Convert an Android App to iOS or Vice Versa: 4-Step Process & Tech Specifications

If you are looking for ways to convert an Android app to iOS or the other way around, we assume you are among those lucky app startups whose business is experiencing growth. Am I right?)

Starting your project with one platform was a good strategy to undergo in regard to time and monetary resources. Instagram, one of the most successful apps these days, was first available to Apple users.

First, the Instagram app concept was finalized and gained positive feedback based on thousands of downloads. And only then, Instagram`s team decided to convert the iOS app to Android platform.

So, how hard is it to convert an Android app to iOS or vice versa? And what do you start with?

And is there a difference between whether you convert an iOS app to Android or contrariwise?

To start with some clarification, to convert your app successfully, it is necessary to understand the main differences in business logic and coding aspects between iOS and Android platforms

The flow of an app conversion includes the next 4 sub-steps:

1. Review the app requirements and functionality
2. Adjust the app design to meet the platform`s guidelines
3. Tailor coding and architecture components for a new platform
4. Ensure proper app testing and app store launch

Why Convert an Android App to iOS or in Reverse?

Before we start with an explicit explanation of how to convert an Android app to iOS and the other way around, let's first state the reasons behind this process and further how to make a successful app.

For a better outcome, porting Android apps or iOS apps should be based on the following aspects:

1. Positive Existing App Metrics

The decision to expand your project to another platform should be based on some countable metrics like a sufficient number of downloads, active app users, etc.

2. Existing Market

Also, the first aspect to consider before you decide to convert an Android app to iOS or in reverse is the market.

There is no sense if 95% of the target audience uses one specific platform - meaning iOS or Android phone. Based on geolocation, it is possible to check the number of potential app clients. Try using the service - StatCounter Global Stats.

Once you’ve found some assurance, you may benefit in many aspects once you convert an Android app to iOS. Both mobile app platforms cover over 99% (71.69% on Android and 27.65% on iOS) of mobile devices available worldwide.

Mobile OS Market Share

The app conversion gives any business owner the next advantages:

• Possibility to increase your market share while gaining gain new app users.

• Opportunity to add new app features. The process of converting an iOS app to Android does not equal simple app copying. It involves compliance with new platform specifics. Thus, it can be possible to enrich a product with new functionality.

• Possibility to increase Return on Investment (ROI). A new application provides a great opportunity to apply a new app monetization model.

• Ability to organize the process with a software development team more quicker. The discussion process can be shortened since there is an already existing app with source code, app designs, or other materials.

A Notice on Online iOS to Android App Converter

If you are wondering whether it is possible to run iOS apps on Android phones, the answer is definite here. It is impractical to run Android apps on iOS or the other way round.

This is due to the native components in the operating systems which each platform has. Native Android or iOS app development requires using different programming languages, design interfaces, navigation, and integration process. All these aspects should comply with a particular operating system and work seamlessly either on an iOS or Android phone.

Furthermore, running Android apps on iOS is impossible because of the following factors:

• Different lifecycle of apps in the system
• Different lifecycle of app screens within the app itself
• Different approaches regarding data access. For example, iOS apps have been requesting access to data or Apple device functions since the very beginning. In contrast, this feature was added only in Android 6.0 Marshmallow version.

Another aspect is that the Android system uses the instruction set of the Java virtual machine (JVM) called ByteCode, while in iOS development, the compiled code is implemented. It is also impossible to install an app directly to your Android phone that has not been authorized by Apple's App Store.

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

To summarize this part, if you convert an Android app to iOS, it simply means that you need to develop native apps from scratch. This process requires hiring a software development team and an Android or iOS developer with high technical capabilities in both platforms. Only then, the app`s business requirements, technical components, and app performance match with the existing application.

The only exception to this procedure is the case if your app is not developed cross-platform initially. This is hybrid app working with both operating systems while utilizing a range of web-based libraries and frameworks.

It is possible to use PhoneGap or React Native to convert an Android app to iOS, but this approach has some substantial pitfalls. This method is primarily advisable for Android apps with simple functionality.

You may check out the article: Native App Development vs. Hybrid and Web App Building. It describes different app development methods with pros & cons for each.

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

Let's get to the actual difference between the Android and iOS operating systems so that you can better understand what makes the whole iOS or Android app conversion process not at all quick and easy.

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 comply with the most-widely used OS versions.

The recent statistics state Android 11R OS shares the first place with 26.7%, followed by Android 10Q (22.3%) and Android 9 Pie (14.5%). However, others also have some portion of the total users and should be taken into account when you want to convert an iOS app to Android.

Android OS Fragmentation

Most known Apple mobile devices are compatible, starting with iOS 16, where most users have iOS 16 (51.9%) and iOS 15 (36.5%) versions. Basically, you may concentrate your efforts on the 3 latest iOS versions available.

2. Different Apple & Android Device Sizes

It is vital to consider the smartphone devices and their screen sizes before development starts, as it is important for your app to be displayed on the screen correctly.

