From Backend to iOS App: Our Journey with Cross-Platform Development on Windows
By Amit Jaison
Published on December 10 , 2024
At Innovin Labs, challenges drive us to innovate. What started as a backend-focused project soon evolved when the client introduced a new requirement—a mobile application initially tailored for iOS users. While we had built a solid backend foundation using a modern web framework, transitioning to mobile development presented unique hurdles. With no macOS systems at hand, we needed a creative approach to meet the client’s expectations while staying within our resource limitations. This led us to explore frameworks and workflows that aligned with both immediate needs and future scalability, ultimately shaping the project’s success.
The Early Days: Laying the Foundation with a Scalable Backend
Our journey began with a clear objective: create a robust and scalable backend capable of secure data handling and seamless API integration. Using an established web framework such as Django allowed us to meet these needs efficiently, thanks to its simplicity, flexibility, and ecosystem of reliable tools.
When the client later introduced the requirement for an iOS application, it became clear that we needed to expand beyond the backend. This led to an evaluation of multiple frameworks for mobile development, with key considerations like:
- Scope: Ensuring the solution could later accommodate Android if required.
- Ease of Development: Selecting a framework that allowed efficient progress, given our constraints.
- Transition to macOS: Ensuring compatibility with native requirements when access to a Mac became possible.
After considering options like Flutter, native Swift development, and React Native, we opted for a cross-platform approach. This decision wasn’t about identifying a superior tool but about choosing one that aligned best with the project’s goals and constraints at the time.
Key Steps in our Workflow
To overcome our practical constraints, we devised a phased strategy:
- Development on Windows: Created the app using cross-platform tools like React Native, leveraging Expo Go for testing on real devices.
2. Testing on real devices: Leveraged tools like Expo Go to prototype and test directly on our team’s iPhones.
3. Transition to macOS: Used a Mac for final testing and deployment, particularly for platform-specific features like Face ID and autofill.
While this approach enabled rapid progress, it also presented challenges:
- Testing Limitations: Tools like Expo Go were excellent for development but didn’t support all native features.
- Framework-Specific Adjustments: Certain libraries required tweaks to handle platform-specific behaviors.
Our Solution: Tackling Mobile Development Constraints
Choosing the right framework required balancing the strengths and weaknesses of several options:
- Native Development with Swift: Provided maximum control but required a Mac and significant resources for development and maintenance.
- Flutter: Offered a rich UI toolkit and strong cross-platform capabilities but involved a steeper learning curve and more setup for macOS compatibility.
- React Native: Provided flexibility to work on Windows with tools like Expo Go while allowing a seamless transition to macOS for native builds.
Ultimately, the cross-platform approach aligned with the project’s requirements, but it wasn’t without trade-offs.
Challenges we Encountered
No framework is without limitations, and our journey revealed some key obstacles:
- Testing Native Features: While Expo Go streamlined development, it didn’t allow testing for Face ID and autofill, which required transitioning to Xcode on macOS for final validation.
- UI Alignment: Achieving a polished, native look and feel for iOS required platform-specific adjustments.
- Library Compatibility: Integrating third-party libraries needed careful vetting to ensure compatibility with desired features.
Balancing Trade-Offs and Looking ahead
The process of selecting the right tools isn’t about finding perfection but understanding trade-offs and adapting to the project’s unique constraints. For us, flexibility, modular design, and iterative testing were essential to overcoming limitations and meeting the client’s requirements.
In hindsight, while our chosen framework enabled rapid development and smooth transitions, other frameworks like Flutter or native approaches may have offered advantages in different contexts. The key takeaway: every tool has its strengths and weaknesses, and developers must evaluate them based on the team’s expertise, project scope, and long-term vision.
Reflecting on the Journey: The Big Takeaway
Every challenge we faced along the way forced us to innovate. Every obstacle taught us something new. By the end of it, we weren’t just backend developers we were a team that had successfully developed a functional iOS app under unique constraints.
So, what did we learn? The tools we choose do matter, but how we use them matters even more. The real achievement was learning how to adapt, innovate and deliver under constraints. Because that’s what being a developer is all about.
About the author
Amit Jaison is a versatile software development engineer at InnovinLabs who is skilled in multiple programming languages and frameworks. His adaptability and commitment to innovative solutions make him invaluable in driving forward-thinking projects at the company.
About Innovin Labs
Innovin Labs is a team of passionate, self-motivated engineers committed to delivering high-quality, innovative products. Leveraging AI tools, we focus on enhancing productivity, accelerating development, and maintaining exceptional quality standards. Driven by technical expertise and a passion for solving challenges, we strive to create impactful products that shape and improve the future.
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