How To Become an Android Developer? Here’s A Complete Guide

Have you ever initiated or participated in the Apple vs. Android debate? This debate has navigated its way through the years, signifying the one-upmanship between these two operating systems and their tech giants. An Android developer can be understood as an architect, but only for the digital world. Android developers are responsible for building that little world within our mobile screens. The innovations guide their work and take the shape of Android applications that we use daily. One of the most significant responsibilities is making sure the applications are user-friendly to cater to the more significant audience sector.

To establish this, they use coding, testing, and refining. This way, they bring the technology to our screens and fingertips. However, the process does not end here. An Android developer also has to ensure the system’s seamless functioning. This is ensured by troubleshooting these Android applications. If there are any new application updates, they work on incorporating those changes. You can also understand an Android developer as a software developer who sets the system’s foundation through coding and building reliable software.

Given today’s time, the demand for this profession is undoubtedly rising. Even the task of attendance for an organisation is made easier through Android applications. These mobile applications make education, shopping, travel bookings, entertainment, and even banking or transactions possible on the phone. This has been successful in terms of saving our time and enhancing our experience with technology. If we talk numbers, the demand for software developers, including Android developers, is expected to hit the 17 per cent mark in 2024.

To become an Android developer, you require technical and non-technical skills.

Diving In: The Role Of An Android Developer

An Android developer has to juggle quite a few responsibilities. This begins with designing software, incorporating changes, and then transforming it into our Android applications. They also work on debugging the application or software occasionally to ensure they do not interfere with the user experience. Let us try to understand the role and responsibilities of an Android Developer:

• Designing:

  An Android developer begins by designing a creative and interactive UI or user interface. UI can be understood as how people like you and me interact with mobile applications, software, and their features. They build Android applications for all kinds of users. As mentioned earlier, almost every industry, including banking, has now made its way to mobile phones. Every application, even in the same category, needs different software and coding. For example, two shopping mobile applications will also be different in terms of user experience.

Did you ever fall for an application just because of its appearance and download it even if you did not know its use? This is precisely what an Android Developer works on. They ensure an application is attractive and interactive and serves the user’s purpose. Sometimes, these mobile applications are built to replace our old habits. For example, an app that allows us to write our diary entries. Eventually, we realised these Android applications are more reliable than the diaries we use to increase the user count.

An Android developer should be comfortable with the UI technology to build such applications.

• Maintaining:

  To design Android applications, an Android Developer uses programming languages such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, etc. Different platforms require different languages depending on their requirements. An Android developer can choose the language they are comfortable working with. Additionally, they have to work on maintaining the reusable and understandable code of the application. This makes it easy for them to be changed in case of any bugs. They also need to keep updating the mobile applications so that they can be updated by future developers.

• Troubleshooting:

  Once the applications and software are launched for the public, they must be checked for technical errors at regular intervals for smooth functioning. This is ensured by the practice of troubleshooting. A coder’s primary responsibility is fixing the bugs that hinder an application’s progress. When the application creation is in the pipeline, the coder anticipates the possible bugs that can interfere. This helps in the timely addressal of any problems that may rise. The Android Developer starts to work on troubleshooting once the application is shipped to the user.

• Updating:

  In a world of rapidly changing technologies and the new discoveries that constantly take place, an Android developer has to constantly stay updated with the new technological tools. It is necessary for them to incorporate the new changes in the software regularly. If these Android applications or software are not developed and fail to move ahead withe the changing time, the suer experience is significantly compromised. This may reflect poorly on the company that runs those applications. It is not necessary, however, to include every new technological tool. The Android developer has to decipher between the ones that can be incorporated and the ones that are not worth. Once the new tools are utilised, the reach and user experience gets better.

One of the most relatable examples is shopping mobile applications such as Myntra, Amazon and Flipkart that allow the user to click or upload a reference picture of the product they are looking for. If the application recongises the product and finds the exact same, or similar product on the platform, the user will be able to save their time surfing endlessly and can easily buy their desired product. This is one of the most efgicent ways of saving time and avoidinng unwanted confusion making the task less cumbersome.

• Working with APIs:

  APIs or Application Programming Interface can be better understood as a connection between the computer programmes. These help the programmes in communicating with each other. Let us take the example off navigation system- where Google’s API is used. Application Programming Interfaces are used to utilise the different services in a singles application. This boosts the capacity of the application to interact. Additionally, the secure use of these Android applications are also instructed to the used. For example, the use of Google Maps for navigation would otherwise require you to turn on your location which needs to be monitored. It comes with its terms and conditions for the user to know what services are they approving of.

