Bubble Goes Native: What It Means for You (And Why We’re Excited)
By Nic Bowman, CEO of riivo
Low-code just levelled up. This month, Bubble launched its long-anticipated Mobile Native functionality. It brings the power of native app development into the hands of startups, product teams, and businesses already using Bubble to build their platforms. For us at riivo, this is a massive shift. Not because everyone suddenly needs a custom native app developed, but because choice, performance, and deeper device integration just became a whole lot easier to access.
See riivo on Bubble
Why Mobile Native is a Big Deal for Bubble (and You)
Let’s break it down: Until now, apps built on Bubble were primarily web-based. That’s fine for many use cases such as client portals, admin dashboards, internal CRMs. However, web apps can’t access core phone functionality like push notifications, camera roll access, native biometric login, or even offline mode.
With Mobile Native, you now get:
Push notifications and real-time engagement
App store distribution for iOS and Android
Deeper access to native phone features
Better performance and UX on mobile devices
In short, if you're building a product with serious mobile ambitions, this update removes a huge barrier to entry.
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Wait. Do I Need a Native App?
Not always. In fact, most internal tools, client portals, and MVPs can (and should) remain web-based. But if you’re building a customer-facing mobile product, whether you're a fintech startup, a marketplace platform, or a digital health service, this new release makes it far more viable to go native without the overhead of traditional mobile development.
That means faster time to market, lower dev costs, and fewer integration headaches.
What We Can Build for You with Bubble
Here’s a quick reminder of what’s already possible with Bubble:
MVPs and prototypes (for startups)
Client portals (integrated with CRMs like Salesforce or Zoho)
Admin and back-office dashboards
Booking systems
Digital marketplaces
Healthcare and logistics tools
We’ve built all of the above (and more).
In fact, riivo is one of only two Bubble-certified agencies actively working in South Africa today, and the only one with a long-term, proven track record.
Want to see what this looks like in action?
Real-World Deployment and Results
One of our latest success stories is SurgiFlow, a full-featured mobile and web app built for The Surgical Assistant, a business streamlining theatre bookings, surgical scheduling, and case management in hospitals.
Built entirely in Bubble, the app helps surgeons and assistants manage procedures, patients, and communication with hospitals, all in one place. It’s clean, reliable, and tailor-made for real-world complexity.
Let’s Build Something Brilliant, Together
At riivo, we live and breathe this stuff. Whether you're a founder with an idea, a CIO looking to modernise systems, or a business leader tired of legacy software, low-code gives you options. Native mobile apps just became one of them.
Ready to start? Let’s talk. We help businesses launch faster, modernise faster, and grow faster with digital transformation that doesn’t cut corners. Want to explore what’s possible with Bubble, Mobile Native, or something totally custom?
Get in touch.
FAQs
What is native mobile app development?
Native mobile app development refers to building apps specifically for a particular mobile operating system, like iOS or Android, so they can run directly on the device. These apps have full access to phone features like the camera, notifications, GPS, and biometric login, making them faster and more seamless than web-based alternatives. Need a native mobile app? Speak to riivo.
What language is used in native mobile app development?
Traditionally, native apps are built in platform-specific languages like Swift or Objective-C for iOS, and Kotlin or Java for Android. But with tools like Bubble’s new Mobile Native functionality, Bubble agencies like riivo build native apps using low-code, without writing these complex languages and lengthy dev times.
What is the advantage of using the native app in mobile development?
Native apps offer better performance, faster load times, and richer user experiences. They integrate more deeply with the phone, allowing things like push notifications, offline access, and smoother navigation which are critical for customer-facing apps or products that need to feel polished and responsive. If you want these advantages, speak to riivo for your own native mobile app.
What is the difference between a native app and a mobile app?
A “mobile app” can refer to any application accessed on a phone, including web-based apps running in a browser. A “native app,” on the other hand, is installed directly from an app store and built to run on the device’s operating system. For a custom native app that offers a more integrated and powerful user experience, speak to riivo.