Building the app was only half of it

Around one month ago, I launched my first app on both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.

I had no idea how app launches worked, what Apple and Google would ask for, how long approval would take, or what kind of numbers would be considered “good” for a first app. I wanted to share some early numbers and lessons from the process, in case it benefits someone else.

Apple App Store experience

Signing up for the Apple Developer Program costs $99/year.

My experience with Apple was actually easier than I expected. I knew Apple was strict with the approval process, and I expected to spend a while fixing things before the app would be accepted, but in the end the process was quite straightforward.

I signed up for the Apple Developer Program and submitted the app on 15 May.

The next day, on 16 May, the first version was not accepted immediately. Apple asked for more information, including things like a screen recording, tested devices, the app’s purpose, target audience, instructions for using the main features, external services used, and whether there were any regional differences.

At first, it felt like a lot, but looking back, it made sense. Apple did not only want to know whether the app worked. They wanted to understand what the app does, who it is for, how it works, and whether everything is properly explained.

After I fixed the missing details, the app was approved on 18 May, and it became available on the App Store on 19 May.

One thing that surprised me was that after Apple approved the app, it still did not appear properly in all regions at first. I later realized there were still agreements and terms I had to accept in App Store Connect. Some were related to countries, laws, regulations, distribution, and App Store terms.

So one lesson was:

An app being approved does not always mean your developer account is fully ready.

You also need to check agreements, terms, privacy policy, support links, copyright/content information, and all required documents.

After the first approval, Apple updates were usually smooth. Most reviews were completed within 24–48 hours.

Overall, Apple felt strict but polished. App Store Connect was confusing at first, but after learning it, it became quite straightforward. Apple’s analytics also feel detailed and fairly up to date. I could usually see data up to around the last 24 hours.

Google Play experience

Signing up for a Google Play Developer account costs $25 once.

The account fee is cheaper, and updates after launch are much faster, but the initial publishing process was more complicated for me because I was using a personal developer account.

For new personal developer accounts, Google requires closed testing before public release. In my case, Google specifically guided me to run a 14-day closed test with at least 12 users.

My Google Play Console identity verification was completed on 14 May.

I shared the first testing link on 15 May, had enough testers by around 17 May, and after the testing period, production access was granted on 1 June. That same day, the app launched publicly on Google Play.

So the Google timeline was roughly:

• 14 May — identity verified
• 15 May — testing links shared
• 17 May — enough testers reached
• 1 June — production access granted
• 1 June — public launch

Google felt slower at first because of the testing requirement, but much faster after launch.

Usually, after uploading an update to Google Play, it can become available in around one hour. With Apple, each update goes through review again and usually takes 24–48 hours.

Google Play analytics felt more delayed, sometimes by around 3–4 days, which made it harder to know what was happening after sharing or promoting the app.

So my experience was:

Apple was faster to launch once the documents were fixed, but slower for updates.

Google was slower to launch for a new personal account, but faster for updates after production access.

Early numbers

The app launched on the iOS App Store on 19 May 2026.

Exactly one month after launch, it had:

• 150 first-time downloads
• 9 five-star reviews

It launched publicly on the Google Play Store on 1 June 2026.

As of 22 June, it had:

• 79 downloads
• 7 five-star reviews
• 1 three-star review

The three-star review affected me more than I expected, to be honest. Not because I think everyone has to give five stars, but because when you build something with sincere intention, make it free, remove ads and subscriptions, and try to create something beneficial, even one lower rating can feel a little personal.

But I think that is also part of releasing something publicly. People will experience your app in different ways. A feature you spent the most time developing might be overlooked or even disliked, while something you did not prioritize much might become one of the things users appreciate most.

And that is something you often only discover AFTER publishing, no matter how prepared you think you are.

How I promoted it

I did not have a big launch campaign, and I did not have any real experience with promoting apps. I shared it in different Discord servers, a couple of subreddits, with family and friends, and made a few TikTok and social media videos.

