How to Learn Coding for App Development: The Complete Guide
There’s something magical about building an app. You start with an idea. You write code. And suddenly, something exists on your phone that you created from nothing. People tap buttons you designed. They scroll through screens you built. Your creation lives in their pocket.
This tangible output is why app development attracts so many aspiring developers. Unlike backend systems or data pipelines, apps are visible. You can show your mom what you built. You can put it on your phone and use it yourself. The feedback loop from “I made this” to “I’m using this” is immediate and satisfying.
But the path from “I want to build apps” to actually building them is confusing. Should you learn Swift or Kotlin? What about React Native or Flutter? Do you need to know algorithms? What about design? The choices feel overwhelming before you’ve written a single line of code.
This guide cuts through the confusion. It covers every path into app development, explains the trade-offs, and gives you a concrete learning plan regardless of which direction you choose.
What “App Development” Actually Means
Before diving into how to learn, let’s clarify what we’re talking about. “App development” encompasses several distinct disciplines.
Native iOS Development
Building apps specifically for iPhones and iPads using Apple’s tools and languages. Your app runs only on Apple devices but has full access to iOS features and optimal performance.
Languages: Swift (modern, preferred) or Objective-C (legacy) Tools: Xcode, SwiftUI or UIKit Distribution: Apple App Store
Native Android Development
Building apps specifically for Android phones and tablets using Google’s tools and languages. Your app runs only on Android but has full access to Android features.
Languages: Kotlin (modern, preferred) or Java (legacy but still common) Tools: Android Studio, Jetpack Compose or XML layouts Distribution: Google Play Store and other Android stores
Cross-Platform Development
Building apps that run on both iOS and Android from a single codebase. You write code once and deploy to multiple platforms.
Frameworks: React Native, Flutter, .NET MAUI, Ionic Trade-offs: Faster development, but potentially less access to platform-specific features and sometimes lower performance
Web App Development
Building applications that run in web browsers but feel like native apps. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) can even be installed on devices and work offline.
Languages: JavaScript/TypeScript, HTML, CSS Frameworks: React, Vue, Angular, Svelte Distribution: Any web browser, no app store required
Backend Development for Apps
Most apps need servers to store data, handle authentication, and process information. Backend development is the other half of building complete applications.
Languages: Python, Node.js, Go, Java, Ruby, and many others Services: AWS, Google Cloud, Firebase, Supabase
Understanding these categories helps you make informed decisions about where to focus.
Choosing Your Path: Which Type of App Development?
Your choice depends on your goals, constraints, and interests.
“I want to get hired as a mobile developer”
Recommendation: Learn native development for one platform first (iOS or Android), then expand.
Companies hiring mobile developers typically want native expertise. Cross-platform skills are valuable but often secondary. iOS development tends to have higher salaries but requires a Mac. Android development is more accessible (you can develop on any computer) and has a larger global market share.
Pick one platform, go deep, then add the other or cross-platform skills later.
“I want to build my own app idea”
Recommendation: Cross-platform (React Native or Flutter) or web apps.
When you’re building for yourself, reaching users on both platforms matters. Cross-platform development lets you ship to iOS and Android simultaneously. If your app doesn’t need native features, a web app might be even faster to build and deploy.
For a first project, consider starting with a web app. The development cycle is faster, you don’t need app store approval, and the skills transfer to other types of development.
“I want the fastest path to building something”
Recommendation: Web development with React or Vue.
Web development has the lowest barriers. You don’t need a Mac. You don’t need app store accounts. You can see changes instantly in your browser. The ecosystem of tutorials and resources is enormous.
Build web apps first to learn programming fundamentals, then transition to mobile if that’s where your interests lie.
“I’m interested in a specific platform”
Recommendation: Go native for that platform.
If you’re specifically drawn to iOS design patterns, or you love Android’s openness, or you want to use platform-specific features, learn native development. The depth of knowledge you’ll gain is valuable, and your passion for the platform will sustain you through difficult learning phases.
