Mobile app backend & APIs

Mobile App Backend Development for iOS, Android & Web Apps.

QalbIT designs and builds secure mobile app backends – from REST APIs and authentication to microservices, queues and real-time features. We focus on performance, reliability and clean contracts between your mobile apps and the server, so your product team can ship updates without worrying about the backend.

Discuss your mobile backend See backend-related case studies

Typically responding within 24–48 hours. Share your current product stage, tech stack and timelines.

Mobile backend overview

Mobile app backend development services for APIs, microservices and real-time features

We help teams design and implement the mobile app backends that sit behind their iOS, Android and web clients. From authentication and REST APIs to push notifications and background processing, we keep the backend predictable, well-documented and ready to scale.

When a dedicated mobile app backend with QalbIT makes sense

  • You are planning a new mobile app and need a dedicated backend instead of a quick, hard-to-maintain API.
  • Your current backend (for example Firebase-only or a legacy API) is limiting new features or performance.
  • You want a clear separation between mobile client and server with versioned APIs and documentation.
  • You need secure authentication, roles and permissions across multiple apps or platforms.
  • You prefer a senior, founder-led team that understands both product constraints and backend complexity.

Outcomes we typically target for mobile app backends

  • Fast, reliable APIs that keep mobile apps responsive even on slow networks.
  • Secure authentication, authorisation and data access across multiple devices and platforms.
  • Cleaner backend architecture that is easier for your team to extend and debug.
  • Observability and logging so you can understand crashes, slow calls and backend errors quickly.
  • A roadmap for scaling traffic, adding features and supporting additional clients (web, partner apps, etc.).

For mobile backends, we usually start with a short discovery and API design phase – clarifying clients (iOS, Android, web), core resources, authentication and performance requirements before we commit to build scope.

What we build for mobile backends

Mobile app backend capabilities across APIs, authentication and microservices

From greenfield app backends to refactoring existing APIs, we cover architecture, core services and the tooling around them so your mobile applications stay maintainable as you grow.

API design and development

APIs

API design and development

Design RESTful APIs and resources that map cleanly to your mobile app screens and flows, with versioning and documentation for future changes.

Authentication, users and permissions

Security

Authentication, users and permissions

Implement secure sign-up, login, social auth, token handling and role-based access for different user types and environments.

Microservices, jobs and queues

Architecture

Microservices, jobs and queues

Split heavy or asynchronous work into background jobs and microservices so the mobile app stays responsive even under load.

Real-time updates and notifications

Real-time

Real-time updates and notifications

Set up push notifications, real-time feeds and event-driven updates tied to your backend and third-party services.

Integrations and third-party services

Integrations

Integrations and third-party services

Connect your backend to payment gateways, analytics, CRMs, map services and other APIs that your mobile app relies on.

Admin panels, tooling and observability

Ops

Admin panels, tooling and observability

Build monitoring dashboards, simple admin panels and operational tooling around the backend so your team can support users effectively.

Want to see how these capabilities map to your product? Share a quick overview and we will respond with a practical next step.

Discuss your mobile app backend scope →

How mobile backend projects work with QalbIT

A practical mobile backend development process from API design to stable production

We keep the process structured but lightweight so you can validate quickly, support existing apps and roll out backend improvements without breaking production.

  1. 01

    Discovery, audit and API use cases

    1–2 weeks

    Discovery, audit and API use cases

    Understand your mobile apps, current backend (if any), data model and constraints, then define the key APIs and backend responsibilities.

    Key outcome: Clear scope, high-level architecture and prioritised list of endpoints and backend features.

  2. 02

    Architecture and schema design

    1–3 weeks

    Architecture and schema design

    Design database schema, service boundaries, authentication flows and integration points, aligned with your performance and security requirements.

    Key outcome: Architecture decisions, ER diagrams where useful and an implementation plan for the first release.

  3. 03

    Backend implementation and integrations

    4–10+ weeks (scope-dependent)

    Backend implementation and integrations

    Implement core APIs, services, background jobs and third-party integrations in small, reviewable increments.

    Key outcome: Production-ready mobile backend deployed in your cloud environment.

  4. 04

    Launch, monitoring and optimisation

    First 4–8 weeks after launch

    Launch, monitoring and optimisation

    Set up logging, metrics and error tracking, then tune endpoints and queries based on real usage in your mobile apps.

    Key outcome: Stable backend with clear dashboards and alerts, plus a backlog of improvements.

