How to Design UX/UI for Android

With the growing popularity of mobile applications, most of the traffic on the internet is moving away from desktops to smartphones. In 2020, most visitors can view your website from their mobile devices. The most popular operating systems are iOS and Android. It makes sense to design your webpage in a way that is convenient for mobile users to access. Moreover, Google ranks the websites higher in the search if mobile-friendly.

However, making a mobile site isn’t just about checking a box or expecting a desktop version to translate on a smaller screen. There are critical differences to showcasing a website on mobile that must be addressed to create a good user experience.

This is where a professional designer who knows the ins and outs of iOS and Android can come in handy. But having an idea of how these systems will work with your site can also be helpful from a creative and developmental standpoint, whether you plan on hiring additional help or not.

What is the difference between UX/UI design for iPhone and Android?

The benefit of hiring a professional UX/UI design company is that these companies understand the differences between iOS and Android well and will be able to create websites, apps, and other products that are responsive and fit within the guidelines of both operating systems. Things like varying screen sizes and button placement can make a world of difference in creating a polished, professional, and comfortable experience for customers on mobile.

Although the everyday user may not realize how different Apple and Google products are, a designer looking to create the best user experience will understand the small and subtle differences that make each operating system unique. For example, consider the main parameters that are used when creating designs:

● The minimum size of the click target is 44×44 on iOS and 48×48 on Android.

● Apple uses the bottom navigation bar for the main navigation menu, and Google prefers to make tabs at the top of the screen.

● You can get more content by clicking the “More” button or using the page interface for additional navigation and search for applications on an iPhone. Use the lower navigation bar or the side hamburger menu if you have an Android phone.

● iPhone has the top navigation on the right side of the screen for the main action button. Android uses floating action buttons.

● IPhone uses checkmarks Android—radio buttons for lists that have one choice.

● For lists with two or more choices, both companies apply the same checkboxes or checkmarks for user-selected items.

● Confirmation or cancellation of an action: iPhones use a modal dialog box to confirm a choice. Canceling an action on Androids is possible by clicking on a temporary notification.

Both Android and Apple have also supplied design guidelines for developers on their prospective websites.

Details to consider when designing for Android

Now that you understand some of the main differences between these two operating systems, let’s dive into more detail about the specifics of Android systems:

Titles

Titles are aligned left on Android operating systems. The only item that appears more left-most than titles is the back button.

Navigation

The navigation button to return to the main screen can vary in location on Android. It may be found in the search bar, tabs, or hamburger menu or simply appear as a floating action button.

All four elements are used on 1 page and lead to subsequent sections. You can also do it in Apple style by adding bottom navigation. Often, companies begin to use this version because it is convenient and causes a positive UX response.

Side navigation

Additional navigation buttons and action items usually appear in the side menu, or hamburger menu, located in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

The back button/function on Android is intuitive and easy to use. Using version 10 and higher, users need only swipe their fingers toward the side of their device’s screen to return to the last page. Meanwhile, version 9 and earlier use a button located in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.

Action Buttons

Action buttons on Android are icons rather than plain text. Main interaction buttons on Android apps are usually found in the screen’s lower right-hand corner but may also float. For example, users use a button located in the lower-left corner to write an email in Gmail. These buttons can be found in the upper right corner instead of in rare cases.

Search

Android users are accustomed to finding the search feature in the upper right-side corner, which opens a separate screen, and are used to canceling their search with the back arrow or the “X” button.

Action Menu

On Android, the drop-down action menu and/or additional information can be accessed through an ellipsis button (…), which is hidden in newer versions. This function closes the current items and opens the different options and functionalities on the same screen. Users can then control and limit their selections within this menu, which will darken the application’s background and highlight the current selection in the center of the screen.

Summing up

Now you know all the principles of designing an exemplary user interface for Android. Hopefully, this can assist you in making your website more mobile-friendly and attracting hundreds of new users.

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