You’ve got an app idea. Join the club.

Every week, someone comes to us at Rushkar with “the next big thing.”
They’ve sketched it on napkins. Made a pitch deck. I talked to a cousin who knows a guy who codes.
But ask them to explain it, clearly, on paper—from sign-up to logout—and it all falls apart.

They don’t have a clue what their idea actually looks like once someone tries to build it.

So we ask:
Where's the Mobile App Requirements Document?

They look confused. Some pull out a 10-slide pitch.
Others have a Notion doc titled “App Stuff” with a few bullet points and links to screenshots.
We get it. Writing specs isn’t amazing. But let me say this loud:

If you don’t take the time to clearly explain your idea, don’t expect a developer to magically understand it.

That’s why this Mobile App Requirements Document exists.
Not for investors. Not for designers.
For the people who are going to build the damn thing.

In this guide, we are not going to throw jargon at you.
we’ll break it down like a real conversation—founder to founder, product thinker to builder.
No fluff. No templates. Just what works. From scratch.

You’re about to learn:

• What a mobile app requirement doc actually is
  
• Why skipping it will kill your timeline and your budget
• How to write one—even if you’re not technical
  
• And how to hand it off in a way that makes developers say:
  “Okay. We get it. Let’s build.”

You don’t need a fancy MBA.
You don’t need to know how to code.
You just need to know what you want—and how to say it clearly.

Let’s get to work.

2. What Is a Mobile App Requirement Document

A Mobile App Requirement Document (MARD), also called a Product Requirements Document (PRD), is a detailed plan for your app. It outlines what the app can do, how it can accomplish this, and what is required to come up with the app.

It consists of the purpose of the app, features, user flows, screen layouts, platforms, and technical requirements. Designers, developers, and stakeholders use it to keep in the same line. It keeps the project on track, minimizes back and forth and establishes a smooth launch.

Why it matters: 

• Clear goals 

It states how the app looks like, who should use it, and what the contents should be. 

• Team alignment 

Everyone knows what’s being built and why. 

• Project tracking 

You are able to gauge progress, changes, and time. 

• Fewer risks 

You’ll spot problems early and avoid rework. 

• Testing 

You’ll know when the app meets the mark. 

• Estimates 

It helps define budget and timelines with more accuracy.

Think of it as your app’s blueprint. If it’s solid, things move faster and smoother. Without it, or when it is incomplete, there will be delays, surprises, and overruns.

3. Why You Need One

If you're thinking, “I’ll just explain it later” or “I’ve got it in my head,” that’s a problem.

Here’s why writing it down matters: 

• Avoids confusion 

Words like "simple" or "clean" mean different things to different people. 

• Saves money 

Developers won’t waste time guessing. 

• Keeps everyone aligned 

Not only do designers, testers, and PMs operate on the same wavelength, but they also have a single pull to them. 

• Speeds up onboarding 

New hires get up to speed fast. 

• Makes updates easier 

This doc can put things into perspective when a shift in direction or scale is around the corner.

Write it down if you want to build the right thing and not waste time and money.

4. When to Start Writing

Start as soon as your idea is validated.

Don’t wait for designs. Don’t wait for funding. Don’t wait to hire app developers.

Write the first version when you’re serious about building. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Make it a living document. The earlier you do it, the better you will think, plan, and talk with your team.

When onboarding clients, we tend to hone rough drafts. A rough start is fine. A late start isn’t.

5. Who Writes Your Mobile App Requirements Document

You do. With help.

You’re the one with the vision. You know why this app matters and who it's for. So you lead the process.

But it’s not all on you. There are a lot of freelance developers and companies, who are ready to help you. At the same point we are also one of them. Our  App Developers in India help you shape the details. They’ll point out tech limits, flag gaps, and suggest better options. It works best when you collaborate.

At Rushkar, we do it like this:

• You send whatever you have—notes, sketches, voice memos, anything
  
• Our business analyst turns that into a clear doc
  
• Developers check for technical issues
  
• You review and approve

Whether you write the first draft or get help, you still steer the ship. If you don’t, someone else will—and they might take it in the wrong direction.

6. What Goes in a Mobile App Requirements Document

It is the section that will really assist developers to create your app as you envisioned it. Forget generic templates. Spell it out clearly.

Here’s what to include:

1. Executive Summary

This is not an investor pitch. Just create 3-4 sentences which tell what the app is, who it is made of, and what the problem it eliminates.

Example:

We are developing a collaborative car sharing in-car phone application to help urban commuters who do not have cars. Airbnb, except hourly rentals of cars in densely populated cities.”

Keep it simple. No jargon.

1. Business Goals and Success Metrics

• Why are you building this? How will you know if it’s working?
• Make $100K in year one
• Get 10,000 daily users
• Stay under $10 per user in acquisition cost
• Launch MVP to test demand

Be specific. These goals help decision makers during the app development journey.

1. Target Audience

• Describe your users like real people.
• Who are they?
• What problems are they dealing with?
• How do they use their phones?
• Do they download apps often or avoid them?

The more information about your users you have the better your app will be.

1. Functional Requirements

List all the core features. Break them up by user roles if needed (user, admin, vendor).

Format them like this: 

• Login
  Email, Google, Apple, Facebook 

• User Profile
  Edit info, change password, upload photo 

• Search
  Filter by category, location, price 

• Booking
  Pick time/date, pay, confirm 

• Notifications
  Push and email updates

Be detailed. Don’t just say “payment.” Say how we shall pay, when it may be, what shall follow.

