Discover a Career: Mobile Application Developer

In this article, we’ll be discussing everything you’ll need to decide whether a career in the industry is right for you. There are also materials for you to examine on salary, specializations, and training programs.

Mobile Application Development is the process of writing software for mobile devices such as personal digital assistants, enterprise digital assistants, or mobile phones. It’s a one-of-a-kind project in that it allows the developer to create an app from the ground up in a reasonably short amount of time. Developers hone their talents in accordance with the operating system they’re working with. There are majorly two options here: Google’s Android OS and Apple’s iOS. While there are other smartphones and mobile devices with apps available, they only account for a small portion of the overall market.

As developers advance in their careers, they may learn to work with one operating system before moving on to the next. 

Mobile Developers use programming languages Objective C, C++, C#, and Java to create programs within a mobile development environment. As mentioned earlier, a mobile app developer first chooses the operating system (also known as a mobile platform), such as Google Android or Apple iOS, for which they will create, and then learns the programming languages and software development environment for that platform. 

The target mobile platforms, existing infrastructure, and development skills are frequently included in the criteria for picking a development platform. When cross-platform development is used to target many platforms, it’s also crucial to examine the tool’s impact on the user experience.

To elaborate, there are the five most popular mobile platforms, each with its own set of core languages and development environments: Eclipse for Android Java & Kotlin; Objective-C & Swift Xcode for iOS (Apple); Blackberries use Java Eclipse; Multiple options for Symbian C++ and Microsoft Visual Studio for Windows Mobile C#.

Another essential criterion is performance, as research on mobile apps shows a strong link between app performance and user pleasure. The availability of technology and the project’s requirements may influence the development between native and cross-platform environments, in addition to performance and other variables.

To optimize market penetration and return on investment, businesses generally develop mobile apps for numerous platforms at the same time. As a result, the more mobile development platforms you learn and master, the more sought-after you become as a professional mobile application developer. Android and iOS are the most popular mobile operating systems (combining for over 99 percent of the market share).

Learning programming is an excellent place to start your mobile app development education.

The following are examples of typical day-to-day responsibilities and in-demand skillsets for mobile application developers:

• A mobile app developer, whether on Android or iOS, builds, updates, and designs mobile apps.
• They collaborate with a user experience (UX) designer to ensure that the design meets the user’s needs.
• They collaborate to generate app mockups.
• In terms of the launch strategy, the developer must also work with business leaders.
• Changes to mobile applications are coded, tested, debugged, monitored, and documented by mobile application developers.
• Object-oriented programming languages such as Java, Objective-C, and C++ are common among mobile developers.
• Mobile developers are proficient in cross-platform development tools like Xamarin, Flutter, and React Native.
• To support mobile functionality, mobile app developers might use application programming interfaces (APIs).
• Developers of mobile applications are familiar with the vocabulary, principles, and best practices for coding mobile apps.
• Existing web applications are migrated and adapted to the top mobile platforms by mobile application developers.
• Mobile developers in-house collaborate closely with other departments to plan and optimize deployments.
• Changes and additions to existing mobile applications are suggested by mobile application developers.
• iOS developers create, test, and update apps for Apple’s mobile devices. To create apps, they employ tools like Xcode, a development environment, and Swift, the primary iOS programming language. iOS developers create apps from the ground up for iOS devices.
• Android developers are in charge of creating applications for Android-powered devices. They then put the code through its paces, checking for edge cases and overall usability.

So Where Can You Start?

The IT industry is always changing and growing. When it comes to starting a career in mobile development, there are numerous options. We’ll show you how to get from rookie to pro with ease in this part.

Step 1: Decide on a learning strategy.

Learning about mobile development can be done in a variety of ways.

Some mobile app developers pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science at a college or university. Others are self-taught with no official computer education. Then there’s the rising option of enrolling in a coding bootcamp. Students learn skills and abilities they’ll need to start a career in technology during the course of the program.

