Native mobile app development for UK businesses

Native iOS & Android App Development

Enginix designs and develops native mobile applications for Apple iOS and Android.

While cross-platform technologies such as Flutter are an excellent choice for many projects, there are situations where developing directly for iOS or Android provides greater control over the device, operating system and user experience.

We can help you decide whether native or cross-platform development is the right approach for your project.

From a standalone mobile application to a complete cloud-connected platform, Enginix can develop the mobile app, backend APIs, databases, administration systems and cloud infrastructure required to deliver the complete solution.

Native iOS App Development

iPhone and iPad applications designed for Apple’s platform.

iPhone & iPad App Development

Enginix develops native applications for Apple’s iOS platform, including applications for iPhone and iPad.

Native iOS development allows an application to work closely with Apple’s operating system and take advantage of the capabilities available on Apple devices.

Native development can be particularly useful when an application requires advanced device functionality, high performance or extensive integration with features provided by iOS.

Native iOS applications can include:

Secure user registration and login
Push notifications
Camera integration
QR code and barcode scanning
Location and mapping
Biometric authentication
Face ID and Touch ID
File and document handling
Offline functionality
Background processing
Secure cloud connectivity
REST API integration
Payments and subscriptions
Business system integration

App Store Release Support

We can also manage the technical work required to prepare an application for distribution through the Apple App Store.

Native Android App Development

Android apps for phones, tablets and specialist device requirements.

Android App Development for Phones & Tablets

Enginix develops native Android applications for businesses and organisations requiring applications designed specifically for Google’s Android platform.

Native Android development provides direct access to Android APIs and device functionality, making it suitable for applications that require close integration with the operating system or specialist hardware.

Android applications can include:

User accounts and authentication
Push notifications
Camera access
QR code and barcode scanning
GPS and location services
Mapping
Biometric authentication
Background services
Offline data storage
File management
Cloud connectivity
REST APIs
Payments
Third-party integrations

Complete Android Platforms

We can develop the application itself as well as the backend services and cloud infrastructure required to support it.

Native vs Cross-Platform App Development

The right approach depends on what the application needs to do.

Which Approach Should You Choose?

One of the first decisions when developing a mobile application is whether to use native development or a cross-platform technology such as Flutter.

There is not a single correct answer. The right choice depends on what the application needs to do.

Native App Development

Native applications are developed specifically for an individual operating system. An iOS application is developed specifically for Apple’s platform, while an Android application is developed specifically for Android.

Native development can provide:

Direct access to operating system APIs
Excellent application performance
Greater control over platform-specific functionality
Easier access to newly released operating system features
Deep integration with device hardware
A user experience tailored specifically to each platform
The trade-off is that supporting both iOS and Android usually means maintaining separate application codebases.

Cross-Platform Development

Cross-platform technologies such as Flutter allow much of the same application code to be used across both iOS and Android.

For many business applications, this provides an excellent balance between development cost, performance and maintainability.

Cross-platform development can be particularly suitable for:

Business applications
Customer portals
Membership applications
Loyalty apps
Booking applications
Employee applications
Apps primarily communicating with cloud APIs
Applications requiring both iOS and Android from launch
The biggest advantage is that businesses can support both major mobile platforms without unnecessarily duplicating the entire development effort.

When Should You Choose Native App Development?

Native mobile development may be the better option when your application relies heavily on functionality specific to iOS or Android.

This might include applications requiring:

Advanced Bluetooth functionality
Specialist hardware
Extensive background processing
Complex camera functionality
Platform-specific services
Advanced graphics
Very high performance
Deep operating system integration
Newly released iOS or Android capabilities

Native Development for One Platform

Native development can also make sense when an application is only required for one platform. For example, if your organisation exclusively uses iPads, there may be little benefit in developing an Android version.

When Should You Choose Flutter?

For many commercial applications, Flutter can be the more practical approach.

If you need essentially the same application on iPhone and Android, maintaining one primary cross-platform codebase can reduce duplicated development.

This can mean:

Faster development
Lower development costs
Easier maintenance
Faster deployment of new features
Consistent functionality across iOS and Android

A Real Mobile Application

Importantly, choosing Flutter does not mean producing a glorified mobile website. Flutter applications are installed through the Apple App Store and Google Play and can access many native device capabilities. Flutter is Google-developed and production-proven in Google products including Google Pay, Google Ads and Google Classroom.

Native Code When It Adds Value

For most business app requirements, Flutter is a robust choice. Where a specific iOS or Android capability, native SDK or direct native API access is needed, we can integrate native code using platform-specific plugins and Flutter’s Foreign Function Interface (FFI) bindings.

