Building a native mobile app with Bubble opens the door to new ways of designing, structuring, and delivering experiences — all while using the same powerful visual development tools you're already familiar with. This guide walks you through each step of the journey: from setting up your app’s interface to launching it on the App Store and Google Play.
Getting started quickly
1 – Rethinking your frontend: Mobile building blocks
When creating a native mobile app, your app’s backend — things like your database, workflows, and logic — stays the same. But the frontend needs to be reimagined to fit mobile expectations.
Mobile views:
Instead of web pages, mobile apps use mobile views. In your App Interface Manager, add and manage views like:
Tab views for primary navigation
Stack views for a smooth "back" button experience
Modal views for focused tasks like forms or settings
Mobile elements:
Swap out common web elements with native mobile elements:
Sheets instead of popups
Short lists and selectable lists instead of repeating groups
(Pro tip: You can still copy and paste standard web elements into mobile views to save time.)
✨Need inspiration? Check out platforms like Mobbin to see how leading mobile apps structure their layouts.
2 – Adding native mobile features
Bubble lets you go beyond simply "wrapping" a web app. You can create a real mobile-native experience that feels polished and intuitive.
Mobile-friendly alternatives:
Instead of dropdown menus, use:
Bottom sheets
Modals with selectable lists
Swipe actions:
Enable users to swipe left or right on list items to trigger workflows like deleting or archiving — familiar gestures for mobile users.
Device capabilities:
Tap into device-specific features:
Camera access
Photo library
Push notifications
Location services
Embedding web views:
Need to reuse parts of your existing web app? You can embed web pages inside mobile views with a WebView element.
3 – Adding mobile logic: Workflows
Once your mobile layout is ready, it’s time to bring it to life with workflows.
Frontend workflows:
Instant interactions that run on the user’s device, such as:
Tapping a button
Swiping on a list item
Requesting permissions (e.g., camera or location)
Backend workflows:
Behind-the-scenes processes shared between web and mobile, including:
Saving form submissions
Triggering database updates
Integrating with third-party API
4 – Testing your app
Testing is crucial to ensure your app performs smoothly across devices and scenarios.
Web preview:
Great for checking basic layouts and workflows, but it won't simulate mobile-only features like push notifications.
BubbleGo (iOS and Android):
Download BubbleGo to preview your app on real devices — including full mobile functionality like camera access and swipe actions.
Apple TestFlight and Google Play Console:
When you’re ready to test with broader audiences, use Apple TestFlight or Google’s internal testing tools. Make sure your Apple Developer and Google Play Console accounts are set up early — approvals can take time.
5 – Publishing to app stores
Once you’ve tested thoroughly, it’s time to share your app with the world!
Prepare your global mobile settings:
Fill out required settings like app names, icons, app schemes, and platform-specific metadata.
Follow our publishing guides:
Publish to the App Store (iOS)
Publish to the Play Store (Android)
Plan for platform requirements:
Each store has its own guidelines and review processes, so make sure you meet their standards before submission.
🏆 When your app is live, celebrate by sharing it with the Bubble community!
6 – Updating your app after launch
OTA (Over-the-Air) Updates:
Push minor changes — like text edits or design tweaks — without needing App Store or Play Store re-approval.
New builds:
Major updates, like adding new features, require a new build submission and app store approval.
💡Quick tip: Bubble supports multiple live versions, allowing you to update new users while letting existing users continue using previous versions if needed.
7 – Getting discovered: App Store Optimization (ASO)
After publishing, your next goal is to help users find your app.
Keywords:
65% of downloads come from search. Use strong keywords in your app’s title and description.
Visuals:
Your app icon and screenshots are often your first impression — make them count.
Metadata and descriptions:
Highlight your app’s biggest benefits right away and back them up with real numbers or examples when possible.
Building and launching a native mobile app with Bubble puts you in control of the entire process — from idea to live product — all within a single visual development platform. By following the steps in this guide, you'll not only create a mobile app that looks and feels polished, but also one that scales alongside your ambitions.
You’re building something incredible. Let’s bring it to life. 🚀
Terminology
To dig deeper into native mobile app development:
Native mobile terminology
Developing native mobile apps introduces some new terminology — including terms from outside the Bubble ecosystem, such as those related to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The table below provides a helpful overview.
