App maintenance and updates make sure your app keeps working, stays secure and remains available on the App Store and Google Play. An app is never really finished. Apple and Google release new versions of iOS and Android every year, phones change and the components your app is built with get updates. Do nothing and your app slowly becomes outdated, or even disappears from the store.
In this article you'll learn exactly what app maintenance involves, what happens if you skip it and how to arrange it properly with your developer.
Why an app needs maintenance
A website can sometimes run for years without anyone looking at it. An app works differently. Your app runs on phones you don't control, and depends on Apple's and Google's rules. So things are constantly changing around your app:
- New versions of iOS and Android, with new rules for privacy, notifications and permissions.
- New phones with different screen sizes, such as notches or foldable screens.
- App store requirements. Google Play, for example, requires apps to be built for a recent Android version, and Apple requires recent build tools for new updates.
- Updates to building blocks and integrations, such as a payment provider switching off an old integration.
- Security holes discovered in components you use.
What do app maintenance and updates involve?
Good maintenance consists of regular tasks and tasks you only do when needed. An overview:
- Testing on new versions of iOS and Android, ideally during their beta phase before they're released.
- Updating building blocks and libraries to secure, supported versions.
- Fixing bugs that users report or that show up in crash reports.
- Keeping certificates, keys and Apple and Google accounts up to date. Some expire after a year.
- Maintaining the backend: the server, the database, backups and security updates.
- Checking integrations with payment providers, your accounting software or other systems.
- Updating your app store details, such as screenshots, privacy information and the description.
- Responding to reviews in the stores, especially when someone reports a bug.
Individual improvements and new features usually don't count as maintenance. That's called further development. Agree in advance where the line is, so there are no misunderstandings.
How often should you update an app?
There's no fixed rule, but a practical rhythm looks like this:
- Monthly: review crash reports and messages, fix small bugs, apply security updates.
- Quarterly: update building blocks and test the app on the latest phones.
- Yearly: get the app ready for the big new versions of iOS and Android, which usually come out in the autumn.
- Immediately: for a serious bug, a security hole or an integration that suddenly stops working.
A small, regular update also signals to users and the app stores that your app is actively maintained.
What happens if you skip app maintenance?
It rarely goes wrong all at once. Usually it creeps in:
- After a big iOS or Android update, certain features stop working, such as notifications or the camera.
- Users with new phones see odd screens, with buttons disappearing behind the notch.
- Bad reviews pile up, so fewer people download the app.
- The app store shows your app less to new users, or you can't submit an update until everything has been brought up to date.
- A security hole stays open, putting your customers' data at risk.
The annoying part: the longer you wait, the bigger the backlog. An app that hasn't been updated for two years often needs much more work than two years of regular maintenance combined.
How to keep your finger on the pulse
You don't have to wait for customers to complain. With a few simple tools you can see for yourself how your app is doing:
- Crash reporting: a service that automatically reports when the app crashes, on which phone and during which action. That lets your developer search in a targeted way.
- Apple's and Google's dashboards: there you see downloads, ratings and technical issues per version.
- Reviews in the stores: read them regularly. Users often report bugs that don't show up anywhere else.
- Server monitoring: an alert when the backend is slow or unreachable, so the problem can be fixed before many people notice.
Have these tools set up during the build. Adding them later is possible too, but then you miss the information about the first weeks after launch, exactly when most bugs come to light. Also discuss with your developer who receives the alerts and who responds to them. An alert nobody reads doesn't help.
Arranging app maintenance: what to look for
Make agreements about maintenance before launch. Discuss with your developer:
- What counts as maintenance, and what is further development?
- How quickly is a serious bug picked up?
- Who has access to the Apple and Google accounts? Make sure they're in your company's name.
- Who owns the code, and where is it stored?
- How will you be kept informed about updates and problems?
- What does it cost per month, and how long does the agreement run?
For the server side, the same principles apply as for a web application. Read more in web application maintenance: costs. And if you want to know how to get updates into the store, read getting your app into the App Store.
App maintenance packages at Violexa
At Violexa we build apps and websites and look after them afterwards too. There are three maintenance packages for this:
- Silver: €179 excl. VAT (€217 incl. VAT) per month.
- Gold: €299 excl. VAT (€362 incl. VAT) per month.
- Platinum: €699 excl. VAT (€846 incl. VAT) per month.
A package runs for the first 12 months. After that you can cancel monthly by email, with one month's notice. Which package fits depends on how big your app is and how quickly you want help with problems. See all the details on our pricing page.
Already have an app and not sure it's being properly maintained? Book a free quickscan. In 30 minutes, online or at your location, we look at your situation. Afterwards you get short written advice with a price indication, with no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does app maintenance cost per month?
That depends on the size of the app, the backend and how quickly you want help. At Violexa maintenance packages start at €179 excl. VAT (€217 incl. VAT) per month. Large apps with many integrations usually need a more extensive package.
What exactly are app maintenance and updates?
Maintenance keeps your app working, secure and available in the stores. Think of changes for new iOS and Android versions, updating building blocks, fixing bugs and looking after the server. New features usually count as further development.
Can an app disappear from the App Store or Google Play?
Yes, it can. Apps that aren't updated for a long time or no longer meet the requirements can become less visible or be removed from the store. The app also disappears if your developer account expires. Regular maintenance prevents this.
Can another developer take over the maintenance of my app?
Usually yes, if you have access to the code and the Apple and Google accounts. So make sure they're in your company's name. A new developer will need some time to get to know the app, though.
