Learn everything you need to know to become a mobile app developer.

It’s a safe bet that you use applications on your smartphone every day. From messaging, language learning, and calorie-tracking to banking and investing, it seems like there’s an app for everything. With the growing ubiquity of apps, mobile development has become more relevant than ever. If you’re wondering how to become a mobile developer, keep reading.

If you’d like to know more about mobile application development, this guide has you covered. In it, we’ve provided everything you'll need to know about how to become a mobile app developer, the mobile developer career path, and information on salaries, specializations, and training programs for you to consider.

Mobile application development is the process of writing software for mobile devices. It's a unique endeavor in that it gives the developer the chance to build an application from scratch in a relatively short period.

Developers hone their skills based on the operating system they’re working on. For this, there really are only two players in town:

 While other smartphones and mobile devices with apps exist, they make up a small fraction of the total market.

Developers may learn to work with one operating system and move on to the other as they progress in their careers. Being able to work with both operating systems would make you more competitive in the mobile app developer job market.

It may not seem like a big deal but, at the end of the day, mobile app developers do extremely important work. Without a mobile application, many businesses would fail to reach their full potential. This is especially the case with businesses that get much more traffic on their mobile app than on their website.

Mobile apps can be installed onto a phone, can send notifications to users, and are native to the device. It’s the job of the mobile app developer to ensure mobile apps work correctly so the company can achieve its goals.

So, what does a mobile application developer do? They design, create, and update mobile applications, whether on Android or iOS. They work with a user experience (UX) designer to make sure their design is aligned with the needs of the user. Together, they create mockups for the app. The developer must also coordinate with business leaders regarding launch strategies.

Gaining mobile app development skills require practice. Mobile development skills include programming, project management, and communication skills to be able to discuss ideas and project goals with clients. Keel reading to find out more about the skills needed for mobile app development.

Essential Technical Skills for iOS Developers

Essential Technical Skills for Android Developers

Essential Soft Skills for iOS and Android Developers

If you want to decide on a mobile developer career path, you should know there are two main options. You can become an iOS developer or an Android developer. Keep reading to learn more about both options and decide what mobile app developer career path is right for you.

People who choose this mobile developer career path build, test, and update applications for iOS-powered devices. They use technologies such as Xcode, a development environment, and

, the primary iOS programming language, to build applications. iOS developers design applications for iOS devices from the ground up.

Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, so it is a common mobile app developer career path.

 are responsible for developing applications for Android-powered devices. They then test code for edge cases and general usability. Mobile development careers can offer attractive salaries and lucrative job prospects, but becoming a mobile app developer is complicated. 

Mobile application developer education requirements vary according to your career goals. Traditionally, the minimum education required was a 

, computer engineering, or a related topic.

However, many other routes now exist so you can get an education in mobile app development without a degree. They include bootcamps, online courses, and self-directed learning. Keep reading to learn more about these different alternatives.

 is a great option if you want to get the skills and knowledge you need to become a mobile developer. A mobile development bootcamp offers intensive training over a short period of time, providing you with the specific software development skills you’ll need to succeed in the field.

 is that they offer focused training and provide students with an up-to-date curriculum based on industry needs. They usually provide career services as well to help you land your dream job as a mobile applications developer immediately upon graduation.

A mobile development degree is a great option if you prefer a more traditional route. Colleges offer degrees that will equip you with a wide array of coding skills. You might opt for common majors such as a 

 or a computer science degree. App development companies tend to look favorably on candidates who hold a degree.

A degree can also help you gain access to a high annual salary. A plus of going to college to become a web developer is that you will gain analytical skills, be able to network, and enjoy a full college experience, on top of being able to mention your degree in your job application.

Mobile Development Self-Directed Learning

If you want to launch a career in mobile app development, it is not indispensable to obtain a college degree. Many successful junior developers launched their careers through self-directed learning. It is possible to learn about the software development process by taking online courses, reading books, and practicing at home to understand the app development cycle.

More and more, the tech industry is welcoming self-learners and easing up on eligibility requirements. You might have a lower salary range as a self-taught developer, but if you take the time to develop common skills in the field, it is entirely possible that you can create user-friendly apps and build up a reputation as a mobile app developer.

How to Become a Mobile Developer: Step-by-Step

Keep reading if you want to know how to become a mobile app developer. The tech industry is constantly growing and evolving. When launching your career in mobile development, there are a lot of potential entry points. In this section, we'll show you how you can easily go from rookie to pro.

There’s more than one way to learn about mobile development. Some mobile app developers attend a college or university and earn a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Others are self-taught and have no formal education in computing. Then, there’s the other growing alternative: attending a coding bootcamp.

 typically lasts between three and nine months. During the program, students learn all the skills they need to launch a career in tech. They also build a portfolio of projects which allows them to showcase their skills to prospective employers.

All experienced developers started from scratch. Some opted for bootcamps, others for college degrees, while others laid out a career map that was completely self-guided. The right educational choice to become a mobile app developer will depend on your resources, goals, and preferred learning environment.

Once you pick an education path, make sure you devote the necessary time and energy to build up your skills. You can also learn a lot by participating in developer forums and online communities to supplement your education.

So, Android or iOS? As mentioned, it’s possible to choose one and later transition to the other. It’s also true that neither is much harder to learn than the other.

In terms of reach, Android has the largest global market share. Android and iOS have similar US market shares. However, iOS tends to be an attractive choice for early adopters and technology enthusiasts. It’s also a good choice if you want to heavily monetize your app via in-app purchases.

The main difference between Android and iOS is that they use different programming languages. Android coding is mostly done in Java, and iOS development is mostly done in either Objective-C or Swift. If you have experience in Java, Android might be a good place to start. If you’ve coded in C#, C++, or any of the C languages, you’ll probably find the iOS learning curve less steep.

