How is support different from a development warranty?

A warranty usually covers fixing defects introduced during development, within an agreed period after handover. Support is broader: it also includes adapting to new OS versions, infrastructure, security and evolution. Warranty bugs are fixed for free; support is a separate service.

How much does app support cost per month?

It depends on the model and complexity: one-off tasks are billed hourly, while a live product usually uses a monthly package of hours (retainer). As a yearly reference, budget 10-20% of the development cost, but the exact amount is always calculated per project.

Can you take over support for an app built by another team?

Yes. First we run an audit: we review the code, architecture and infrastructure and assess condition and risks. After that we can take the product into maintenance or first stabilize what gets in the way of support.

Do I have to maintain the app continuously?

The minimum - updates for new OS versions and closing vulnerabilities - is always needed, otherwise the app will eventually stop working or become insecure. You control the scope of further development yourself depending on your product plans.

App Support and Maintenance After Launch: What It Includes and What It Costs

What technical support for an app includes

Support for an app is not just "fixing bugs." It covers several areas: fixing errors that surface in real usage; updates for new versions of iOS, Android and browsers, otherwise the app eventually stops launching; infrastructure upkeep and availability monitoring; dependency updates and closing vulnerabilities; small improvements and feature development. The first three are the bare minimum just to keep the product running; the rest is about keeping it competitive.

Maintenance models: hourly, SLA and retainer

There are three common models. Hourly (Time & Material) - you pay for actual hours, convenient when tasks are rare and unpredictable. SLA - a service-level agreement with a guaranteed incident response time, needed when downtime is critical. Retainer - a fixed monthly package of hours for support and minor changes, the most budget-predictable option for a live product. The choice depends on how critical downtime is for you and how often changes are planned.

How much to budget for support

The reference the market uses is roughly 10-20% of the development cost per year for support and evolution. The exact figure depends on complexity: an app with payments, integrations and high load costs more to maintain than a simple catalog. It is important to plan this budget in advance, at the development estimate stage, rather than being surprised by it after release. This is an indicative range - the specific cost is always calculated for your product and the required service level.

What happens if you do not maintain the app

A product without support does not stay in the same state - it degrades. First minor failures accumulate, then a new OS version ships and some users lose access, then an unpatched vulnerability surfaces. Dependencies are a separate problem: libraries age, and in a year or two updating the app becomes more expensive than maintaining it gradually all along. Saving on maintenance almost always turns into a costlier one-off rework.

How to hand a product over for support without losing control

For transparent support you should hold the source code, access to the infrastructure and accounts, and documentation. Then the product can be maintained by the original team or any other - you are not tied to one contractor. We hand over the code and infrastructure to the client in full, so support does not become dependency: you pay for the work, not for someone else holding the keys to your product.