A focused mobile app typically takes 3–4 months from kickoff to launch. Here’s what actually fills that time, phase by phase.
Weeks 1–2: Discovery and Scoping
This phase nails down the core feature set, target platforms, and any backend requirements — the single most important phase for keeping the rest of the timeline accurate.
Weeks 2–4: UX/UI Design
Wireframes and then visual designs for every screen get built and approved here, ideally validated with a quick round of user feedback before development starts.
Weeks 4–10: Development
Frontend screens and any backend systems get built in parallel, with regular builds delivered for review rather than one big reveal at the end.
Weeks 9–11: Testing
QA across different devices and OS versions, along with a beta round with real users, happens here — this phase often overlaps with the tail end of development.
Weeks 11–13: Store Submission and Launch
App Store and Google Play submission, including review time and any resubmission if needed, wraps up the timeline before public launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does building for both iOS and Android extend this timeline?
With a cross-platform framework, minimally — most of the development work is shared between platforms.
What’s the biggest risk to staying on this timeline?
Scope changes mid-development are the most common cause of delays — locking the feature set during discovery and treating new ideas as a future version, not a mid-project addition, keeps the timeline honest.