Step 4: Hone and refine your soft and technical skills

There are several key mobile app developer skills you’ll need to master to succeed in this field. Technical skills include coding in one or several 

, learning to test and troubleshoot your app, and understanding user interface design.

Some of the soft skills you need to master to become a mobile developer include good communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail so you can solve issues and stay in touch with stakeholders during the development process. Teamwork is also an important skill that will allow you to collaborate with other experts to develop successful apps.

While this is not a requisite, becoming a certified mobile developer can give you access to better job opportunities, higher salaries, and more rewarding career opportunities. The 

If you chose to become a mobile developer through self-learning, obtaining a certification can help bolster your resume and serve as proof that you indeed have what it takes to succeed in this field.

 is an indispensable part of your job-seeking strategy. A strong portfolio should include key projects that you’ve worked on and that demonstrate your mobile developer skills in action.

When you build your mobile developer portfolio, you don’t need to add everything you’ve ever worked on. Instead, choose the highlights of your career. You can add projects you created independently or while you were at school. What matters is that the end result showcases what you’re capable of.

In order to apply for mobile developer jobs, you will need to 

. Your resume should showcase your education, whether formal or informal, and effectively inform recruiters about your background and skills.

Your resume is also a place where you can talk about your soft skills, which are also important for companies seeking to enroll mobile developers into their ranks. Make sure your resume is concise, and go over it several times to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors before you submit it.

Once you’ve gotten an education in mobile development, put together a strong portfolio, and updated your resume to reflect your skills and experience, you can start applying for mobile developer jobs.

To find openings, you can use sites like LinkedIn. You can also research companies that you want to work for and see if they have any openings directly on their website. No matter the route you choose, be persistent. You might need to apply to several jobs before you are successful.

If you have the skills and have put together a strong application, you will likely be called for interviews. Make sure you take the time to prepare for your interview in advance by practicing your answers to mobile developer interview questions.

 can be challenging, but if you are well prepared, you’ll likely succeed. Remember that you don’t need to have all the answers. Instead, focus on key projects you’ve worked on, challenges you’ve overcome, and things you still want to learn about your profession. Most of all, be enthusiastic about the opportunity.

If you want to become a mobile developer, you might be curious about the mobile developer job outlook. Though the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have specific information about mobile app development, it does have data on software development, a closely related field. Their statistics show that 

If you’re interested in this career track, you might wonder, how much does a mobile developer make? Because web developers and mobile app developers are increasingly in demand, salaries have risen proportionally. A mobile app developer can expect to reach a competitive salary early.

. As with any other profession, your salary will be affected by your experience level, position, and the organization that you work for.

As a mobile developer, you can work in a variety of industries. Mobile developers are in demand among software companies, the healthcare sector, the financial sector, and even in the entertainment industry. You can choose your field according to your interests and career goals.

Mobile development internships are a great way to gain experience and try out a particular industry to see if it would be a good fit. Many companies seek out internships that receive training from seniors and provide support with basic tasks.

If you are studying in college, make sure to research internship opportunities through them. Many schools partner up with public and private institutions to create internship programs that benefit both the company and the students.

Mobile development certifications are a great way to boost your resume and make you a more desirable candidate. A certification serves as proof of your skills and will help you stand out from the competition. Keep reading to learn about mobile development certifications you can choose from.

 offered by Educba teaches you about Android development in depth. It includes 40 courses, 20 projects, and over 200 hours of video tutorial lessons so you can master your Android mobile development skills.

 is a certification program created by Apple and focused exclusively on Swift, the programming language used for all iOS applications. When you enroll for this certification, you will receive a variety of tools and resources to help you create successful iOS applications, and have a certification by the end to prove your skills.

The Microsoft Technology Associate program was created to help you gain the fundamental knowledge to develop apps and prepare you for the MTA Developer certification exam. It is comprised of 10 courses that will help you move from the basics to advanced skills.

The Best Mobile Development Courses and Training

Mobile app development courses are a great way to bolster your skills in a particular aspect of mobile development. Keep reading to learn about some of the best mobile development schools and programs offered both in-person and online.

Though less common, in-person mobile development courses can be a great option if you thrive in a classroom environment and want to have close interaction with teachers and other students. Check out this list of the best mobile development programs.

 offers a host of reputable in-person and online programs in the information technology space. At Northeastern, you can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and choose one of three concentrations: mobile development, web development, and databases. 

Students can choose more than one concentration and focus on online web and mobile application development. This degree prepares students with in-depth coursework to specialize in database websites like PHP and MySQL.

 gives students strong foundations in programming. The lessons equip students with the expertise they need to jump into a career in mobile development. Students learn programming languages for working with both Android and iOS and are prepared for audio and visual asset implementation.

Information published on their program web page indicates that the program culminates in a capstone project. For the capstone, students research and create a comprehensive software plan for a mobile app.

This Oklahoma-based tech college offers degree programs in information technology, specifically software, web, and mobile app development. Its five-course certificate program is a great choice for students looking to specialize in the field. Through this, they learn basic and advanced coding, analysis, and testing. Of course, students complete a capstone project to create their mobile web app.

Online mobile development courses are also a great way to acquire the skills you need to become a mobile developer. Because of the nature of the field, it is quite easy to create vibrant, rewarding educational experiences online. If you are limited by location, time, or budget, an online program could be a great choice. Below are some top online mobile development program options.

Mobile App Developer

most popular web development certifications

software development has a job outlook of 22 percent

mobile developer salary in the United States is $122,950

Northeastern University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

Full Sail University’s Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development

Tulsa Tech’s Mobile App Development Undergraduate Certificate Program

UC San Diego’s Mobile Applications and Programming Design