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Career · Software and Cloud

Mobile app developer

Also called: App developer, Android developer

Builds apps for Android and iPhone that people use every day.

Is Mobile app developer the right career for you?Find out now
DemandGrowing
Starting pay₹3.5-8 LPA
Time to first job3 to 9 months after a degree
Who can enterAny degree plus app development skills and a published app
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What the work is

Mobile app developers design and build apps for phones and tablets: shopping, banking, games, health and social apps. They work in Kotlin for Android, Swift for iOS, or cross-platform tools like Flutter and React Native that build for both at once.

India is a mobile-first country, so app skills are valued by start-ups, banks and consumer companies. A published app on the Play Store is one of the best ways to show your skill.

A typical week

  • Build app screens and features
  • Connect apps to servers and APIs
  • Fix crashes and improve speed and battery use
  • Publish updates to the Play Store and App Store

It suits people who

  • Enjoy using and improving apps
  • Care about design and user experience
  • Like seeing their work in people's hands

Your path to get there

School (Class 8-10)

  1. Try building a simple app with MIT App Inventor or Flutter

Class 11-12

  1. B.Tech CS or IT, BCA or B.Sc CS

College or fresher

  1. Learn Kotlin (Android) or Flutter, plus Git and APIs
  2. Publish at least one app on the Play Store
  3. Intern with a start-up building apps

Working or switching

  1. Web developers move into mobile using React Native or Flutter
  2. Designers who code can build their own apps
Returning after a break?
  • Start with a skills refresh of 6 to 12 weeks: one short course and one TalentMeter assessment to show where you stand today.
  • Use returnship and second-career programmes; many large employers in India run them for people back after a break.
  • Explain the gap in one honest line on your CV and LinkedIn, and list what you did in it (caregiving, freelancing, courses, volunteering).
  • Contract, part-time and freelance roles are a common way back in; they turn into full-time offers often.

Exams and certifications

NameWhat it is forWhen
Associate Android Developer and Google certificationsShow Android skillsAny time
Company coding testsHiring roundsFinal year onward

Exam names, eligibility and dates change. Always check the official website for this year's notice.

Job market

Job titles to search

Android developeriOS developerFlutter developerReact Native developerMobile app developer

Who hires

Start-upsBanks and fintechE-commerce and consumer appsIT servicesGaming studios

Where the jobs are

BengaluruHyderabadPuneChennaiDelhi NCRMumbai

These buttons open a live search for "Android developer" on each job site. TalentMeter does not list or vouch for the jobs there.

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