How to Convert Android app into iOS app?


Suppose you have developed an Android app for your business. Later then, you realize you also want to build an app for iOS users. So what will you do?


Will you create a dedicated iOS mobile app along with an Android version? This method is not so beneficial since it will increase the cost of your entire app development project.                                          


So the best way is to convert Android app to iOS app or vice versa. But how to convert the Android app to iOS? 


Let's discuss this in this article. 

Things To Know Before Converting Android App into iOS app

To convert Android app goes through a technical process. You have to consider various things to ensure your successful turning your app into a different operating system application.

1. Programming Language

Android and iOS mobile applications are developed through different programming languages. It means you can't just translate the code to convert Android apps to iOS or iOS apps to Android. 


For Android app development, your developers have to use Java, Kotlin, or JavaScript. For iOS app development, Swift, C++, C3, and Objective-C programming languages are used. 


Hence, converting apps isn't translating code into different programming languages. It is writing entirely new code for building apps for different operating systems. This step is a native app development process. 


However, if you follow the cross-platform app development approach you don't need to write different code separately. Instead, you can use the same source code and use it to build the app for all OS platforms. React Native and Flutter are the two most popular technologies for developing cross-platform apps.


Top android app development company mostly prefer this approach when it comes to building an app for all OS platforms with a single codebase. Hence, focus on what programming language you choose since it affects the speed and quality of the mobile app.

2. Different Sizes of Mobile Devices

Android smartphones are extremely diverse and huge. It has a large number of smartphones and mobile devices. Android phones come in different sizes than iOS mobile devices. Therefore, while converting your Android app to iOS, you have to ensure your app must fit according to different sizes of mobile screens and device sizes. 

3. Fragmentation of different OS versions

Android and iOS both release updates and improved versions of their mobile operating systems. There are many OS versions of both Android and iOS running on the market. Each OS version whether it is Android or iOS has unique features and abilities to use device functionalities. 


Hence, when you start to convert Android app into iOS or iOS app into Android application. You need to build the app in a way that it performs well on different OS versions of Android or iOS. 

4. Navigation

Android phones and iPhones are quite different. Android phones have different navigation and buttons for users than iPhones. In Android, users get a broad range of options and innovations to do various things at a time. And in iPhones, navigation is quite simple and easy to use. 


Also Read: How Much Does Mobile Game Development Cost?


Since navigation is one of the most influential factors in giving a good user experience. Therefore, in the process of converting Android app to iOS app, navigation should be well-designed that offer a good quality mobile user experience. 


Now let's discuss

How to Convert Your Android App to iOS app?

Step #1: Define technical and business aspects of the app

Mobile app development is a complex technical process. It requires an in-depth analysis of functionalities & features, business logic, modules, and third-party integrations. Any error or technical flaws can hamper the performance of the app on the new OS platform. Therefore, while converting an Android app to iOS app you should first define the technical and business requirements of the app.


You have to determine what type of mobile app either native or cross-platform you would build. What features will your app contain? What would be the monetization model for the app as per your business goals? Based on these technical and business requirements, you can prepare a written draft or specifically define the points. This will help your developer to flawlessly and seamlessly convert the app to a different OS platform.

Step #2: Re-design the app as per iOS Guidelines

Android and iOS are completely different OS platforms. They both have unique architecture and user interfaces for mobile apps. So to convert Android app to iOS you can't just go with the existing app design. You need to redesign your app as per the requirements of the new platform. 


Android app development follows the Material Design UI approach. Whereas, the iOS platform has Human Interface Guidelines which includes a flat and simple design approach. So when you start converting the app for a different OS platform, you need to change the existing mobile app design as per the design guidelines of the OS platform. 


Since I am a developer I know what critical elements a mobile app developer or UI.UX designers should incorporate it into their app design. Your developer should try to customize buttons, icons, fonts, UI components, and navigation flow as per the iOS UI design guidelines. 

Step #3: Rewrite the code and modify the app architecture

To convert Android app to iOS or vice versa is not like a language translation process. You need to rewrite the code for the new platform and optimize the app architecture accordingly. Android and iOS mobile apps are built with different programming languages. 


Your developer can't recompile the existing code to fit the requirements of iOS apps. You need to make a whole change to this. As a result, it would take considerable time in converting and developing the app for the new operating system. 


This is a coding process where developers will rewrite the code with different programming languages. Here, they have to write code as per the platform-specific requirements. And also make sure while making changes to the code don't give birth to new bugs after the complete conversion. Therefore, rewriting the code is truly a tough task. Therefore, it is advised to take assistance from an expert developer or dedicated iOS app development company

Step #4: Testing the app

At this stage, you would finish the rewriting of code and successfully convert the android app into iOS app or vice versa. But the task hasn't finished yet. Converting the app for the different platforms is a complex process. You have to make big changes into the code and resign and app and its architecture as per specific platform requirements. 


Therefore, there is a high chance of error and bugs in the app. Hence, to avoid all these technical flaws and ensure the converted app performs well you need to take your mobile app through various tests and QA. You can also use some automation testing tools to check the performance and quality of the app in various aspects. 

Step #5: Launch the app to the app store

After testing the app and ensuring its QA you are now all set to launch your iOS app on the App Store. Since your Android app has been completely converted into an iOS app. You have to use the fresh codebase for publishing the app to the app store. However, for making changes or any updates to the app, you will need the same codebase. 

When Should You Convert your app to a different OS platform?

Android and iOS are the two main OS platforms in the mobile app market. They both are entirely different in nature and provide unique features. Many app creators often have big confusion over choosing the platform for their mobile apps. Sometimes, after selecting the platform, they decide to create the app or switch to the other platform. So this situation of converting your app for a different OS platform arises when your app needs to


  1. Increase user base

  2. Improve performance

  3. Enhance sustainability and scalability

  4. Generate more profit

  5. Take competitive advantage


Final Thoughts

To convert Android app to an iOS app, or vice versa is a complex process. You have to resign the app and rewrite the entire code and ensure there is no error or bugs in the code. Any error in this process may cause harm to the performance of the app. However, once you convert the app it won't take much effort to launch and manage your app. Therefore, to successfully convert your app, take assistance from a professional mobile app development company. 

About the Author

Erma Winter is an professional Android app developer at MobileCoderz-a well-established Android app development company which builds best-in-class Android mobile apps for overseas businesses. She has great experience in creating mobile apps for Android, iOS, and other platforms using cross-platform technologies. Apart from this, She is an avid reader and likes to participate in adventure sports.

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