How To Migrate From Native Technology To A Cross-Platform App?

Nowadays, entrepreneurs who have developed mobile applications for their businesses want to reach users from multiple platforms. For that, your app needs to work on all smartphone operating systems.

Native apps are excellent because they work smoothly and feel natural on any device. However, two separate native apps can be time-consuming and expensive. This is why the concept of creating one app that works on different devices emerged.

Cross-platform frameworks are becoming increasingly getting popular. They allow you to use the same code to develop your app for multiple devices. And with the technology advancement, cross-platform apps can now be just as good as native ones but at a lower cost.

Take a look at this blog, you will learn about the migration benefits and steps. They all are beneficial and improve your business activities.

What is Application Migration?

Application migration involves moving an existing app from one environment to another. This often includes changing the programming language or converting the database. Additionally, it is closely linked with two other methods of updating applications,

• Wrapping or encapsulation means developing a new interface for existing code in a different language without altering the original code. This helps connect platform-specific parts of an application with cross-platform components.
• Redevelopment involves writing entirely new code to replace an outdated model.

For simplicity, we will use the term “migration” to refer to both wrapping and redevelopment in this blog.

Step For Migration From Native To Cross-Platform App Development

Step 1: Assessment and Planning

Begin by thoroughly evaluating your current native app development. Identify all the components, dependencies, and integrations. Understand the functionality that needs to be preserved and the areas that require improvement. Plan your migration strategy, setting clear objectives, timelines, and resource allocation.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Cross-Platform Framework

Select the most suitable cross-platform app development for your project. Popular cross-platform frameworks include React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin. Consider the specific needs of your app, such as performance requirements, platform compatibility, development team expertise, and community support.

Step 3: Code Audit and Restructuring

Perform a detailed audit of the existing Native codebase. Identify the parts of the codebase that are supposed to be rewritten. Restructure the rewritten codes to align with the architecture of the cross-platform framework. This whole process of restructuring the codes should be optimized and confirm the compatibility with the whole new environment.

Step 4: Wrapping and Redevelopment

The next step is to identify from the existing codes that can be reused and do not need any modifications. Copy and paste the code from the existing to the new framework.

Step 5: Integration and API Adaptation

Integration of the existing APIs and the third-party services should be moved to the new cross-platform framework. Ensure that all external integration work correctly and efficiently. This may involve updating API endpoints, modifying data handling methods, and testing interactions between the app and external services.

Step 6: UI/UX Alignment

Update or recreate the mobile UI design in a cross-platform framework. You need to make sure that your new design should feel like the older one. Optimize the user experience for consistency across different platforms. Utilize the cross-platform app development UI components to achieve a native-like experience for your users.

Step 7: Testing and Quality Assurance

Conduct proper mobile app testing and quality assurance of the migration app functions. Take all the necessary tests to identify and fix any issues. Focus on cross-platform compatibility, performance, security, and usability. Engage beta testers to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.

Step 8: Deployment and Monitoring

Deploy the migrated app to the target platforms. Monitor the deployment process to address any immediate issues. Use analytics and monitoring tools to track the app’s performance, user engagement, and error rates. Gather user feedback to identify areas for improvement and ensure a smooth user experience.

Step 9: Maintenance and Updates

Provide continuous support and maintenance for the cross-platform app. Regularly update the app to fix bugs, enhance security, and add new features. Keep an eye on the performance and user feedback to make iterative improvements. Ensure the app remains compatible with new OS updates and device releases.

Step 10: Documentation and Training

Document the migration process, including code changes, architecture decisions, and any challenges encountered. Provide training and resources for your development team to ensure they are proficient in the new cross-platform framework. This helps maintain the app efficiently and supports future development efforts.

Business Values for Migrating Native Technology to a Cross-Platform App Development

Migrating Native technology to a cross-platform app is more than a technical choice. It is a mobile app market strategy for your business. It provides clear benefits that enhance operational efficiency and market competitiveness, highlighted through these key aspects.

Coss-effectiveness

Using a single codebase for both iOS app development and Android app development reduces the time and cost of maintenance. This approach lowers initial expenses and simplifies ongoing updates, making it a more economical option for businesses.

Market Reach

Cross-platform apps make it easier to target a wide range of users across, iOS, Android, and sometimes web platforms. This broader accessibility is vital in today’s diverse mobile market, allowing for greater user engagement without needing additional resources.

Maintenance and Updates

Updating one unified codebase instead of multiple native ones simplifies maintenance. This efficiency ensures a consistent and up-to-date app experience across all platforms, saving time and resources.

Speed of Development

Cross-platform technologies speed up development cycles, allowing businesses to quickly respond to market changes or user feedback. This agility is important for staying competitive in your digital transformation.

Case Studies

Case studies of the renowned companies will give you a heads-up about the migration. How they have taken the advantages of cross-platform app development and bring out the best experience for their users.

• Airbnb: By adopting React Native, Airbnb achieved faster development while maintaining a high-quality user experience on both iOS and Android. This demonstrates the effectiveness of cross-platform development in balancing quality and efficiency.
• Uber: Using cross-platform technologies, Uber can quickly roll out updates and new features, ensuring reliable service worldwide. Their experience highlights the scalability and agility of cross-platform solutions.

In essence, migrating native to a cross-platform framework is a strategic decision that offers cost savings and expands your market reach. All these contributions are to make your business stronger.

Final Thoughts

Developing a mobile app that can run on multiple platforms. There are many business values it can bring to your business by migrating to a cross-platform app. The case studies from well-known business tycoons give confidence to rookie entrepreneurs to make the best choice.

By migrating native apps to cross-platform apps, it is just not building an app instead it is to connect your business with the intended users. You need to make sure that the adaptability and performance of your cross-platform app should be on point. Then it all will result in excelling in both work and user engagement.

Techahead is here to give you the best service for your mobile app development migration process. With our experts, you can become the next industry leader.