So, You Want to Become a Mobile App Developer? Here’s Where to Start

Have you ever had an idea and thought, “I wish this existed on my phone”?

Now imagine having the power to make that idea real.
That’s what being a mobile app developer feels like — it’s a bit like having a superpower.

📱 Why Mobile Development Is the Most Exciting Path in Tech

Let’s be honest: we live on our phones. Not near them — on them.
People touch their phones thousands of times a day. So what better place to build something than right there — in their hands?

While desktop and web platforms are still relevant, mobile is growing even faster.

Just like laptops once replaced bulky desktops due to portability, smartphones are now doing the same to laptops. And soon, wearables like smartwatches might outpace phones.

As mobile developers, we’re already ahead of that curve — we’re not just building apps for phones. We're creating for watches, tablets, foldables, and whatever comes next.

🍏 iOS or Android: Which Platform Should You Start With?

This is the question every beginner asks. And the honest answer is: it depends on you.

Let’s break it down.

If you own a Mac, you can develop for both iOS and Android. That’s a strong position to start from.

If you're on Windows, your options are limited — you can’t run Xcode, which means no native iOS apps.
In that case, Android is the most accessible platform.

Also — and this is just personal observation — iOS users tend to be more status-driven and are often more likely to spend money on apps. That’s probably one reason why iOS apps statistically generate more income per user.

But Android has the larger market, more job opportunities, and more flexibility to get started.

💡 TL;DR:

• Have a Mac? iOS is a strong option.

• Only have a Windows PC? Android is your best bet.

• Want both? Keep reading — there’s more.

💻 Flutter vs Native vs Kotlin Multiplatform

There’s no universal answer — and anyone who says otherwise is oversimplifying.

If you care deeply about design, responsiveness, and performance, native development is king.
Languages like Kotlin (for Android) and Swift (for iOS) give you full control over platform-specific features.

But cross-platform tools like Flutter or React Native let you build for both iOS and Android with a single codebase. That’s a big win, especially for solo developers or startups.

Here’s something exciting:
If you start with Kotlin today, you're not just learning Android. Kotlin Multiplatform is evolving fast — and may soon become a powerful way to build apps for both Android and iOS from one codebase.

And in a future dominated by AI-powered development, the demand for faster production may favor cross-platform tools even more.

🔥 My take:

• Go native if you're obsessed with quality and want full control.

• Go Flutter if you want speed, one codebase, and future flexibility.

🧭 My Journey (And What I’d Do Differently)

I started with Java, then switched to Kotlin. That transition felt like switching from VHS to Netflix — everything just got better.

Would I do it differently now?
Yeah, honestly — if I had access to a Mac early on, I’d probably start with Swift and iOS.

Still, Kotlin gave me a solid base and opened many doors.

I also genuinely recommend trying out Flutter — it’s modern, fun, and highly productive.

💡 Final Thoughts: Stop Waiting for Permission

If you’ve read this far, you’re already in.

You're just waiting for someone to tell you what to do.

But here’s the truth:

❌ Waiting for direction is the first mistake you’ll make in this career.

Mobile development is full of decisions.
The sooner you get used to choosing, the better you’ll do.

This article wasn’t written to tell you what to pick.
It was written to help you figure out how to choose.

✅ TL;DR

• iOS or Android? → Android = easier start, iOS = more revenue

• Mac or Windows? → Mac gives access to both

• Flutter or Native? → Native = control/performance, Flutter = speed

• Where to begin? → Start with what you have

• What matters most? → Making decisions and building things

🙋‍♂️ Still Confused?

Good. That means you're thinking.

Now go build something.
And if you’re stuck, feel free to reach out.

👀 Stay Updated

Coming soon: I’ll publish a guide to building your first Android app using Kotlin in 2025.
Follow me on LinkedIn.