“I have no idea what I want”
Recommendation: Start with web development fundamentals, then explore.
Web development teaches transferable skills (JavaScript knowledge helps with React Native), has the fastest feedback loop, and requires the least setup. You can always specialise later once you know what you enjoy.
The Foundation That Makes Everything Easier
Here’s what most “learn app development” guides get wrong: they jump straight into frameworks.
“Download Xcode, follow this SwiftUI tutorial, build a to-do app!” Sounds efficient. But you end up copying code you don’t understand, stuck when anything goes wrong, unable to build anything the tutorial didn’t explicitly show you.
The developers who progress fastest have strong fundamentals. They understand how programming works, not just how to follow instructions. When they encounter problems, they can reason through solutions rather than searching for someone who solved the exact same problem.
Programming Fundamentals Come First
Before touching any app framework, you need comfort with:
Variables and data types. Storing and manipulating information.
Control flow. Making decisions with conditionals, repeating actions with loops.
Functions. Breaking code into reusable pieces.
Data structures. Arrays, dictionaries, and how to choose between them.
Object-oriented programming. Classes, objects, inheritance, and encapsulation. Most app frameworks are heavily object-oriented.
Error handling. What happens when things go wrong and how to manage it.
Asynchronous programming. Apps constantly wait for things: network requests, user input, animations. Understanding async patterns is essential.
These concepts are universal. Learn them once, apply them everywhere. The specific syntax changes between Swift and Kotlin, but the underlying logic is identical.
Problem-Solving Skills Matter More Than Framework Knowledge
Frameworks change. SwiftUI didn’t exist before 2019. Jetpack Compose is relatively new. React Native’s architecture has evolved significantly. The framework you learn today might be different in five years.
Problem-solving skills don’t expire. The ability to break down a complex feature into manageable pieces, debug code that isn’t working, and design solutions to novel problems serves you forever.
This is where AlgoCademy provides unique value for aspiring app developers.
Most app development courses teach you to build specific apps by following specific steps. That’s useful for learning syntax and framework patterns. But it doesn’t develop the problem-solving ability that lets you build whatever you can imagine.
AlgoCademy’s AI-powered tutoring focuses specifically on developing this problem-solving foundation. The AI tutor doesn’t just check if your code works. It helps you develop the thinking process that leads to solutions. When you’re stuck, it asks guiding questions rather than giving answers. It builds the mental frameworks that transfer to any development context.
For app developers specifically, this matters because:
Apps are full of novel problems. Your app idea hasn’t been built before (or you’d use the existing app). You’ll constantly face challenges without direct tutorial solutions.
Debugging is problem-solving. Most app development time is spent figuring out why things don’t work. Strong problem-solving skills make debugging faster.
Technical interviews test problem-solving. If you want to get hired, you’ll face algorithm and data structure questions. Building apps alone doesn’t prepare you for these.
Architecture decisions require analysis. How should you structure your app? Where should state live? How should components communicate? These decisions require systematic thinking.
AlgoCademy’s 7-day free trial on their annual plan is enough time to experience whether this approach clicks for your learning style. If you’re serious about app development as a career, the problem-solving foundation you build there will accelerate everything else you learn.
Learning Path: Native iOS Development
If you’ve chosen iOS, here’s your roadmap.
Prerequisites
A Mac. Required for iOS development. Xcode only runs on macOS. If you don’t have a Mac, consider cross-platform development or web development instead.
An Apple Developer account. Free accounts let you test on your own device. The paid account ($99/year) is needed to publish to the App Store.
Phase 1: Swift Fundamentals (2-4 weeks)
Before touching any UI framework, learn Swift as a language.
Resources for Learning Swift
Swift Playgrounds is Apple’s app for learning Swift interactively. It’s designed for beginners and runs on iPad or Mac. The game-like format makes early learning engaging.
100 Days of SwiftUI by Paul Hudson is an excellent free resource. The first portion focuses on Swift fundamentals before introducing SwiftUI. It’s project-based and well-paced.