They also develop a project portfolio that allows them to demonstrate their abilities to potential employers.

Step 2: Pick a platform to concentrate on.

Choosing a major platform is the first step in learning to design a mobile application. Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian, and Blackberry RIM are just a few examples. Android and iOS clearly dominate the mobile market. Although Windows 10 apps are still significant.

So, which is better: Android or iOS? As previously said, you can choose one and then switch to the other. It’s also true that neither is particularly difficult to master.

Android and iOS have similar market shares in the global market in terms of reach. Apple’s iOS, however, is a popular choice among early adopters and technology enthusiasts. For those who wish to extensively monetize their app through in-app purchases, it’s also a smart choice.

The biggest distinction between Android and iOS is the programming languages they utilize. The majority of Android programming is done in Java, while iOS development is mostly done in Objective-C or Swift. If you’ve worked with Java before, Android could be a fantastic place to start. If you’ve programmed in C#, C++, or any of the C languages, you’ll find the learning curve for iOS to be less steep.

One is a complete contrast to the other. You should think about which one you want to focus on. You can, of course, try to master everything, but it’s not a good idea. It is preferable to focus on just one and then gradually broaden your horizons to include other app development platforms.

Step 3: Hone and refine your technical skills.

There are several key skills you’ll need to develop and master to become a successful mobile app developer. We’ll start with iOS developers.

Skills and Education Required

Educational Requirements

Bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s degree in computer science could be an excellent alternative if you’re new to web development and willing to spend four years to your studies. This path is suitable for an entry-level position, but it necessitates a significant time and money investment.

Associate degree: If you don’t want to spend four years in school or a lot of money, an associate degree is a good option. In just two years, you’ll have earned your basic educational credentials.

Bootcamps: For aspiring App Developers, boot camps are one of the most popular options. They’re ideal for people who wish to jump right into a new job. You’ll be able to learn at your own pace as well. While a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree both provide academic information, boot camps provide greater practical expertise that employers desire. They also have a specialized curriculum where you can concentrate on the type of app development that you want to do.

Certificate programs: You may validate your app development skills by enrolling in one of several online certificate programs.

Self-guided learning: There are thousands of websites that offer free online resources to help you learn to code, but for a beginner, the amount of material available online can be intimidating. Although many App Developers are self-taught, a structured curriculum and debugging support can help you get started faster.

To break into the field, you must have all of the necessary abilities and knowledge to secure your first job. Degrees and diplomas in mobile development are excellent ways to acquire such highly particular abilities. 

Most businesses prefer mobile app developers who have a bachelor’s degree in software engineering, mobile app development, mobile computing, computer science, or a related programming-focused field of study. Hiring managers for mobile development opportunities will also want to see examples of completed mobile apps and your best development projects in a portfolio.

These requirements are met by the following undergrad and graduate degree programs, which include hands-on courses in which students create a variety of apps for the leading mobile platforms, as well as specialized lessons on presenting yourself as a top candidate for mobile developer positions, in which active mobile development practitioners assist you in putting the apps created throughout the program together into a portfolio in which current mobile development practitioners assist you in putting together an industry-specific portfolio, resume, and cover letter using the apps you’ve produced throughout the program. iOS application development (iPhone & iPad), Android application development, object-oriented programming (OOP), Java programming (Java SE/ME/EE), and JavaScribe are all marketable talents to look for in a mobile development school program.

User-interface (UI) design, game & simulation programming, mobile app portfolio assembly, database & OS foundations, and mobile media marketing & deployment are among the programs you can apply for. After you’ve done your research, pick the one that best meets your needs and get started on your path to success.

Skills

Hard Skills for iOS Developers

These skills include programming languages, development tools, and other programming concepts.

Swift is the most widely used programming language for iOS development. This is a modern programming language that is simple to learn and is updated frequently. Swift and its key concepts should be well-understood by a professional iOS developer.

UIKit: UIKit is an iOS framework that aids in the creation of user interfaces.

