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Mobile App Development

Native and cross-platform iOS and Android apps, from design through app store launch and support.

Book a free consultationCall +971 52 210 4014

Overview

Mobile app development covers everything from the first sketch of your idea to an app live on the App Store and Google Play. Almahira designs and builds native iOS and Android apps, and cross-platform apps with React Native or Flutter, along with the backend systems, admin dashboards and payment integrations they depend on.

Your main decision is how to build. Native apps, written separately for each platform, give the most control over performance and device features. Cross-platform frameworks share most of the code between iOS and Android, which usually lowers cost and makes updates faster. The right choice depends on your features, budget and long-term plans.

We help you decide, cut your first version down to what users actually need, and build it in short cycles you can test on your own phone. For the UAE market we build Arabic and English interfaces with proper right-to-left layouts, integrate local payment options, and plan for app store review so your launch date is realistic.

Key facts

Platforms
iOS and Android, native or cross-platform with React Native or Flutter
Languages
English and Arabic, with right-to-left layouts and store listings in both
Store accounts
Published under your company's own Apple and Google developer accounts
Apple organisation account
Needs a legal entity and a D-U-N-S Number; trade names and branches are not accepted
Account deletion
Apps that let users create an account must also let them delete it in the app (App Store guideline 5.1.1)
Digital purchases
Digital content and subscriptions use in-app purchase; physical goods and services use other payment methods

Who it's for

Founders with an app idea
You want to test a product with real users quickly, with a first version small enough to launch and learn from.
Retail and service businesses
You want customers to book, order or pay through your own app instead of relying only on third-party platforms.
Companies with an existing app
Your app needs a redesign, new features, Arabic support or a new team after the previous developer moved on.
Enterprises with field teams
You need internal apps for staff, such as inspections, deliveries or sales visits, connected to your existing systems.

What's included

  • Native iOS and Android apps
  • Cross-platform apps with React Native or Flutter
  • Mobile UI and UX design
  • Arabic and English interfaces with right-to-left layouts
  • Secure payment gateway integration
  • Backend APIs and admin dashboards
  • App store submission and app store optimisation (ASO)
  • Analytics and crash reporting setup
  • Maintenance, operating system updates and support

What we'll ask you for

  • A brief describing your idea, your users and the main features
  • Brand assets such as your logo, colours and fonts
  • Apple Developer and Google Play Console accounts in your company's name
  • A D-U-N-S number for your company, which Apple requires for organisation accounts
  • Merchant account details from your payment provider
  • Access to any existing backend, APIs or app code
  • A privacy policy for your app, which the app stores ask for

How it works

  1. Discovery

    We agree the problem your app solves, who it is for and the smallest set of features worth launching.

  2. UX and prototype

    We design the main screens and turn them into a clickable prototype you can try on your phone and show to potential users.

  3. Build in sprints

    We develop the app and its backend in short cycles and share test builds through TestFlight and Google Play testing tracks, so you can follow progress.

  4. Testing

    We test on a range of real devices and screen sizes, in both languages, and check performance, security and payment flows.

  5. Store submission

    We prepare store listings, screenshots and privacy details, submit to Apple and Google, and handle any questions or change requests from reviewers.

  6. Support and updates

    After launch we monitor crashes and reviews, release fixes, and keep the app working with new iOS and Android versions.

Typical timeline

A focused first version often takes a few months to design and build, depending on features, integrations and how quickly feedback comes back. App store review is separate and varies: it is often quick, but it can take longer if the reviewer asks for changes, so allow a buffer before any launch date.

Common questions

Should I build native or cross-platform?

Cross-platform suits most business apps; native suits apps that rely heavily on device hardware, complex animations or the newest platform features. Frameworks such as React Native and Flutter share most of the code across iOS and Android, which usually reduces cost and keeps both versions in step. We recommend an approach after looking at your features, budget and long-term plans.

How long does app store review take?

It varies. Apple and Google review every new app and update, and many reviews finish quickly, but some take longer, especially first submissions and apps that handle payments, health data or user accounts. If a reviewer finds an issue with their guidelines, the app is fixed and resubmitted. We prepare submissions carefully to reduce delays, but approval is always the store's decision.

Who owns the app and the store accounts?

You should. We publish your app under Apple Developer and Google Play accounts registered to your company, so the listing, ratings and user base stay with you. Ownership of the source code and design files is agreed in the contract before work starts. If you don't have developer accounts yet, we can guide you through setting them up.

Can my app accept payments in the UAE?

Yes. For physical goods and real-world services, such as deliveries, bookings or bills, we integrate a payment gateway that supports UAE cards and wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay. Digital content and subscriptions used inside the app generally have to use Apple's and Google's own in-app purchase systems under their store rules. We help you work out which applies to you.

Can you build the app in Arabic and English?

Yes. We design bilingual apps from the start, with right-to-left layouts for Arabic, mirrored navigation, suitable Arabic fonts and correct handling of numbers and dates. Users can switch language or follow their phone settings. Your store listings can also be published in both languages, which helps people find the app when they search in Arabic.

Can you take over an app another developer built?

Often, yes. We start by reviewing the code, architecture, hosting and store accounts to see what state the app is in. Sometimes the best path is to continue with the existing code; sometimes a partial or full rebuild costs less in the long run. We give you a written assessment before you decide.

What does an app cost to run after launch?

Expect yearly running costs for hosting, third-party services, the annual Apple developer membership and maintenance. Apple and Google release new operating system versions every year, which can require updates. Maintenance plans usually cover monitoring, bug fixes and compatibility updates, while new features are scoped separately. We estimate these running costs for your app during scoping, so they are in your budget from the start.

Do I need a registered company to publish an app?

Not strictly, but a company account is the better route for a business. On a personal Apple account, your own legal name appears as the seller. An organisation account shows your company's name, and Apple requires a legal entity with a D-U-N-S Number and a working website; it does not accept trade names or branches. New personal Google Play accounts must also run a closed test with at least 12 testers for 14 days before release.

Guides on this topic

Last reviewed . Rules change often; we confirm current requirements during your consultation.

Sources

Tell us what you're planning

One short call is usually enough to recommend a jurisdiction, licence and visa route. A written quote follows.

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