UX Tips: Designing crossplatform mobile apps

Claudio Henriquez
Sep 3, 2018 · 4 min read

In this point in time it has become a necessity for companies and startups to create mobile apps for more than one platform at a time, the division of the market between Android and iOS has made it clear that we should not stick to an specific platform unless there’s a very specific advantage on doing it.

However, this comes as a challenge for us Designers, battling between the short amount of time we usually get to design the same app for different platforms, the differences between each platform design systems and, probably the more important thing, the difference between each platform behavioural pattern.

This posts will mainly give you very specific tips on how to design the same app for different platforms and create a unique experience for each type of users, making them feel at home no matter the device or platform they are using.

1- Keep in mind the difference between the UI components in iOS vs Android

In the last few years we’ve seen how both platforms has evolved design wise. Android coming from a background of messiness in the OS design as well as in the apps has been able to turn this around by creating a more standardised way of designing things, both in terms of behaviour(UX) and components(UI), it also uses a design style that it’s colourful and expressive, a way to maintain the “playfulness” of the OS while keeping it organised. iOS on the other part kept its “clean” style but has done several improvements toward it, creating a UI that is every day more cleaner than the day before.

This creates a very contradictory pattern for designing between platforms. So the first thing that you need to do is to read about the difference between the main components of an app, don’t just look at the UI difference but also pay special attention to the behavioural difference, since each platform user is already used to it.

Here is a very nice post about the UI and Behavioural differences between iOS and Android .

Post by: Chun-Chuan Lin

2- Dive into each platform guideline

After you are already familiar with the key differences between the UI of each platform and the different behaviour the main elements have, you dive into the guidelines each platform has.

The best thing from each one is how very specific they are, providing not just with elements and elements type but also with typographies and alternatives to it, measurements, tools and general tips over when and how to use everything.

The reason why I put this as number 2 is because when you are first diving into a guideline from a platform you don’t know, some things may seem to be odd, so understanding the differences and the why’s will help you have a cleaner mind when going deeper into this new guideline.

You can find Each platform guideline here:

Android and iOS

3- Use both platforms in a daily basics

This one I considered it to be something personal that has helped me a lot when designing for more than one platform, be it mobile or not.

Try to have 2 phone for a couple of weeks while you are doing your research before starting to work with the UI of the app. Understanding how to be a user of a platform will give you a perspective you can’t have otherwise. You will start noticing patterns from that new platform you are trying, you will get used to it, and when you change phone later that day you will find that the same action it’s different here.

Think about these starting points when using both platforms:

  • Divide the time you use between phone, so you use both in the same day, the same amount of time.
  • Use the same apps in each platform.
  • Once you start to notice the difference between platforms, DON’T try to choose which is better

4- Don’t try to choose which platform is better

It’s normal for everyone to have a preference between a platform and the other, after all, we all have things we like and dislike. But remember this:

YOU ARE NOT DESIGNING FOR YOURSELF

When you start using and researching each platform pattern and UI elements you will certainly see some that you like more in one platform than the other, but that’s your personal view. For the users on Android that has never use an iPhone, the Android pattern is the best pattern, because that’s what they know, and the same comes the other way around.

Try to give to each user what they want with the best UX possible for each group. Not for you.

5- The Guidelines are pretty good, but they are not everything

A common problem I find when working with mobile developers that are dedicated to a specific platforms is how hard is for them to think outside of the norm. And while the guidelines from each platform are a pretty good starting point to understand how everything behave and works for the users and what they are used to, innovation is always welcome.

Depending on what you are designing there is some room for innovation and creativity, if you feel like there’s a way to improve the life of the users without breaking the flow of the app or the common experience of the platform users, then do it. The only rule that you should follow while doing it is to keep a good UX for the users.


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I’m constantly writing about design tips, so follow my Medium and my LinkedIn to learn more about design tips from a new perspective, literally. For the next few months I’ll be starting some new projects and UX Studies to share with everyone so keep in touch and share any feedback you may have.

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Claudio Henriquez

Written by

UI/UX Designer / Philosophy enthusiast. I don’t even know what this account is for, so brace yourself. Part of @xteam & @accelone | Opinions are my own

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