The situation is similar to OS versions, where Android has more than 20 screens available, while Apple devices have only 4-5 core screens. Therefore, consider this fact, especially when you convert an iOS app to Android.

iPhone and Android Phone Screen Sizes

Luckily, it is not necessary to make adjustments for each screen size. The Android system supports different screen resolutions, which is enough to cover the main 5-7 sizes. The system also adapts the application to the most appropriate size by itself and resembles screens properly on Android phones.

3. Device Buttons & Navigation

Another important element with regard to converting Android apps to iOS consists of the device buttons. These buttons have an impact on user behavior while interacting with the application on an Android phone. For Android users, a common action is to use soft keys to move back to a previous screen, whereas iOS users use back buttons or a new gesture of swiping from left to right to go back.

Worth mentioning, that the last generation of Apple devices, as well as some of Android phones, are without buttons. This definitely influences the process of user interaction with an Apple or Android device and the way apps are designed.

This factor affects the app’s interface design, wherein Android uses mostly vertical elements, and iOS apps include both vertical and horizontal. Moreover, the taps located inside the app should not duplicate the functionality of the Android phone's buttons.

4. Unique Aspects of Programming Languages

There is a common delusion that to convert an Android app to iOS, one simply needs to translate the code.

Just like the languages we speak, programming languages also have their own syntax and semantics, rules, algorithms, etc. These languages are different in both mobile operating systems.

Swift and Objective-C, programming languages used in custom mobile app development for Apple devices.

These days, the majority of developers use Swift, which is more preferable to startups.

More information about iOS development can be read here: “Swift vs Objective-C. Which iOS Language To Choose”.

Kotlin and Java, programming languages used in Android development.

More and more programmers begin to use Kotlin in Android app development.

Check the following article for all ins and outs: Kotlin vs. Java: Which Programming Language to Choose for Your Android App. This could be helpful once you need to convert iOS app to Android platform.

Even though it may seem that the feature on one platform is working the same way as on another, in reality, the situation may be quite opposite. This means that once you decide to convert the existing Android app to iOS, the same app functionality can be time-consuming on the latter platform. It is our friendly notification for you to understand why sometimes a simple feature can take longer time in Android app conversion.

Any professional software developer is aware of this fact and optimizes the app functionality for the best app operation and performance on a new platform.

Step-by-Step Process: How to Convert an Android App to iOS or Vice Versa

Steps to Convert an Android App to iOS

Step 1: Review App Requirements & Functionality

Since there are many elements that should not slip from one's attention, a decent plan is necessary to convert an Android app to iOS successfully.

First of all, the software development company, together with the client, collects and analyzes all materials available from the existing app.

For example, functional specification, app design, and source code should be studied in detail. This helps to align the app's functionality and business logic. It may happen that some technical components need to be changed when you convert Android apps. Among these elements could be push notifications, adjustments in content, use of 3D Touch on iOS, etc.

This initial step when you convert an Android app to iOS breaks down the project revision in two perspectives: business and technical. Therefore, the most efficient way is to assign two specialists, like Business Analyst and Software Architect, to perform the gap analysis.

This examination allows for preparing the scope of work to maximize the new app`s potential and performance.

Thus, here is a small checklist when you decide to convert Android app or vice versa:

• Check for app optimization and potential improvement possibilities
• Analyze business logic and apply it to the new project
• Check and approve compatibility with included 3rd party frameworks

The potential deliverables from the initial step to convert an app are as follows:

• Market Analysis (optional)
• Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) - used to hierarchically organize all project`s elements
• Project Mind-Map
• Functional Specification (list of features with their description)
• Code Review
• Design Review

Step 2: Adjust Design for App Porting

Since it is necessary to code an app from scratch, logically the user interface and layout should be changed too.

A common mistake is to just copy the existing UI (user interface) instead of adjusting it as necessary. The result of such a misstep could be a strange app look, feel, and/or navigation.

1. Material vs. Flat Design Patterns

Google and Apple have different design patterns. If you convert an iOS app to Android, use material design. If you need to convert an Android app to iOS, you need to apply flat design patterns.

The most significant difference makes the placement of the objects. The material design appears to be more three-dimensional. In contrast, the design elements are flat and direct in flat design. For a better understanding, please check out the examples in the illustration below.

2. UI Design

iOS and Android have many different UI components. Let's now compare all these interface differences

Android and iOS Interface Differences

3. Fonts To Use When Converting an App

The native fonts for each platform are as follows:

• San Francisco for iOS platform
• Roboto for Android platform

When you convert an Android app to iOS or vice versa, there is a possibility to apply custom fonts if it is specifically relevant. Some great custom fonts are used in AirBnB apps. These apps have LL Circular, a non-serif font, which brings uniformity to both mobile app platforms.

4. UI Mirroring (for RTL languages)

Designing Arabic Interfaces

It may appear that your current app supports right-to-left languages (Arabic or Hebrew). The main difference between left-to-right (LTR) and right-to-left (RTL) language is the direction in which content is displayed. This aspect is crucial to take into account especially when you convert an Android app to iOS.

Android has native built-in support for RTL interfaces, starting from Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, so if your app uses native controls on a large scale, most things will work out of the box.

