Mobile App Maintenance
Fixing, updating and maintaining existing iOS and Android apps - including apps built by previous developers.
Maintain an Existing Mobile App
If you need someone to maintain your mobile application, take over an existing app project, or fix an app built by another developer, I can help.
Specialist in existing iOS and Android apps
Many companies already have a mobile app, but the real challenge comes later: keeping it stable, compatible and supportable over time.
I provide mobile app maintenance services for existing applications, including:
- fixing crashes and production bugs
- updating apps for new iOS and Android versions
- maintaining apps built by other developers
- improving stability and performance
- resolving App Store and Play Store issues
- ongoing technical support for live mobile apps
I'm James Thornley, a senior software engineer with over 30 years of development experience and 15 years of mobile development experience across iOS, Android and backend systems.
What Mobile App Maintenance Includes
Mobile app maintenance is more than occasional bug fixes. It is the ongoing work needed to keep an application reliable, supported and deployable.
Bug Fixing
Investigating app crashes, unstable behaviour, data problems, networking issues and user-reported bugs in live applications.
iOS App Maintenance
Maintaining existing iOS apps, fixing issues caused by iOS updates, and updating legacy Objective-C or Swift codebases.
Android App Maintenance
Updating Android apps for new SDK targets, compatibility changes, Play Store requirements and ongoing maintenance work.
Take Over Existing Projects
Taking over mobile app projects where the original developer, freelancer or agency is no longer available.
Store Submission Support
Fixing App Store and Google Play submission problems, signing issues, target SDK problems and deployment workflows.
Performance & Stability
Improving app responsiveness, tracking down difficult issues and making existing mobile apps more reliable in production.
Maintaining Apps Built by Other Developers
This is one of the most common reasons companies get in touch.
A large number of mobile apps are built by freelancers, agencies or internal developers who later move on. When that happens, the app often still matters to the business, but nobody is left who understands it properly.
I regularly work on existing mobile apps built by other developers, including projects with:
- limited documentation
- incomplete handover
- messy or legacy codebases
- urgent fixes needed for live users
- deployment knowledge locked in old machines or old accounts
If your developer has disappeared, or you need someone to take over maintenance of an existing app, see also what to do if your mobile app developer disappeared.
iOS and Android App Maintenance
Ongoing maintenance requirements differ slightly between Apple and Google platforms, but both require regular attention.
Maintain Existing iOS App
iOS apps often need updates because of changes in Apple frameworks, device behaviour and App Store requirements. I can help maintain existing iOS apps by fixing compatibility issues, updating older code and resolving submission problems.
This includes legacy Objective-C apps as well as newer Swift and SwiftUI projects.
Android App Maintenance Service
Android apps often need ongoing updates for SDK target levels, Play Store rules, device compatibility and library changes. I can maintain existing Android apps and help keep them working across modern Android versions.
This includes Java and Kotlin codebases, as well as apps with backend API dependencies.
Relevant Experience
My background is particularly well suited to supporting live, long-running and technically demanding apps.
My experience includes:
- writing and maintaining large production mobile applications used internationally
- working on complex legacy codebases
- Objective-C to Swift modernisation work
- Android maintenance across changing SDK requirements
- backend and API debugging as well as client-side mobile work
- taking over projects with minimal handover and getting fixes deployed quickly
You can view examples on the portfolio section of the homepage, including TeamHaven, CHEP, AT Creative and Miele.
Mobile App Maintenance FAQ
Common questions from companies that already have an app but need someone to maintain it.
Can you maintain an app built by another developer?
Yes. I regularly work on existing apps built by freelancers, agencies and internal teams, including projects with poor documentation or incomplete handovers.
Can you update an old iOS app?
Yes. I can update older iOS apps, including legacy Objective-C code, to support modern iOS versions and current App Store requirements.
Can you update Android apps for new SDK requirements?
Yes. I can update Android apps to newer target SDK levels and resolve compatibility issues required for Google Play submission.
Do you provide ongoing mobile app support?
Yes. I can provide ongoing maintenance for live apps, including bug fixes, updates, store submissions, technical improvements and support work as needed.
What if the original developer is no longer available?
That is a common situation. I can review the codebase, work out the build and deployment process, stabilise the application and continue development.
Need Help Fixing an Existing Mobile App?
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Typical Enquiries
App crashes, legacy iOS or Android updates, App Store or Play Store issues, and projects where the original developer is no longer available.