Swift.org documentation provides the official language guide. It’s comprehensive but dense. Better as a reference than a primary learning resource.
Codecademy Learn Swift offers interactive Swift lessons if you prefer that format.
What to Focus On
- Variables, constants, and type inference
- Strings, integers, doubles, booleans
- Arrays, sets, and dictionaries
- Conditionals and loops
- Functions and closures
- Structs and classes
- Optionals and optional handling
- Error handling with try/catch
- Protocols and extensions
Don’t rush this phase. Swift’s optionals and closures trip up many beginners. Take time to understand them properly.
Phase 2: SwiftUI Basics (4-6 weeks)
SwiftUI is Apple’s modern framework for building user interfaces. It’s declarative, meaning you describe what your UI should look like rather than imperatively constructing it.
Resources for Learning SwiftUI
100 Days of SwiftUI continues with SwiftUI after covering Swift basics. The projects build progressively in complexity.
Apple’s SwiftUI Tutorials provide official learning paths. They’re polished but assume some programming background.
Stanford CS193p is a free Stanford course on iOS development. Taught by Paul Hegarty, it’s rigorous and comprehensive. Available on YouTube.
SwiftUI by Example offers quick recipes for specific tasks. Great for reference once you know the basics.
What to Focus On
- Views and view composition
- State management (@State, @Binding, @ObservedObject, @StateObject)
- Layout system (VStack, HStack, ZStack, Grid)
- Lists and navigation
- Forms and user input
- Animations and transitions
- Gestures
- Custom views and modifiers
Phase 3: iOS Platform Features (4-8 weeks)
Beyond UI, iOS apps interact with the platform: storing data, making network requests, accessing sensors, and more.
Key Areas to Learn
Core Data or SwiftData for local data persistence. Most apps need to store data on the device.
URLSession and Codable for networking. Apps that fetch data from servers need to understand HTTP requests and JSON parsing.
Combine or async/await for handling asynchronous operations. Modern Swift uses async/await extensively.
UserDefaults for simple preferences storage.
Notifications for both local and push notifications.
App lifecycle understanding how your app responds to backgrounding, foregrounding, and termination.
Resources
Apple’s Documentation is comprehensive once you know what you’re looking for. Learn to navigate it.
Ray Wenderlich (now Kodeco) offers detailed tutorials on specific iOS topics. Some free, some paid.
Phase 4: Real Projects (Ongoing)
Tutorials teach you to build tutorial projects. Real projects teach you to solve real problems.
Build apps you actually want to use. Start simple:
- A habit tracker
- A notes app with categories
- A weather app using a free API
- A recipe saver
Then increase complexity:
- Apps with user accounts and cloud sync
- Apps that use the camera or location
- Apps with complex state management
- Apps you might actually publish
UIKit: Still Relevant
SwiftUI is the future, but UIKit (the older, imperative UI framework) remains important. Many existing apps use UIKit. Many jobs require UIKit knowledge. Some features are still easier or only possible in UIKit.
Once comfortable with SwiftUI, learn UIKit basics. Understanding both frameworks makes you more capable and employable.
Learning Path: Native Android Development
If you’ve chosen Android, here’s your roadmap.
Prerequisites
Any modern computer. Android development works on Windows, Mac, or Linux.
Android Studio. Google’s official IDE, free to download.
A Google Play Developer account ($25 one-time) when you’re ready to publish.
Phase 1: Kotlin Fundamentals (2-4 weeks)
Kotlin is Google’s preferred language for Android development. It’s modern, concise, and interoperable with Java.
Resources for Learning Kotlin
Kotlin Koans provides interactive exercises that teach Kotlin syntax and idioms.
Kotlin documentation is well-written and accessible.
Android Basics in Kotlin from Google teaches Kotlin in the context of Android.
JetBrains Academy Kotlin track offers project-based Kotlin learning.
