Insight

How we make sure your app runs smoothly on every device

Photo of Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith

digital marketing assistant

6 minutes

time to read

April 17, 2025

published

You don’t need to worry about whether your app will run on the latest iPhone or an older Android tablet - that’s what we’re here for. Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of work that goes into making sure your app feels fast, polished, and reliable across platforms.

From screen sizes and operating systems to performance quirks and compatibility hiccups, we’ve seen it all. Ensuring a seamless experience for every user, no matter what they’re holding in their hands, is one of the biggest technical challenges in app development - and one of the things we love solving most.

This guide is part of our Partner Guides series - a resource designed to give you a better understanding of what goes into making your app exceptional before you work with us. Whether you're curious about the process or preparing for a new project, here's a look under the hood at how we ensure your app doesn’t just work - it works beautifully, everywhere.

 

Why cross-platform compatibility matters

We’re no longer living in a one-device-fits-all world. Your users could be opening your app on:

  • The newest iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • An entry-level Android phone from five years ago
  • A ruggedised tablet used by field workers
  • A foldable device with two screens
  • Or even on desktop via an emulator

Globally, there are more than 24,000 distinct Android devices in use, running hundreds of OS versions and variations. That’s a wild amount of diversity - and it's just Android. Add Apple’s regular hardware and iOS updates into the mix, and you’ve got a moving target to hit.

This kind of fragmentation is why it’s not enough for an app to “just work” on one or two devices. It needs to perform consistently across the board - not just to please users, but to protect your brand.

Because let’s face it: if your app is slow, broken, or buggy on someone’s phone, it doesn’t matter how good the features are. They’ll bounce.

stack of different phones
 

So how do we do it?

Let’s break it down. Here’s how we make sure your app works seamlessly for every user, every time.

 

1. We design responsively from day one

Before a single line of code is written, we’re thinking about how your app will behave on different screen sizes and resolutions. This starts in design.

We build responsive UI components that adapt to different devices, whether it’s a 4.7” screen or a 12.9” tablet. We use dynamic layouts, scalable text, and flexible components that gracefully adjust without breaking the design.

Good to know: Apple recommends designers build for multiple Dynamic Type sizes to accommodate accessibility needs. It’s one of the ways we ensure inclusive design as well as functional layout.
 

2. We use the right tech for the right job

We’re experts in building cross-platform apps using technologies like React Native - but we don’t just reach for a tool because it’s trendy. Every project gets a tailored approach.

React Native lets us write once and deploy to both iOS and Android, but we also know when native modules or custom integrations are needed for more advanced performance or platform-specific behaviour.

If your app needs to tap into things like ARKit, biometrics, Bluetooth, or custom camera workflows, we’ll architect the code to support these natively where needed, without compromising consistency across devices.


Good to know: React Native is used by some of the world’s most recognisable apps, including Instagram, Shopify, and Discord. It’s fast, flexible, and constantly evolving.
 
testing app

3. We optimise for performance, not just looks

Smooth animations, fast load times, and responsive tap gestures aren’t just nice-to-haves - they’re essential for standing out.

We take performance seriously from day one:

  • We profile the app during development using tools like Android Profiler and Xcode Instruments to find and fix bottlenecks
  • We lazy-load assets and use optimised libraries to keep bundle sizes down
  • We manage memory carefully to avoid crashes on older or low-spec devices
  • We make sure touch targets and animations feel snappy, not sluggish

And yes, we test your app offline, too. Because in the real world, Wi-Fi isn’t always friendly, especially for users travelling, working in remote areas, or moving between networks.

 

4. We run real-world testing on real devices

Simulators are great for speed, but they don’t tell the full story. That’s why we test on a range of physical devices across brands, sizes, OS versions, and performance levels - including older Android phones and legacy iPhones.

We also test in different conditions: low battery, limited connectivity, dark mode, high contrast settings - all the things your users will experience that might break a less-prepared app.

Our QA team combines automated testing (to catch functional bugs quickly) with manual exploratory testing, where a real person puts the app through its paces like an actual user would.


Did you know: 88% of users say they will abandon an app if they encounter bugs or glitches. Thorough testing protects your reputation.
 

5. We stay ahead of OS updates and hardware changes

Operating systems and devices change constantly - especially in the Apple ecosystem, where new iOS versions are released yearly and older devices quickly fall out of support.

We stay ahead by:

  • Regularly testing your app on beta OS versions ahead of public release
  • Following update cycles for Android, iOS, and key dependencies like Firebase or Stripe
  • Reviewing release notes and security bulletins to ensure nothing breaks when new versions roll out

This proactive approach means we catch and fix compatibility issues before they affect your users, and we’ll always let you know when a platform shift means it’s time for a future update or refresh.

 

6. We support you after launch, too

Making sure your app runs smoothly isn’t a one-time job. It’s a living, breathing process that continues after launch.

We offer ongoing support and maintenance to monitor performance, fix bugs, and ensure compatibility as devices and systems evolve. That means peace of mind for you and uninterrupted service for your users.

We also use analytics tools like Firebase or EAS to flag crashes and slowdowns in real-time, so we can jump in quickly when something needs attention.

 

What you won’t have to worry about

You won’t need to stress about:

  • Whether your app will look strange on a foldable phone
  • If the next Android update will break your payment flow
  • Why your iPhone users are seeing a strange bug your dev team can’t reproduce
  • Whether a slow device will cause loading issues for customers in the field

We handle all of that because ensuring your app feels reliable, smooth, and beautifully put-together is what we do best.

satisfied users
 

Your app should be effortless for everyone

No matter who your users are or what device they’re holding, they should be able to open your app and feel like it was built just for them.

That level of consistency takes planning, experience, and a whole lot of behind-the-scenes work. But when it’s done right, nobody notices - and that’s the point. It just works.

And when you work with us, you’re not just getting a build. You’re getting a digital product that’s been carefully crafted to feel at home on every screen.

 

Ready to build an app that just works everywhere?

Whether you’re starting fresh or levelling up an existing product, we’ll help you build something that feels fast, familiar, and frustration-free on every device.

Let’s make an experience your users won’t forget.

 
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