Explore every episode of the podcast Diary of an indie app developer
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I'm selfish? | 06 May 2026 | 00:13:06 | |
Recently I discovered I'm selfish. By recently, I mean last night. I was out for dinner with friends from church and we were talking about the side effect of the pursuit of excellence. | |||
| You're telling me marketing is about people? | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:15:04 | |
Today we're exploring what marketing actually is. You can trick yourself into thinking it's about the features. But it's really just about the emotional, how people feel… and tugging on those heart strings. | |||
| What's next? | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:15:07 | |
Welcome to season 2 of Diary of an Indie app developer. I started this podcast when I was a struggling developer who couldn't make ends meet. Now: I found success, followers and accolades. But at what cost? | |||
| I tried building 10 SwiftUI mobile apps in 30 days with AI (this is what happened) | 23 Jul 2024 | 00:24:46 | |
In this video I take on the challenge to build 10 SwiftUI apps in just one month. Using ChatGPT for coding assistance and Midjourney for icons. I explore the capabilities (and limitations) of AI tools in app development. Along the way I reflect on my transition from JavaScript to SwiftUI and discuss the financial outcomes of my projects and offer insights into app store optimization | |||
| Protect Your Mobile App from Hackers: Lessons from an ethical hacker | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:23:13 | |
Adam shares his darkest secrets as an ethical hacker and delves into crucial lessons every indie app developer needs to know to protect their mobile apps from hackers. Discover the hidden vulnerabilities, learn how to safeguard your app, and understand the hacker mindset to stay one step ahead What You’ll Learn:
Follow the journey: Website: https://adamlyttleapps.com Twitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleapps Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleapps TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleapps Substack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com | |||
| The App Store Optimization SECRET nobody talks about (to get thousands of mobile app downloads) | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:22:38 | |
Adam reveals a little-known App Store Optimization secret that no one else is talking about. With just one simple tweak that takes only 30 seconds, you can see tens of thousands of downloads and a massive increase in revenue.
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| I increased mobile app subscriptions 230% with one simple change to my indie app | 15 Jun 2024 | 00:09:20 | |
Adam discovers a mobile app generating $300k/month and gets inspired to update his paywall… and sees a 230% increase in trial subscriptions!
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| WWDC 2024 Reaction: Did iOS18 just destroy my AI wrapper apps? | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:05:26 | |
Adam discovers he's been asleep on his AI wrapper apps this whole time and puts together a plan. The Apple WWDC 2024 just finished and many developers are starting to realize their apps are… well… doomed.
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| App Clone Wars: Another one of my apps gets copied | 06 Jun 2024 | 00:16:49 | |
Today I dive deep into my recent encounter with another copycat app developer, affectionately dubbed “Copycat Carl.” I share my thoughts on how these copycats operate, the impact they have on my revenue, and the emotional rollercoaster I go through every time I see one of my apps cloned. I also discuss the balance between finding inspiration and outright copying, reflecting on my own experiences both as a victim of copying and as someone who has made mistakes in this area. Through this journey, I’ve learned valuable lessons about maintaining integrity, innovating, and building a brand that stands out. Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developer Follow my journey: Website: https://adamlyttleapps.com | |||
| My first month as a podcaster (an introspective) | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:24:09 | |
Adam reflects on what he has learned while making YouTube videos for a month. What it takes to make a good video, to be consistent and shares helpful tips for indie app developers looking to setup their own YouTube channel…
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| Overcoming my imposter syndrome | 31 May 2024 | 00:24:25 | |
Adam shares his personal experiences and strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome while building indie apps. He discusses the struggle with work-life balance, the impact of self-doubt, and the importance of authenticity, community, and connection in navigating the pressures of content creation and audience expectations. Follow the journey: Website: https://adamlyttleapps.com Twitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleapps Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleapps TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleapps Substack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com | |||
| Growth hacks for indie app developers | 31 May 2024 | 00:17:58 | |
Adam Lyttle shares his secrets for indie app growth hacks without spending a dime! After developing an app every month for the past four years, Adam has discovered the most effective free marketing strategies that took his app from 1,000 downloads a month to an incredible 30,000 downloads a month.
- Growth hacks that don't cost any money
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| Balancing life, work and indie app development | 23 May 2024 | 00:12:34 | |
Adam shares his top 5 tips for building indie apps with 5 kids and a busy household. To help you build better apps and keep you focused in the process. Lets go 💪Diary of an Indie App developer follows the personal journey of Adam Lyttle as he grows his indie consumer appsFollow my journey:Website: adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram: instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: adamlyttleapps.substack.comKey parts: 0:00 — Intro0:47 — Step Away1:55 — Good Enough is Good Enough5:00 — Laser Focus6:06 — Maximize Ouput9:44 — Back Yourself :) | |||
| Lets talk about poop tracking apps | 17 May 2024 | 00:20:34 | |
Adam discusses the issues with his poop tracking app and the time his medical app was rejected for causing physical harmApps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an independent app builderFollow the journey:Website: adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram: instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: adamlyttleapps.substack.comNotable parts: 0:00 — Intro1:08 — Finding motivation6:14 — Building medical apps6:42 — App: Poop Tracker Deluxe10:00 — Rejected for objectionable content12:30 — Solution for objectionable content13:32 — App: OB Wheel for Pregnancy15:18 — My business model15:55 — Monetizing my app16:31 — OpenAI chatbot integration17:18 — Rejected for causing Physical Harm18:14 — Safety checks and balances19:25 — App validation process19:57 — Outro | |||
| I bought a copycat app | 15 May 2024 | 00:28:37 | |
Adam revisits that time he accidentally bought a copycat app and learns a valuable lesson in the process Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an independent app builder Follow the journey: Website: adamlyttleapps.com Twitter: x.com/adamlyttleapps Instagram: instagram.com/adamlyttleapps TikTok: tiktok.com/@adamlyttleapps Substack: adamlyttleapps.substack.com Notable parts: 0:00 — Intro 2:07 – How I acquired the app 3:44 — Identifying the app I want to buy 5:14 — Due diligence process 8:14 — Taking ownership of the app 8:44 — Discovering issues with the app 10:00 – Rebuilding the app 11:11 — Assessing the business model 12:10 — Discovered it was a copycat app 13:29 — App Store Optimisation (ASO) 15:38 — Deciding on the business model 16:44 — Personal reflection 17:21 — Revisiting the app after 6 months 18:22 — Secrets to coming up with app ideas 21:40 — Plans for the future 25:08 — Current download stats | |||
| The RIZZ Problem | 14 May 2024 | 00:30:20 | |
Adam struggles with maintaining a coding schedule with a newborn in the house and discovers potential trademark issues with the new app Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an independent app builder building in public Follow my journey: Website: adamlyttleapps.com Twitter: x.com/adamlyttleapps Instagram: instagram.com/adamlyttleapps TikTok: tiktok.com/adamlyttleapps Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro 2:30 — App launch stratergy 8:00 — Scaling from $0 - $100 10:01 — On indie hacking 10:30 — Connection and loneliness 19:22 — Getting distracted while building 21:14 — Naming a product 22:02 — On building in public again 23:12 — Trademark issues 27:30 — Release cycles 28:03 — ChatGPT building bad code 29:11 — Recording cut out :( | |||
| Hello, World! | 09 May 2024 | 00:34:04 | |
I promise this episode won't be put on private like all the other "first" episodes on this channel. I'm Adam Lyttle – an independent app developer running a 6 figure app creation businessMy app journey started in 2020 when I started releasing a free app every month. With no intention of making a business out of it. Fast forward to 2024 and I now live off the proceeds | |||