9 In-Demand Mobile App Skills You Should Master

As technology evolves, the ones working in tech should also keep up. It includes enhancing mobile app skills.

Without a doubt, becoming skilled in app development takes time and effort. It’s important to work hard and continuously acquire new knowledge to become a pro. As the mobile app development industry shows no signs of slowing down, mastering in-demand app skills is a must for those aiming to stay ahead of the game.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the top 8 in-demand mobile app skills you should master to become a sought-after app developer.

Table of Contents

Proficiency in mobile app programming languages

Programming is the very foundation that supports the creation of mobile applications, making it an indispensable element in their development. As an app developer, you need to have a strong grasp of programming languages.

Choosing which programming language to master depends on the target platform you want to develop for:

Android development

For aspiring Android app developers, mastering both Java and Kotlin is crucial. Java is the official language used for Android development, while Kotlin is quickly gaining popularity due to its modern features and ease of use.

While Java has been a long-standing favorite, Kotlin has emerged as a modern and concise alternative. With its safety features and seamless compatibility with existing Java code, Kotlin is paving the way for a more exciting and efficient development journey.

iOS development

When it comes to iOS development, you’ll mainly be using Swift, with a bit of Objective-C thrown in. Swift, the newest programming language in Apple’s arsenal, has quickly become a favorite among developers due to its clean syntax and powerful features. Objective-C still has its place, especially when dealing with older iOS code.

Having proficiency in both Swift and Objective-C will make you a well-rounded iOS developer and increase your chances of landing a top-notch job.

You can gain professional knowledge of all coding languages through a mobile app developer course. By working on live projects during practicum training, you get to put what you have learned into practice. It’s also beneficial for mobile developers to have knowledge of other programming languages and technologies:

JavaScript: Ideal for hybrid or cross-platform app development.
HTML and CSS: Used in hybrid app development.
C/C++: Valuable for low-level performance optimization and hardware interaction on specific devices.
SQL: Essential for managing and querying databases.
Python: Useful for scripting tasks, data analysis, and server-side components.
Ruby: Beneficial for mobile developers working on server-side components or backend services.
PHP: Ideal for mobile app developers involved in server-side scripting or backend services.
SwiftUI and Combine (iOS): Perfect for creating user interfaces and handling asynchronous operations.
Android Jetpack (Android): Provides modern tools and libraries for simplified app development.
Dart (Flutter): Primary language for building Flutter apps.

Platform-specific and cross-platform capabilities

With 2.6 million Android apps and 1.85 million iOS applications, both systems are rocking the market. Most of the time, differentiating between Android and iPhone users only matters for certain types of apps and businesses. But as the world becomes more connected, being able to develop apps that can run seamlessly across multiple operating systems has become a desirable skill for mobile app developers.

How do you do it? Skilled mobile app developers use cross-platform frameworks like React Native and Flutter to write code that works on multiple platforms. These frameworks allow for faster development and easier maintenance, making them a valuable skill to have in your toolbox.

Whether starting on Android, iOS, or Windows, successful apps eventually need to be ported to the other two. Coding native apps for one platform makes transferring to other platforms challenging and may require a different team of engineers.

That’s why, as a mobile app developer, you should be familiar with cross-platform development tools and practices to future-proof your apps. For instance, Xamarin, built by Microsoft, is a powerful cross-platform tool that allows developers to build apps for Android, iOS, and Windows using C#. React Native and Flutter are two other popular platforms used for building cross-platform applications.

Designing user-friendly interfaces

In today’s world of endless options and stiff competition, businesses are looking for mobile application developers who also have an eye for user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design.

Besides coding skills, having a good sense of aesthetics and the ability to create an intuitive, user-friendly interface is crucial for mobile app development. After all, an app’s design is what captures users’ attention and keeps them engaged.

To excel in UI/UX design, you should have a solid understanding of:

color theory
typography
layout principles
visual hierarchy

You should also be familiar with design tools like Adobe XD or Figma, as well as prototyping tools such as InVision, Marvel, and Proto.io. Having a strong grasp of UI/UX design will make you stand out in the competitive app development industry.

Knowledgeable with Agile development and Scrum Management

In the world of software development, Agile is the go-to methodology for project management. And within Agile lies Scrum—an approach that emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Knowing Agile development techniques shows that you are a skilled mobile developer who fits in the fast-paced mobile industry. Scrum, in particular, is ideal for mobile app development projects due to its incremental and iterative approach, which allows for quick releases and feedback.

Participating in training programs that focus on Agile development and Scrum management is an excellent way to learn the practical application of these concepts. By mastering Agile and Scrum, you’ll become a valuable asset to any mobile app development team.

