In today’s fast-evolving mobile-first world, Android continues to dominate the global smartphone market. Businesses aiming to expand their digital presence can no longer overlook the importance of hiring the right talent—especially skilled Android app developers. But in 2025, what exactly makes an Android developer stand out?
This blog explores the top skills to look for in Android app developers in 2025, whether you’re building a startup app or enhancing your enterprise solution. The right combination of technical expertise, creativity, and problem-solving can make the difference between a successful app and a failed one.
1. Proficiency in Kotlin and Java
While Java was long considered the staple language for Android development, Kotlin has become the preferred language, especially after Google announced it as the official Android development language in 2019. In 2025, any top-tier Android app developers must demonstrate fluency in both.
Why this matters:
- Kotlin offers concise code, better security, and seamless Java integration.
- Many legacy Android apps still use Java, so developers should understand both languages for maintenance and migration.
What to check:
- GitHub repositories or code samples showing projects in both Kotlin and Java.
- Understanding of coroutines, lambda expressions, and extension functions.
2. Mastery of Android Jetpack Components
Android Jetpack continues to be an essential part of modern Android development. It is a suite of libraries, tools, and guidance to help developers write robust, maintainable code.
Key Jetpack components to look for:
- Navigation for managing fragment transitions.
- LiveData and ViewModel for lifecycle-aware programming.
- Room for local database access.
- Data Binding for efficient UI logic integration.
Developers using Jetpack effectively are more likely to build scalable and bug-free applications.
3. UI/UX Design Principles
A technically flawless app can still fail if it doesn’t offer a seamless and intuitive experience. That’s why today’s Android app developers must also understand design fundamentals.
Skills to look for:
- Knowledge of Material Design 3 (Google’s latest design system).
- Ability to design adaptive and responsive layouts across multiple screen sizes and resolutions.
- Experience with Jetpack Compose, the modern toolkit for building native UIs.
Pro tip: Ask developers to walk you through a UI decision they made in a past project and how it improved user experience.
4. Experience with Jetpack Compose
By 2025, Jetpack Compose has become a dominant way to build Android UIs. It simplifies and accelerates UI development on Android with less code and powerful tools.
What it brings to the table:
- Declarative UI that scales across devices.
- Improved performance and easier state management.
- Reduced boilerplate compared to XML layouts.
If a developer hasn’t yet adopted Jetpack Compose, they may be behind the curve.
5. Integration Skills: APIs and Third-Party Libraries
Most Android apps rely on external data sources, cloud storage, and third-party services. Strong Android app developers must know how to integrate RESTful APIs and popular SDKs.
Important areas:
- Using libraries like Retrofit or OkHttp for network operations.
- Implementing Firebase for analytics, cloud messaging, and real-time databases.
- Working with OAuth 2.0 or other secure authentication methods.
This skill ensures seamless connection between your app and external systems, from payment gateways to social media logins.
6. Understanding of Backend Technologies
While Android app developers don’t have to be backend experts, having a solid understanding of backend development can make collaboration smoother and more productive.
Bonus points if the developer knows:
- Basics of Node.js, Python, or Java Spring Boot.
- How to work with GraphQL APIs.
- Principles of RESTful service design.
This hybrid understanding helps bridge the gap between mobile frontend and server-side logic.
7. Version Control with Git
Collaborative projects demand robust version control systems. Git remains the industry standard in 2025, and any professional Android app developers must be proficient in it.
What to expect:
- Experience using GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.
- Ability to work with branches, merge requests, and CI/CD pipelines.
- Familiarity with writing meaningful commit messages.
You can also check a developer’s GitHub contributions to assess their code quality and consistency.
8. Performance Optimization Techniques
Users abandon apps that are slow or laggy. In 2025, performance is more crucial than ever. Android app developers should be capable of building lightweight, fast, and responsive apps.
Ask about:
- Tools used for profiling and debugging (e.g., Android Profiler).
- Techniques for reducing memory usage and battery consumption.
- Handling background tasks efficiently with WorkManager or JobScheduler.
Performance optimization also affects app store ratings, so it directly influences your app’s success.
9. Testing and Debugging Skills
Thorough testing leads to stable and reliable apps. In 2025, developers are expected to be proficient in both manual and automated testing.
Look for knowledge of:
- Unit testing frameworks like JUnit.
- UI testing tools like Espresso or UI Automator.
- Continuous testing integration using Firebase Test Lab or CircleCI.
Testing should be embedded in the development process, not an afterthought.
10. Security Best Practices
With rising cyber threats and increasing privacy regulations, app security is a major concern. Android app developers should build apps that safeguard data and protect user privacy.
Top security practices:
- Using Android Keystore for encryption.
- Implementing secure network communication via HTTPS and SSL pinning.
- Following OWASP Mobile Top 10 guidelines.
An insecure app can damage your reputation, lead to legal liabilities, or even get banned from the Play Store.
11. Familiarity with Play Store Guidelines and Deployment
Launching an app isn’t the final step—developers should understand how to prepare apps for Play Store submission, optimize listings, and comply with Google’s evolving policies.
Key areas:
- Proper versioning, signing, and build release processes.
- Optimizing APK/AAB sizes.
- Ensuring compliance with privacy, data collection, and user consent regulations.
A developer who understands this ecosystem can ensure smoother launches and fewer post-deployment issues.
12. Agile & Scrum Methodology
Modern mobile app development is agile. Android app developers need to be comfortable with iterative development, sprints, and scrum meetings.
Benefits:
- Faster feedback cycles.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.
- Transparent communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
Ask whether the developer has worked in agile teams or used project management tools like Jira, Asana, or Trello.
13. Soft Skills and Communication
Soft skills are just as important as technical skills. Android app developers should be good communicators, problem solvers, and team players.
What to look for:
- Ability to explain complex technical issues in simple language.
- Responsiveness and clarity in emails or calls.
- Willingness to take feedback and iterate quickly.
A good developer not only codes but collaborates.
14. Continuous Learning and Community Involvement
Android evolves rapidly. Developers must stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and best practices.
Signs of continuous learners:
- Attending Android developer conferences or webinars.
- Participating in online communities (Stack Overflow, Reddit, Medium).
- Following Android development blogs and changelogs.
A proactive developer brings fresh ideas to the table and keeps your app future-proof.
15. Portfolio and Real-World Experience
Lastly, nothing speaks louder than a strong portfolio. Reviewing a developer’s previous work gives insight into their style, capability, and domain experience.
What to assess:
- Types of apps built (e.g., e-commerce, health, education).
- App ratings and reviews on the Play Store.
- Role played in each project (lead developer, collaborator, tester, etc.)
Ask them to demonstrate live apps or offer client references.
Final Thoughts
Hiring the right android app developers in 2025 means balancing technical expertise with creativity, security consciousness, and a deep understanding of the user experience. You don’t just need someone who can code—you need a partner who can think strategically and deliver reliably.
Whether you’re building a sleek consumer app or a robust enterprise solution, these skills will help you identify top-tier Android talent. And if you’re looking for a team that checks all these boxes and more, Appingine is here to help.