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How to Convert an Android App to iOS Wisely?

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Aleksandra Bessalitskykh
How to Convert an Android App to iOS Wisely?

Regarding time and money a good strategy was to start with one platform. For example, in the beginning, Instagram was only available to Apple users. The app tried to experiment with feature-set, designs, and even concept, but the product was completely ready and had positive feedback based on thousands of downloads, then its team decided to convert the iOS app to Android.

Is it hard to port an app? And what should you start with?

In the beginning, you should understand the key platform differences as well as differentiate business logic from coding aspects for each platform.

There are 4 sub-steps in an app conversion:

  • Review the app requirements and functionality
  • Adjust the app design to meet the standards of the platform
  • Tailor coding and architecture components for a new platform
  • Provide proper app testing and app store launch

Why Convert Android App to iOS?

First of all your porting decision must be based on:

1- Positive current app indicators & metrics
If you decide to expand to another platform it should be based on some countable metrics (1k downloads, 1k active users, etc.)

2- Existing market
There is no point of porting an app, if 95% of your target audience, according to geolocation, is using one particular platform. Conduct market research if there is a demand for your product on a new platform. You can try using this service - StatCounter Global Stats.

As soon as you are sure, you may benefit in many aspects when you convert an Android app to iOS. Both mobile app platforms cover up to 95% (74.94% on Android,19.84% on iOS) of mobile devices available worldwide.

A Notice on Online Android to iOS App Converter

Natively, it is impossible to run Android apps on iOS or vice versa due to the native components in the operating systems they each have. The app development process requires different programming languages, design interface, navigations, integrations, etc, in compliance with a particular OS.

It is also impossible because of the following factors:

  • Different lifecycle of apps in the system
  • Different lifecycle of app screens within the app itself
  • Different approaches to data access (e.g. iOS apps have been requesting access to data or device functions since the very beginning whereas, Android added it only recently with Android 6.0 Marshmallow)

The Android systems uses the instruction set of the Java virtual machine (JVM) called ByteCode, while iOS implements the compiled code.

Moreover, it is impossible to install applications that have not been authorized by the Apple Store.

It is misleading to be told to use some kind of service or program to transfer your app to another platform with just a few click few clicks. Online tools like an Android to iOS converter simply do not exist.

To sum things up, converting an Android app to iOS means that a new app must be built from scratch, if not developed cross-platform initially. This requires hiring a development team with high capabilities in both platforms in order to match the app’s business requirements, logic, technical elements, and performance with the existing product.

Key Differences to Pay Attention to When Porting Android to iOS App

1. Fragmentation of OS Versions

Both operating systems are periodically updated with some improvements. Consequently, each successful app project should support the newest OS versions. At the same time, not every customer opts to change their mobile device, so your app should be compliant with the most-widely used OS versions.

Follow this article to find out more details on how to convert an Android app to iOS and vice versa.

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Aleksandra Bessalitskykh
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