Definition: hybrid mobile app

A smartphone or tablet application that is programmed like a Web page rather than a mobile app. Hybrid mobile apps are coded in Web languages such as HTML and JavaScript rather than Swift (Apple) and Java (Android). See Swift and Java.

The HTML and JavaScript "WebView" is wrapped within native iOS, iPadOS or Android shells that have access to the hardware (camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, etc.) as well as settings and notifications.

From the App Store
Like native apps, a hybrid mobile app is installed and updated from an app store, and if the app is well designed, users cannot tell much difference between native and hybrid mobile versions.

WebViews Make It Easier
It is clearly faster to program one WebView that runs on all platforms than to write a native app for each one. When apps are native, any change in design requires changes to each set of source code.

Another advantage of the hybrid is the much greater availability of Web programmers than native. In addition, efficient native programming requires experience in that specific platform because, not only the architecture, but many of the development tools used by Apple and Android barely resemble one another (see IDE).

However, for video games and apps requiring complete control, native programming is generally mandatory (see native mobile app). See Apache Cordova, HTML5, JavaScript, Swift, Java and hybrid app.

Hybrid vs. Native

From a programmer's point of view, the hybrid app is much easier to write and maintain.

There Are Several Mobile App Options

Mobile users run programs that come from either an app store or a website. Downloading an app from an online store is easy, but the user must accept updates from time to time to keep current. However, nothing is easier than launching a browser and going to a website because updates are already there. See mobile website, responsive Web design and progressive Web app.

misc

Term of the Moment

cable modem

Look Up Another Term

Definition: hybrid mobile app