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Android Apps That Run Well on Every Device

Kotlin and Jetpack Compose apps tested on budget and flagship phones alike, built to handle patchy networks, older OS versions and Play Store policies.

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OrdersScreen.kt @Preview
// Compose redraws only what changed when the flow emits
@Composable
fun OrdersScreen(vm: OrdersViewModel = hiltViewModel()) {
val orders by vm.orders.collectAsStateWithLifecycle()
// Stable keys keep scroll position and animations correct
LazyColumn {
items(orders, key = { it.id }) { order -> OrderRow(order) }
}
}

Android app development for a fragmented, mobile-first market

Android powers most smartphones in India and a large share worldwide, but it runs on thousands of device models with different screen sizes, memory limits and OS versions. Android app development done properly means writing in Kotlin, building interfaces with Jetpack Compose, and testing on the low-cost phones your customers actually carry, not just the latest flagship on a developer's desk.

Native Android is the right call when your audience is mostly on Android, when you need background services, custom hardware such as POS terminals or scanners, or deep integration with Google services. If you also need an iPhone app immediately and the feature set is standard, a shared Flutter or React Native codebase can cut cost, and we compare the options openly before you commit.

Our Android team plans for slow networks with offline caching and retries, keeps APK size small, and follows Play Store policies on permissions and data safety from day one. Builds go out to an internal testing track every sprint, and you keep 100% ownership of the code, keystore and Play Console listing.

Material motion, on tap

Trigger the components Android users expect and pick a dynamic colour seed. Each one names the Compose API behind it.

What we build with Android

Kotlin and Jetpack Compose apps for Android phones, tablets and devices, tuned for real-world networks and hardware.

  1. 01

    Custom Android Apps

    Consumer and business apps written in Kotlin with Jetpack Compose, following modern architecture so features stay easy to add as your user base grows, with on-device AI through Gemini Nano where the phone supports it.

  2. 02

    Tablet and Foldable Layouts

    Adaptive screens for Android tablets, Chromebooks and foldables, using window size classes so content reflows properly instead of stretching phone layouts.

  3. 03

    Offline-First Apps

    Local storage with Room, background sync with WorkManager and conflict handling, so field staff and rural users keep working when the network drops.

  4. 04

    POS and Hardware Integration

    Apps for Android POS terminals, barcode scanners, thermal printers and Bluetooth devices, with drivers and SDKs integrated and tested on the actual hardware.

  5. 05

    Payments and UPI Flows

    Razorpay, Stripe, UPI intent and Google Play Billing integrated with server-side verification, covering one-time payments, subscriptions and refunds.

  6. 06

    Play Store Release

    Play Console setup, data safety forms, store listing, staged rollouts and internal testing tracks, so releases reach users gradually and safely.

  7. 07

    Java to Kotlin Migration

    Step-by-step conversion of older Java and XML-layout apps to Kotlin and Compose, with tests added along the way so existing features keep working.

  8. 08

    Performance and Size Tuning

    Startup time, memory use, ANR rates and APK size reduced through profiling, so the app stays usable on entry-level phones with limited RAM.

Why teams pick Nexzem for Android

The checks every engagement has to pass before we call it done.

.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md5/5 checked

  • - [x] Built for real devices

    We test on low, mid and high-end phones across several Android versions, catching layout and memory issues before your users do.

  • - [x] Works on weak networks

    Caching, retries and lightweight API payloads keep the app responsive on 3G, crowded 4G and intermittent Wi-Fi.

  • - [x] Policy-ready releases

    Permissions, data safety declarations and target SDK updates are handled as part of each release, reducing Play Store warnings and takedowns.

  • - [x] Modern, maintainable code

    Kotlin, Compose and a clear architecture mean new developers can pick up the codebase quickly, whether ours or your in-house team.

  • - [x] Clear ownership

    The code, signing keystore and Play Console account are yours, and we document the release process so you are never locked in.

Kotlin vs Java for Android today

Google has treated Android development as Kotlin-first since 2019, and its modern libraries, samples and documentation assume Kotlin. Jetpack Compose, the recommended UI toolkit, is Kotlin-only. Kotlin's null safety, coroutines for asynchronous work and concise syntax remove whole categories of crashes and boilerplate that Java apps carry.

Java still runs a huge number of existing apps, and the two languages interoperate fully, so there is no need for a risky big-bang rewrite. Our Kotlin vs Java comparison covers the differences, but the practical path is simple: write new features in Kotlin, convert Java classes when you touch them anyway, and migrate screens to Compose gradually.

For teams with Java experience, the learning curve is short, since Kotlin runs on the same platform and uses the same Android APIs. Pairing Java developers with experienced Kotlin engineers for a few sprints, and agreeing coding conventions early, makes the switch smooth without slowing delivery.

How we structure an Android codebase

We follow Google's recommended app architecture with separate UI, domain and data layers. Screens are built in Jetpack Compose with view models exposing state through Kotlin flows, dependency injection uses Hilt, local data lives in Room, networking uses Retrofit or Ktor and background work runs through WorkManager. Larger apps are split into feature modules with shared core modules for design system, networking and analytics.

