Mobile App Developer job description
A Mobile App Developer builds and maintains apps for Android, iOS or both. A business needs one when customers expect to use its service on their phones, often through UPI, maps, notifications and the camera.
Why the role exists
The Mobile App Developer owns the app that customers install. In India, most users are on Android, many on modest phones and variable networks, so the app must be light and forgiving. The role works with a designer, backend developers and QA, and handles store releases and updates.
What the person does
- Build app screens and features from design files for Android, iOS or a cross-platform framework.
- Connect the app to backend APIs and manage sessions, caching and offline behaviour.
- Integrate push notifications, maps, camera, deep links and UPI or other payment flows.
- Test on a range of real devices and screen sizes, including older and lower-memory Android phones.
- Prepare builds and handle submissions and updates on the Play Store and App Store.
- Track crashes and slow screens using tools such as Firebase Crashlytics and fix the main causes.
- Keep app size, battery use and start-up time under control as features are added.
- Work with backend and QA teammates on API changes so old app versions keep working.
Skills and tools
- Kotlin or Java for Android, or Swift for iOS
- Cross-platform tools such as Flutter or React Native where the team uses them
- Android Jetpack or SwiftUI, and architecture patterns such as MVVM
- Calling REST APIs, handling tokens and local storage
- Firebase, push notifications and in-app analytics
- Play Store and App Store release steps and review rules
- Profiling memory, battery and network use on devices
- Git and continuous delivery tools such as Fastlane or Bitrise
Education and experience
Preferred, never a bar: equivalent experience counts.
- Preferred: a degree in computer science, IT or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Preferred: at least one app published on the Play Store or App Store that the candidate worked on.
- Self-taught candidates are welcome when their published apps show sound practice.
- Preferred: experience supporting an app with real users, including handling crashes and reviews.
How the work is judged
- Stability of the app in the hands of users, including crash trends and how fast problems are fixed.
- Speed and smoothness of the main screens on the devices your customers actually use.
- Reliability of each release and how rarely a version has to be pulled back.
- Delivery of agreed features within the sprint and clear notice of risks.
- Quality of the app store experience, including response to review feedback with the product team.
Where the role can lead
- Senior Mobile Developer, owning app architecture and release quality.
- Mobile Lead, guiding a team across Android, iOS and cross-platform work.
- Product-minded roles such as Product Manager, or Engineering Manager for a mobile team.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions in the same order and score them against written anchors, so the decision rests on the work and not the impression.
- Tell us about an app you published. What was your part and what broke after launch?
- How would you design an app screen that still works when the network drops?
- Users on older Android phones report crashes. How do you find and fix the cause?
- How do you handle a backend change that would break older versions of the app?
- What are the trade-offs between native and cross-platform development for our product?
- Describe how you would add a UPI payment step safely, and what you would test.
Hiring tips for this role
- Ask to see the app on a store listing and test it on a basic phone. Real published work is the best evidence of ability.
- Decide early whether you need Android, iOS or cross-platform. A strong native developer and a strong Flutter developer have different strengths.
- Test handling of poor networks and interruptions such as calls and low battery. These cases cause many real-world complaints in India.
- Check how the candidate handled releases and bad reviews. Developers who only built features may be weak on support and stability.
Questions about hiring a mobile app developer
It depends on your product and team. Cross-platform tools let one team cover both systems and can save time. Heavy device features or top performance may favour native work. Ask candidates to explain their reasoning.
That depends on your customers. Many Indian consumer products start with Android because of its share of users, while products for urban or premium audiences often need iOS early. Check your own user data.
Apps need steady upkeep for operating system updates, crashes, store rule changes and new features. Plan for an owner in the team, whether this role or another, rather than treating launch as the end.
Yes. GullyHR supports permanent hiring. We agree the job description with you, find and screen candidates against it, and support the offer stage. You choose who to hire.
Hiring a mobile app developer?
GullyHR runs talent acquisition for permanent roles. We agree the job description with you, find and screen candidates against it, and support the offer through to joining. We recruit permanent employees. We do not supply contract or temporary staff.