AAC Communication App

Industry: Assistive technology, special education and learning support
Organisation: Established educational app publisher
Solution type: Cross platform mobile app rebuild with admin portal
Core technology: React Native, Expo, Firebase, Realm, Microsoft Azure, Stripe
Engagement: 12+ months, ongoing post launch support

Headline resultAndroid market opened while existing iOS users migrated without data loss

Overview

An augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app used by people with speech, language and learning challenges had grown a large, loyal user base on iOS. Using our mobile app development services, we rebuilt it as a single cross platform app for iOS and Android, adding cloud sync, subscriptions and an admin portal while keeping the experience simple for children, educators and families.

The Business Problem

The original app was only available on iPhone and iPad, which shut out a large portion of schools, therapists and families who use Android devices. The codebase was ageing, and the publisher needed a sustainable revenue model without making the app harder to use for people who depend on it to communicate.

Legacy content at riskA large legacy user base whose saved content could not be lost.
No Android versionNo Android version, limiting growth in schools and therapy settings.
No recurring revenueNo subscription model, cloud backup or central content management.
Change sensitive usersUsers who are sensitive to change and need a calm, predictable interface.

Our Solution

We built a new app with React Native and Expo so one codebase serves both iOS and Android, while still feeling native on each device. Rather than forcing everyone onto the new version at once, both versions run side by side. Existing users can choose to migrate their albums, cards and profiles in a guided, self serve process, or start fresh.

Onboarding was redesigned so parents and educators can quickly set up profiles, core word sets, albums and choice boards. Monetisation was introduced through optional subscriptions and in app purchases, while lifetime purchases from the original app were honoured.

Run both apps in parallel
Migrate or start fresh
Set up profiles and cards
Subscribe if needed
Sync across devices

AAC communication app for iOS and Android

Key Features

Text to speech with karaoke style word highlighting
Custom communication cards, albums and choice boards
Printable card templates for classroom use
Profile management and sharing between carers and educators
Offline first operation so the app works without internet access
Cloud sync and backup across devices
Subscriptions and in app purchases on both app stores
Royalty free image search integration for building new cards
Admin portal for global card libraries, album curation and subscription monitoring

Outcomes

Android users can now access the app, significantly expanding the addressable market
Legacy users moved across at their own pace without losing saved content
A recurring revenue model introduced without cluttering the learning experience
The platform supports a high volume of daily users with fast response times
Central admin tools let the publisher manage content without app updates

Technology Stack

Mobile5 technologies

React Native

Expo

Expo Router

TypeScript

Styled Components

State and data3 technologies

React Context

Realm

Axios

Backend5 technologies

Firebase Authentication

Firestore

Cloud Storage

Cloud Functions

Azure Blob Storage

Payments2 technologies

Apple StoreKit

Stripe

Monitoring3 technologies

Sentry

Firebase Crashlytics

Firebase Analytics

Messaging and APIs4 technologies

Firebase Cloud Messaging

Expo Notifications

Google Drive API

Pixabay API

Release3 technologies

Expo EAS Build

Apple App Store

Google Play

Who This Solution Suits

This approach suits assistive technology companies, special education providers, speech therapy businesses and edtech publishers that need accessible, offline capable mobile apps across both major platforms.