Mitty Visotcky Head of Android/iOS

• Business
• Flutter

November 25, 2022 5 min read

Flutter iOS Apps: How to Avoid Mistakes That May Cost Your Money

To create a great Flutter app for iOS, it is vital to know common mistakes and how to avoid them. By making everything right, you will achieve scalability, facilitate maintenance, and prevent negative feedback.

In this article, we will describe how to prevent issues typical for Flutter iOS apps development. But first, let’s consider our projects that prove the SDK benefits for building iOS solutions.

Featured Flutter iOS app projects built by Surf

1. Digitizing business processes for KFC

To manage workflow, KFC’s personnel had to manually fill out numerous reports and checklists. In this regard, the company strove to automate mundane processes, such as work planning, scheduling, and reporting. For this purpose, the client wanted to make a task management application for general managers, local managers, and shift supervisors. 

With the Flutter cross-platform framework, we created an intuitive UI, adapting it to different user groups. Our team developed a comprehensive dashboard, so that KFC’s managers can easily monitor metrics like the turnover, average bill, dishes ratings, and staff productivity.

By building a cross-platform solution, KFC significantly cut costs and TTM. Using the product, KFC reduced the time required to complete certain tasks. For example, shift managers save 10 hours per week having their routine processes automated. Now they can fill checklists, track employees’ working time, and assign tasks online.

2. The first Flutter banking app in Europe

A large European bank had a mobile app for corporate clients. As it was built on top of the outdated tech stack, there were performance and scalability issues. So, the company aimed to launch a new solution with extended functionality. To deliver the product under tight deadlines, the organization decided to use Flutter.

The framework was also chosen due to its security features. For example, the SDK allows for implementing biometric authentication via Face ID/Touch ID. Dart code is compiled into native, non-human readable code, which significantly complicates reverse engineering.

Soon, our engineers created a mobile application that lets users manage invoices, make online payments, and pay bills/taxes. With Flutter, the institution cut costs and time to market (TTM). We also helped the bank to assemble an in-house team. Finally, we passed the project to the client by cooperating on several tasks with in-house IT experts, providing documentation, and sharing our experience in banking app development.

3. High-quality animations for a video streaming app

We needed to launch a performant streaming app similar to YouTube. To prevent user churn, it was important to ensure stable performance and implement smooth UI animations in screen transitions. 

With these issues in view, we suggested using Flutter, which has customizable iOS Cupertino and animated widgets, as well as other useful components. We made a mobile solution that provides intuitive navigation and dynamic resolution changes depending on connectivity speed. Employing the SDK, the customer cut down expenses by 40% and TTM — by 30%.

Сommon mistakes in building Flutter iOS apps

1. Architecture is not built properly

If the architecture is not created properly, it may be almost impossible to scale the project. For example, mixing business logic and displaying visual components can greatly increase the number of code lines. As a result, it will be more difficult to test and maintain a Flutter iOS app.

The lack of division into the main layers is another common mistake. When the business logic is described in one class, block, or service, the principle of single responsibility is violated, which complicates testing. Then, changes in one component may affect the entire solution.

In order to avoid these issues while creating Flutter iOS apps, you need to hire skilled Flutter developers. It is crucial to apply the best software engineering practices to enable scalability and write clean code. At Surf, we use our own tool called Elementary helping build a clear and scalable architecture.  

2. Release build is not configured properly

Overloaded with numerous tasks and having an idea to do everything “later”, IT professionals can postpone the deployment of a release build. As a result, fixing bugs and making improvements slow down new releases (even if you use Flutter for iOS apps). What’s more, critical bugs can lead to a wave of user dissatisfaction and a drop in the app’s rating in stores.

To prevent these bottlenecks, it is crucial to ensure timely creation and testing of release builds. In case with apps developed for both mobile platforms in parallel, developers should take into account that setting an iOS release build is more difficult than an Android one, and plan work accordingly.

3. Assembling an in-house team

It is challenging for business owners to verify developer qualification without a technical background. On top of that, it may not be clear how to provide training and monitor progress. So, you can turn to a Flutter iOS & Android apps development company. 

IT experts will estimate the work scope, make time/budget assessment, create an application delivery roadmap, set up well-documented processes, and deliver a high-quality product. 

Flutter iOS apps: final words

Flutter offers many benefits, from 30%–40% cost savings and improved TTM to almost a native-like UX and performance. At Surf, we use we use Flutter to build iOS & Android apps for sectors such as fintech, banking, foodservice, and entertainment. We also make open-source products that facilitate programmers’ work. To learn more, visit our profile on GitHub.