HACKER Q&A
📣 bakhlawa

In 2023, what’s the easiest way to build an (iOS, Android) app?


I have a simple app idea in mind (2-3 screens, daily use app, simple storage, eventually in-app purchased for “extras”). Trouble is I haven’t coded formally in 15 years and attempted to learn objective C and Swift a few years back…but dealing with Xcode UI/design drove me mad.

What’s the recommended path to get up and running with app development in 2023? I have a self-imposed goal to launch the app in 3 months. All input welcome- recommended approach, online tutorials, support groups…? Thanks in advance!

  👤 loumf Accepted Answer ✓
If it's iOS only, learn Swift from Apple's Swift book and then look at SwiftUI for the UI of the app.

If you want it to be cross-platform, look at react-native. You program in JS, but it renders as native views.

👤 webdevver
you might want to investigate paying someone to do this for you. sites like fiverr might not have the best reputation, but im sure that there are legitimate software devs there who can crank out a straightforward app for a straightforward price.
👤 timclark
Try flutter - in my experience it is the shortest path from idea to working application.
👤 DamonHD
Does it have to be native, ie can it be a web app at least to start with?