Introduction: Android WebView apps are a type of native Android application that is designed to run like a full-screen web browser.
Android WebView apps are used to display content from the internet, such as news, blogs, or social media feeds. They can also be used to display web-based games or app-like experiences on your Android smartphone or tablet.
Android WebView technology allows developers to create Android applications that can be installed and run on devices with any recent version of the Android operating system.
Webview Android App and the history of this Google technology
WebView technology is now a core component of the Android operating system, and Android WebView apps are the most popular way for developers to display web content on Android apps.
The Google technology behind it has been around for over a decade, but the feature is still not well-known outside non-techy circles.
In this article, I’ll explore their evolution from humble beginnings as an experimental technology in Android to their current status as the default way for developers to display web content on Android devices. We will explore how Android Webview apps have evolved and what that means for you today.
How To: Create your own Android WebView-based app
A WebView app is a type of mobile app that renders web pages. They are usually used as an alternative to native apps because they are much less expensive and time-consuming to develop. And WebViews are becoming more popular and for a good reason. They allow you to use all the features of your mobile device, like contacts, camera, calendar, etc., inside your app. This makes for a seamless process that won’t be as clunky as other options, such as opening different apps to access features.
The following tips and tricks will help you create your WebView app in the shortest time possible.
1) Choose the right platform for your app – Android with Java/Kotlin code, iOS with Swift/Objective C code, or WebView/WebViewGold approach to both of them?
2) Before developing your app, plan out what you want it to include. From there, you should create your website/web app first, not your WebView-based app.
3) Choose a no-code app template (like WebViewGold for Android) that best suits your needs and feature requirements.
4) There’s a reason the MVP process is so important – by participating in this, you will get to test out your app flows and see what bugs need to be fixed.
Final Do’s and Don’ts for choosing the ideal WebView approach
As we learned today, WebView technology has been around for some time; it allows you to view webpages & web apps from a mobile Android OS as if they were native apps. Creating your app on Android or iOS has never been easier than today. Just use our app template like WebViewGold and get started right away without writing the code yourself. However, Google has a strict policy regarding the Android Play Store. For example, they do not allow any app that is not “useful” to be published. Moreover, Android does not allow any offensive-based app against human rights (including LGBTQIA+ rights, which is essential and good!) or buggy WebView apps. Here are some ways to avoid app rejection by Google:
1) The app needs to have a purpose that’s useful to its users.
2) In this age of increased competition and fickle consumers, the app design you choose should never be underestimated. Design can make or break an app.
3) Setting the proper metadata for your app is essential in making sure you launch it on the Play Store and elsewhere with good visibility.
4) Use WebViewGold – an app template that includes an option to guarantee your app will be approved in the Play Store.