What to Focus On
- Variables and type inference
- Null safety (Kotlin’s approach to the billion-dollar mistake)
- Collections and operations
- Functions, lambdas, and higher-order functions
- Classes, objects, and data classes
- Inheritance and interfaces
- Extension functions
- Coroutines for asynchronous programming
Kotlin’s null safety is a major feature. Understand it thoroughly; it prevents entire categories of bugs.
Phase 2: Jetpack Compose Basics (4-6 weeks)
Jetpack Compose is Android’s modern UI toolkit. Like SwiftUI, it’s declarative. It’s now Google’s recommended approach for building Android UI.
Resources for Learning Jetpack Compose
Android Basics with Compose is Google’s official course. Free, comprehensive, and well-structured.
Jetpack Compose Tutorial provides quick-start guidance.
Philipp Lackner’s YouTube channel offers excellent Compose tutorials and complete project walkthroughs.
Compose Pathway organises learning into logical progression.
What to Focus On
- Composable functions
- State management (remember, mutableStateOf, State hoisting)
- Layouts (Column, Row, Box, LazyColumn)
- Material Design components
- Navigation
- Theming
- Side effects and lifecycle
- Modifiers
Phase 3: Android Platform Features (4-8 weeks)
Beyond UI, Android apps interact with the system, store data, and communicate with servers.
Key Areas to Learn
Room database for local data persistence. It’s Android’s recommended SQLite abstraction.
Retrofit for networking. The most popular library for HTTP requests on Android.
Kotlin Coroutines and Flow for asynchronous operations.
ViewModel and LiveData/StateFlow for managing UI state that survives configuration changes.
DataStore for preferences storage (replacing SharedPreferences).
WorkManager for background tasks.
Dependency injection with Hilt for managing object creation in larger apps.
Resources
Android Developers Documentation is comprehensive and authoritative.
Codelabs provide hands-on tutorials for specific topics.
Google’s architecture guide explains how to structure Android apps properly.
Phase 4: Real Projects (Ongoing)
Same advice as iOS: build apps you actually want. Start simple, increase complexity.
The Android ecosystem is more open than iOS. You can:
- Sideload apps without developer accounts
- Create widgets and live wallpapers
- Build deeper system integrations
- Access more device features
This openness provides learning opportunities iOS doesn’t.
XML Layouts: Still Relevant
Jetpack Compose is the future, but XML-based layouts still dominate existing codebases. Many jobs require understanding both systems.
Learn XML layouts after getting comfortable with Compose. The concepts transfer, and you’ll be more employable.
Learning Path: Cross-Platform Development
If you want to build for both platforms simultaneously, here are your options.
React Native
React Native lets you build mobile apps using JavaScript and React. Created by Facebook, it’s one of the most popular cross-platform frameworks.
Prerequisites
JavaScript and React knowledge. If you don’t know React, learn it first through web development.
Resources for Learning React Native
React Native documentation provides comprehensive guidance.
The Complete React Native + Hooks Course by Stephen Grider on Udemy is highly regarded.
Expo documentation covers the most popular React Native development environment, which simplifies many complexities.
React Native Express offers a free, comprehensive tutorial.
Pros
- Leverage existing JavaScript/React knowledge
- Large community and ecosystem
- Many companies use it (Airbnb used it, Meta apps use it)
- Hot reloading for fast development
Cons
- Performance can lag behind native for complex apps
- Debugging across JavaScript and native layers is complex
- Major version updates sometimes require significant changes
- Not all native features have React Native equivalents
Flutter
Flutter is Google’s cross-platform framework using the Dart language. It’s gained significant popularity for its performance and development experience.
Prerequisites
None, really. Dart is similar enough to other C-style languages that you’ll pick it up. If you know JavaScript, Java, or Swift, Dart will feel familiar.
Resources for Learning Flutter
Flutter documentation is excellent, with interactive code examples.
Flutter Codelabs provide hands-on tutorials.
The Complete Flutter Development Bootcamp by Angela Yu on Udemy is popular and well-reviewed.
Flutter YouTube channel has tutorials, widgets of the week, and more.
Flutter Apprentice from Kodeco is a comprehensive book.
