The process of transforming an application designed for the Android operating system to function on Apple’s iOS platform entails significant architectural and code modifications. This undertaking allows a software product, initially targeted at one mobile ecosystem, to reach a different user base and potentially expand its market share. A practical example involves rewriting Java or Kotlin code (typical for Android) into Swift or Objective-C (used for iOS), while also adapting user interface elements and utilizing platform-specific APIs.
Making software available on multiple platforms offers advantages like increased reach and revenue potential. Historically, businesses often developed separate native applications for Android and iOS due to differences in programming languages and development environments. However, the need for cross-platform solutions has grown significantly, driven by the desire to minimize development costs and accelerate time-to-market. This has led to the emergence of various tools and frameworks aimed at simplifying the adaptation of applications across different mobile operating systems.