An Android developer creates software for any device that runs on Android. This includes not only phones, but also other devices: tablets, laptops, smart watches, fitness bracelets, e-books, game consoles, TVs, etc.

This operating system occupies the first place in the smartphone market – almost 3/4 of the gadgets in the world are running on Android.

Android programmer is a developer who is primarily engaged in the creation of mobile applications: messengers, online games, social networks, online stores, services for online banking, ordering goods or services, watching movies, entertainment content, education, etc. He participates in all stages of development:

Creates the interface, architecture, logic, navigation and options.
Collaborates with other specialists, such as a designer or marketer, to create a user-friendly application.
Thinks through possible scenarios, such as how the service will work if a smartphone receives a call or message.
Writes the code in one of the programming languages.
Tests the program at each stage of development, looks for and eliminates bugs, checks for vulnerabilities and security.
Develops internal documentation and user manuals.
Uploads the completed application to the Google Play store.
Monitors feedback, optimizes an already running program, adds new features, and creates updates.
Android Programmer Tools
The Android developer’s main tool is the Android Studio development environment, a program that has all the tools to create software:

A text editor for writing code.
A multifunctional emulator – a service that simulates the application running on different devices, such as a PC or tablet.
Frameworks.
Code templates.
Integration with GitHub.
A debugger to search for bugs.
The development environment has all the features to create software from scratch. The programmer does not need a smartphone for Android or any special operating system.

Another developer tool is the programming language. Android applications can be written in JavaScript, Python, C, and C++, but only two languages are officially supported:

Java, the traditional language in which most Android programs are written.
Kotlin is a young and concise development language. In 2019, Google named it a priority language for creating new online services on Android.
What an Android-developer should know
Let’s list what an Android app developer should know:

The principles of object-oriented programming.
The Git version control system and the GitHub service.
Java and Kotlin programming.
Popular frameworks and libraries for mobile applications.
Features of the Android operating system and Google’s design system.
Features of work in the environment of Android Studio.
Database management using SQL.
Ways to test software to assess its quality.
Rules for publishing apps on Google Play.
Technical English.
Android development – is it complicated?
You can’t say that mobile development is a simple process. To create apps, you need to know the principles of OOP, write code in Java and Kotlin, and understand the features of the Android OS. But if you have the time and desire to develop in this industry, you can learn the profession from scratch at any age, without knowledge of programming languages and technical education.

On average, training for an entry-level Android programmer takes from 1 to 2 years. During this period, you can master the theory and make a few programs of your own.

It’s hard to become an Android developer if you’re learning on your own. But if you study development step by step and under the guidance of experienced teachers, a lot of practice, then there will be no difficulties.

You can learn Android development with . We have collected training programs of proven online schools – choose by cost, training period, class format, availability of diplomas, employment and other parameters.

Android or iOS?
At the moment in the IT-sphere, there are two popular areas: iOS and Android software developers. Let’s list the main reasons why you should choose Android development:

Android smartphones have more users. The gadgets are not inferior in functionality to Apple devices, and they cost less.
Many companies in different areas of business want to create their own mobile applications, so the demand for Android developers is growing.
The entry threshold for Android development is lower. The whole cycle of work can be done in the Android Studio development environment, which is free to download and install on your PC. Unlike iOS development, which requires a macbook.
The Android operating system is used not only for creating applications, but also for software for smartwatches, game consoles, household robots, and so on.
Read about who iOS-developers are and what their responsibilities are in this article.

Are Android programmers in demand?
Android application developers are in demand both in Russia and abroad. For example, at the moment, more than 3500 vacancies are published on HeadHunter, almost half of them are looking for programmers with 1 to 3 years of experience.

More than 200 ads indicated that the company is ready to consider a candidate without experience.

Android developers are also needed on the freelance market: it is not uncommon to need to refine or fix an application that is already working.

In 2016, the media reported that Android was going to be replaced by a new operating system. Some time later, a company representative assured that Google would not give up Android for smartphones. But even in the case of global changes Android developers will not remain without work – they will translate the applications to another OS.

We recommend reading our article How to become an Android developer from scratch and what you need for that.

Place to work
Android app developers can work in many different fields. To understand in which industries these specialists are most in demand, we studied the vacancies on the website HeadHunter:

IT companies that create their own digital products.
Financial sector – Sberbank, Tinkoff, Tochka, DOM.RF, Otkritie Bank, etc.
Media, advertising, marketing – Mail Group, Rambler.
Providers – Beeline, MTS, Megafon.
Online services – Okko, IVI, More TV.
Retail – Detsky Mir, Sunlight, DSS, Golden Apple, etc.
Education – Lingualeo, GeekBrains, Skyeng, Innopolis.
Governmental organizations.
This is an incomplete list of areas where beginners and experienced programmers can find work.

We recommend you to read the article How much Android developers earn for apps and games.

According to the reviews of Android developers themselves, representatives of this profession are most in demand in the banking sector, online sales, creation of online services.

Prospects for the profession
As in any other direction of IT, the profession of an Android programmer begins as a trainee or junior specialist. A newbie works on creating individual elements of software under the guidance of a mentor, and his code is not always used in the final version of the project.

With 2-3 years of experience in development, it is possible to reach the Middle level – such a developer can make a mobile application independently, and his work does not need a code review.

The next step in the career is the Senior Developer, who can create virtually any program from scratch and publish it on Google Play. To become a professional at this level, you need at least 5-6 years of experience.

The most successful representatives of the profession become team leaders, technical directors, development managers in large corporations, or open their own IT-companies.