Pros
- Excellent performance (compiles to native code)
- Beautiful, customisable UI with full control over every pixel
- Hot reload is fast and reliable
- Growing rapidly in adoption
- Single codebase can target mobile, web, and desktop
Cons
- Dart is less common (fewer developers know it)
- Larger app sizes than native
- Younger ecosystem than React Native
- Google’s history of abandoning projects makes some developers nervous
React Native vs. Flutter: Which to Choose?
Choose React Native if:
- You already know JavaScript and React
- You want to hire from a larger developer pool
- Your app relies heavily on existing JavaScript libraries
- You’re building alongside a React web app
Choose Flutter if:
- You’re starting fresh without JavaScript knowledge
- Performance is critical
- You want highly customised UI
- You plan to target desktop and web too
Both are legitimate choices for building production apps. Companies ship successful apps with both.
Other Cross-Platform Options
.NET MAUI (formerly Xamarin) uses C# and is Microsoft’s solution. Good if you’re in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Ionic builds mobile apps using web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). Runs in a WebView, which affects performance but enables easy web developer transition.
Kotlin Multiplatform lets you share Kotlin code between Android and iOS while using native UI. A middle ground between native and full cross-platform.
Learning Path: Web App Development
Web apps have the lowest barrier to entry and the fastest development cycle.
Phase 1: HTML, CSS, JavaScript Fundamentals (4-6 weeks)
Before frameworks, understand the web platform itself.
Resources
freeCodeCamp offers a complete free curriculum starting with HTML and CSS.
The Odin Project provides a project-based web development curriculum.
MDN Web Docs is the authoritative reference for web technologies.
JavaScript.info is a comprehensive modern JavaScript tutorial.
Phase 2: React (or Vue/Svelte) (4-6 weeks)
Most web apps use a framework. React dominates, but alternatives exist.
React Resources
React documentation has been completely rewritten and is excellent.
Full Stack Open from University of Helsinki teaches React through building real applications.
Scrimba React course offers interactive learning.
Why React for App Developers
Learning React positions you for:
- React Native (mobile apps with shared knowledge)
- Web apps and PWAs
- Desktop apps with Electron
- The largest frontend job market
Phase 3: Progressive Web Apps (2-4 weeks)
PWAs are web apps that behave like native apps: installable, offline-capable, with push notifications.
Resources
web.dev PWA training from Google covers PWA fundamentals.
PWA Builder helps convert web apps to PWAs.
Phase 4: Full-Stack Development (Ongoing)
Most apps need backends. Learn to build complete systems.
Node.js with Express is the most common JavaScript backend.
Firebase provides backend services without writing server code (authentication, database, storage, hosting).
Supabase is an open-source Firebase alternative with PostgreSQL.
Next.js combines React frontend with backend capabilities.
Building the Problem-Solving Foundation
Throughout any of these paths, you’ll encounter moments where you’re stuck without a tutorial to follow. Your app needs a feature no one has explained. A bug defies your debugging attempts. An architecture decision has no clear answer.
This is where problem-solving skills separate developers who progress from those who stall.
AlgoCademy focuses specifically on building these skills through AI-powered tutoring. The approach works alongside any app development path:
When you’re stuck on app logic, the problem-solving frameworks you develop transfer directly. Breaking down complex features into steps, identifying edge cases, and debugging systematically are skills that apply whether you’re solving algorithm problems or implementing app features.
When you’re preparing for jobs, technical interviews test problem-solving regardless of your app development specialty. Companies hiring iOS developers still ask algorithm questions. The technical interview skills AlgoCademy develops are essential for employment.
When tutorials fail you, systematic thinking helps you find solutions. You can’t search Stack Overflow for your exact problem because your problem is unique. But you can break it into smaller problems, identify what you know and don’t know, and work toward solutions methodically.
The 7-day free trial on AlgoCademy’s annual plan lets you experience this approach. Many app developers find it valuable to maintain algorithm practice alongside app development learning. The skills reinforce each other.
