Mobile apps require ongoing maintenance for several reasons: Apple and Google release major OS updates annually that can break existing apps; third-party SDKs and frameworks release updates to fix security vulnerabilities and bugs; app stores update their policies and requirements; user behaviour and business needs evolve requiring feature updates; and technical debt accumulates in any codebase requiring periodic remediation. Apps that are not maintained become unstable, insecure, and eventually stop functioning correctly.

New iOS and Android versions introduce API changes, deprecate old APIs, change system behaviour, and sometimes break existing functionality. Apps using deprecated APIs may show warnings or stop working. Apps not built with the latest SDK may lose access to new platform capabilities. In some cases, Apple and Google set minimum SDK requirements that apps must meet to remain in the App Store or Play Store. Regular maintenance addresses these changes proactively before they affect users.

We monitor crash reports through analytics tools (Firebase Crashlytics, Sentry) and triage crashes by frequency and user impact. Critical crashes affecting a significant proportion of users are prioritised for immediate fix and rapid release. Minor crashes and bugs are addressed in the regular maintenance cycle. We report on crash rates in monthly maintenance reports so you have visibility into app stability trends.

Yes. We take on maintenance of apps built by other teams. We start with a codebase audit to understand the architecture, identify existing issues, assess technical debt, and establish the maintenance baseline. Where documentation is limited, we work through the codebase systematically. We are transparent about what we find during the audit — including any significant concerns about code quality or architecture that could affect maintenance complexity.

A typical mobile app maintenance retainer includes: OS compatibility monitoring and updates, third-party dependency updates, crash monitoring and bug fixing, performance monitoring, store listing management, a monthly maintenance report, and a defined number of feature development hours for improvements and new functionality. The exact scope and hours are defined based on your app's complexity and business requirements.

Critical bug fixes for serious crashes or security vulnerabilities are released as urgent hotfix updates. Regular maintenance updates are typically released monthly or quarterly, bundling multiple improvements. Feature releases follow the development roadmap and retainer capacity. We manage the App Store and Play Store release process for all updates, including preparing release notes and managing the review process.

Yes. We offer flexible maintenance arrangements that can be scaled. If you have a period of significant feature development (a major product update), we can increase the retainer scope. During quieter periods, a lighter maintenance-only arrangement is more appropriate. We review the arrangement regularly and adjust as your needs evolve.