How to Build a Cross-Platform Mobile App with Xamarin for iOS and Android?

Introduction

Mobile application is a basic necessity in every type of organisation and the business sector as it’s the medium to generate potential leads and provide value to the customer. Without a mobile application, a company can't survive in the business world.

From Flutter to Kotlin development there are various frameworks available that allow you to create a user-friendly and responsive mobile application. From all of them, Xamarin also allows you to create a cross-platform mobile application.

What is Xamarin?

You can define it as a free open-source framework that allows you to develop a cross-platform mobile application using a single C# language and runtime which works on three mobile application platforms namely Android, iOS, and Windows. Through Xamarin, we can develop a mobile app whose look and feel are entirely native and which has access to all the features of native SDK.

Why To Use Xamarin?

Being a robust cross-platform mobile app development can develop a single app for multiple devices. It's an enhanced platform for mobile applications that lets you create solutions for several platforms rather than one at a time. Therefore Xamarin is the most reliable language for complex applications.

Writing a Cross-Platform Application

While writing a cross-platform application using Xamarin the developers have 2 options to create a cross-platform application. 

• Portable Class Library.
• Shared Project.

PCL allows you to write code that can be applicable among multiple platforms, but the only drawback you may face is that not all .NET APIs are available on multiple platforms.

But, if you are working on a shared project it gives you more control and enables you to develop platform-specific code for each platform you choose to support, giving you more control.

Code in a shared project may have compiler directives in it that, depending on which application project uses the code, activate or disable specific code parts. 

Cross-platform code with MvvmCross

It’s a cross-platform of the MVVM framework that allows the developer to create apps using the MVVM pattern on Xamarin. It comes with a bunch of libraries, APIs, and utilities making it easier to develop a cross-platform framework.

Compared to other application development approaches, MvvmCross can significantly minimise the amount of standard code. Therefore, the developers can acquire the benefit of code reusability making is applicable across various devices and operating systems.

Future Trends of Xamarin in Cross-Platform Development

In the dynamic landscape of cross-platform development, staying ahead of emerging trends is crucial for developers seeking efficiency, scalability, and enhanced user experiences. Xamarin, a robust framework for cross-platform app development, continues to evolve, offering exciting prospects for the future. Let's explore the anticipated trends that will shape the trajectory of Xamarin in the realm of cross-platform development.

• Improved DevOps Integration
  
  
  DevOps practices play a pivotal role in the software development lifecycle, facilitating collaboration and automation. Xamarin is likely to enhance its integration with DevOps tools, streamlining the deployment, testing, and monitoring processes. This will result in faster development cycles, improved collaboration among development and operations teams, and overall increased efficiency.
  
  
• Cross-Platform Gaming with Xamarin
  
  
  While Xamarin has primarily been associated with mobile app development, its potential in the gaming industry is expected to grow. Developers can anticipate better support for game development using Xamarin, opening up opportunities for creating cross-platform games with shared codebases.

• Focus on Accessibility and Inclusivity
  
  
  The importance of creating accessible and inclusive applications continues to gain prominence. Xamarin is expected to incorporate features and tools that make it easier for developers to design and implement apps that cater to diverse user needs, including those with disabilities

• Integration with Emerging Frameworks and Libraries
  
  
  As new frameworks and libraries emerge in the development ecosystem, Xamarin is likely to adapt and integrate seamlessly with these technologies. This flexibility will enable developers to leverage the latest tools and resources, staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
  
  

Conclusion

In conclusion, building cross-platform mobile apps with Xamarin offers various benefits from cost-effectiveness to a shared codebase, Xamarin simplifies the development process while ensuring a consistent user experience. Therefore, Xamarin stands as a cornerstone in the ever-evolving realm of cross-platform app development, offering a robust and versatile solution for developers.

FAQ

Is Xamarin suitable for large-scale projects?

Absolutely! Xamarin is well-suited for projects of all sizes, offering scalability and efficiency.

Can I use Xamarin for game development?

While Xamarin is primarily for app development, Unity is a better choice for game development.

Is Xamarin free to use?

Xamarin offers a free community edition with robust features. But, enterprise features require a subscription.

How does Xamarin compare to other cross-platform frameworks?

Xamarin stands out for its seamless integration with Visual Studio and robust community support, making it a strong contender in the cross-platform development landscape.

What are the key considerations for optimising app performance in Xamarin?

Optimising performance involves using Xamarin Profiler, efficient code practices, and platform-specific optimisations.