Discover Why Android Is the Ultimate Platform for Startup Success

John Watkinson, CEO of Larva Labs, shares the compelling reasons behind choosing Android as the exclusive platform for launching their new app, AppChat, bypassing iOS entirely.

After feeling drained from their main project, the team decided to take an unconventional break by developing a fresh app to gauge audience response and explore new possibilities.

AppChat allows users to create chat groups dedicated to any app installed on their smartphones, enabling real-time discussions with other users about that specific app.

Several key factors influenced the decision to focus solely on Android:

1. Users can swipe within any app to instantly access the AppChat panel—a feature unavailable on iOS.
2. AppChat detects when a user takes a screenshot and immediately offers to share it in the relevant chat.
3. The goal was to build a minimum viable product (MVP) within one week. Waiting for App Store approval, which can take over a week, was impractical. In contrast, Google Play published the app within hours of submission.

The team launched on a Friday, and by the following Thursday, AppChat was live on Google Play. Although initial reactions on XDA forums were muted with no downloads, interest soon picked up unexpectedly.

A dedicated Reddit thread emerged, fueling engagement that led to 70,000 messages and 7,000 active users sharing 6,000 screenshots in the first week. The developers frequently updated the app multiple times daily to fix critical bugs and handle growing user demand.

The project’s success validated their approach, proving that rapid iteration and direct user feedback are invaluable in mobile app development.

Unlike web projects where ideas can be instantly implemented and tested, mobile platforms—especially iOS—pose significant challenges due to lengthy approval processes and strict guidelines.

Waiting a week or more for App Store review creates a major bottleneck. Moreover, Apple often rejects apps that disrupt its ecosystem, making it unlikely that AppChat’s innovative features would be approved. Rapid updates and improvements, as achieved on Android, would be nearly impossible on iOS.

Publishing on Android offers a faster, more open environment for collecting feedback and refining products. While not perfect, this approach empowered the team to transform their initially simple concept into a thriving new product by responding swiftly to user insights.

(Source)

*Note: Meta Platforms Inc. and its social networks Facebook and Instagram are restricted in certain regions.

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