What to look for in an Android partner
Hiring for Android is about more than 'can they write Kotlin.' You want people who ship apps that survive contact with real devices, get updated as Android changes, and don't fall apart when the original developer leaves. That means modern practices, clean architecture, and an honest way of communicating tradeoffs.
Look at what they've actually shipped and how they talk about it. A good partner explains their decisions, admits limitations, and can point to apps that are still maintained — not just a portfolio of launches with no aftercare.
- Kotlin and modern Android tooling (Jetpack, and Compose where appropriate)
- Shipped apps you can install and inspect, ideally still maintained
- A clear approach to architecture, testing, and code review
- Experience with device fragmentation, the Play Store, and app maintenance
- Honest communication about tradeoffs, risks, and what they don't know
- A plan for handoff, documentation, and who owns the code and accounts
Questions to ask and red flags to avoid
The right questions surface how a team really works. Ask how they handle new OS versions, how they test across devices, what happens after launch, and who owns your Play Console account and source code. The answers tell you whether you're getting a durable app or a one-time build.
Be cautious of anyone who guarantees a top ranking, quotes a firm price before understanding your scope, won't show real work, or wants to keep control of your accounts and code. These are the patterns that lead to expensive lock-in and rebuilds.
- Ask: how do you handle Android's yearly target-API requirement and OS changes?
- Ask: how do you test across devices, and what's your post-launch support model?
- Ask: who owns the source code, the Play Console account, and the signing keys?
- Red flag: guaranteed rankings or 'we can build anything' with no scoping
- Red flag: a firm quote before understanding your requirements
- Red flag: reluctance to show shipped work or hand over accounts and code
More on android apps
Frequently asked questions
Should we hire an individual freelancer or an agency?
Both can work. A freelancer can be cost-effective for a focused project, but a single point of failure; an agency offers more continuity, review, and coverage across skills like design and QA. What matters most is shipped work, clear ownership of your code and accounts, and honest communication — regardless of size.
How do we protect ourselves from vendor lock-in?
Insist on owning your source code, your Play Console account, and your app signing keys from day one, and require documentation and clean handoff as part of the deal. A good partner welcomes this because they're not relying on lock-in to keep your business.
What's the single biggest hiring mistake to avoid?
Choosing on lowest price or biggest promises instead of evidence. Ask to see and install real apps, ask how they handle maintenance after launch, and treat guaranteed rankings or firm quotes without scoping as warning signs. The cheapest build is expensive if it can't be maintained.