Replit launches text-to-app mobile development for full-stack builds
News - 17 January 2026
Replit just rolled out AI-powered mobile app development that lets you build and deploy complete apps from a plain-English prompt. The AI Agent generates the project structure, code, backend, database, auth, and required integrations without traditional hand-coding.
For engineers and product teams, this means faster prototypes, tighter iteration loops, and fewer blocked ideas. You describe the feature, the system assembles the stack, and you refine in conversation.
What you can build
- Productivity apps, e-commerce storefronts, and simple games
- AI chatbots and assistants with backend logic
- Anything that needs database records, file storage, or third-party APIs
Provide a short description of the functionality. The AI handles database setup, file storage, authentication, and API key management behind the scenes.
How it works
- Single-prompt scaffolding: Generate an end-to-end project with one request.
- Conversational editing: Ask for changes-add login, tweak themes, adjust flows-and the system updates the code.
- Full-stack by default: Backend services, database connectivity, storage, and third-party connectors included.
- Team-friendly: Real-time collaborative editing similar to Google Docs.
According to the company, you can create working apps faster than searching for fixes online. The new free tier lets anyone build and share apps with no upfront cost.
Build and test from your phone
You can build and test directly in the Replit mobile app for iOS and Android. As of this launch, Replit says it's the only platform offering full-stack mobile development from a smartphone.
Deployment and pricing
- Free tier: Build and share working apps at no initial cost
- $1/month: Autoscale deployment option
- $20/month: Reserved virtual machines with guaranteed uptime
- Publishing: Custom domains and SSL certificates
Why this matters for dev teams
Non-developers can prototype features that engineering can later harden. Developers can validate ideas fast, cut boilerplate, and move from concept to testable builds in hours.
This approach also helps teams standardize scaffolding while keeping control of the final codebase. Less time on setup, more time on product decisions.
Getting started
- Write a short prompt describing the app and core features
- Review the generated plan and code, then iterate via chat
- Test on your phone, connect services, and configure auth
- Deploy with autoscale or a reserved VM and share the link
For documentation and deployment details, check the official resources: Replit Docs. If you're upskilling your team on AI-enabled development workflows, see our AI certification for coding.
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