• Keeping the User in the center:

  An Android developer has to centralise the user while building any application or software. This is necessary in order to ensure that everything that is being incorporated in the application is convenient for the users. They need to be sufficient at serving the employees and their requirements. If the user is satisfied with the application’s smooth functioning, it will not only enhance the developer’s image but also the brand that belongs to.

Becoming An Android Developer: A Guide

Here is a step-by-step process of becoming an Andoid Developer:

1. The Beginning:

An Android developer is required to be well-versed with the two main programming languages such as Java and Kotlin. Kotlin has been regarded as the replacement for Java and has been developed by Google itself. Learning this would be a good start for the aspiring prorgammers. This language is considered much more well-built as it can avoid any potential errors or crashes while developing an application.

Here are some factors you can focus on while learning Kotlin:

• Syntax

• Idioms

• OOP- object oriented programming

• Data structures

• Algorithms

2. Android Tools:

An android developer should know the important tools that used for developing the Android applications and software. One of these tool sis Android Studio also known as the official IDE or the integrated Development Environment. This is usually used for dveloping android applications. Integrated Development Environment is a software that is responsible for consolidating the common tool that the developers use. This is done in a single graphical user interface. IDE is also used for writing and testing software while the development is ongoing. This involves coding, building and testing. Android Studio is usually recommended for how it standardises the development process making it easy for you to work.

3. Work on Projects:

once you gain an insight into the common tools that are used, you can start taking up small projects. This practice is useful for enhancing your knowledge and put your app developer skills to test. This process will help you explore your mistakes and rectify them before you move on to the bigger assignments. You can also try freelancing. This is highly recommended for building connections. Usually, the work of an Android Developer involves a matter of trust. Once you work on the smaller freelancing projects, people can judge you and your app developer skills better. They can, thereby, recommend you for the upcoming projects as they will already be familiar with your work.

4. Distribution:

Once you start getting into the small projects, you will be able to confidently work on your own application’s development. Your experience with the previous projects can contribute to your application. Then you can go ahead and distribute that application for the users to interact with. This can be established through various methods such as linking it to your website or any other third party website. When people would search for anything related to your application and its content, your link can reach out to them.

Job Insights for an Android Developer

Key Takeways

Change is the only constant!

The world we live is demands a constant change. Technology has made it possible. Today, almost every industry heavily relies on technology. The coming years will witness the rise of professions that are supported by the tech industry. Our daily work has become easier through the mobile applications. Applications such as HDFC for banking, Netflix, Prime Video and Hotstar for entertainment and Myntra, Amazon for shopping have made it convenient for us to access the products and services they offer. Additionally, the lockdown significantly contributed to the dependence on the digital platforms.

These Android applications have not only succeeded in providing the variety they offer but have also created a friendly user interface for smooth functioning. The users need complex programmes to be broken down into simple language and formats for easy use. For example, the languages that are made available on every application such as Hindi, English, and other regional languages increase the application’s reach. People who are not well-versed in a particular language are no longer restricted from using the application.

Software development has become incredibly demanding for the companies. Every organisation has reconised the need to make their digital presence strong. An application, in that sense goes a long way! It is a systematic way of organising the data and information while keeping a track of the consumer insights. The more complicated an application gets, the more cumbersome it is for the user to access it. Henceforth, an Android developer is expected to be well-versed with the programming languages and the other non-technical skills.

Ultimately, if you are looking forward to a career like this, you must explore your options as it will open up several avenues for you. Becoming a developer would require you to know coding and refining for which you can always take up courses and small projects for experience.

FAQs

Q1. Is Android developer a good career?

Absolutely, a career as an Android developer is promising because there is a large market for mobile apps, the pay is competitive, and there are many prospects for creativity and advancement in the tech sector.

Q2. Are Android Developers in Demand?

An Android developer creates software for Android-powered smartphones and tablets, ensuring compatibility across various Android versions and platforms due to the ecosystem’s complexity. They stay updated on trends and best practices, ensuring their applications perform seamlessly and meet user expectations.

Q3. Who can become an Android Developer? 

Anyone with a strong interest in technology, programming skills, especially in Java or Kotlin, and a willingness to learn can become an Android developer. Formal education in computer science or related fields can be beneficial, but self-taught individuals with a solid portfolio can also succeed in this field.

Q4. What qualifications are needed to become an android developer?

To become an Android developer, a minimum qualification typically includes a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or technical training in computer science.

Q5. what are the different job roles for an Android Developer? 

The different types of jobs are:

• Mobile App Developer

• Mobile Architect

• Android Engineer

• Embedded and Lead Software Engineer for mobile