How Much Time Does It Take to Build an Android App?

The market demand and trends in Android development are always changing.

So, if you want to build a successful app that users love, you need to launch it as soon as possible before anyone else.

But, how long does it really take to build an Android app from scratch?

Based on our 12+ years of experience in Android mobile app development services, it depends on your project-specific needs, especially features and complexity.

If you're curious to learn more, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to estimate your app development timeline.

What Is the Average Time to Develop an App?

In this section, we'll explore the essential stages and estimated timelines of Android mobile app development.

Ideation & Planning (1 - 3 weeks)

Whether you're solely building an Android app or considering a cross-platform approach spanning both Android and iOS app development, careful planning is key.

Start by analysing competitors in the mobile app market to see what works and whether there's a gap you can exploit.

Next, define your app's goal, core Android features, and functions to create a blueprint for its development. This clear planning provides a solid basis for estimating your overall Android application development cost.

Consider developing core features (MVP) first to speed up Android mobile app development.

Build a basic prototype, utilising wireframes or mockups, to test user flows and gather early feedback before going with full development.

Design & Development (2-10 weeks)

In this stage, your UIUX designer will turn your ideas into a stunning design and smooth user flow.

Developers then translate the visuals into code using an Android app development tech stack like the industry-recognised Android Studio.

During this phase, your app engineers also handle backend development to make your app highly functional.

Using the right Android app development frameworks ensures your app runs optimally, stores data securely, and integrates with relevant services.

Expert tip: having pre-designed assets (UI/UX mockups or style guides) can save time significantly. Alternatively, you can prepare online design templates to avoid starting from scratch.

Testing & Optimisation (7-20 weeks)

It's crucial to invest time in quality checks before your Android app launches.

By testing your app using real Android devices, the development team can identify usability issues, fix bugs, and enhance your Android application performance.

The testing stage usually lasts anywhere from 7 to 20 weeks.

Deployment & Launch (2-3 weeks)

Once everything looks good, it's time to submit your app to Google Play Store. Make sure to read their guidelines carefully to increase your acceptance rate.

If your submission is successful, consider localising app descriptions for different countries to broaden your reach.

For instance, use American spelling to target the US market, and British spelling to reach people from the UK and India.

Last but not least, collaborate with IT influencers on social media to build hype before the big day.

Android App Development Timeline

We've discussed the usual Android app development process, and how much time it takes for each stage.

But if you want to be a bit more specific, let's see the different timelines for Android apps based on their complexity.

Simple Apps

These apps emphasise straightforward features and user interfaces for basic tasks, allowing for quicker development compared to complex apps.

A simple app is a great option for businesses seeking to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and validate an initial concept.

Examples of Simple Apps:

• Basic Habit Tracker app: This type of app helps you stay consistent with your daily goals, offering features like setting reminders, marking completed habits, and a simple, easy-to-use navigation system.
• Note Taking app: This app usually provides a basic text editor with an offline function and straightforward design.

While complexity can always affect the development timeline, simple apps with limited features and less potential for bugs normally take 1 - 3 months to develop.

Medium Apps

Compared to simple apps, medium software offers more features and functions.

For instance, it may include user accounts for personalisation, data storage, and potential API integrations.

Examples of Medium Apps:

• Financial Management app: This app may connect with your bank accounts, requiring APIs to track expenses and generate reports and robust Android app security.
• Travel Guide app: An advanced one can offer downloadable maps and content for offline access. Additionally, it uses advanced location-based filtering to help users find specific points of interest.

With an increased level of complexity, medium apps take 3 - 6 months to develop.

Complex Apps

This type of app caters to a large user base with diverse needs.

Complex apps may involve multiple functions, powerful backend infrastructure, and hardware integrations, extending the timeline for android development.

Example of Complex Apps:

• Music Streaming app: It has an advanced backend infrastructure to manage extensive music libraries, user accounts, real-time playback, and personalised features.
• E-Commerce app: Secure payment gateways, user accounts, wishlist, and shopping carts are many features needed for this kind of app.

Due to extensive features and infrastructure, complex apps need more than 6 months to develop.

Conclusion

Now you have a foundation for estimating your Android app's development time.

While simpler options can only take around 3 months to develop, complex apps may need over six months for development due to its advanced features and strong infrastructure requirements.

Intelivita is a full-service app development agency that can help you navigate the complexities of Android app development.

Contact us today and let's build your Android app faster!