Best Approach for Developing a Cross-Platform Mobile App alongside a Laravel Web App?

[Vihan Richard]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently working on an eCommerce web app built with Laravel and considering launching a cross-platform mobile app alongside it. I want to ensure code reusability, smooth API integrations, and performance optimization across platforms (mainly Android & iOS).

I’ve looked into Flutter and React Native as options, but I’m curious about how others are managing API structures, authentication, and data syncing when connecting a mobile app to a Laravel backend.

Also, how do you handle deployment and updates between the Laravel backend and mobile frontend?

Any tips, best practices, or tools you’d recommend for mobile app development and eCommerce app development in this stack would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance!

[ImperoITServices]

1. Tech Stack for 2025

• Frontend (Mobile): Flutter 3.22+ or React Native (Expo SDK 50+)
• Backend: Laravel 10/11 with Sanctum or Passport for API token authentication
• API Layer: Laravel as a RESTful or GraphQL API provider
• Database: MySQL or PostgreSQL, depending on your data relations
• Deployment: Dockerized Laravel + Firebase/Play/App Store deployment for mobile
• CI/CD: GitHub Actions + Codemagic (for Flutter) or EAS (for React Native)

2. API Integration

Rather than duplicating logic or backend calls, expose your Laravel logic as well-structured REST or GraphQL APIs. Laravel Sanctum offers lightweight API token-based authentication ideal for mobile clients. We typically version the API (/api/v1/...) to future-proof it.

3. Offline Capability & Syncing

If your mobile app needs offline access or delayed syncing (field data collection, retail, health apps) make use of SQLite + background sync services (Flutter: moor or Drift, RN: AsyncStorage or WatermelonDB).

4. Security Practices 2025

Laravel now natively supports more granular permissions with Laravel Policy Scopes and API Rate Limiting. Use SSL pinning on mobile clients, and make sure tokens are securely stored using Keychain/Keystore on mobile.

5. Testing & CI

We always run unit and API tests in Laravel using PestPHP or PHPUnit, and parallel widget & integration testing in Flutter or React Native. GitHub Actions triggers end-to-end API test runs with every push to main. For mobile builds, tools like Codemagic or Expo EAS are a must.

We at Impero IT Services recently built a retail inventory solution for a Canadian franchise brand. The Laravel backend powered:-

• Admin dashboard
• Role-based user management
• Product and order APIs
• Notification logic (via Firebase Cloud Messaging)

While the Flutter mobile app handled:

• In-store barcode scanning
• Inventory updates
• Offline-first data entry
• Real-time sync with Laravel via secure APIs