The Right Recommendation for Your Project

At Enginix, we do not automatically recommend one technology over another. We look at what your application needs to do and recommend the approach that makes the most technical and commercial sense.

More Than Just a Mobile App

We can build the complete platform behind your app.

A modern mobile application is often only the visible part of a much larger system.

Behind the app there may be databases, APIs, administration portals, authentication systems, notifications and integrations with other software.

Enginix can develop the complete solution. A typical mobile application platform might consist of:

iOS & Android Application

The application installed by your customers, employees or members.

Secure Backend API

Provides the connection between the mobile application and your business data.

Cloud Database

Stores accounts, application data, transactions and other information securely.

Web Administration Portal

Allows your team to manage users, content and application functionality through a browser.

Push Notification System

Allows important information and updates to be delivered directly to users.

Third-Party Integrations

Connects your application with existing business systems and external services.

A Fully Integrated Solution

Rather than having different suppliers responsible for each component, Enginix can develop and integrate the complete system.

Mobile App Features

Functionality designed around what your users and your business actually need.

We can develop mobile applications incorporating functionality such as:

Every application is different, so the functionality is designed around what your users and your business actually need.

Secure user accounts
Customer profiles
Employee accounts
Membership systems
Loyalty schemes
Digital membership cards
QR code scanning
Barcode scanning
Offers and promotions
Push notifications
Business directories
Maps and location services
GPS functionality
Camera functionality
Document uploads
Forms and surveys
Offline data
Payments
Reporting
Cloud databases
API integrations
Administration portals

Mobile App Backend & API Development

If your application needs to communicate with a database or business system, it will normally require a backend API.

Enginix develops secure APIs that allow iOS and Android applications to communicate with cloud services and business systems.

This can include:

User authentication
Account management
Retrieving and updating data
Processing transactions
Sending notifications
Uploading files and images
Integration with existing software
Reporting
Administration functionality

The App and the Infrastructure Behind It

We develop backend systems using technologies including C#, .NET, ASP.NET Core, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase and Google Cloud. This means we can build both the mobile application users interact with and the infrastructure responsible for running it.

App Store & Google Play Deployment

Building the application is only part of getting it into the hands of users.

Enginix can assist with preparing and releasing applications through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

This can include:

Application configuration
iOS signing and certificates
Android signing
App Store preparation
Google Play preparation
Test releases
Apple TestFlight distribution
Production releases
Version updates
Push notification configuration

Support After Launch

We can also continue supporting the application after launch as Apple and Google release new versions of their operating systems.

Existing iOS & Android Apps

Need Help With an Existing Mobile Application?

You do not necessarily need to start again.

If you already have an iOS or Android application, Enginix may be able to help maintain, extend or modernise it.

We can review the existing application and determine the most appropriate way forward.

This could include:

Adding new functionality
Fixing bugs
Updating APIs
Improving backend systems
Adding push notifications
Integrating third-party services
Updating cloud infrastructure
Improving security
Modernising older code
Preparing new App Store releases

Reviewing Your App Architecture

Where an organisation currently maintains separate iOS and Android applications, we can also assess whether moving future development to a cross-platform architecture would make commercial sense.

Native Mobile App Development FAQs

Do you develop apps for both iPhone and Android?

Yes. Enginix develops applications for both Apple iOS and Google Android.

Do I need separate iPhone and Android apps?

Not necessarily. Technologies such as Flutter allow us to develop a cross-platform application for both iOS and Android using a shared codebase. For some applications, however, separate native development is the better option. We will recommend the approach that best suits the project.

Is native development better than Flutter?

Neither is automatically better. Native development provides maximum platform-specific control, while Flutter can significantly reduce duplicated development when essentially the same application is required on iOS and Android. The right choice depends on the application.

Can you build the backend as well?

Yes. Enginix can develop the mobile application, backend APIs, databases, web administration portals and cloud infrastructure.

Can you add push notifications?

Yes. Applications can be integrated with Apple’s and Google’s push notification services, allowing notifications and updates to be delivered to users.

Can my app connect to our existing software?

Usually, yes. If your existing software provides an API or suitable integration mechanism, we can investigate connecting the mobile application directly to it. If an API does not currently exist, we may also be able to develop one.

Can you publish the app to the App Store and Google Play?

Yes. We can assist with the technical preparation, testing and release process for both platforms.

Every mobile application is different. We recommend the native or cross-platform approach that makes the most technical and commercial sense for the project.

Have an App Idea?

You do not need to know whether you need native iOS development, native Android development or Flutter. Start by telling us what you want the application to do, and we will explain the options in straightforward language. Whether you are developing a customer app, employee application, membership platform, loyalty scheme or an entirely new digital service, Enginix can help turn the idea into a working application.

Talk to Enginix About Your Mobile App