Gestures, animations, default components, and haptic touch control are all included in the UIKit framework.

Xcode: Xcode is an Apple application that makes it simple to develop apps for any Apple device. As an iOS developer, you should be able to navigate your way through Xcode and comprehend its different capabilities.

Hard Skills for Android Developers 

To be successful, Android developers should have the following talents.

Building user interfaces: Using Java and XML, you should be able to turn a design into a working Android app. To do so, you’ll need to be familiar with all of the standard view containers.

You should also be familiar with all of the common views and other components that can appear in an Android app.

Storage and notifications: You should understand how to save, update, and delete data on an Android device. Even if your app relies on third-party APIs, you’ll need to save data locally on the user’s device.

You should also be able to send out push notifications to users.

Material Design guidelines: The Material Design framework, which was created by Google in 2014, is used by many Android apps. When planning and developing new apps, you should understand how this works. You should also be familiar with how to incorporate basic Material Design principles into an app.

Soft Skills

You’ll need a set of soft skills to be a successful mobile app developer. The following are some of them:

Problem-Solving: Problem-solving and analytical thinking are required in all coding positions. This requires effectively thinking through a problem and determining a solution using code. You should be able to troubleshoot existing code. In a similar spirit, you must be able to modify an application to satisfy new requirements.

Curiosity: Because our mobile devices are always evolving, apps must evolve as well. You should like learning and research constantly.

Project Management: Expect tight deadlines and complicated tasks when it comes to project management.

Attention To Detail: In coding, attention to detail is crucial. Each detail has an impact on the program’s output. An application could crash or malfunction as a result of a single typo. Even the tiniest coding mistake might result in a disastrous user experience. You’ll need to quality-check both your own and your teammates’ work. When coding, you should take your time and examine every element.

Working In Groups: As a mobile app developer, you’ll almost certainly have to work in groups. In a collaborative setting, you should be able to respond effectively. More than that, you’ll have to work well with others in order to complete a task.

Famous People to Follow

Ire Aderinokun 

Ire Aderinokun is a self-taught Frontend Developer and User Interface Designer from Lagos, Nigeria. She is currently the co-founder, COO, and VP Engineering of BuyCoins (YC S2018), a cryptocurrency exchange for Africa, and previously worked with Eyeo, the company behind products like Adblock Plus and Flattr Plus, building open-source software to make a better internet.

Ire is a Google Expert, specializing in the core frontend technologies HTML, CSS, and Javascript, but is passionate about all aspects of technology. She has written over 100 articles on these topics on her blog, bitsofco.de, and regularly shares her knowledge through speaking at conferences around Africa and the world.

You can follow her on LinkedIn.

Moyinoluwa Adeyemi

Software Engineer at Twitter & Android GDE

She describes herself as a creative person who is passionate about solving problems with technology. She currently builds mobile applications and enjoys sharing her knowledge of Android Development at local and international conferences.

She is also interested in increasing the visibility of women in technology. She has done that so far by ensuring the representation of diverse speakers and attendees at conferences she organizes through the Google Developers Group in Obafemi Awolowo University and Lagos. She also helps young girls get started with programming.

You can follow her on LinkedIn.

Nick D’Aloisio

He is currently the Co-Founder & CEO of a tech company called Sphere that is in stealth mode (and which has raised over $30M in funding). Previously, he founded Summly (acquired by Yahoo for $30M) and spent time at both Yahoo (Product Manager, Yahoo News Digest) and Airbnb (Entrepreneur in Residence).

He also just graduated as a “BPhil” graduate student at the University of Oxford where he specializes in the philosophy of mind and cognitive sciences and will be continuing on the Ph.D. (DPhil) programme from October 2021. 

He has earned the following awards: Apple Design Award, Forbes 30 under 30, WSJ Innovator of the Year & British Inspiration Award.

You can follow him on LinkedIn.

