AES Encryption Mobile App Development

Industry

Information Technology

Technologies

Xamarin, C#

Summary

A Swedish IT startup with a well-reviewed Windows desktop AES encryption tool wanted to bring it to mobile. Using Xamarin, INNERLUXES built iOS, Android, and Windows Phone versions that recreate AES 128/256-bit encryption with Bouncy Castle, letting users open, decrypt, and view files protected by the desktop solution from device or cloud storage. The Client was satisfied with the result and is already planning further releases.

About the Client

The Client is an ambitious Swedish IT startup developing encryption solutions based on the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). Its software has received positive reviews in the tech press.

Bringing Desktop-Grade Encryption to Mobile

The Client wanted to extend its existing Windows desktop encryption solution to other popular desktop and mobile platforms. The solution uses AES 128/256-bit encryption, which the U.S. government considers sufficient to protect classified information at the Secret and Top Secret levels. To create iOS, Android, and Windows Phone versions of its .NET-based encryption tool, the Client chose Xamarin and turned to INNERLUXES to deliver them.

Cross-Platform Apps Built With Xamarin and Bouncy Castle

In line with the Client's requirements, the iOS, Android, and Windows Phone apps offer reduced but hands-on functionality compared with the desktop solution, with INNERLUXES's Xamarin developers using Bouncy Castle cryptography to recreate AES encryption on mobile. The app focuses on secure, convenient access to protected files:

Authenticated access — when a user opens the app, they go through a sign-up or sign-in procedure.
Open and decrypt files — a user can open a file encrypted with the Client's desktop solution from the device's internal or cloud storage, decrypt it, and view the contents in the app corresponding to the file format.
Account and service info — the apps show a list of recent files, account status and time left until the end of the services subscription, and links to feedback, support, and online payment.
Client-supplied UI — the UI used in development was provided by the Client.

A Satisfied Client With More Releases Planned

The Client was satisfied with the development and has already planned features to add.
In the next release with INNERLUXES, users will be able to open a decrypted file, edit it, and encrypt the updated file again.

Technologies and Tools

Xamarin.Forms, Xamarin.Android, Xamarin.iOS, Bouncy Castle, Visual Studio 2015, Mercurial, JSON, Phraseapp.

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