  5. 05

    Ongoing support and roadmap

    Ongoing, month-to-month

    Ongoing support and roadmap

    Continue iterating on features, performance and integrations via a dedicated squad or flexible retainer model.

    Key outcome: Predictable delivery on a roadmap that tracks your product and traffic growth.

Want to see how this process applies to your current stage? Share a short brief and we will respond with a tailored next step.

Walk me through this process for my app →

Where dedicated mobile backends work best

Mobile backend use cases we most often deliver

Most of our mobile backend work is for teams that already have or are planning serious mobile apps – where reliable APIs, authentication and integrations matter more than quick prototypes.

New mobile app backend builds

For Startups, product teams, agencies

Greenfield

End-to-end backend for new iOS and Android apps, including APIs, authentication, notifications and integrations.

Ask how we would scope your new app →

Rebuild or replace legacy backends

For Growing teams with live traffic

Modernisation

Gradual migration from brittle or slow legacy APIs to a modern backend without breaking existing apps and users.

API layer for existing systems

For SMEs and enterprises with legacy systems

Integration

Expose existing ERPs, CRMs or internal tools via a clean API layer that mobile apps can safely consume.

Multi-client ecosystems (web + mobile)

For SaaS and platform teams

Platform

Backends serving both mobile apps and web dashboards, keeping logic centralised while presenting different UX per client.

Not sure if your idea or system belongs here? Send us a short description and we will tell you honestly whether we are the right team for it.

Ask if your app fits these mobile backend use cases →

Tech stack & platforms

Mobile backend stack we most often use at QalbIT

We choose backend stack and infrastructure based on your app, traffic expectations and in-house skills. These are the tools we rely on for most mobile backends across our own products and client work.

Backend & APIs

Core logic, resources and endpoints that power your mobile apps.

  • Laravel 10/11/12 (PHP 8.x) with modular architecture for structured REST APIs.
  • NestJS (TypeScript, Node.js 20+) for API-first, event-driven backends.
  • REST APIs, webhooks and background workers for predictable client–server contracts.

Data & real-time

Databases, caching and real-time updates.

  • MySQL / PostgreSQL for structured data and reporting.
  • Redis for caching, queues and rate limiting.
  • Real-time features using WebSockets, event streams or third-party push providers.

Infrastructure & DevOps

Cloud environments and deployment pipelines.

  • AWS, DigitalOcean or similar cloud platforms with auto-scaling where needed.
  • Containerised deployments or managed runtimes with CI/CD pipelines.
  • Staging and production environments with automated backups and rollbacks.

Security & observability

Keeping the backend secure, monitored and supportable.

  • JWT-based auth, OAuth and secure token handling for mobile clients.
  • Centralised logging, metrics and tracing for error and performance insights.
  • Basic compliance-friendly practices around access control and data protection.

Already have a live backend? We will review your current stack and only suggest changes where they clearly improve reliability, performance or maintainability.

FAQs · Custom software & teams

Frequently asked questions about mobile app backend development with QalbIT

These are the questions product owners and tech leads usually ask when we discuss APIs, microservices and backends for mobile applications.

  • ✓ Covers custom software development, SaaS platforms, mobile apps and integrations.
  • ✓ Answers about pricing, engagement models, NDAs, IP ownership and quality assurance.
  • ✓ Written for founders, CTOs and product teams hiring a remote development partner.

Have a question that is not listed here?

Share your roadmap or idea and we’ll help you pick the right engagement model, tech stack and starting point.

Contact our experts

What is a mobile app backend and why do we need one?

A mobile app backend is the server side part of your application that stores data, applies business logic, manages authentication and talks to external services. A well designed backend lets your iOS and Android apps stay fast, secure and in sync for thousands of users and multiple devices.

Which technologies do you use for mobile app backend development?

Can you build or replace the backend for an existing mobile app developed by another team?

How do you handle authentication, authorisation and security for mobile APIs?

Will the backend scale as our mobile app grows to more users?

Do you also provide monitoring and support for mobile app backends after launch?

Can the same backend support web applications or other integrations in the future?

Ready to talk about your mobile backend?

Let us review your existing backend or plan a new one together.

Share where your mobile app is today, how the current backend behaves and what you want to improve. We will review your goals, current stack and constraints, then suggest a realistic plan for your backend – whether that is a fresh build or a careful migration.

Book a mobile backend call Ask for a backend audit

Typically we respond within 24–48 hours with next steps and a suggested starting point.