Chad Mureta

Chad Mureta is an Investor, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and app mogul.  He is the founder and CEO of App Empire where he has helped over 100 mobile app students become millionaires and collectively have over 1 billion downloads. Since 2009, led the development, marketing, and monetization of more than 114 apps including the first “Emoji” iOS app that has been downloaded worldwide more than 155 million times. 

He is co-founder of Project EVO which helps entrepreneurs and professionals find their flow by uncovering who they are and what they do best.  He has been featured in Inc, 4-Hour Work Week, MSNBC, Mashable, Forbes, 60 Minutes, CNBC, BBC, TechCrunch, Fox News. He specializes in building and scaling companies, consumer product design and marketing, entrepreneurship, startups, mobile app development, networking, and negotiating.

You can follow him on LinkedIn.

Chioma Abone and Emmanuela Ilok

Chioma Abone and Emmanuela Ilok, both of Greensprings School in Lagos, came up with the idea for wearable technology-based goods to combat the rising number of school-aged children abducted in Nigeria. The children said their concept was to create a security company that would produce two products that would keep school students safe by alerting family and friends when they were in an emergency at the Young Tycoon Business Competition 2021.

“The inspiration for our business idea came from the country’s insecurity,” they said. As students, we are disturbed by news of the repeated abduction of fellow students in some parts of Nigeria.

As a result, we decided to work on a concept for a company called Paramount Guard, which would provide security services to school students not only in Nigeria but around the world. The business hopes to introduce the AirGuard Wearable, which works in tandem with the AirGuard App to allow kids to quickly alert family and friends when they are in a critical condition or in an emergency.”

Out of the 7,000 contestants from 80 nations who joined the competition, the duo was named one of the 28 finalists.

Salary Comparison

Mobile app developers are in great demand as mobile app technology advances and become more of a need. There’s no excuse not to get into the field because the potential compensation and job prospects are so good. It’s challenging, rewarding, and expected to expand much further. Salary increases have been commensurate to the increased demand for web and mobile app developers.

Early in their career, a mobile app developer can expect to earn a respectable wage.

On average, iOS developers can expect to make about $113,000 per year, with a top salary of $171,500. On the other side, Android developers can earn over $111,000 per year, with more experienced engineers earning up to $162,000 per year. Keep in mind that these salaries do not include stock options or other employee benefits, so keep that in mind when you look for work. In the USA, the hourly compensation for mobile application developers ranges from $21 to $150 per hour, depending on the region, portfolio, skill, and platforms used.

Some mobile app developers choose to work independently rather than in an office setting. These occupations can pay hundreds of dollars per hour and allow an independent contractor to make a solid living.

Expected Future Growth

Mobile Application Developers are among the most in-demand IT specialists. With over 1,000 apps posted to the App Store every day and 30 million downloads per day, the mobile market is bursting at the seams with the potential for developers to lead the charge toward more dynamic and progressive concepts.

It’s a good bet that you use apps on your smartphone on a daily basis. There seems to be an app for everything these days, from chatting to language learning to calorie tracking to banking and investment. Mobile development has never been more important than it is now, because of the increasing ubiquity of apps.

The mobile application market is huge, and it’s only going to get bigger in the future years. According to estimates, the entire value of the mobile app business will reach $188.9 billion in 2021.

The market will be extremely profitable as a result of this expansion. You can either create a mobile app for your own business or pursue a profession in mobile app development.

In terms of income and employment creation, mobile app development has been constantly expanding. According to a 2013 analyst assessment, the EU’s 28 nations (including the UK) have 529,000 direct app economy jobs, with 60 percent of those being mobile app developers.

Careers in mobile development can pay well and provide a lot of opportunities. However, being a mobile app developer is complex. Starting out with 1010 coding will make the process and transition seamless.

Conclusion

1010 Coding is here to assist you at every turn. We’ll give you free coaching, mentorship, and access to a network of like-minded people who will keep you challenged for your development.

We can also assist you with preparing for and being accepted into one of the most prestigious internships. Get the skills you’ll need to succeed in your new job.