Building Your First App: Practical Guidance
At some point, you need to stop following tutorials and build something yourself. Here’s how to approach it.
Start Smaller Than You Think
Your first app shouldn’t be your dream app. Dream apps are complex. Complex apps require skills you don’t have yet.
Start with something almost embarrassingly simple:
- A counter that increments and decrements
- A to-do list with add and delete
- A tip calculator
- A unit converter
These “boring” apps teach fundamental patterns: state management, user input, data display, and persistence. Master these before adding complexity.
The MVP Approach
Define the Minimum Viable Product: the simplest version that does something useful. Build that first. Then iterate.
For a notes app:
- MVP: Create, view, and delete notes
- V2: Edit notes
- V3: Categories or folders
- V4: Search
- V5: Cloud sync
Shipping something simple teaches you more than endlessly building something complex.
Embrace the Struggle
Your first app will be ugly. Your code will be messy. You’ll spend hours on problems that “should” be simple. This is normal.
The struggle is the learning. Every bug you fix teaches you something. Every feature you implement expands your capability. Don’t expect polish on your first attempt.
Use Real Data
Fake data hides problems. As soon as possible, use real data:
- Fetch from actual APIs
- Store in real databases
- Handle real user input
Real data reveals edge cases: what happens with empty responses? With extremely long strings? With special characters? These edge cases are where bugs live.
Test on Real Devices
Simulators and emulators are convenient but incomplete. Touch interactions feel different on real devices. Performance differs. Some bugs only appear on hardware.
Test on real devices early and often.
Get Feedback
Show your app to people. Watch them use it. Resist the urge to explain or help.
Where do they get confused? What do they try that doesn’t work? What did you assume would be obvious but isn’t?
User feedback reveals problems you can’t see yourself.
Common Mistakes Learning App Development
Starting with Frameworks Before Fundamentals
Jumping into SwiftUI without understanding Swift, or into React Native without understanding JavaScript and React, creates a shaky foundation. You can build tutorial projects but struggle with anything novel.
Invest in fundamentals first. It feels slower initially but accelerates everything afterward.
Tutorial Hell
Watching tutorials feels like learning. But watching isn’t doing. You can watch 100 hours of tutorials and still be unable to build an app without step-by-step guidance.
Tutorials are for introduction. Building is for learning. Limit tutorials. Maximise building.
Copying Without Understanding
Copying code that works without understanding why it works creates fragile knowledge. The moment something changes, you’re stuck.
For every piece of code you use, ensure you can explain what each line does and why it’s there.
Skipping Computer Science Fundamentals
“I just want to build apps, I don’t need algorithms.”
Until you need to efficiently search a list. Or sort user data. Or find the shortest path. Or manage complex state. Algorithms and data structures appear everywhere in app development.
AlgoCademy helps build these foundations in a way specifically designed for practical application. The AI tutor connects abstract concepts to real implementation, making CS fundamentals relevant to your app development goals.
Building Only Tutorial Projects
Tutorial projects teach you to follow tutorials. They don’t teach you to make decisions, solve novel problems, or debug issues the tutorial author didn’t anticipate.
Build your own projects. Face your own problems. Develop your own solutions.
Ignoring Design and UX
Apps live and die by user experience. An ugly app with confusing navigation won’t be used regardless of code quality.
Learn basic design principles. Study apps you admire. Understand why good apps feel good.
Trying to Learn Everything
iOS has 100+ frameworks. Android’s Jetpack contains dozens of libraries. React’s ecosystem is enormous. You cannot learn everything.
Learn what you need for your current project. Expand as requirements demand. Depth beats breadth for employability and capability.
Not Shipping
Many developers endlessly refine without releasing. “Just one more feature.” “The code needs refactoring.” “It’s not ready.”
Ship imperfect things. Real users provide feedback simulators can’t. Real releases force decisions. Real apps build portfolios.