The app itself is polished, and I honestly think it has more features and a better UI than some competing apps. But one thing I learned is that building a good app is not enough. You also need to know how to present it, explain it, and market it.

Right now, I feel like the biggest bottleneck is not the app itself, but my own ability to market it properly.

Screenshots and product pages matter more than I expected

One thing I underestimated was how important the product page is.

Before launching, I was mostly focused on the app itself. But when you publish on the App Store or Google Play, the product page becomes the first impression. For many people, it decides whether they download the app or ignore it.

You need good screenshots, clear text, and a page that quickly explains why someone should care.

The screenshots are also not as simple as just taking random screenshots from your phone. You need to prepare them properly, with the correct sizes, dimensions, and formats for each platform. Apple and Google both have their own requirements, and if the screenshots are the wrong size or do not clearly show the app, it can slow you down or make the product page weaker.

I also learned that screenshots are not only technical requirements. They are marketing material. They should show the best parts of the app, explain the value quickly, and look polished. A good app with weak screenshots can easily look less serious than it actually is.

This is something I would put more effort into earlier next time.

Final thoughts

I am still learning, and I am not sure how to judge the numbers yet.

The app has now passed 300 total downloads, which I am grateful for, but I also realize that a polished app does not automatically reach people. Distribution, presentation, screenshots, product pages, and marketing matter a lot.

One personal thing I noticed during this launch is how much my own perfectionism affected the process. I hold my work to a very high standard. Small details that many people might overlook can bother me a lot, and I often spend more time than necessary trying to polish things that others may not even notice.

That can be time-consuming, but I also see it as one of my strengths. When I take responsibility for something, I want it to be done properly and to the best of my ability.

At the same time, launching an app publicly teaches you that perfection is not really the finish line. You can polish something for a long time, but once it is public, people will still experience it differently. Some will love it, some will have criticism, and some may notice things you never expected.

If you are planning to launch your first app, especially as an independent developer, I hope this gives you a more realistic picture of what the early stage can look like.

There are already a lot of prayer apps, but most seem to prioritize subscriptions, ads, or adding more features instead of getting the core experience right. I wanted something that was simple, reliable, and respected your privacy, so I built Azimuth.

Everything works completely offline. Prayer times are calculated on your device, the app doesn’t collect any personally identifiable data, and it only asks for the permissions it actually needs.

I built separate native apps for each platform using Kotlin + Jetpack Compose on Android and Swift 6 + SwiftUI on Apple platforms. That made it possible to build proper adaptive layouts for phones, foldables, tablets, iPad, and Mac instead of stretching a phone UI onto larger screens.

To get the most out of it, I recommend enabling prayer reminders, the Fajr alarm if you need it, and adding the widgets. Android also has a persistent prayer notification, while iPhone and iPad support Lock Screen widgets, so your next prayer is always just a glance away without opening the app.

The Fajr alarm works as a true alarm on Android and on iOS 26+ using Apple’s AlarmKit. On earlier iOS versions it falls back to a notification because AlarmKit isn’t available there.

You also get a Qibla and general compass, rakat guides, multiple calculation methods, madhabs, and high latitude support.

There’s no subscription. You get a 14 day free trial, then it’s a one time purchase if you decide to keep it.
If you check it out, I’d really appreciate any feedback. And if you end up liking it, a rating or the lifetime purchase helps support future development.

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mirroredabstraction.android.azimuthcompass

iOS/iPad/MacOS: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/azimuth-prayer-times-qibla/id6781444202

Al-salam alaikum!

I spent a lot of hours driving every day, and I wanted to use that time toward Quran hifz. But every Quran app needs you to tap the phone screen, which is the last thing you should do at the wheel.

So I built QuranCar. You can split the Quran into small chunks (you pick the surahs and ayahs per chunk) and repeats each one until it sticks. Everything runs through CarPlay, so you control it with your steering wheel buttons, all while your eyes are on the road.

