Q & A
Everything you need to know to go from "I have an idea" to a working iOS app on your home screen.
Getting started
What is MobileClaw?
MobileClaw is an AI-powered iOS app builder. You describe an app in plain language — typed or spoken, in any language — and MobileClaw uses an AI agent to design the app, write the code, stand up a lightweight backend if it needs one, compile everything, and ship it to your iPhone via TestFlight. No Code.
It's designed for people who want an app, not to learn programming.
Do I need a Mac or Xcode?
No. The whole experience runs on your iPhone. The build happens on MobileClaw's servers — what reaches you is the finished app, ready to install.
Do I need to know how to code?
Not at all. MobileClaw is built for non-technical users. You describe screens, features, and behaviors the way you'd describe them to a friend; the AI handles every line of code — the iOS app and the backend behind it.
If you do code, you can be more specific — but it's never required.
How do I install the MobileClaw app?
MobileClaw is currently in early access via TestFlight. From the home page, tap Join the TestFlight beta, accept the invitation, and install the companion app on your iPhone.
Once installed, the app creates an anonymous account on first launch — no signup needed. You can upgrade to an email account later from Settings → Sign in to back up your projects.
Your first app
How do I create my first app?
- Open MobileClaw and tap + New project.
- Type or speak what you want — for example: "A water-tracking app with a streak counter and a daily goal."
- Tap send. Watch the AI plan, write code, and build your app live.
- When the build finishes, tap Install to add it to your home screen.
Most first builds finish in 2–5 minutes.
What kinds of apps can I build?
Anything that fits a typical iPhone app: trackers, calculators, journals, todo lists, habit apps, simple games, photo tools, timers, custom utilities. Apps with clean SwiftUI design work especially well.
You're not limited to local-only apps either — MobileClaw can give your app a lightweight backend with cloud storage, sign-in, and cross-device sync, so you can also build things like shared lists, group trackers, or apps with user accounts.
More advanced things (real-time multiplayer, ARKit, custom audio engines) are possible but slower to converge — start small and iterate.
How specific should my description be?
Start broad. A one-sentence description is enough. The AI will pick reasonable defaults, and you can refine after seeing the first build.
Useful things to mention up front, if you have an opinion:
- Who it's for ("for runners", "for kids")
- The vibe ("playful", "minimal", "high contrast")
- Key screens or features
- Whether it stores data, uses the camera, etc.
Can I use voice instead of typing?
Yes. Hold the microphone button in the chat input and speak. Release to send. It works in your phone's language — English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and more.
Can I attach screenshots for inspiration?
Yes. Tap the image icon in the chat to attach photos or screenshots. The AI looks at them and uses the layout, palette, and style as a reference for what you want.
Can my app store data in the cloud or have a backend?
Yes. MobileClaw can stand up a lightweight backend for your app — cloud storage, user sign-in, and a small database — without you provisioning a server or writing API code.
Just describe what you need: "Let users sign in and have their habits sync to all their devices," or "Save these notes to the cloud so they don't disappear if I delete the app." The AI wires the backend, the storage, and the iOS code together as one piece.
It's intended for typical app data — accounts, preferences, lists, journal entries, photos. For very heavy workloads (millions of users, large media libraries) you'd graduate to a dedicated backend, but most ideas don't need that.
Iterating & refining
How do I make changes to my app?
Just keep talking to it. Open your project's chat and ask: "Make the buttons bigger," "Add a weekly summary screen," "Use a darker green." Each request kicks off a new build with your changes applied.
The AI remembers everything in the conversation, so you can build up the app step by step.
I see a problem on a specific screen — what do I do?
Take a screenshot of the issue and attach it with your message. "This text is overlapping the icon — fix it" with the screenshot is much faster than describing the problem in words.
Can I undo a change?
Yes. Each successful build is saved. From the project's Builds view you can install any previous version. To roll back the code itself, ask in chat: "Go back to how the home screen was before."
How long does each iteration take?
Typical changes finish in 1–3 minutes. Bigger features (new screens, data models) can take 5–10 minutes. You'll see a live progress view the whole time.
Installing your app
How do I install the app I built?
Through Apple's TestFlight. When a build finishes, MobileClaw uploads it to TestFlight automatically; once Apple's quick beta review clears, MobileClaw sends you a notification: "✈️ Available on TestFlight". Tap the notification (or the Open in TestFlight button in MobileClaw's Versions screen) to launch the TestFlight app and install.
If you don't have TestFlight installed, the App Store opens to download it first — it's free.
How long does it take from "tap Build" to having the app on my phone?
Around 5–15 minutes for a typical build. Breakdown: ~1–3 min to compile, ~30 sec to upload to TestFlight, ~5–15 min for Apple to process and clear beta review. The first build of a brand-new app takes longer because Apple does an initial review (usually under an hour); subsequent builds are much quicker.
What if TestFlight upload says rate-limited?
Apple limits how many builds we can ship per day. If we hit that ceiling, MobileClaw shows a notification — try again in a few hours. Your work is saved; nothing is lost.
How many apps can I have installed at once?
As many as you want. Each project becomes its own app in TestFlight (and on your home screen once installed). You can delete one anytime by long-pressing the icon.
Sharing & releasing
Can I share my app with friends?
Yes — through Apple's TestFlight. MobileClaw uploads every build to TestFlight automatically; you'll get a public link you can send to anyone with an iPhone.
Recipients install the free TestFlight app from Apple and tap your link to install your app.
Can I publish to the App Store?
Full App Store publishing — including App Review, screenshots, and metadata automation — is on the roadmap and not yet available. For now, TestFlight is the way to ship to other people.
AI inside your app
Can the apps I build use AI features themselves?
Yes — but the app you build can't use MobileClaw's AI credentials. If your app needs AI features (chat, summarization, image generation), MobileClaw will build a settings screen where you (or your app's users) enter their own API key, stored securely in iOS Keychain.
Just ask: "Add a chat feature using an AI service — let me put in my own key in settings."
Why can't apps share MobileClaw's AI key?
Two reasons: cost (we'd be paying for everyone's app to call AI on demand) and security (an embedded key in any iOS app can be extracted). Bring-your-own-key is the standard pattern, and the AI is instructed to build it correctly.
Account & data
Do I need to sign up?
No. The app creates an anonymous account on first launch so you can start building immediately. You can upgrade to an email account later from Settings if you want to back up projects or use the same account on a new device.
Where are my projects stored?
On MobileClaw's servers, tied to your account. Build artifacts (the actual installable apps) are kept on Amazon S3 in the US. Each chat conversation, project, and build is preserved across devices once you sign in.
Troubleshooting
The build failed — what now?
MobileClaw automatically tries to fix compile errors before showing you the build. If it still fails, the chat will summarize what went wrong in plain English. Usually replying "Try again" or describing the problem differently is enough.
If a feature consistently fails, try breaking it into smaller asks.
The install button doesn't work.
Most install issues are the iOS "trust developer" step. Open Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and tap Trust on the developer profile. If that's already done, force-quit the MobileClaw app and try again — your build is still safe on the server.
Voice input isn't picking up my words.
Check that you've granted MobileClaw microphone access (Settings → MobileClaw → Microphone). Speech recognition uses your phone's language — change the system language if it's transcribing into the wrong language.
I have a question that's not answered here.
Email [email protected] and we'll get back to you. We read every message.