Native language
Kotlin and Android development
Kotlin is the modern language of Android. Apps built in it have full access to Android's features and follow the platform's design. The main challenge is variety: so many devices, screens, and versions. We build and test for that range.
- 1,200+ clients helped
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- 50+ technologies
At a glance
What it is
Kotlin is the language Google recommends for Android apps, and it is also used for server software and for sharing logic between Android and iPhone.
Problems it solves
Android runs on thousands of device types, screen sizes, and versions, and an app that works on a developer's phone can fail on a customer's.
Who it suits
Businesses whose customers are on Android, and teams building apps for markets where Android dominates.
How to choose
Choose native Kotlin for Android-first apps and deep device features. Choose cross-platform when one team must reach both platforms.
What it means
Android's preferred language, and more
Kotlin is a modern programming language that Google recommends for Android development. It is concise and safe, and works alongside older Android code written in Java. It is also used to write server software and to share logic between platforms.
On Android, apps are typically built with Jetpack Compose, Google's toolkit for describing screens, along with Android's libraries for storage, background work, and device features.
Beyond phones, Kotlin runs on servers, so a team can use one language across an Android app and its back end, and Kotlin Multiplatform can share business logic with an iPhone app.
What DECHY can do
Working with Kotlin
Build
- Native Android apps with Jetpack Compose.
- Server software in Kotlin where it fits.
Connect
- Back ends, sign-in, and notifications.
- Payments and local storage.
Test
- A device matrix matched to your users.
- Automated and manual testing.
Release
- Play Store listing and staged rollouts.
- Updates for new Android versions.
Where it fits
Building for a range of devices
Variety is Android's defining challenge, and a plan for it is part of the build.
Building for a range of devices
Layers from top to bottom. Supported versions; Adaptive layouts; Manufacturer quirks; Real-device testing; Field monitoring.
- Supported versionsA clear minimum Android version, chosen from your audience.
- Adaptive layoutsScreens that adjust to phones, tablets, and foldables.
- Manufacturer quirksKnown differences handled and tested.
- Real-device testingA chosen set of devices, not only emulators.
- Field monitoringCrash and performance reports from real users.
Options
Native Android or cross-platform?
The decision depends on audience and depth of features.
What matters most?
Choose this when
Your users are mostly on Android, or you serve markets where it dominates.
- What you get
- A native app that follows Android conventions and uses the newest features.
- Keep in mind
- An iPhone version is a separate build unless you plan shared logic.
Choose this when
You need iPhone and Android, with a single budget.
- What you get
- A cross-platform tool such as Flutter or React Native.
- Keep in mind
- Some depth in device features may need native code.
Choose this when
Both platforms need native screens, but the business logic should be written once.
- What you get
- Kotlin Multiplatform shares the logic, with native interfaces on each side.
- Keep in mind
- A newer approach, with more setup, so it suits larger or longer-lived apps.
Common questions
Questions about Kotlin
Is Kotlin only for Android?
No. It also runs on servers, and can share logic with iPhone apps. Android is where it is best known.
Do you still work with Java on Android?
Yes. Existing apps are often a mix, and we work with both. New code is written in Kotlin.
How many Android versions should we support?
It depends on your users. We look at the data for your audience and choose a minimum version that covers almost everyone without holding the app back.
Can you rescue an existing Android app?
Yes. We review structure, dependencies, and crash reports first, then recommend what to improve.
Have a different question?
Tell us what you are weighing up and we will answer it plainly.
Ask a questionAlready a client? Email support@dechytech.com
Technical depth
How we build with Kotlin
For your developers and IT lead: our Kotlin choices on structure, data and background work, and quality, and the reasoning behind each.
We use Jetpack Compose, a clear separation of interface, logic, and data, dependency injection, and coroutines for asynchronous work.
- A local database as the source of truth for offline use, with sync rules for conflicts.
- Background work through the platform's scheduler, which respects battery limits.
- Care with permissions, and secure storage for credentials.
- Tested on a spread of real devices, including older and low-cost phones, before every release.
- Unit and interface tests in a pipeline, and tests on real devices of different makers.
- Crash and performance monitoring in production, with release tracks for staged rollout.
Tell us about the app and your users
Describe what the app does and where your users are. We will say whether native Android is justified and how to handle the range of devices.