Many business owners have a great idea but no visibility into what happens between "I have an idea" and "it's on the App Store." Understanding the process helps you set accurate timelines, allocate budget properly, and work effectively with your development team.
Stage 1: Discovery (1–2 weeks)
We define the problem your app solves, the target users, the core features for the MVP, technical requirements, and a realistic scope. The output is a product requirements document both you and the developer agree on before any code is written.
Stage 2: Design (2–4 weeks)
UX wireframes come first — simple sketches that define user flows without visual design. Once flows are approved, high-fidelity Figma mockups are created with your brand colours and final visual design. Client approval here avoids costly redesigns later.
Stage 3: Development (6–16 weeks)
Development happens in 2-week sprints. Each sprint delivers working features you can test on your phone. Backend APIs, mobile screens, third-party integrations, and payment flows are built incrementally. Weekly check-ins keep everyone aligned.
Stage 4: QA & Testing (2–3 weeks)
Systematic testing across multiple devices and OS versions. Bug fixing, performance profiling, and user acceptance testing (UAT) where you or your team use the app in real scenarios to catch edge cases before launch.
Stage 5: Launch (1–2 weeks)
App Store and Play Store submission, compliance review, metadata optimisation (ASO), and production environment setup. Apple review: 24–48 hours. Google Play: a few hours to 1 day.
Stage 6: Post-Launch Maintenance
After launch, user feedback reveals edge cases. OS updates (iOS, Android) can break features. A maintenance plan ensures your app stays healthy, updated, and crash-free long-term.