Why Are There So Many iOS-Only Apps?

Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast

2025/02/26

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In this bonus episode, the Waveform team dives into the reasons behind the prevalence of iOS-exclusive apps. Host Adam collaborates with Marques, Andrew, and Ellis to analyze insights from developers like Christian Selig, Karn Saheb, and Curtis Herbert. The discussion explores the technical, financial, and cultural factors that influence app development choices between iOS and Android.

The podcast examines why many apps remain exclusive to iOS, focusing on device consistency, market share, and developer preferences. Developers often prioritize iOS due to its higher revenue potential, user engagement, and less fragmented ecosystem compared to Android. Despite initial barriers such as owning a Mac or learning Swift, many find iOS development more straightforward once within the ecosystem. The challenges of cross-platform development, including fragmentation and replicating native experiences, further complicate expansion to Android. The team also speculates on the future of Android-exclusive apps and the role of design aesthetics in app exclusivity.

05:07

iOS-only apps like CoPilot, Flighty, and Gentler Streak limit Android users.

09:56

Developers start with iOS due to business and technical reasons

20:08

iPhones became a status symbol in the U.S.

35:40

Android fragmentation makes maintaining cross-platform apps difficult

59:10

Cross-platform tools struggle to match native app performance.