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MVP Development and a Mobile App for a Family Connections Startup

This is a completely secure digital space designed for family communication, where users can build their family tree, chat, keep family photos and videos, arrange events and more.


About the Project

SA.svg Saudi Arabia

7 months

Lifestyle & Social


Team Members

3x Flutter Developers

1x Back-End Developer, BA, QA, PM, UX/UI, DevOps


Services

Custom Development

Mobile App Development

UI/UX Design

PoC & MVP

Learn how our client got:

  • A go-to-market product that is fast and scalable
  • Holistic and user-friendly product design
  • A highly functional enterprise-level mobile app available for iOS and Android
  • Unique custom-built Flutter components for essential functionalities
  • Scalable architecture leveraging serverless and event-driven backend

Technology Stack

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FLUTTER

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IOS

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ANDROID

Check All Technologies

CHALLENGE

In the era of digitalization, maintaining familial bonds is crucial. Our client decided to create a shared family space on a smartphone—a closed community united by a family tree—where family ties, birthdays, photos, events, and more can be displayed. 

 

Our team got involved once the backend of the app was created, and the client requested assistance with the frontend. However, the OTAKOYI team never divides applications into parts, as such approach may lead to failure. So, we began with an in-depth analysis of the situation, which was as follows:

The client's input

  • Two underperforming native apps: IOS, Android with basic functionality
  • Backend built with Laravel and MySQL
  • Request for unique functionality: a family tree that required engineering from scratch
  • App mockups without UI that needed improvement
  • A socially important idea that inspired our team greatly

OUR APPROACH

The project development began with a mini discovery phase. During this phase, the Business Analyst (BA), UX designer, and solution architect collaborated closely with the client to finalize the product vision, identify bottlenecks, and determine the optimal tech stack.

 

As a result, they created a phased development plan for the MVP, defined the team composition, and chose suitable technologies.

WHY NOT LARAVEL?

As we briefly mentioned, our client came to us with a backend written in Laravel and two native apps, seeking assistance with the frontend and family tree functionality. Our team always assesses the project as a whole, and we noticed that this backend wouldn’t work because:

 

  • It covered only about 15% of the needed functionality.
  • While Laravel can integrate with Firebase, it’s not the best choice for apps that rely on Firebase’s real-time capabilities, which are ideal for social networks.
  • PHP lacks native WebSocket support.
  • Based on our extensive mobile development experience, Laravel is not an efficient choice in this case.
  • Rewriting the backend with Flutter would take about a week and meet all our client’s needs.

FLUTTER + FIREBASE

We chose Firebase for its real-time updates, automatic scaling, and robust backend services. The Firebase Realtime Database, as a non-relational database, supports real-time functionality, making it ideal for applications that require immediate data synchronization.

 

We selected Flutter for its extensive functionality and cross-platform capabilities, excelling in creating visual components without platform-specific dependencies.

 

As a result, our solution for an efficient mobile app—designed to support a growing user base—combines Flutter, Firebase, Firestore, and Serverless Functions.

Сhoosing the right tech stack can be challenging for non-technical clients, especially when developers choose the wrong technology, wasting time and resources. We recommend seeking second opinions from multiple development companies and understanding the rationale behind their choices to avoid unnecessary costs and stress. It’s also wise to have third-party experts audit your team, particularly if they're missing deadlines. Some of our clients came to us after costly experiences with underperforming teams.

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Volodymyr Hodiak

CTO, OTAKOYI

MVP DEVELOPMENT

The MVP development phase took approximately 2.5 months, during which we launched both iOS and Android applications. The MVP included essential authorization options, basic onboarding, the ability to find or create a family, and a display of family members on the tree.

FAMILY TREE - BUILDING CUSTOM COMPONENTS FROM SCRATCH

The most challenging aspect at this stage was developing the family tree and its associated business logic. With no ready-made solutions available, we built everything from scratch using the Genogram Tree algorithm.

 

This required engineering skills, emphasizing the key difference between engineers and developers — engineers create functionality from the ground up, while developers use frameworks and tools to implement and customize solutions.

FURTHER APP DEVELOPMENT

Following the successful MVP launch, we expanded the core team and began parallel development of new features. Every two weeks, the team released updates, including new features and bug fixes.

 

The project took longer than initially planned as we adjusted our roadmap based on feedback from stakeholders and test groups after each release. This iterative approach is common in modern software development, where priorities can shift, and some features may become irrelevant or require modification.

FEATURES IMPLEMENTED

Authentication
and registration

The app supports multiple authentication methods for user convenience and security:

 

  • Apple ID

    Quick login using Apple’s secure system.

  • Google

    Easy access with Google accounts.

  • Phone Number

    OTP validation for phone number-based registration.

  • Email

    Traditional registration with OTP sent to the user’s email.

READY TO BUILD SOMETHING GREAT?

TALK TO AN EXPERT

Onboarding

The onboarding introduces users to key features with an interactive walkthrough. It covers:

 

  • Main Features

    Family creation, tree visualization, and social tools.

  • Setup Instructions

    Profile setup, contact connections, and customization.

  • Main Features

    A brief guide to the app’s main sections.

Extended user profiles and notifications management

Users can create detailed profiles that showcase their personal information and family connections. Additionally, the platform offers comprehensive notifications management, enabling users to customize their alert preferences for events, posts, and messages.

Finding or creating a family

Users can share their contacts and search for existing families. They can request to join a family, and current members will receive notifications, allowing them to approve or decline the join request.

 

If no families exist, users can create their own and invite members via phone, email, or QR code. Additionally, users can fill out the Family Tree, manage permissions, and update member information.

Events management

The platform features an integrated events calendar that keeps families informed about upcoming gatherings and important dates. Users receive notifications for scheduled events, ensuring that everyone stays in the loop.

Chats and files uploads

Users can engage in both group and personal chats, allowing for seamless communication within the family space. They can share files, images, audio recordings, and more, making it easy to keep everyone connected and share important memories.

Posts and activities

Users can create and share posts within their Family Feed, allowing for the exchange of updates, stories, and memories.

This project is special to us because it is rooted in a socially important mission. Our team was inspired to create a platform that fosters familial connections and strengthens relationships. Working on this application has been a rewarding journey, enhancing our skills and commitment to impactful solutions. We are proud of our work and excited to see how our software will empower families to stay connected.

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Natalie Kostyshak

Business Growth Executive, OTAKOYI

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Serhiy Lavrynenko

Volodymyr Hodiak

CEO

CTO