Resources by Platform
iOS Development Resources
Learning:
- Hacking with Swift (free tutorials, projects, and challenges)
- Stanford CS193p (free university course)
- Ray Wenderlich / Kodeco (tutorials and books, some free)
- Apple Developer Documentation
- Swift by Sundell (articles and podcasts)
Communities:
- r/iOSProgramming
- iOS Dev Weekly (newsletter)
- Swift Forums
Android Development Resources
Learning:
- Android Developers (official documentation and courses)
- Philipp Lackner YouTube (excellent tutorials)
- Coding in Flow (Android tutorials)
- Android Weekly (newsletter)
Communities:
React Native Resources
Learning:
Communities:
Flutter Resources
Learning:
- Flutter Documentation
- Flutter YouTube
- Reso Coder (tutorials and courses)
- FilledStacks (production-focused tutorials)
Communities:
Web Development Resources
Learning:
- freeCodeCamp
- The Odin Project
- Full Stack Open
- Frontend Masters (paid but high quality)
- Scrimba
Communities:
Problem-Solving and CS Fundamentals
- AlgoCademy (AI-tutored problem-solving development)
- LeetCode (algorithm practice, interview prep)
- Exercism (free mentored exercises)
- Codewars (community-driven challenges)
Building a Complete Learning Plan
Here’s a concrete 12-month plan for someone starting from zero. Adjust based on your pace and goals.
Months 1-2: Fundamentals
Focus: Programming basics, problem-solving foundations
- Learn your chosen language’s fundamentals (Swift, Kotlin, JavaScript, or Dart)
- Start AlgoCademy’s AI-tutored problem-solving curriculum
- Write code daily, even if just 30 minutes
- Complete 2-3 small programming exercises per day
Milestone: Comfortable writing basic programs without looking up syntax constantly.
Months 3-4: UI Frameworks
Focus: Building user interfaces
- Learn your chosen UI framework (SwiftUI, Jetpack Compose, React, or Flutter)
- Build 3-5 tutorial projects to learn patterns
- Continue problem-solving practice on AlgoCademy
Milestone: Can build basic UI layouts without following tutorials.
Months 5-6: Platform Features
Focus: Data, networking, and device features
- Learn data persistence (databases, file storage)
- Learn networking (API calls, JSON parsing)
- Understand app lifecycle and state management
- Build 2-3 more projects using these features
Milestone: Can build apps that store data and fetch from APIs.
Months 7-8: First Real Project
Focus: Building something original
- Choose a simple app idea (not your dream app)
- Build it from scratch without following tutorials
- Solve problems as they arise
- Ship it (to TestFlight, Play internal testing, or personal use)
Milestone: A completed app that you built yourself.
Months 9-10: Intermediate Skills
Focus: Expanding capability
- Learn advanced patterns (dependency injection, architecture patterns)
- Understand testing (unit tests, UI tests)
- Improve code quality and organization
- Build a more complex project
- Continue interview prep on AlgoCademy if targeting employment
Milestone: Can build moderately complex apps with clean architecture.
Months 11-12: Specialisation and Portfolio
Focus: Depth and demonstration
- Go deep in areas that interest you
- Build portfolio projects that demonstrate your skills
- If job-seeking: prepare for interviews, apply to positions
- If indie: work toward App Store submission
Milestone: Ready for job applications or indie app launch.
The Job Search for App Developers
If employment is your goal, here’s what to know.
What Employers Look For
Technical skills appropriate for the role. They’ll assess these through coding challenges and technical interviews.
Portfolio projects that demonstrate you can ship apps. Quality over quantity. One polished app beats five unfinished ones.
Problem-solving ability tested through algorithm and data structure questions. This is where AlgoCademy directly prepares you.
Communication skills demonstrated through explaining your code and thought process.
Learning ability shown by how you talk about challenges you’ve faced and how you solved them.
Building a Portfolio
Your portfolio should include:
2-3 complete apps demonstrating different skills. At least one should be relatively complex.
Source code on GitHub that’s clean, organised, and documented.
README files explaining what each project does, what you learned, and any notable technical decisions.
A personal website (optional but helpful) showcasing your work and background.