Gradle version catalogs keep dependencies consistent, R8 shrinks and optimizes release builds and baseline profiles speed up startup and scrolling. CI builds signed Android App Bundles, runs tests and uploads to internal testing tracks on Google Play, so every change is installable by testers within minutes.

  • Unidirectional data flow from view model to Compose UI.
  • Offline-capable data layer with Room as the local source of truth.
  • Unit tests for view models and use cases, plus Compose UI tests.
  • Crash and ANR monitoring from the first internal release.
  • Strict lint and detekt rules enforced in CI.

Designing for India's Android device range

Many users run budget phones with limited memory and storage, older Android versions and manufacturer skins that aggressively stop background apps to save battery. Apps must start quickly on low-end hardware, keep download size small through App Bundles and on-demand modules, handle process death without losing user input and survive patchy networks with retries and offline queues.

Background work that runs perfectly on a Pixel may never run on some other brands without extra handling, so test on popular models from several manufacturers. Google Play also requires apps to target a recent Android API level each year, which affects permissions and background behavior, so plan an annual update cycle.

  • Test on low-RAM devices and Android Go editions.
  • Keep the base app download small and load extras on demand.
  • Support Indian languages and larger font settings.
  • Handle aggressive battery optimization on popular brands.

How Android projects run

$ git log --graph --oneline main..delivery

  1. 7e9d0b1

    feat: requirements and device plan

    We list core features, target Android versions and the device mix your users carry, then agree on a test matrix.

  2. aba5a85

    feat: design in Figma

    Material Design based screens and clickable prototypes reviewed with you before development begins.

  3. ad62fab

    feat: kotlin development sprints

    Two-week sprints with code review and an internal testing track build at the end of each one.

  4. 6158516

    feat: device testing and launch

    Manual and automated tests across the device matrix, followed by a staged rollout on Google Play.

  5. 75d9419

    merge: monitoring and updates

    Crash and ANR monitoring, user feedback review and yearly target SDK updates under a support plan.

What teams build with Android

  • UPI payments app for merchants

    Small merchants accept UPI payments through dynamic QR codes, hear audio confirmations for each payment, see settlements by day and download statements, all optimized for entry-level Android phones used at shop counters.

  • Android POS with receipt printer

    A retail chain runs billing on Android POS terminals with built-in printers and barcode scanners, works through network outages and syncs sales, stock and payments to head office when connectivity returns.

  • Offline app for field agents

    Microfinance agents collect repayments, capture KYC photos and record visit notes in villages without network coverage, with data encrypted on the device and synced automatically when they reach an area with signal.

  • Android TV streaming app

    A video platform extends its mobile app to Android TV and Google TV with a remote-friendly interface, voice search and a continue watching row that syncs across phone and television profiles.

  • Learning app for low-end phones

    A children's learning app keeps its download small, plays lessons offline, runs smoothly on phones with limited memory and supports regional languages, so families with basic devices get the same experience as everyone else.

Where Android sits in your stack

The tools we pair it with, layer by layer. Select a layer to see what it is responsible for.

Technologies often used with Android

All 32 technologies

More in Mobile

Android development FAQs

Something else on your mind? Ask a consultant and get a reply within one business day.

What decides the cost of an Android app?

The main drivers are feature count, backend and admin panel needs, hardware or payment integrations, offline sync and the range of devices to support. We share a fixed quote after a free consultation, with a breakdown that shows where the effort goes.

How long will our Android app take?

Most first releases take roughly 8-14 weeks from design to Play Store launch. Hardware integrations, complex offline sync or large admin systems add time. We confirm the timeline in a sprint plan once scope is agreed.

Is native Android better than Flutter for our app?

Native Kotlin suits apps with heavy background work, custom hardware, POS devices or Android-only audiences. Flutter or React Native suits apps that need iOS and Android together with mostly standard screens. We recommend one based on your users and budget, not our preference.

Will the app work on cheap and older phones?

Yes, if we plan for it. We agree a minimum Android version and a device test list early, profile memory and startup time, and keep the app size small so it runs on entry-level devices.

How do you handle security for Android apps?

We store secrets in the Android Keystore, encrypt local data where needed, enforce HTTPS with certificate checks, obfuscate release builds and verify genuine installs with the Play Integrity API. Code stays in private repositories and an NDA is available on request.

Do you support the app after release?

We offer monthly maintenance covering crash fixes, ANR reduction, policy updates and new Android version support. Teams with ongoing roadmaps can also take a dedicated developer on a monthly per seat basis.

Why do background tasks fail on some Android phones?

Several manufacturers add aggressive battery optimizations that stop apps in the background beyond what standard Android does. We use WorkManager and foreground services correctly, guide users to adjust battery settings where needed and test on the brands your users actually own.

What is Google Play's target API level requirement?

Google Play requires new apps and updates to target a recent Android API level, raised every year. Targeting newer levels changes permission and background behavior, so apps need regular updates and testing. We track these deadlines and plan upgrades well before they take effect.

We work with clients across the USA, UK, Australia, UAE, New Zealand and India.

Where we work

Tell us what you're building.

A solutions consultant replies within one business day with a recommended stack, a rough estimate and a suggested team.

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