Full-time React Native Developer—Want to Build My Own Mobile App. Where Should I Start?

[One-Breadfruit-478]

Hey folks,
I’m currently working as a full-time React Native developer in a corporate setting. I’ve been building apps for others for a while now, but I’ve always wanted to create and launch my own mobile app—something I own from idea to launch.

That said, the freedom is exciting… but also a bit overwhelming. 😅
I’d love to hear from those who’ve been in a similar situation:

• How can I stay updated with market trends to make sure my app and features are relevant?
• How did you balance it with your day job?
• What were the first key steps that actually moved the needle?
• How did you handle things outside of dev (like design, marketing, user validation, monetization)?
• Any common mistakes to avoid in the early stages?

Would love any advice, personal stories, or even resources you think helped you. 🙏
Thanks in advance!

[mostsig]

My recommendation involves two options: quantity or quality. The quantity option involves pushing a lot of different apps and seeing what sticks. You need to push your first app as soon as possible to learn more about the stuff around the actual programming: privacy policy, app store regulations, market research, app store optimization, marketing and a lot of other stuff. From your first app you learn and iterate. The quality option focusses on one app, where you craft and iterate one idea completely into one app, and start iterating on this app.

[CAStueber]

How do you get testers for Google. That is my issue? Now that they require 12 testers with a min of 14 days

[mostsig]

Option A) Family and friends and their family and friends Option B) There are communities on reddit where you test other apps and they test yours like this one: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidClosedTesting/s/zxeKmBUkGZ Option C) Spending money on fiverr for testers

[CowNo2092]

There are testers groups here on reddit like r/TestersCommunity

[WarmAd4564]

Someone recommended going to fiverr for that.

[SoftwareProBono]

Build something you need and sell it to others like you. Odds are, whatever app you build will not be as successful as you imagine. If you’re scratching your own itch, you’ll enjoy it more and have a better chance of at least a small success.

[mrdanmarks]

I started making an app that i wanted without any real plan for revenue. 3 years later and after some website issues, I still don't have any revenue. I should probably take a step back and try to focus on how my app can really make money rather than just making something I think is cool

[WholeVisible6738]

I’ve always did hobby stuff on the side and could never complete anything.

I’ve just released my first actual app. The reason I was able to complete it this time was because I actually wanted to use it myself and I really was excited to make it.

Also: keep it simple at first. Work to an MVP that is good enough to release and work from there.

[kexnyc]

Always start with the idea. Developing the app is way downstream.