Jump In and Start Programming!
App Inventor is a free tool for creating your own apps on almost any phone or tablet right in your web browser. Best of all, the block-based programming language is easy to learn!
With these beginner-friendly tutorials, you will learn the basics of programming apps for iOS and Android phones and tablets.
To code your apps, you will need the following:- a Mac or Windows computer or Chromebook (see system requirements)
- iOS or Android device (phone or tablet)
- Or a Chromebook
- We are also working on a browser-only option for testing apps if you do not have any of these devices.
If you hit any snags, we're here to help!
Teachers: Get support and tips for preparing for using App Inventor with your students.
Making Mobile Apps with App Inventor
We have four beginner tutorials to try out. We recommend starting with Hello Codi!, but all are accessible for novice coders, and all can can be completed in an hour.
There are multiple ways of accessing each tutorial:
Click the tutorial link to open up a project directly in the App Inventor environment with the tutorial in the sidebar. This is our recommended way to complete the tutorials.
If you prefer, you can click on the video links to follow the tutorial in a video.
We also have links to pdf files for each tutorial for those who prefer text instructions.
After building the starter apps, you can add new features and functions — or start building apps of your own design!
Name
Tutorial
Video
Text
Name
Hello Codi!
Get started by making Codi the Bee buzz when touched!
Tutorial
Video
Text
Name
Talk to Me (2 parts)
Text to Speech is surprisingly fun. Find out for yourself with this starter app that talks.
Tutorial
Video
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Name
Talk to Me (Part 2)
Tutorial
Video
Text
Name
Ball Bounce
Fling, Flang, Flung? Whatever you call it, bouncing the ball around the screen is pure fun.
Tutorial
Video
Text
Name
Digital Doodle
Who needs paper? Doodle all day on your phone's screen.
Tutorial
Video
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What's Next?
You just made some pretty cool apps! But now the real fun begins: try turning TalkToMe into a Magic 8 Ball; turn BallBounce into a Mini Golf game, take DigitalDoodle to the next level by adding colors and incorporating pictures as backgrounds in PaintPot. The possibilities are endless! Make sure to see the complete collection of tutorials for more ideas.
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