How To Convert iOS App To Android?

Lori Caricofe
7 min readJun 18, 2019

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Today many businesses bet bottom dollars on the same mobile strategy: they aren’t prepared to cover the sheath of iOS and Android at once, so they get going with one platform and then gradually convert iOS app to Android and expand. In most cases, it happens due to the following two reasons:

They either lag resources to unfold an application for both the platforms at the same time.

Or they are merely trying new channels of reaching customers, and the outcomes are surrounded by clouds of scepticism yet.

But after a passage of time, many of them come to the point where they find it reasonable to convert iPhone app to Android apk.

Seems like a familiar story, doesn’t it?

Many multi-million dollar businesses and well-established startups have mounted gradually. However, you must have heard about Instagram, Airbnb, Periscope mobile applications.

Instagram was launched in 2010 on the iOS platform and was converted to Android after a period of 4 years.

The same tale happened for Airbnb. More than a year passed between releasing iOS and Android version.

Thus, if you are looking for options to expand your mobile presence, this article offers you a detailed walk-through.

Top Reasons Why Porting iOS applications to Android Will Be Helping Hand To Your Business.

If you already know the benefits you can reap after covering both the mobile application platforms, then you are at the right place to dive in for the comprehensive knowledge to convert iOS apps to Android apps.

Convert The Entire World Into Your Potential Users

It is not a fish story that the mobile market is shared between iOS and Android platforms. As by November 2018, respective platforms have accomplishments under their hats:

Android has a large share of 68% in the global mobile market.

iOS is twofold at the heels of Android with nearly 30% but leaving other platforms out of the competition.

Thereby, after porting iOS apps to Android, you have access to a bigger market in comparison to the previous approach. The sum of Android and iOS will get you roughly around 98% of the world’s mobile users as a potential fan for your applications and business.

Approach New Market

Undoubtedly, converting iOS applications to Android platforms not only proffer you one-third or two-thirds of the world’s mobile user rather span to the new cities and countries.

Give Yourself A Higher Profitability

Don’t worry, we are not cementing the footprints into the monetization model, rather inching towards having two apps instead of one. Undoubtedly, you can manifold your income with their help.

But, the question arises “How can converting iPhone app to Android apk accelerate your income”?

Android applications have a more significant number of downloads as you get hands on more money from their in-built applications.

Whereas, iOS user tend to spend more dollars on their apps, so you can look out for a higher rate of in-app purchase.

Two Is Always Better Than One

What are the benefits of having two applications? It is going to yield value from any perspective:

You will have 2 resources of revenue instead of one.

You will have 2 marketing tools to promote your business

Lastly, you will have two channels to communicate with your customers rather than one.

The list for “instead of 1” can be long, but supposingly you got the nutshell. Nevertheless, what kind of business you are running — a home cleaning company, a gym, or an eating venture — through long-term perspective you will gain benefits.

But what counts to convert iOS app to Android? How the complete process go? Lookout for the next paragraph for such insights.

How To Convert iOS App To Android App — 6 Essentials To Know

The best part about porting your applications from the iOS platform to Android is that you already have a clear view and no need to go for the market research part. Instead, pay a little more attention to code converting and making things right with your gleaming customized iOS application designs.

convert iPhone app to Android apk

But, still watch out for the little common mistakes.

The “Make it look Alike Attitude”

When you convert iOS to Android you simply cannot scrape the code and design and paste it on the other shell. First of all, your application will feel “absurd” and “confusing”.

iOS users have a tough as a nail time in finding the similar element for navigation and controllers for instance. As an outcome, they rate the service badly and also leave a remark. Even, your ported user interface do not comply with future updates, resulting in more frustration.

Therefore, to convert iOS app to Android you need to revamp the UI first. It should abide by the respective platform design guidelines. Especially with Android, it should be material design.

Don’t Forget TO Optimize The Tabs

At iOS devices, the tabs are placed only at the bottom edge of the screen. They are often used to scrutinize information on the app level more efficiently and display content and their functionality.