With regard to iOS, starting from iOS 9, they have comprehensive support for right-to-left languages, which makes it easier to provide a flipped user interface. This means that standard UI Kit controls automatically flip in a right-to-left context.

As for the custom UI elements, there still may be a need for some extra development work.

5. Design Slicing Before Converting an iOS or Android App

Avocode

Prior to the development process, the app design needs to be sliced into assets. This helps software development to emplace the corresponding design into the code. In case you need to convert an iOS app to Android, these assets are sliced into the next resolutions like mpdi, hdpi, xhdpi, xxhdpi (in some cases, ldpi, xxxhdpi) and provided in .png format.

With regard when converting an Android app to iOS, the design is sliced in 1x *.pdf. This is a vector format and thus, if necessary, can be easily resized to 2x or 3x by developers.

Our software development team creates UI Kit and Design Guidelines in PhotoShop and then uploads them to Avocode. By clicking on a particular element, it shows all the necessary information for developers, such as the width, height, and color of the particular element for active and inactive positions, fonts that should be used, etc.

Avocode Active and Inactive Positions of Elements

You are welcome to read more information about the UX/UI and Web Design services on our website. This info could be helpful once you decide to convert your Android app to iOS or in reverse. There is a design creation process described in detail, as well as a list of design deliverables, is provided.

Step 3: Tailor Coding and Architecture Components

As mentioned, when one converts an Android app to iOS, the code should be rewritten almost entirely from scratch. It is impossible simply to recompile the code. Aside from the programming language, the app uses some external solutions, libraries, and third-party integrations.

Thus, it is crucial to check the compatibility of a platform your iOS or Android app is converted to with those components. Otherwise, some alternative tools should be replaced to fit functionality.

Check out the table for the tech stack summarizing the components necessary once you decide to convert an Android app to iOS or in reverse.

It does not make any difference, either you port an Android app to iOS or convert iOS app to Android, both operating systems can integrate use the following 3rd party service:

• Payment Systems: Braintree, Paypal
• Analytics: Flurry, Google Analytics, Fabric, Crashlytics, Mixpanel
• Social networks: Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, SinaWeibo+
• Postal service: EasyPost, FedEx, etc.

So that you may avoid the most common mistakes, here is a list of potential pitfalls. These could be especially difficult when you convert an Android app to iOS:

• Check the development works necessary in case of a multi-language app
• Check for the app localization functionality (especially if converting an Android app to iOS)
• Check the work with out-of-the-box solutions (e.g. specific animation)
• Check for the possible adjustments to make with a system’s backend (e.g. functionality for push notifications or in-app purchases. Primarily, this corresponds to the conversion of Android app to iOS)
• Create Google or Apple account beforehand

The bottom line is, if you want to convert an Android app to iOS or vice versa, the development time will not be any shorter. In any case, reviewing the current app’s code is always useful, especially if your app has implemented some sophisticated algorithms.

Step 4: Proper App Testing and Launch

Software Testing

Well thought-out software testing allows creating a great working product. As well as app coding and app designing, converting an iOS app to Android or vice versa includes quality assurance.

This service usually takes around 30% of the total development time. Quality assurance engineers are testing applications in terms of code functioning and correspondence in design interface and navigation.

Here is a list of possible tests conducted during the quality assurance:

• Functional testing
• Security and Access
• Control testing
• Performance and Load testing
• Usability testing
• Validation testing
• User acceptance

It is worth noting that to submit the app to the app marketplace correctly, it is highly recommended that you use common tools, software, and Apple and Android devices for testing the specific platform to meet its guidelines. In general, Apple's App Store has stricter rules when submitting the application compared to Google Play Store.

For the detailed project development process, check our service: mobile app development.

How Much Does it Cost to Convert an Android App to iOS or Contrariwise?

As it had been said, the process of converting an iOS app to Android is very similar to building a separate Android app, so don’t expect it to be over in a week. The procedure includes the adaptation of features and design to meet Android platform specifics, building a corresponding backend, applying monetization models, etc.

Also, it is crucial to take into account the communication time and team meetings. These aspects are necessary to convert your Android app to iOS or the other way round in a proper way.

During the meetings, the software development team defines all the project`s details like technical and functional documentation, application programming interface, communication protocols, etc.

Application porting services are often customized. The cost to convert an Android app to iOS is formed from all the mentioned aspects.

MLSDev Case Study: Converting an iOS App to Android

A successful example of converting an iOS app to Android at MLSDev is the Yummi app, which allows Android users to log personal food memories and share them with friends. The app began as a Minimum Viable Product on iOS, and was then converted to Android. The app was adapted for a new platform, but did not include every feature.

Yummi App

Another example of converting an Android to iOS was the Elite Emoji app. Our cooperation started with Android development. Shortly thereafter, the app showed very good traction, making it the right time to reach to a wider audience and develop an iOS app. At the same time, we were working on new features for Android. Elite Emoji, at that time, was a feature-rich app, so the initial plan was to launch with only the basic features and provide users with regular updates afterward. (Link to Android, iOS)

To sum it up, when you convert an Android app to iOS, the main point during the whole process lies in applying business and technical requirements that are already operating to the new platform. With MLSDev, the porting process will be precise and clear.

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