Android app development for the full range of devices
Gjethe builds Android apps with Kotlin and Jetpack Compose or React Native, designed to Material Design conventions and tested across screen sizes, manufacturers and Android versions. We handle backend integration, notifications, Google Play Billing, home screen widgets and publication on Google Play under your developer account.
- Free first consultation
- Written quote for your project
- Flexible payment milestones
At a glance
- Built with
- Kotlin, Compose or React Native
- Tested on
- Phones, tablets, foldables
- Billing
- Google Play Billing
- Launch
- Google Play submission included
Definition
What is Android app development?
Android app development is building applications for Google's Android operating system, which runs on phones, tablets and other devices from many manufacturers, and publishing them through Google Play.
Android's strength is its reach: many manufacturers, price points and screen sizes. That's also its challenge. An app has to work on a budget phone with a small screen and an older OS version as well as on the latest flagship and foldables. We test across that range, keep apps light enough for modest hardware and follow Material Design so the app feels natural to Android users.
Who is it for?
Products for markets where Android leads
In many countries most of your users carry Android phones; launching there first reaches more people.
Field and enterprise apps
Rugged devices, scanners and company-managed phones running a custom Android app.
Companies adding Android to an iOS app
Your iPhone app has proven itself and Android users are asking for their version.
Startups on a budget
Google Play's lower barrier to publishing makes Android a practical place to test an idea.
What's included, and what you keep
What's included
- Design to Material Design conventions
- Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, or React Native development
- Layouts for phones, tablets and foldables
- Google sign-in and other login methods
- Push notifications via Firebase Cloud Messaging
- Google Play Billing for purchases and subscriptions
- Home screen widgets where useful
- Camera, location and Bluetooth features
- Testing across devices and Android versions
- Performance work for lower-end devices
- Google Play listing and Data safety form
- Release through internal, closed and production tracks
What you receive
Handed over at the end. Yours to keep.
- App published on Google Play under your account
- Source code in your repository
- Signed release configuration and keys handed over securely
- Store listing assets
- Release documentation
How do we handle Android device fragmentation?
We agree a minimum Android version based on your audience, then test on a matrix of real and emulated devices: small and large screens, different manufacturers' skins, tablets and foldables, and both recent and older OS versions.
Layouts are built to adapt rather than to fit one screen. Compose and React Native both support responsive layouts, and we check how the app behaves when fonts are enlarged, when the device is rotated and when a foldable changes shape.
Performance matters more on Android than many teams expect, because a large share of users run mid-range or budget devices. We keep app size, startup time and memory use in check and profile on lower-end hardware, not only on flagships.
Google Play release tracks
| Track | Used for |
|---|---|
| Internal testing | Your team testing early builds within minutes |
| Closed testing | Invited testers, required for new personal developer accounts before production |
| Open testing | Public beta anyone can join from the store |
| Production | The public release, optionally rolled out to a percentage of users first |
Android features we often use
Home screen widgets
Glanceable information and quick actions without opening the app.
Background work
Reliable syncing, uploads and reminders scheduled with WorkManager, even when the app is closed.
Camera and scanning
Barcode and document scanning for retail, logistics and inspections.
Location and maps
Routes, geofencing and nearby search with Google Maps.
How Android app development works, step by step
Every step has a clear output you can review. Timing is agreed in your quote.
- 1
Scope
Features, device range, minimum Android version and integrations agreed.
- 2
Design
Material-based screens designed in Figma, with tablet and foldable layouts where needed.
- 3
Build
Development with builds shared through Google Play's internal testing track.
- 4
Device testing
Testing on a matrix of devices, OS versions and screen sizes.
- 5
Store preparation
Listing, screenshots, content rating and Data safety declarations.
- 6
Staged release
Production release rolled out gradually while we monitor crashes and reviews.
Tools, and what shapes your quote
Pricing is based on your project and agreed in your quote. These are the things that move it.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Device range | Supporting older Android versions and many screen sizes adds testing and adaptation. |
| Native or cross-platform | Kotlin-only builds suit Android-only products; React Native shares code with iOS. |
| Hardware features | Bluetooth, NFC, barcode scanning or background location add development. |
| Offline and sync | Field apps that work without signal need local storage and sync logic. |
| Billing | Subscriptions and purchases via Google Play Billing add testing. |
| Area | Tools |
|---|---|
| Languages & UI | Kotlin, Jetpack Compose, React Native |
| Android frameworks | Android Jetpack, WorkManager, Room, CameraX |
| Services | Firebase, Google Play Billing, Google Maps SDK, Sentry |
| Release | Android Studio, Google Play Console, Firebase Test Lab |
Common mistakes to avoid
What we see go wrong most often, and how a good project avoids it.
Testing only on flagship phones
An app that flies on the newest phone can stutter on the mid-range devices many users actually own.
Ignoring tablets and foldables
Stretched phone layouts look broken on large screens. Adaptive layouts take planning, not much extra code.
Losing the signing key
The app's signing key must be stored safely; we use Play App Signing and hand over credentials securely.
Skipping staged rollouts
Releasing to everyone at once means a bad bug reaches every user. Roll out gradually and watch the crash rate.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Google Play developer account?
Yes. The app is published under your own Google Play Console account. New personal accounts must run a closed test with testers before going to production; we help organise it.
Which Android versions will the app support?
We choose a minimum version based on your audience and the features required, balancing reach against development effort.
Can you build an Android version of our iPhone app?
Yes. If the iOS app is native, we build a Kotlin version or consider moving both to React Native; if it's already React Native, much of the code can be reused.
Can the app run on company-managed or rugged devices?
Yes. We build apps for managed devices, kiosks and scanners, including distribution through managed Google Play instead of the public store.
Do you support tablets and foldables?
Yes, with adaptive layouts that use the extra space rather than stretching the phone design.
How are updates released?
Through Google Play, usually as a staged rollout so we can monitor stability before every user gets the update.
Can the app work offline?
Yes. We store data locally and sync it in the background when the connection returns.
What's Google Play's Data safety section?
A declaration of what data your app collects and why. We fill it in accurately based on the app's real behaviour.
Can we distribute the app privately to our staff?
Yes, through managed Google Play or direct installation on company devices, so internal apps never appear in the public store.
How do you keep the app fast on cheaper phones?
We keep the app small, avoid heavy libraries, load data efficiently and profile performance on mid-range devices before release.
Do you design the Google Play listing?
Yes, feature graphic, screenshots and listing text, plus the content rating questionnaire and Data safety form.
Can the app integrate with barcode scanners or printers?
Yes. We integrate with Bluetooth printers, built-in scanners on rugged devices and camera-based scanning, depending on the hardware your team uses.
Can you update an old Android app to current Play Store requirements?
Yes. Google Play regularly raises the required target API level. We update the app, its libraries and permissions so it stays listed and installable on new devices.
Do Android and iOS users get the same features?
With React Native they usually do, from one codebase. With separate native apps we plan releases so both platforms stay in step.
Related services
Mobile App Development
iOS and Android apps, from design to store launch.
iOS App Development
iPhone and iPad apps that follow Apple's guidelines.
React Native Development
Cross-platform apps with native modules where needed.
App Store Optimization
Listings that rank and convert in the stores.
QA & Software Testing
Manual and automated testing across browsers and devices.
Android App Development by industry
Build your Android app.
Tell us what you need. You get an honest assessment, a clear plan and a written quote. The first consultation is always free.
- What happens next
- 1You tell us what you need
- 2We aim to reply within 24 hours with questions
- 3You get a written quote for your project