Mobile app development process

How we build your app

Mobile app development isn’t a black box. You’ll know what’s happening, when it’s happening, and why decisions are being made. We work collaboratively through a structured process that keeps you involved without overwhelming you.

Here’s what to expect from start to finish.

The full process

Mobile app development moves through distinct phases. Each builds on the previous one.

Phase 1: Discovery

Duration: 1-3 weeks depending on complexity

Before writing any code, we need to understand what we’re building and why. Discovery isn’t optional overhead. It’s insurance against building the wrong thing.

What happens:
  • Stakeholder interviews.
    We talk to the people who will use, manage, and benefit from the app.
  • Requirements gathering.
    Features, integrations, user flows, technical constraints.
  • Technical assessment.
    Platform choices, backend requirements, third-party services.
  • Scope definition.
    What’s in version 1, what comes later.
  • Timeline and budget.
    Realistic estimates based on actual requirements.
What you get:
  • Project scope document
  • Technical architecture overview
  • Timeline with milestones
  • Budget breakdown

Why it matters: Projects that skip discovery have higher failure rates. The investment in understanding upfront prevents expensive changes later.

Phase 2: Design

Duration: 2-6 weeks depending on complexity

Design happens before development. You’ll see exactly what you’re getting before we build it.

What happens:
  • Wireframes. Structure and layout without visual design. Focus on user flows and functionality.
  • Visual design. Your brand applied to the interface. Colors, typography, imagery.
  • Interactive prototypes. Click-through mockups that feel like a real app.
  • Platform adaptation. iOS and Android each have conventions. We respect both.
What you get:
  • Complete screen designs for all features
  • Interactive prototype you can share with stakeholders
  • Design system for consistency
  • Assets ready for development
How you’re involved:
  • Review sessions at each stage
  • Feedback incorporated before moving forward
  • Final approval before development begins

Most clients do design and development together for faster iteration. We can adjust the approach based on your preferences.

Phase 3: Development

Duration: 1-12 months depending on complexity

This is where the app gets built. Development follows a structured approach with regular milestones.

How we structure work:

We use a combination of sprints and milestones. Short sprints (typically 2 weeks) keep work focused and manageable. Milestones mark significant functionality completions.

  • Sprints break work into manageable chunks
  • Milestones mark testable releases
  • Weekly meetings keep everyone aligned
What happens:
  • Frontend development. The app interface and user interactions.
  • Backend development. APIs, databases, authentication, server logic.
  • Integration. Third-party services, payment processing, analytics.
  • Ongoing testing. Bugs caught during development, not after.
How you’re involved:
  • Weekly meetings. Status updates, questions, decisions.
  • Milestone releases. Bigger chunks you can actually test, not partial features.
  • Collaborative decisions. We don’t disappear and return with a finished product.

You won’t test every small change. Instead, you’ll receive milestone releases. These are meaningful versions with completed functionality. You test real features, not half-built pieces.

Phase 4: Testing

Duration: 2-4 weeks (overlaps with late development)

Testing happens throughout development, but the final phase is dedicated quality assurance.

What happens:
  • Device testing. Real phones and tablets, not just simulators.
  • OS version testing. Current and recent iOS and Android versions.
  • Edge case testing. Slow networks, interrupted actions, unexpected inputs.
  • Performance testing. Load times, memory usage, battery impact.
  • Security review. Data handling, authentication, sensitive information.
What you get:
  • Bug reports with fixes
  • Performance benchmarks
  • Test coverage documentation
Your role:

Milestone releases throughout development mean you’ve been testing along the way. Final testing is confirmation, not discovery.

Phase 5: App Store submission

Duration: 1-4 weeks (review times vary)

Getting into the app stores requires preparation and patience.

What happens:
  • App store assets. Screenshots, descriptions, keywords, icons.
  • Account setup. Apple Developer and Google Play Console (if you don’t have them).
  • Submission. Complete all requirements and submit for review.
  • Review response. Address any feedback or required changes.
What you should know:
  • Apple typically takes 1-7 days for review
  • Google typically takes 1-3 days for review
  • Rejections happen. Usually minor issues we resolve quickly.
  • Guidelines change. We stay current on requirements.

We handle the entire process. You don’t need to navigate app store requirements yourself.

Phase 6: Launch and beyond

Duration: Ongoing

Launch isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of your app’s life.

