Native App
App developed specifically for one operating system (iOS or Android) in its native language, with full access to all device features.
A native app is the gold standard of mobile application development. It is built specifically for iOS (Swift/Objective-C) or Android (Kotlin/Java) and uses the full power of the device. Whether the higher investment compared to cross-platform solutions is worth it depends on requirements for performance, UX and device integration.
What is Native App?
A native app is developed in the programming language and with the official SDK provided by the OS vendor. For iOS that means Swift or Objective-C with Xcode; for Android, Kotlin or Java with Android Studio. Native apps are distributed via the official app stores (Apple App Store, Google Play Store). They have unrestricted access to all hardware features (camera, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, biometrics) and can fully implement the UI guidelines of each platform, giving a user experience that fits seamlessly into the ecosystem.
How does Native App work?
Native apps are compiled directly to machine code run on the device processor. The iOS SDK provides UIKit or SwiftUI for the UI; Android uses Jetpack Compose or XML layouts. Push notifications, background processing and device APIs are accessed via native frameworks. The build process produces an IPA (iOS) or APK/AAB (Android) file for distribution via the respective app store.
Practical Examples
Instagram: iOS and Android apps are built natively for maximum camera performance and smooth scrolling through millions of images.
Banking app: Native access to biometrics (Face ID, fingerprint) and NFC for contactless payment with high security standards.
Fitness tracker app: Deep integration with HealthKit (iOS) and Google Fit (Android) for real-time health data from smartwatches and sensors.
Field service app: Offline capability, camera for damage documentation and GPS tracking in areas with poor coverage.
AR app: Use of ARKit (iOS) and ARCore (Android) for high-performance real-time 3D rendering.
Typical Use Cases
High-performance apps: Games, AR/VR and video editing that need maximum device performance
Hardware-intensive apps: Deep use of camera, Bluetooth, NFC or sensors
Enterprise apps with security needs: Banking, healthcare and insurance with biometric authentication
Offline-first apps: Applications that must work reliably without internet
Platform-specific UX: Apps that should feel native on each OS
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Best performance: Direct hardware access and optimised machine code
- Full feature access: All APIs and device functions without restrictions
- Optimal UX: Platform-specific design following Apple or Material guidelines
- Reliability: More stable apps thanks to native code and better memory management
- Early access: New OS features and APIs are available immediately
Disadvantages
- Double development cost: Separate codebase for iOS and Android requires more budget and people
- Longer development time: Two parallel tracks take longer than one cross-platform solution
- Different skill sets: iOS and Android developers have different specialisations and can be hard to find
- App store dependency: Review processes and store policies can delay updates
Frequently Asked Questions about Native App
When is a native app worth it vs cross-platform?
What does a native app cost?
Can you switch from native to cross-platform later?
Related Terms
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