Mobile app maintenance

There is a costly misconception in the corporate world: believing that mobile app development is like constructing a building; once you cut the ribbon, the heavy lifting is done, and the structure will stand for decades.

The reality is that software resembles a living organism or a garden much more. If you stop watering it, it dies. If you stop pruning it, it becomes unmanageable.

For an IT Director or a Product Owner, seeing the App that cost thousands of dollars to develop start getting 1-star reviews because it “crashes on startup” on the new iPhone is a red alert. Mobile app maintenance is not an “extra expense”; it is the only way to protect your initial investment against technological erosion.

At Koud, we have rescued dozens of “zombie apps”—projects that were functionally excellent but technically obsolete—that stopped working simply because the digital world around them changed, and they didn’t.

The Silent Tsunami: iOS and Android Updates

The mobile ecosystem is relentlessly dynamic. Apple and Google release major operating system updates every year (iOS 17, iOS 18, Android 14, Android 15), plus monthly security patches.

Why Does This Break Your App?

When a new version of Android comes out, old functions are often deprecated (removed).

• Real Example: Your app used a specific way to ask for camera permission in 2022. In 2024, Android changes its privacy policies and requires a new permission protocol. If your app doesn’t update, when the user tries to open the camera, the app will simply crash.

Enterprise iOS Android updates are not optional. If your users update their phones (and they do automatically), your old app will become incompatible overnight.

The Risk of Disappearance: Store Policies

This is the most critical and least known point. Apple App Store and Google Play Store perform periodic “cleanups.”

Google, for example, has strict requirements regarding Google Play target API level requirements. If your application is not targeting a recent version of Android (usually no more than 2 years old), Google will hide it or remove it from the store.

Imagine your new customers trying to search for your app to buy your products and not finding it. By the time you realize it, you have lost weeks of sales, and your competition has taken your place.

Koud’s corporate app support monitors these policy changes to ensure your app always complies with current standards and remains visible.

Technical Debt and Security

Beyond compatibility lies security. The third-party libraries you used to process payments or display maps also update to close security gaps.

Maintaining an app with 2021 libraries is inviting a cyberattack. Hackers know the vulnerabilities of old versions and actively look for unpatched apps.

Our maintenance service includes:

1. Library Updates: Keeping the core code fresh.
2. Refactoring: Rewriting parts of the code that have become inefficient to improve speed.
3. Crash Monitoring: We use tools like Firebase Crashlytics to detect if any user had an error and fix it before it becomes a viral complaint.

The Cost of “Doing Nothing” vs. Preventive Maintenance

Many executives think: “If it works fine today, why pay a monthly retainer?”.

The problem is that the cost of reactive repair is exponentially higher.

• Reactive Scenario: The app breaks on the day of the new iPhone launch. Your sales stop. You have to hire emergency developers (at emergency rates) to find the bug in code they don’t know. Downtime: 5-10 days.
• Preventive Scenario (Koud): Months before the iPhone launch, we are already testing your app on Beta versions. On launch day, we push a seamless update. Downtime: 0 days.

App Health Checklist

If your application meets any of these points, it is at imminent risk:

• Is the last update in the store dated more than 6 months ago?
• Do users complain that the app is slow or drains a lot of battery?
• Does the interface look “stretched” or pixelated on new phones with larger screens?
• Do you receive warning emails from Google Console or Apple Developer that no one addresses?

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much does app maintenance cost?

As a general industry rule, annual maintenance should be budgeted between 15% and 20% of the original development cost. This covers servers, updates, bug fixes, and support.

Does maintenance include new features?

Generally, we distinguish between “Preventive Maintenance” (keeping the app working) and “Evolutionary Maintenance” (adding new features). At Koud, we can create a hybrid plan where we allocate monthly hours for improvements and new functionalities.

What happens if I lost the source code or the original developer?

It is a common scenario. At Koud, we perform a “Code Rescue” service. We audit what you have, regain control of the store keys, and stabilize the project.

Conclusion

A mobile application is not a static product; it is a constantly evolving service. Your users’ loyalty depends on the experience being fluid, secure, and modern.

Don’t let your digital investment rust. With Koud’s mobile app maintenance plan, your app will be as fresh and functional in 5 years as it was on launch day.