It works fully offline, and has no accounts, ads, or tracking. Free on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quran-audio-car-play-memorize/id6743359098

I'm building this solo and would love any feedback, especially from anyone who memorizes on their commute. Jazakom Allah Khair.

Assalamu Alaikum everyone,

I've been working on a fitness app specifically designed for Muslims called Sihha Fit (صحة فت). It's currently in beta testing on

Android before the full launch. It's already published on ios at https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sihha-fit/id6778700443

What the app includes:

• Halal meal plans only — no pork, no alcohol, ever

• Ramadan mode with Suhoor and Iftar meal planning

• AI workout plans tailored to your goals

• Quran verses before every workout for motivation

• Available in English, Arabic and Farsi

• Hijri date displayed throughout the app

I need 12 Android users to install it and keep it for 14 days before I can launch publicly on Google Play.

If you're interested, DM me your Gmail address and I'll add you to the beta and send you the link. JazakAllah khayran 🤲

Hello,

I am building a game for my kids to enjoy! It is a simple game for Muslims to tackle. You are dropped in a random location throughout the world and you must find the direction to the Kaaba. It is still in a beta, really quickly I learned how easy it is to come up with western locations but Islamic landmarks are harder to look up. As the game grows I am hoping to expand to new modes like country only! I appreciate everyone's time and energy.

The web game: Qiblaguesser.com

In a world that's forgotten how to slow down, my son taught me something: kids don't need to be fixed, they need to be asked "are you okay?" and actually heard.

That question became Huey. A robot who changes color with emotion, at the center of an animated series and platform built for children ages 5-12, daily emotional fitness rooted in our faith and values, so our kids grow up knowing who they are instead of fighting an identity crisis alone. Through adaptive games, guided reflection, storytelling, and real connection with peers, kids build the emotional muscle to navigate a world that often asks them to choose between who they are and where they belong.

Built by a team from Sesame Workshop, Stanford, and PBS Kids. Grounded in one protocol: Harmony, Understanding, Empathy, Memory, Acceptance, Nurture. Difference is strength. Vulnerability is courage. These aren't just brand values, they're what I want every Muslim and multicultural kid to grow up owning, not hiding.

We need more of us building the future our children inherit, not just watching from the sidelines.

Our Seed & Spark campaign is live: https://seedandspark.com/fund/hueman-xp-animated-series

Follow it, back it, share it. 🤲

Assalamu Alaikum everyone,

I've been working on an app called CalmScreen, and I recently put together this short promo video to showcase one of its main features: App Curfew.

The core idea behind the app is to help people manage screen time without the usual friction. While the video focuses on parents trying to help their kids put the phone down, the app is also designed for adults who want to break their own doom-scrolling habits.

Instead of abruptly blocking you (which usually just makes you want to override the blocker), CalmScreen gradually fades the screen to grayscale or warm amber after a short grace period. The theory is that it slowly removes the visual dopamine hits so you (or your kids) naturally lose interest and put the phone down.

It's already live on the Play Store if you want to see how it feels in action: CalmScreen on Google Play

Since I'm handling the marketing side of this myself (definitely not my main strength), I’d love to get some honest feedback on the video:

• Does the explanation of how the "gradual fade" works make sense?
• Is the tone right? I went for a calmer, parent-to-parent vibe rather than a flashy commercial.
• Does the value proposition appeal to both parents and adults trying to limit their own screen time?

I’d appreciate any feedback on the pacing, the messaging, or the video itself. Thanks!

Assalamu alaykum,

We’re opening up applications for our residency coming up in October inshaaAllah. 

If you know any founder with a good track record and working in a large market, feel free to refer them to me.

£2,000 upon successful referral.

A bit more about us: https://saff.build

🚨 Urgent Appeal

Al Misbah Islamic Centre in Scarborough may be forced to close within 60 days due to financial hardship.

Please help us preserve this House of Allah by donating and sharing this fundraiser.

🤲 Donate:
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