scenario.

• Expand Your Reach: Widespread adoption of Android phones means a vast user base you may be overlooking, with a high likelihood that they could become your potential customers.

• Monetize Options for Your Android App: If you believe monetizing a mobile app is not feasible, reconsider, as various options are available. Recent statistics report a global app revenue of $52 billion, with expectations that the figure will reach $100 billion by 2020.

• More Number of Features: When deciding to convert your iOS app to Android, you can explore various possibilities introduced by Google.

How to Convert iOS App to Android

Whether you've decided or are seeking information on converting iOS to Android, an Android app to iOS, or an iPhone app to Android, the crucial consideration is understanding the conversion process to Android. Is there any available ready-made Android app converter or tool that you can utilize?

No, you cannot use ready-made tools or converters to port your iOS apps to Android. Instead of searching for such solutions, consider choosing a reliable Android app development company. Here are three steps you can follow in this regard. Additionally, explore iOS app development services for a comprehensive approach.

1. Analysis and Make a Plan

Analyzing and planning involves assessing your current iOS app's features, design, workflow, and characteristics. Consider potential errors and problems that may arise and determine how to address those issues.

Consider solutions or optimize the Android app version by thoroughly examining backend functionalities, app porting processes, tools, and frameworks for compatibility.

2. Valuation and Execution of Plan

Evaluate all technical issues related to code, libraries, and third-party services. Select the appropriate tech stack to ensure accurate and time-efficient app porting and commence the development.

App development, or the steps to create an app, depends on the type of app you want to convert. In many cases, converting an iOS app to Android or from one platform to another is quite similar to developing a standalone Android app. Therefore, completion within a week should not be expected.

It involves developing Android-specific UX and functionality, implementing features and material design alterations, setting up the backend, and incorporating monetization tools.

3. Testing the App & Releasing

Like any app development process, ensuring quality is crucial when converting from iOS to Android or between Android and iOS. Testing can be conducted using real Android devices or emulation tools, depending on the practices of the application development company you've enlisted for your conversion needs.

In addition, consider various types of mobile app testing such as load testing, validation, user acceptance testing, and beta testing. Once you find it satisfactory, apply to the Play Store and commerce marketing your app.

Thus, when converting an iPhone app to Android, these are the tailored steps adhered to by any professional Android application development company. Instead of relying on ready-made tools or iOS-to-Android app conversion tools, discuss your app architecture requirements with an experienced team of Android app developers to obtain the optimal solution.

Still wondering about something? Here, we address some of the questions you might have:

How long does converting an iOS app to an Android app take?

Converting a simple iOS app to Android requires around 1 to 6 months. However, the timeframe is contingent on app complexity, features, frameworks, and design factors.

What is the cost of porting an iOS app to an Android app?

Converting an iOS app to an Android application typically costs between $6000 to $20000 for an average featured application. The cost varies based on features, app type, and more.

Challenges in Porting an iOS App to an Android App

Porting iOS apps to Android proves to be a challenging task. Throughout the process, you may face numerous challenges, and here are some of the most common ones.

One of the most significant and frequent challenges developers encounter during app porting is crafting an Android application with a UI based on iOS for diverse screen sizes. This difficulty arises from the fact that in iOS, devices have specific screen sizes, leading developers to select various bitmap sizes accordingly. In contrast, Android apps must adapt to multiple devices, resulting in compatibility with several screens.

Moreover, Apple devices exhibit fewer variations in screen sizes compared to Android, given that a single company produces all devices. In contrast, Android phones, being manufactured by hundreds of companies, each come with distinct specifications and screen sizes.

Therefore, incorporating all the necessary functionalities can be genuinely daunting. All these factors contribute to making the process of porting apps from iOS to Android quite challenging. However, these challenges should not discourage you from porting your app to Android, as it has several benefits. Let's explore a few of them.

What are the Benefits of iOS App to Android App Conversion?

1. A Lot of New Customers/Users for Your Company

Are you aware that a significant portion of your target audience uses devices running on the Android platform? Numerous individuals eagerly await your application to be available on the Google Play Store, presenting an opportunity to convert them into potential customers. Hence, converting your iOS app to Android is a compelling reason.

In the previous year, Android captured a market share of 84.1% in the mobile market, while iOS secured 14.8%. Notably, iOS's market share has decreased compared to the previous year, indicating a continual increase in demand for the Android platform. Consequently, porting an iOS app to the Android platform would be advantageous.

2. Developing for Android Fragmentation is Not Creepy as You Think

Many individuals, especially those who are not Android developers, mistakenly perceive app development for the Android platform as a challenging process. However, this is not the case. The Android market is vast and diverse, and Google has effectively addressed the fragmentation issue by offering numerous innovative tools for Android developers.

Using tools, developers can define distinct UI layouts for various screen sizes and intelligently manage pixel density. Google has supported various Android layouts from the outset, allowing for different configurations while maintaining the same codebase. The current version of the Android SDK supports approximately 20 resolutions.

Typically, there are not numerous screen sizes to consider, with only around ten resolutions currently in active use. It wouldn't be detrimental to overlook some of the older versions of the Android System when converting an iOS app to Android.

Ensure that your application is compatible with KitKat (Version 4.4), utilized by approximately 36% of Android users, as well as Marshmallow and Lollipop (Version 5.0, 5.1), which are used by 33% of users.

Currently, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, supported by the Marshmallow version, constitute 0.7% of the market. However, these users are potential customers who may be willing to spend money on your application.

It’s a wrap

Converting an iOS app into an Android app involves navigating various challenges and considerations. While this process requires meticulous planning and execution, it opens doors to tap into a broader market share and reach a larger audience. Application development services specializing in this conversion process can offer tailored strategies to ensure a seamless transition and maximize the app's potential across both platforms. By understanding the nuances and leveraging the right tools, this conversion journey can increase your app's visibility, engagement, and revenue opportunities.

SEO Executive at Infotop Solutions