Kotlin Multiplatform for Android and iOS Developers

In today’s fast-paced world of mobile app development, finding ways to save time and effort is crucial. Kotlin Multiplatform is one such solution that can make life easier for developers working on both Android and iOS apps. This guide will explain what Kotlin Multiplatform is, why it’s useful, and how it can benefit developers like you.

1. What is Kotlin Multiplatform?

Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is a tool that allows developers to write code that works on both Android and iOS. Instead of writing the same code twice — once for each platform — you can write it once in Kotlin and share it between both. This helps save time and reduces the chances of making mistakes. (Only network calls and business logic can share in kotlin multiplatform. But UI always design in “Jetpack Compose for Android” and “Swift UI for ios”)

2. Why Use Kotlin Multiplatform?

The main reason to use Kotlin Multiplatform is to make development faster and easier. When you write shared code, you don’t have to duplicate your efforts for different platforms. This means fewer bugs, less maintenance, and more consistent apps. Plus, Kotlin is known for its clean and easy-to-read syntax, which makes the coding process smoother.

3. Kotlin Multiplatform for Android and iOS Developers

For Android developers, Kotlin is already a familiar language because it’s officially supported by Google for Android development. With KMP, these developers can now use their Kotlin skills to write code for iOS apps as well. On the other hand, iOS developers can learn Kotlin to benefit from writing shared code, making it easier to manage both Android and iOS projects together.

UI Development

Android:

• Language: Kotlin
• Framework: Jetpack Compose (for modern declarative UI), XML with Android Views (traditional approach)

iOS:

• Language: Swift
• Framework: SwiftUI (for modern declarative UI), UIKit (traditional approach)

Network Calls

Kotlin Multiplatform uses shared Kotlin code to handle network calls, with the help of specific libraries designed for cross-platform compatibility.

Ktor:

• Ktor is a framework built by JetBrains for building asynchronous servers and clients in connected systems using the powerful Kotlin programming language. It supports multiplatform projects, allowing you to write common networking code in Kotlin that works on both Android and iOS.

Kotlinx Serialization:

• For data serialization and deserialization, Kotlinx Serialization is commonly used. It supports JSON and other formats and integrates well with Ktor.

4. Android’s Official Support for Kotlin Multiplatform

Google supports Kotlin for Android development, which extends to Kotlin Multiplatform. This official support means that KMP is a reliable and future-proof tool. Developers can trust that they will have the necessary tools, documentation, and community support to successfully implement KMP in their projects.

5. Companies Using Kotlin Multiplatform

Many well-known companies are already using Kotlin Multiplatform. For example:

• Philips: Uses KMP to share code between their Android and iOS apps.
• VMware: Employs KMP for developing cross-platform solutions.
• Netflix: Uses KMP for internal tools and applications.

These companies have found that KMP helps them develop apps faster and maintain consistency across platforms. You can check all companies list here [ https://www.jetbrains.com/help/kotlin-multiplatform-dev/case-studies.html ]

6. Should You Switch to Kotlin Multiplatform?

Switching to Kotlin Multiplatform depends on your current situation. If your team already knows Kotlin and you want to save time by writing shared code for Android and iOS, KMP is a great choice. It’s especially useful for projects that need to maintain the same functionality on both platforms. However, consider the learning curve and the initial effort required to switch before making a decision.

7. Advantages of Kotlin Multiplatform

Here are some key benefits of using Kotlin Multiplatform:

• Save Time: Write code once and use it on both Android and iOS.
• Consistency: Ensure your app behaves the same on both platforms.
• Efficiency: Speed up development and reduce the need for platform-specific code.
• Performance: Maintain native performance since KMP allows for platform-specific optimizations.
• Support: Enjoy strong community and official support from Google.

8. Conclusion

Kotlin Multiplatform is a powerful tool that simplifies the development of cross-platform apps. By allowing developers to share code between Android and iOS, it reduces duplication and speeds up the development process. With the backing of Google and adoption by major companies, Kotlin Multiplatform is an excellent choice for modern mobile development.

Whether you’re an experienced Android developer looking to expand into iOS development, or an iOS developer wanting to streamline your workflow, Kotlin Multiplatform offers a versatile and efficient solution. Embracing this technology can help you create better apps faster and with less hassle.