Interview Preparation
App developer interviews typically include:
Resume/portfolio review. Be ready to discuss your projects in detail.
Technical phone screen. Often a coding problem solved while sharing your screen.
On-site/virtual interviews. Multiple rounds including:
- Algorithm and data structure problems
- System design (for senior roles)
- Platform-specific questions
- Behavioural questions
For the algorithm portion, AlgoCademy provides targeted preparation. The AI tutor helps you develop the problem-solving approach interviewers want to see, not just the ability to get correct answers.
Where to Find Jobs
- LinkedIn (most tech jobs are posted here)
- Indeed
- Glassdoor
- Company career pages directly
- AngelList for startups
- RemoteOK for remote positions
- Networking (often the most effective path)
Going Independent: Publishing Your Own Apps
If you want to publish apps yourself rather than work for others:
App Store Considerations
Apple App Store:
- $99/year developer account
- App review process (can reject apps)
- 15-30% commission on sales
- Strong revenue potential but competitive
Google Play Store:
- $25 one-time developer account
- Faster review process
- 15-30% commission on sales
- Larger global reach but harder to monetise
Monetisation Options
Paid apps: Users pay upfront. Simple but limits downloads.
Freemium: Free with in-app purchases. Most common model.
Subscriptions: Recurring revenue for ongoing services or content.
Ads: Free app monetised through advertising.
Sponsorship/partnerships: For apps with specific audiences.
Marketing Reality
Building the app is maybe 30% of the work. Marketing is the rest. App stores are crowded. Discovery is hard.
Learn about:
- App Store Optimisation (ASO)
- Social media marketing
- Content marketing
- Paid acquisition
- Building in public
A great app that nobody knows about makes no money.
Staying Current
App development evolves rapidly. Staying current is ongoing work.
Follow Official Channels
- Apple Developer (especially WWDC videos)
- Android Developers Blog
- React Native Blog
- Flutter Blog
Subscribe to Newsletters
- iOS Dev Weekly
- Android Weekly
- React Native Newsletter
- Flutter Weekly
Attend Conferences (In Person or Virtually)
- WWDC (Apple)
- Google I/O
- React Conf
- Flutter Engage
Continuous Learning
Technology changes. The framework you learn today might be obsolete in five years. Build the fundamental skills (problem-solving, programming concepts, architectural thinking) that transfer regardless of specific technology.
This is another reason AlgoCademy’s approach is valuable. The problem-solving skills it develops don’t expire when frameworks change.
Getting Started Today
You’ve read enough. Time to act.
This Week
- Choose your path. iOS, Android, cross-platform, or web. Don’t overthink it. Pick one.
- Set up your environment. Download Xcode, Android Studio, or your chosen tools. Get a “Hello World” app running.
- Start AlgoCademy’s free trial. Use the 7 days to experience AI-tutored learning. Build problem-solving skills from day one.
- Begin language fundamentals. Use the resources listed above for your chosen path.
This Month
- Code daily. Even 30 minutes builds momentum. Consistency beats intensity.
- Complete the fundamentals. Don’t rush to frameworks before understanding the language.
- Join a community. Discord, Reddit, or local meetups. Learning with others accelerates progress.
This Quarter
- Learn your UI framework. SwiftUI, Jetpack Compose, React, or Flutter.
- Build tutorial projects. Learn the patterns through guided projects.
- Start your first original project. Simple. Something you’ll actually use.
The Bottom Line
App development is one of the most rewarding paths into programming. You build things people actually use. Your work is visible and tangible. The job market is strong.
But the path requires real skill development, not just framework knowledge. Problem-solving ability, programming fundamentals, and systematic thinking matter as much as knowing SwiftUI or Jetpack Compose.
AlgoCademy exists to build exactly these foundational skills through AI-powered tutoring that develops your thinking, not just checks your answers. Combined with platform-specific learning, this foundation accelerates everything.
Choose your platform. Start today. Build something. The app you imagine won’t build itself, but with consistent effort, you’ll build it yourself.
Your first app is waiting.