What Is an Android App Developer? Your 2025 Career Guide

Whether for fun, work, or productivity, many people depend on their phones to help with daily activities. People use smartphone applications for everything from ordering dinner, creating documents, and even watching movies—and companies are developing more apps every day.

As an Android app developer, you can create apps used on Android devices. Apps have turned mobile devices into handheld computers and transformed how people interact. As an Android app developer, you could be part of this mobile revolution by creating apps that smartphone users rely on everywhere. 

An Android app developer is entry-level, but you need specific skills to obtain this job. For starters, you’ll need an understanding of programming languages to create the code behind an app. Explore these, along with other skills required to pursue this career. 

Android programming languages

One of the notable skills an Android app developer needs is a knowledge of different programming languages used to develop apps. Take a look at some of the programming languages that mobile app developers use:

Java

For a long time, Java was the official programming language of Android apps. Whilst the preferred language has changed to Kotlin, Java is still popular for many developers. However, the language is complex and has a high learning curve for beginners. 

Due to the popularity of this language, there’s a good support community to help developers troubleshoot problems, and Google’s Play Store widely supports it.  

Kotlin

If you’re searching for an efficient Android programming language that you can use simultaneously with Java, Kotlin is an excellent option. It is easier to learn than Java because it is less complex and nuanced, which makes it easier to master.  

Dart

Dart is an up-and-coming language created by Google. Its purpose is to create apps in less time with more built-in features and easy-to-design graphics. This language also tends to focus on the user experience. With the end-user considered during the development, apps tend to be more user-friendly. 

C++

Developers still use C++, but not as an app’s primary programming language. Some developers like to use it to build certain pieces of an app, but combining it with other languages can create bugs. Whilst budding developers can learn this language, other languages will likely take priority. 

A day in the life of an Android app developer 

As an Android developer, you’ll likely spend time collaborating with colleagues, writing code, troubleshooting tech problems, and working to improve applications. More specifically, daily duties might include: 

- Working with different departments to understand an app’s purpose

- Strategically designing an app’s navigation with a focus on the end-user

- Managing outside data sources and APIs to facilitate app development

- Writing code to make the app function simply but with purpose

- Testing the app and fixing bugs as they arise

- Reviewing an app with various team members

- Staying on top of trends in the industry

What skills are needed to become an Android app developer?

If becoming an Android app developer sounds like a good career fit for you, research some of the workplace and technical skills you can work to acquire. Exploring some of the key skills of an Android app developer is helpful when considering this position as a potential career. 

Programming languages

It’s advantageous to gain proficiency in two programming languages, like Java and Kotlin, as you’ll use these languages to write code that makes an app function. You’ll likely need to take classes to obtain this technical skill. 

Additional software knowledge

Being familiar with the Android Development Kit, Google’s app developer toolkit is a good idea. Also, knowing SDL, a program designed to manage and store data, is helpful. Developers can also review the Material Design guidelines set by Google. Developers must meet these guidelines for an app to appear in the Google Play Store. 

Strong communication skills

Developing an app is a team effort. Depending upon where you work, you might work with other colleagues or clients to build an app. The ability to listen and respond to a person’s needs might seem simple, but it’s a vital part of creating an app efficiently. 

Attention to detail

As a developer, you’ll write hundreds of lines of code, which is a skill that requires attention to detail. If a character or letter is off, the code won’t work. Attention to detail will ensure your code is well-written and ready to test. 

Ability to adapt

The world of mobile apps is constantly changing. New programming languages can emerge, standards might change, and software will evolve. An app developer must adapt to various changes when necessary. 

5 Android apps that are popular right now

If you’re considering a job in this field, you might be curious about the apps created by today’s developers. According to Statista’s 2023 data, users can choose from a staggering 2.4 million Android apps from the Google Play Store [1].

As you research this career field, you might consider downloading some apps to explore their navigation, aesthetics, and user experience. Take a look at this snapshot of some of the useful apps on Android:

1. LastPass

This Android app is a password manager that offers cross-platform support so people can use it with their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. 

2. Podcast Addict

This handy app provides a searchable database for podcasts. Aside from searching for shows, users can also create playlists, download episodes, and receive reminders when a new show drops.

3. 1Weather

1Weather is a weather app with a simple, clean design. It provides everything from the forecast to fun weather facts. 

4. Microsoft SwiftKey

This app creates a more user-friendly keyboard on a smartphone or tablet and allows users to customise it. Users can add a number row or a space for emojis, for example. 

5. Google Drive

File sharing and collaboration have become an everyday necessity, which is probably why the Google Drive app is so popular. It makes reading documents easy on a small screen. 

What is a typical salary for an Android app developer?

The average salary for an Android app developer will vary based on the company, location, and job duties, but according to Glassdoor, the median annual wage is £41,801 [2].

Additionally, if you’re interested in working as a software developer, Glassdoor states that in this position, you can expect a median annual salary of £40,587 [3].

What is the job outlook for Android app developers? 

With a growing reliance on mobile devices, it’s not surprising to see a promising job outlook for app developers. Software development job growth is on the rise, and app developers in the UK are in high demand across various industries, such as finance, health, retail, and tourism.  

How to start learning Android app development

Before diving into the world of Android app development, you need to build the skills necessary to apply for a job. As with most jobs, you can take more than one path.

For example, you might consider getting a bachelor’s degree, a foundation degree, or a higher national diploma in software development, computer science, information technology, maths, or software engineering for business. Other avenues that can lead you to this career are graduate training schemes if you already have a degree, or you can look into working an apprenticeship. 

However, you can also consider taking courses in Android app development at your own pace. Coursera partners with many universities to offer online classes and Specialisations that can help build skills for this career choice. 

Get started in Android app development

Companies are searching for Android app developers, so it could be an excellent career option if you have the interest and skills required. If you want to become an Android app developer, consider exploring the basics of developing an app, the programming fundamentals in Kotlin, and UI/UI design principles with the Meta Android Developer Professional Certificate, available on Coursera.

You can take many different paths to develop your skill set, but some options are online courses, like those offered on Coursera, that can help you get started.