Ongoing Hourly Mobile App Developer — Evaluate Existing APK + Build/Maintain Bible Audio App

I am looking for an individual mobile app developer for a long-term, hourly working relationship, not a fixed-price app development project. I currently have an Android APK for an existing Bible teaching/audio application that was developed by someone else. My first goal is to determine whether the existing application/code can reasonably be updated and expanded or whether we would be better off rebuilding it. I will provide the existing APK and any source code/files I am able to obtain. Phase 1 — Evaluate the Existing App I would initially hire you hourly for a limited technical assessment. I want you to: * Inspect the existing APK and available source code * Identify what technology/framework it was built with * Determine whether the app can reasonably be maintained and expanded * Identify any backend services, databases, APIs, audio hosting, or other external dependencies * Identify potential security, compatibility, or maintainability problems * Determine what would be required to publish an updated version on Google Play * Determine whether it could be adapted for iOS or whether a cross-platform rebuild would make more sense * Give me your recommendation: continue with the existing application, substantially modify it, or rebuild it Please explain your findings in plain English. I am a business owner, not a software developer. Long-Term Project If the initial assessment goes well, I want the same person to continue working with me hourly on an ongoing basis. The application will contain a library of Christian Bible teaching material, including: * Embedded/streaming audio teachings * Downloadable audio for offline listening * Text corresponding to the teachings * Organization by Bible book, chapter, topic, teacher, or series * Search * Favorites/bookmarks * Remembering playback position * Playback speed controls * Background/lock-screen audio * Eventually possibly synchronized audio and text I also need help with all of the infrastructure surrounding the application. I want a developer who can guide me through: * Apple App Store publication * Google Play publication * Apple and Google developer accounts * App signing and certificates * Cloud storage for potentially hundreds or thousands of audio files * Database/backend setup * Backups * Content management * App updates * Operating-system compatibility updates * Bug fixes * Adding features in the future * Keeping hosting and ongoing costs reasonable I do not want to be dependent upon the developer’s personal accounts. All source code, repositories, hosting accounts, app-store accounts, databases, domains, and other infrastructure should ultimately be owned and controlled by me/my organization, with the developer receiving the access needed to work on them. Working Relationship This is specifically an hourly position. I am NOT looking for someone who wants to quote a fixed price, rush through the project, deliver an APK, get paid, and disappear. I would rather have a capable, reasonably priced developer who can work with me for years. Some weeks there may be significant development work; other times I may only need occasional updates or maintenance. Good written English is important. Spoken English is not necessary if we can communicate effectively in writing. I am located in the United States but am specifically open to developers in other countries where rates are lower. AI-Assisted Development Use of AI development tools is welcome and encouraged. If you use Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, or similar tools to increase your productivity, that is a positive. However, you must understand the code and be capable of debugging and maintaining what you produce. Please Answer These Questions Please start your proposal with the words “Bible APK.” Proposals that do not do this will not be considered. 1. What can you determine from an APK if the original source code is unavailable? 2. What additional files or information would you ideally want from the previous developer? 3. Have you taken over an existing Android or iOS application originally written by another developer? Describe one example and what condition the project was in when you received it. 4. Have you personally published applications to both Google Play and the Apple App Store? Please provide examples. 5. What experience do you have with apps containing streaming and downloadable audio? 6. If this application eventually contained 2,000+ hours of audio, how would you recommend storing and delivering that audio? 7. What would you recommend for allowing a non-programmer like me to add a new teaching, upload its audio, add the corresponding text, and categorize it without asking the developer to update the app? 8. Which mobile development frameworks are you strongest in? 9. What AI coding/development tools do you currently use? 10. What is your normal hourly rate? 11. Are you interested in a long-term relationship where you may maintain and improve the same application for several years? 12. After examining an existing APK and source code, how would you decide whether to continue developing the existing application or rebuild it? Please answer each question separately. Do not send me a generic proposal. For the first engagement, I expect to hire someone for a small number of paid hours to examine the existing application and report their findings. If we work well together, I intend to continue using the same developer for the application and related infrastructure.