What happens at launch:
  • Release coordination. Marketing, communications, timing.
  • Monitoring. Crash reports, performance, user feedback.
  • Quick response. Any critical issues addressed immediately.
After launch:
  • 6-month warranty. Bugs in our code fixed at no cost.
  • Ongoing maintenance. OS updates, security patches, compatibility.
  • Future development. New features, improvements, version 2.

How we work together

Development is collaborative. Here’s what to expect from the working relationship.

Communication

  • Weekly meetings. Video calls to discuss progress, decisions, and next steps.
  • Regular updates. You’ll never wonder what’s happening.
  • Direct access. Questions don’t wait for scheduled meetings.

Decision making

We make decisions together. You’re not signing off on a finished product. You’re involved throughout.

  • Technical choices explained in plain language
  • Tradeoffs presented honestly
  • Recommendations with reasoning
  • Final decisions are yours

Your time investment

We respect your time while keeping you appropriately involved.

Development Process

PhaseYour involvement
DiscoveryHigh - interviews, reviews, approvals
DesignMedium-High - review sessions, feedback
DevelopmentMedium - weekly meetings, milestone testing
TestingMedium - user acceptance testing
LaunchMedium - coordination, approval

Expect 2-4 hours per week during active development, more during discovery and design.

Milestone releases

You won’t wait until the end to see your app. Milestone releases let you test real progress.

What’s a milestone?

A milestone is a version of your app with completed functionality. Not half-built features. Not placeholder screens. Real, working features you can actually use.

Example milestones for a typical app:
  1. Authentication milestone.
    User registration, login, profile management working.
  2. Core feature milestone.
    Primary functionality complete and testable.
  3. Integration milestone.
    Third-party services connected and working.
  4. Polish milestone.
    UI refinements, animations, edge cases handled.
  5. Release candidate.
    Final version ready for app store submission.

How testing works

When you receive a milestone release:
  1. We deploy to test environment.
    iOS via TestFlight, Android via internal testing.
  2. You test on real devices.
    Your phone, your team’s phones.
  3. You provide feedback.
    What works, what doesn’t, what’s confusing.
  4. We address issues.
    Before moving to the next milestone.

This approach means no surprises at the end. Issues are caught and fixed along the way.

Timeline Expectations

How long does mobile app development take? It depends on complexity.

Simple Apps

1-3 months
  • Basic functionality
  • Limited backend
  • Standard UI
  • Few integrations

Examples: Information apps, simple utilities, basic tools

Medium Apps

3-6 months
  • User authentication
  • Custom backend
  • Multiple features
  • Several integrations

Examples: Business tools, content apps, booking systems

Complex Apps

6-12 months
  • Advanced functionality
  • Real-time features
  • Payment processing
  • Complex integrations

Examples: E-commerce, marketplaces, streaming platforms

What affects timeline

  • Scope.
    More features = more time
  • Complexity.
    Custom functionality takes longer than standard patterns
  • Integrations.
    Third-party services add coordination time
  • Feedback cycles.
    Faster feedback = faster progress
  • Decision speed.
    Pending decisions block progress

What you get at the end

When development is complete, you receive everything you need.

Documentation

  • Technical documentation for your codebase
  • API documentation for backend services
  • Architecture overview for future developers
  • User guides as needed

Training

  • Walkthrough of admin panels and management tools
  • Explanation of how key features work
  • Q&A session for your team

Source Code

  • Complete access to your codebase
  • Repository transfer or access
  • No lock-in, no proprietary constraints

Ongoing Support

  • 6-month warranty covering bugs
  • Maintenance packages available
  • Future development as needed

You own what we build. The code, the design assets, the documentation. Everything.

Frequently asked questions

Expect 2-4 hours per week during active development. More during discovery and design phases. Less is possible but slows down decisions and extends timeline.

Changes happen. Small adjustments are normal. Significant scope changes affect timeline and budget. We’ll discuss impact before proceeding so there are no surprises.

Weekly meetings include progress updates and sometimes quick demos. But we focus your testing on milestone releases where features are complete rather than partial previews.

We’ll explain our reasoning and listen to yours. Technical decisions have tradeoffs we can discuss. Ultimately, it’s your product. We advise, you decide.

Yes. We can collaborate with your designers, developers, or other vendors. We’ll establish clear responsibilities and communication channels.

We’re based in Europe (CET). We accommodate different timezones for meetings and maintain async communication regardless of location.

Ready to start?

The first step is discovery. We’ll understand your project, define scope, and give you realistic timeline and budget expectations.

Have questions about the process? Schedule a call to discuss your specific situation.