Flutter iOS App: Common Development Mistakes That May Cost You Money
To create a great Flutter iOS app, it is vital to know common mistakes and how to avoid them. By making everything right, you will achieve scalability, facilitate maintenance, and prevent negative end-user feedback.
In this article, we will describe how to prevent issues typical for Flutter iOS development. But first, let’s consider our projects that prove the benefits of a cross-platform framework for building iOS apps.
Сut costs while saving quality by creating a top-notch app with Flutter.
Contact usFeatured Flutter iOS app projects we built
1. Workflow digitization for KFC with a Flutter iOS app
To manage workflow, KFC’s personnel had to manually fill out numerous reports and checklists. In this regard, the company strove to automate mundane processes, such as work planning, scheduling, and reporting. For this purpose, the client wanted to make a task management application for general managers, local managers, and shift supervisors.
With the Flutter cross-platform framework, we created an intuitive UI for the app, adapting it to different user groups. Our team developed a comprehensive dashboard, so that KFC’s managers can easily monitor metrics like the turnover, average bill, dishes ratings, and staff productivity.
By building a cross-platform Flutter app for iOS and Android, KFC significantly cut costs and TTM. Using the product, KFC reduced the time required to complete certain tasks. For example, shift managers save 10 hours per week having their routine processes automated. Now they can fill checklists, track employees’ working time, and assign tasks online.
2. The first Flutter banking app in Europe
A large European bank had a mobile app for corporate clients. As it was built on top of the outdated tech stack, there were performance and scalability issues. So, the company aimed to launch a new solution with extended functionality. To deliver the product under tight deadlines, the organization decided to use Flutter.
The framework was also chosen due to its security features. For example, the software development kit (SDK) allows for implementing biometric authentication via Face ID or Touch ID. Dart code is compiled into native, non-human readable code, which significantly complicates reverse engineering.
Soon, our engineers created a mobile application that lets users manage invoices, make online payments, and pay bills and taxes. With Flutter, the institution cut costs and time to market (TTM). We also helped the bank assemble an in-house team.
Finally, we passed the project to the client by cooperating on several tasks with in-house IT experts, providing documentation and sharing our experience in banking app development. In fact, this cutting-edge fintech product became one of the most featured iOS apps made with Flutter by our team.
3. High-quality animations for a video streaming app
We needed to launch a performant streaming app similar to YouTube that will run smoothly on iOS and Android. To prevent user churn, it was important to ensure stable performance and implement smooth UI animations in screen transitions.
With these issues in view, we suggested using Flutter, which has customizable iOS Cupertino and animated widgets, as well as other useful components. We made a mobile solution for both iOS and Android platforms that provides intuitive navigation and dynamic resolution changes depending on connectivity speed.
Employing the SDK, the customer cut down expenses by 40% and TTM — by 30%.
Сommon mistakes in building Flutter iOS apps
1. Architecture is not developed properly
In case you aim to build an iOS app using Flutter that will operate smoothly and provide a seamless user experience, it is critical to make the architecture properly. Otherwise, it may be almost impossible to scale the project.
For example, mixing business logic and displaying visual components can greatly increase the number of code lines. As a result, it will be more difficult to test and maintain a Flutter iOS app.
Learn more about our Flutter projects.
Check out our portfolioThe lack of division into the main layers is another common mistake. When the business logic is described in one class, block, or service, the principle of single responsibility is violated, which complicates testing. Then, changes in one component may affect the entire Flutter iOS solution.
In order to avoid these issues while creating Flutter iOS apps, you need to hire skilled Flutter developers. It is crucial to implement the best software engineering practices to enable scalability and write clean code. At Surf, we use our own tool called Elementary helping build a clear and scalable app architecture.
2. App release build is not configured properly
Overloaded with numerous tasks and not able to do everything at once, IT professionals can postpone the deployment of a release build. As a consequence, fixing bugs and making improvements slow down new releases — even if you use Flutter for iOS developers.
What’s more, critical bugs can lead to a wave of user dissatisfaction and a drop in product ratings on Google Play and the App Store.
To prevent these bottlenecks, it is important to ensure timely creation and testing of release builds. In case with Android and iOS apps made with Flutter for both mobile platforms in parallel, developers should take into account that setting an iOS release build is more difficult than an Android one, and plan work accordingly.
3. Assembling an in-house app development team
It is challenging for business owners to verify Flutter developer qualification without a technical background. On top of that, it may not be clear how to provide training and monitor progress. So, you can turn to a Flutter iOS & Android apps development company.
IT experts will estimate the work scope, make time/budget assessment, create an iOS solution roadmap, set up well-documented processes, and deliver a high-quality product.
Flutter iOS apps: final words
Flutter offers many benefits, from 30%–40% cost savings and improved TTM to almost a native-like UX and performance. At Surf, we use Flutter to build iOS and Android apps for sectors such as fintech, banking, foodservice, and entertainment.
We also make open-source products that facilitate programmers’ work. To learn more, visit our blog.
