Mobile Learning

Overview

Mobile Learning covers the native iOS and Android applications for the Open edX platform. The apps allow learners to access course content, watch videos, complete assessments, and view their progress from mobile devices.

The current apps (openedx-app-android and openedx-app-ios) are a complete rewrite of the original edX mobile apps, using modern native frameworks (Kotlin/Jetpack Compose for Android, Swift/SwiftUI for iOS) and a shared foundation architecture.

Current State (2026)

• Android: Kotlin + Jetpack Compose; openedx-app-android with openedx-app-foundation-android shared library
• iOS: Swift + SwiftUI; openedx-app-ios with openedx-app-foundation-ios shared library
• Content support: Video playback, text content, multiple choice problems; not all XBlock types supported
• Offline: Video download for offline viewing is a key feature
• API: Apps consume the same LMS REST APIs as web MFEs (mobile-specific APIs in edx-platform)

Architecture

• Shared foundation: openedx-app-foundation-android/ios contains shared network, analytics, and theming utilities
• Plugin analytics: Firebase analytics available as optional plugin repos
• Mobile-specific APIs: edx-platform exposes /api/mobile/v* endpoints for app-optimized data shapes
• Authentication: Standard OAuth2 via the LMS; JWT token management in apps
• Theming: Apps are designed to be white-labelable; theming applied via config files

Relevant Repositories

Repository	Role in This Feature	Activity Level	Notes
openedx/openedx-app-android	Android app (Kotlin + Jetpack Compose)	High	Complete rewrite
openedx/openedx-app-ios	iOS app (Swift + SwiftUI)	High	Complete rewrite
openedx/openedx-app-foundation-android	Shared Android foundation library	Medium	Networking, theming
openedx/openedx-app-foundation-ios	Shared iOS foundation library	Medium	Networking, theming
openedx/openedx-app-firebase-analytics-android	Firebase analytics plugin (Android)	Low	Optional analytics
openedx/openedx-app-firebase-analytics-ios	Firebase analytics plugin (iOS)	Low	Optional analytics
openedx/openedx-platform	Mobile API endpoints (/api/mobile/)	High	Backs both apps

Recent Changes

• The "new" apps (openedx-app-*) represent a ground-up rewrite; prior apps were edx-app-android/edx-app-ios (now deprecated/archived)

History

Origin

• Year introduced: ~2013 (original edX mobile apps launched)
• Initial implementation: First-generation apps (React Native or native, to be confirmed) for edX.org
• Context: Mobile access was a key differentiator for large-scale MOOC delivery; many learners in emerging markets access primarily via mobile

Key Milestones

Year	Milestone	Teams / People Involved
~2013	First mobile apps launched for edX	Unknown
~2022–2023	Complete rewrite begun using Kotlin/Swift + modern frameworks	Unknown
~2023–2024	New apps (openedx-app-*) transferred to openedx org	Unknown

People Who Shaped This Area

• Engineering: Unknown — open question for interview
• Product: Unknown — open question for interview
• Design: Unknown — open question for interview

Open Questions

• [ ] When were the original mobile apps first released and what framework did they use?
• [ ] What drove the decision to do a complete rewrite vs. iterating on the original apps?
• [ ] Were the apps ever React Native? Or were they always native?
• [ ] Who led the rewrite initiative (team, organization)?
• [ ] How are the apps white-labeled by providers, and who established that capability?
• [ ] What XBlock types are supported on mobile and what's the process for adding new ones?