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Software & Cloud Development

Android app development

Android runs on everything from consumer phones to rugged scanners in warehouses and trucks. We build native Android apps in Kotlin that perform well across that range, publish them on Google Play or deploy them privately to company-managed devices, and keep them current as Google's requirements change.

Discuss your project How the work is delivered

A good fit if

  • Many of your customers or staff use Android phones or tablets.
  • Staff use rugged Android devices with barcode scanners in warehouses, stores, vehicles or on site.
  • You need kiosk or dedicated-device apps, such as check-in terminals or shared shop-floor tablets.
  • An existing Android app written in Java needs modernizing, stabilizing or new features.
  • The app needs deep access to device hardware or background services.

Another approach may suit you better if

  • You need Android and iOS with equal features on a limited budget. A cross-platform app may suit you better.
  • A mobile-friendly website would serve your users just as well.

What this service is

Android app development is the design, build and release of native apps for Android phones, tablets and specialized devices using Google's recommended languages and tools. Native Android apps give full access to device hardware and background services, and they can be tuned to perform well across a wide range of devices. We build new apps, extend existing ones and modernize older Java code.

What we build on Android

  • Customer apps for accounts, bookings, ordering, payments and loyalty.
  • Field and warehouse apps on rugged devices, with hardware barcode scanning, photo capture, signatures and offline work, connected to your ERP or Prometheus ERP.
  • Kiosk and shared-device apps that lock a tablet to one purpose, such as visitor check-in or a shop-floor terminal.
  • Apps that use device hardware, including NFC, Bluetooth printers and accessories, location and the camera.

Our tools are Kotlin, Jetpack Compose and the Android Jetpack libraries, with Android Studio, Play Console testing tracks and automated build pipelines. We also maintain Java code and migrate it to Kotlin over time.

Rescuing and modernizing existing apps

Android apps fall behind quickly: a missed target API deadline can stop updates on Google Play, older libraries stop receiving fixes, and code written in Java years ago can be hard to change safely. We start with a technical review of the code, crash and performance reports and store feedback, fix the most urgent problems, then modernize in stages, moving screens to Kotlin and Jetpack Compose while the app stays live. You get a written review so you can decide how far to go.

Enterprise deployment

For internal apps, Android Enterprise gives your organization control. Managed Google Play distributes private apps only to your staff, work profiles separate business data from personal data on employee-owned phones, and dedicated-device mode turns a tablet into a single-purpose kiosk. A device management tool such as Microsoft Intune can install and configure apps automatically. Because Promatics also provides managed IT services, we can align app deployment with how your devices are enrolled and secured.

Quality, accessibility and privacy

We test on a realistic range of real devices, check accessibility with TalkBack and font scaling, and follow Google's Material Design guidance adapted to your brand. Google Play requires a Data safety section describing what an app collects and shares, and requires apps to target a recent Android API level; we prepare and maintain both. Privacy obligations under PIPEDA and provincial laws shape what the app collects, and apps can be localized in English and French. This is general information, not legal advice.

Keeping apps current

Google raises Play Store requirements regularly, and new Android versions arrive every year. We plan maintenance around that cycle. We also watch crash and performance reports in the Play Console, update libraries before they fall out of support, and test each release on your device matrix before rolling it out in stages. If you also need iOS, see iOS app development, or consider hybrid and cross-platform app development to share code across both platforms. Managed-service clients can include the app's backend in 24/7 monitoring and support, with response targets set in the service agreement.

What is included

The exact list is agreed in writing for each project. These are the usual deliverables and the usual boundaries.

Typical deliverables

  • A discovery summary or a technical review of your existing app, with prioritized recommendations.
  • Designs that follow Material Design guidance and your brand.
  • The app built in Kotlin with Jetpack Compose, using established Android architecture patterns.
  • Maintenance or gradual migration of existing Java code.
  • Sign-in with your identity provider, with secrets held in the Android Keystore.
  • Push notifications through Firebase Cloud Messaging, crash reporting, and analytics that respect consent choices.
  • Testing across a representative range of devices, screen sizes and Android versions.
  • Google Play release through testing tracks, or private deployment through managed Google Play.
  • TalkBack accessibility support and a completed Google Play Data safety section.