Handling large amounts of data

Apps are powered by data; customers are defined by data; and data is what you collect and how you achieve your end results. So, having a good amount of data is crucial. And to ensure that, you’ll need talented data engineers who can build the most efficient databases and repositories.

Mobile application development encounters data in various forms from different sources. And as an app developer, understanding and seamlessly interacting with these sources is essential.

More than that, employing database management skills in your app development process will result in faster and more efficient performance. Databases are the backbone of any app, and by knowing how to handle large amounts of data, you’ll be able to deliver a better user experience.

So, how do you learn these skills? SQL is the most widely used language for managing and querying databases, making it a must-have skill for mobile app developers. Other languages like Python and Ruby also have powerful database management capabilities that are worth learning.

If you plan to create enterprise apps that deal with massive amounts of data, you should also familiarize yourself with NoSQL databases like MongoDB and Cassandra. These databases are highly scalable and flexible, making them suitable for handling large datasets.

Cybersecurity

Following that, it shows that coding is not the only skill you should possess. Remember that you are creating an app that will eventually be used by thousands, if not millions, of people. With data privacy and security becoming a significant concern for both businesses and users, having cybersecurity skills is a valuable asset.

According to a worldwide consumer survey, fraud was found to be the most worrisome cybercrime issue on mobile apps. A staggering 55.7% of respondents expressed concern about this particular online threat.

Being a mobile app developer means constantly battling security issues, which can be a real headache for a CEO. You’ve got to help them safeguard the customers’ privacy, fortify their systems against compromise, and ensure all the logs, checks, and balances are in place. It’s like playing a never-ending game of risk management.

The key is to minimize that risk. That means working with a team of mobile application developers who really understand security protocols and stay up-to-date with the latest best practices and tools because you can never be too safe online.

Testing and quality assurance

All mobile apps have gone through rigorous testing and quality assurance (QA) processes before they are released to the public. It may take weeks or even months to ensure that an app is bug-free and meets the standards and requirements set by the client.

Testing involves finding bugs or glitches in the app, while QA ensures the app works as intended and meets all specs. These processes ensure the app functions properly, catching and fixing issues before users encounter them, which is important in the competitive market.

To have proficient debugging skills, you should be familiar with various testing techniques and tools. It would be best if you also had a thorough understanding of different types of testing such as:

functional testing
integration testing
user acceptance testing

Furthermore, Mobile devices have different configurations, so thorough testing on various platforms and screen sizes is essential for a consistent user experience.

[Learn more: What is End-to-End Testing? A Deep Dive into Securing Your Software]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

Mobile technology evolves with every passing year, and AI and ML are making a huge impact in the industry. These two are not just buzzwords; they have real-world applications in mobile app development.

With the rise of chatbots, voice assistants, and predictive algorithms, having a basic knowledge of AI and ML is a valuable skill for mobile app developers. These technologies can enhance user experiences by offering personalized recommendations or providing efficient customer support.

Furthermore, by integrating AI into your app, you can unlock the potential for smarter, more intuitive, and personalized user experiences. Imagine the power of natural language processing, image recognition, recommendation systems, and predictive analytics seamlessly enhancing every interaction.

If you’re convinced about the benefits of building an AI app, why not schedule a call with an experienced AI consulting services provider? Discuss your app requirements with them and embark on the exciting journey of creating your very own AI-powered application.

Clear communication skills and team collaboration

Mobile developers are not just lone coders in isolation. They work closely with various teams and departments, coordinating with marketing teams and presenting progress to clients and stakeholders.

Since several businesses are outsourcing the development of their mobile applications, you should also excel in English communication. The Philippines, for example, has become a popular destination for outsourced app development due to its high English proficiency rate and cultural compatibility with Western countries.

Moreover, collaboration skills are vital for the scalability and long-term maintenance of mobile apps. One such indispensable tool in mobile development is Git, which facilitates tracking changes in the codebase over time, enabling isolated development through branching, effortless merging of changes, and easy rollback in case of issues.

To foster collaboration, project management platforms like JIRA and Trello, communication tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams, and code review tools like GitHub and Bitbucket all play essential roles in the mobile development process.

Hire Mobile App Developers from StarTechUP!

Mobile development outsourcing is the new normal for businesses looking to expand their reach and improve customer engagement. And our team at StarTechUP is here to help you.

Whether you need Android app development, iOS app development, or cross-platform app development, we have a dedicated team of experienced developers ready to bring your ideas to life!

From security-conscious coding to seamless collaboration, we’ve got you covered. So why wait? Contact us today!