Whereas, Android apps are usually niche at the top edge of the screen, particularly below the action bar. They give easy access to users for quickly switching between different views your solution has to offer.

Keep In Mind “The Fonts”

Roboto is the by-default font for Android while San Francisco is the font used by Apple device since the launch of iOS 9, before that they had Helvetica. So, pay a little attention to topography to convert iPhone app to Android apk.

A Little Attention To The Icon Design

When it is about icon design, Apple and Android have different perspectives. As Android icons usually pop more, feature brighter inclination and include more intense fillings.

Point to remember: Android has a specific number of defined templates for certain app actions. Don’t turn a blind eye for using them at time to convert iOS app to Android.

Mind The Menu Style

The iOS apps usually have popover and action sheet element. Instead, Android has the same feature called Bottom Sheets for displaying additional information.

Value The List

iOS and Android opt for different approaches while performing actions with the list.

Porting Tips To Convert iOS apps to Android

To help you with a clear picture of what it takes to convert iOS apps to Android, we have clutched the main pitfalls and the way to deal with it.

What Needs To Be Done With Different Programming Language ?

You already know that if you Google “How To Convert iOS app to Android”, you won’t have a magic tool that will convert “code” written in Swift into Kotlin or vice versa. Every programming language has its syntax. That is the reason which consumes the amount of time and effort to create the same features for different platforms.

The Good Part: You can’t assert the modern programming language are the same, but they have enough similarities to let you replicate some part of the codes and correct them a little. In addition, Swift and Kotlin have probably same syntax. This means that Kotlin developers have a good time of understanding the swift code.

How To Handle The Diversity In Operating System ?

First and foremost, pay attention to version of operating system. It is no more a secret, many of the mobile users don’t update their devices to the latest OS due to some reasons. Whether you agree or not, but the only thing you should be doing is: be sure you apps works well with OS used nowadays.

The Good Part: Yes, it may be sounding an uphill task that requires more time and efforts. But don’t worry — professional developers won’t leave any stone unturned to convert iPhone app to Android apk and comply it with every operating system you need.

When It Comes About Different Screen Sizes and Resolutions?

While creating the second application, be sure your developer is taking into account the difference in resolutions and screen sizes of iOS and Android. Here the scenarios are the same as with the Operating System.

Apple has few selected several devices running on iOS, making it a piece of calk for many developers. On the other hand, Android is piled because of the use of many different devices (Samsung to Huawei and HTC) with an enormous number of screen resolutions.

The Good Part: Because of the flooded option of Android screen resolution density, you do not need to adjust each app with particular screen resolutions. It’s enough to take into consideration 5–7 main screen resolutions, and the system will adapt to the following screens.

But, there is one thing you cannot wear cold shoulder to convert iPhone app to Android apk. And it’s “Testing.”

Test, Test, Test

The bigger arena of Android you plan to support — the more testing you require. And, testing is an essential step at Xicom. It is needed to hone apps and make sure everything discussed above is followed. Beyond it, your user will be left with a raw app.

A raw app = unsatisfied users = they will step away from the app. You don’t want it right or do you?

Wrapping up: Let’s once again shed some light on the key points of this blog:

You cannot convert iOS To Android with a single click.

For this idea, you need to work with a reliable Android App Development Company or initially write both of them in a cross-platform framework. This will save you time and dollars than building an app from scratch.

So, to convert an app from iOS platform to Android, align with the best, align with Xicom Technologies, a proficient Android App Development Services. Our professional dwell with experience with both platforms, thus to migrate iOS to Android is not a big deal for them. Moreover, they provide you with post-release support for both cross-platform applications.

Last but not least, if you are finding the best tech-team for migrating your iOS app to Android, feel free to contact us. We will be happy to port your app from one platform to another!

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Lori Caricofe
Lori Caricofe

Written by Lori Caricofe

Software tester by profession. Fast learner, Passionate about tech. Good sense of humour, & Enjoy challenges!

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