Not included unless agreed separately

  • The Google Play developer registration fee, and any test or production devices.
  • Device management licences and fleet configuration, unless included through managed IT services.
  • Backend systems outside the agreed scope.
  • Ongoing support after handover, unless covered by a separate agreement.

What we will need from you

Most delays in this kind of work come from access and decisions, not from the technical build. Knowing these early keeps the project predictable.

  • A Google Play developer account in your organization's name, and a managed Google Play setup if deploying privately.
  • Access to the APIs and systems the app must use.
  • Samples of any rugged or specialized devices the app must support.
  • A product owner who can approve designs and releases.
Delivery

How the work is delivered

Each stage ends with something you can review before the next one starts.

  1. Discover or review

    For a new app, define users, devices, features and a first release. For an existing app, review code, crashes, dependencies and Play Console feedback.

    Output: Discovery summary or technical review.

  2. Design

    Design screens that follow Material Design and your brand, adapted to the screen sizes and devices in use.

    Output: Approved designs and prototype.

  3. Build

    Develop in Kotlin in short iterations, sharing test builds on real devices through internal testing tracks.

    Output: Test builds.

  4. Test and release

    Test on a device matrix, check accessibility and the Data safety section, then release in stages on Google Play or deploy privately.

    Output: Released app.

  5. Maintain

    Keep the app aligned with Google Play's target API level requirements, update dependencies and act on crash reports.

    Output: Maintenance plan and regular updates.

Testing and handover

  • Builds are tested on a device matrix agreed with you, covering the main manufacturers, screen sizes and Android versions in use.
  • Rugged-device features such as hardware scanners are tested on the actual models your staff carry.
  • TalkBack, font scaling and colour contrast are checked on key screens.
  • Sensitive data is kept in the Android Keystore or encrypted storage, never in plain files or logs.
  • The upload key, Play Console account and source code are held in your organization's name, and app signing is documented.

What affects the cost

We do not publish package prices. Each estimate is based on an agreed scope, in Canadian dollars, with taxes shown separately. These are the things that move the number most:

  • The number of screens and features.
  • The range of devices, screen sizes and Android versions supported.
  • Hardware integrations such as scanners, printers, NFC or Bluetooth accessories.
  • Offline operation and data synchronization.
  • The condition of existing code, if modernizing an app.

Questions buyers usually ask

Why is Android testing harder than iOS?

Android runs on many manufacturers' devices with different screen sizes, hardware and software versions. We agree a realistic device matrix based on who will use the app, and test on real devices from it rather than trying to cover every phone.

Can we deploy an app only to our staff?

Yes. Managed Google Play lets you publish private apps to your organization, and Android Enterprise features such as work profiles and dedicated-device mode let a device management tool install and control them.

Can the app work with our rugged scanners?

Usually, yes. Manufacturers such as Zebra and Honeywell provide Android interfaces for their built-in scanners. We confirm support for your specific models early and test on them.

Can you take over our existing Java app?

Yes. We review and stabilize the code, then move it to Kotlin screen by screen, since Kotlin and Java work together in the same app.

What about the iOS version?

We can build a matching native iOS app, or discuss whether a cross-platform framework would serve both platforms better.

Service

iOS app development

Native iPhone and iPad apps built in Swift and SwiftUI, released on the App Store or distributed privately to company-managed devices.

Service

Mobile development

Mobile strategy and engineering across iOS, Android and cross-platform apps, including the backends, security and device management behind them.

Building or rescuing an Android app?

Tell us what the app should do, who uses it and on which devices. We will reply to arrange a conversation before anything is priced.

Discuss an Android app