Android Developers Backstage Kotlin Multiplatform: Have your code and eat it too
May 7, 2025
Dustin Lam, a software engineer specializing in Kotlin Multiplatform, and Yigit Boyar from the Android Toolkit team share their insights on this innovative technology. They discuss the evolution of Kotlin Multiplatform and how it compares to frameworks like React Native. Challenges in file handling are addressed, including the nuances of migrating apps and ensuring compatibility. The duo also highlights how Google products are incorporating KMP, emphasizing performance and cross-platform functionality. Engaging with the developer community is key for driving improvements.
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KMP Is Kotlin Extension
- Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is not a separate language but Kotlin with more compilers targeting multiple platforms.
- It provides a multi-platform capability on top of existing Kotlin, unlike some separate product stacks like React Native.
KMP Compiles to Native Platforms
- KMP compiles Kotlin code to platform-native binaries using platform-appropriate data structures.
- This native approach avoids running the same engine on all platforms as React Native does, improving interoperability and performance.
Separate Business Logic For Sharing
- Structure your app to separate business logic from UI to enable easier multi-platform sharing.
- This layer, often including view models, can be compiled into KMP libraries for iOS and Android sharing.