How Long Does It Take to Build a Mobile App?
By Karl Arriba, Founder at PASDEV · Updated June 2026
Honest timelines from scoping to launch — with the variables that actually move the needle and what you can do to ship faster without cutting corners.
Mobile App Timeline by Type
- Simple MVP (1–2 screens, no backend): 2–4 weeks
- Standard app (auth, data, 5–8 screens): 6–10 weeks
- Full-featured app (payments, notifications, CMS): 12–20 weeks
- Enterprise app (multi-role, compliance, integrations): 20+ weeks
What Actually Affects Timeline
- Scope clarity (High impact): Every week of vague scope costs two weeks of rework. A well-scoped project can cut timeline by 30–40%.
- Design availability (High impact): If designs aren't ready before development starts, developers block waiting for screens. Have Figma mockups approved before the first line of code.
- Backend complexity (High impact): Off-the-shelf backends (Supabase, Firebase) cut 2–4 weeks vs. custom backend development.
- Third-party integrations (Medium impact): Stripe, Google Maps, social auth — each adds 2–5 days. Stack them and you add 2–3 weeks to a mid-size app.
- App Store review (Low but common): Apple typically takes 1–3 business days. Plan for one rejection cycle adding 3–5 more days.
Typical Phase Breakdown
- Scoping and design review: 3–5 days
- Backend setup (auth, database, API): 3–7 days
- Core screens (main user flows): 1–3 weeks
- Integrations (payments, third-party APIs): 3–7 days each
- QA and bug fixes: 3–5 days
- App Store submission and review: 1–3 days
How to Ship Faster
- Write a scope doc before hiring anyone — defines every screen and data field
- Use proven infrastructure (Supabase, Convex, Firebase, Clerk) — cuts 2–4 weeks
- Ship iOS or Android first, then expand to both via React Native
- Deprioritize polish until core flows work — ships in half the time
Common Questions
- How long does it take to build a React Native app?
- A standard React Native app with 5–8 screens and authentication typically takes 6–10 weeks. An MVP takes 2–4 weeks. A full-featured app with payments and CMS takes 12–16 weeks.
- How much does mobile app development cost?
- React Native app projects at PASDEV start from $6,000 for a focused MVP. A standard app is $8,000–$18,000. Full-featured apps with multiple integrations are $15,000–$35,000+.
- iOS first or Android first?
- iOS first for early adopters and higher-income demographics. Android first for broader or international markets. With React Native, adding the second platform takes only 2–4 additional weeks.
- How long does App Store approval take?
- Apple App Store review takes 1–3 business days in 2026. Plan for one rejection cycle — Apple rejects roughly 30% of first submissions for minor policy violations that are easy to fix.
See our Mobile App Development service → · Book a scoping call →