We've seen clients say “simple payment,” then later need refunds, split payments, subscriptions, and currency conversions. Be clear.

1. Non-Functional Requirements

These are things users don’t see but still expect.

• Fast load times
• High security
• Handles 10,000 users at launch
• 99.9% uptime

Otherwise, the developers will make guesses, and they can be incorrect.

1. Platforms and Devices

What platforms will it run on?

• iOS
• Android
• Both

Web admin panel

• Tablet support

Also reference OS versions, in particular when dealing with Android as device compatibility is a nightmare.

1. Tech Stack (if you know it)

There is no need to choose, but in case you have some preferences, write them down.

• Frontend: Flutter, React Native
• Backend: Node.js, Laravel, Django
• Database: Firebase, PostgreSQL, MongoDB

If you’re unsure, say so. A good app developer company will advise what suits your objectives.

1. Third-Party Integrations

List any tools, APIs, or SDKs your app needs:

• Payments: Stripe, Razorpay, PayPal
• Maps: Google Maps, Mapbox
• Analytics: Mixpanel, Firebase
• Chat: Twilio, WhatsApp API

Don’t just name them—say what they do. As: “Users must also view real-time location of drivers with the help of Google Maps SDK.”

1. UX/UI Expectations

You don’t need full designs, but give some direction to make the process easy.

• Mention apps you like 
• Share brand guides or moodboards
• Upload rough sketches or wireframes
• Describe the look and feel (e.g., “Minimal like Notion, bold like Duolingo”)
• Even messy Figma drafts help.

1. Timeline and Milestones

Break the project into phases:

• MVP
• Full launch
• Post-launch updates

Then add:

• Start date
• Beta testing period
• Go-live deadline

This helps app developers plan sprints and set real timelines.

1. Budget (Optional, but Helpful)

• You don’t need exact numbers, but give a range.
• Is it $5K or $50K?
• Fixed price or flexible?
• Are you bootstrapping or raising funds?

Being aware of your range allows the app developers team to recommend more intelligent building options.

1. Risks and Assumptions

• List the unknowns.
• Stripe may not work in all countries
• You may have a legal concern regarding user information in Europe
• I do not know whether people would like to log in by using email or phone

Flagging these early avoids your future problems.

1. Appendices and References

Attach anything that helps:

• Roadmaps
• Notes
• Old product versions
• Spreadsheets
• Branding files

More context means less misunderstandings.

7. Good vs Bad Mobile App Requirements Document

Bad:

 Users should be able to sign up quickly.

What does “quickly” mean? How do they sign up? It’s too vague.

Good:

Users can sign up using email, Google, or Apple. Account creation should be less than 30 seconds, name, email and password. After signup, the user sees an onboarding tutorial.

See the difference? Clear requirements save time and protect your original idea.

At Rushkar app development company in India, we’ve discovered that detailed information from the get-go means less revisions down the road.

8. Common Mistakes

These are the issues we see most:

• Only say what the app should do, not what shouldn’t
• Skipping error cases like “What if payment fails?”
• Leaving out things such as loadtime, offline usage or data rules
• Using super vague language like "make it look cool" or "like Instagram"
• Assuming developers will guess what you want

Writing requirements is like writing a recipe. Miss an ingredient, and the dish flops.

9. Tools That Can Help

You don’t need fancy software. Use what’s simple and familiar.

• Docs: Google Docs, Notion, Confluence
• Wireframes: Figma, Balsamiq, Whimsical
• Flowcharts: Miro, Lucidchart, Draw.io
• Mind maps: XMind, MindMeister
• Files and version control: Dropbox, GitHub (for developers)

Pick what helps you stay clear and organized.

10. How Rushkar Technology Helps You?

This is what at RushKar Technology a one of leading app development company in India, we do with clients, be it startups, or large businesses:

• Have run sessions that will make you know what to include
• Assign business analysts who speak tech and business
• Help you map out screens and logic visually
• Review the document together before any code is written

Even if you’ve never done this before, we help you make sense of your idea and make it real that’s coming from your heart and aligns with your vision.

11. Quick Checklist Before You Share the MRD

When you are about to give your doc to any app developer team, make sure to confirm:

• Are all features listed and explained?
• Did you define who your users are and what they need?
• Is stuff like speed, security, and scaling mentioned?
• Have you enumerated platforms, devices and tools where the app has to work?
• Is it clear enough to the flow?
• Do you know how you’ll measure success?
• Are the risks and unknowns written down?
• Is it understandable by a non-technical person?

If you missed something, go back. Cleaning it up now will save time later.

This Mobile App Requirements Document for Developers isn’t homework. It’s the foundation of your product. It needs to be held up and done in the right manner.

12. Final Thoughts

Nowadays, Apps fail for lots of reasons. Bad timing, wrong audience, tight budgets. However, there is always the same problem, miscommunication between the idea owner and the app developers team executing it.

That’s what a Mobile App Requirements Document for Developers fixes.

You don’t need to sound like an app developer. Just talk over things like a founder-plain, one step at a time, making no pretensions.

Say what matters. Don’t say more than you need.

When you get it right, the process gets faster. Fewer mistakes. And what you build actually matches what you pictured.

As an experienced mobile app development company in India, We have collaborated with all types of founders at Rushkar, whether they are startups or large corporations. One thing never changed in all the wins: a clean, straightforward Mobile App Requirements Document for Developers or Product Requirements Document (PRD).

We can help you write it . Or clean it up. Or turn your scraps into a real plan.

You bring the idea.

We’ll help build it right. No guessing.