Build Responsive UI with Jetpack Compose

It can be quite difficult to create Android apps that display well on all screen sizes, let's face it. Everything breaks on a tablet or in landscape mode after you design for a single phone. However, you're already ahead if you're using Jetpack Compose.

In addition to making UI creation easier, Compose provides you with clever capabilities to create responsive layouts without having to deal with nested layouts or XML. This guide is intended for those who are new to Compose or are just beginning to work with responsive design.

Why You Should Care About Responsive UI

When was the last time you started an app and noticed something strange? Perhaps the content was missing or the buttons were too close together? Isn't that frustrating?

When an app isn't responsive, that's what happens.

A responsive user interface adjusts to various screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations. Your user interface should be intuitive and easy to use whether users are using a 12-inch tablet, a foldable phone, or a tiny phone. What's the good news? This is considerably simpler than you might imagine with Jetpack Compose.

If you're planning to build a feature-rich app and don’t have the right resources in-house, you may want to hire Android app developer talent who’s already experienced in building adaptive UIs with Jetpack Compose.

What Makes Jetpack Compose Different?

Creating a dynamic layout prior to Compose required battling with constraint chains and nested XML files. This is changed with Compose, which allows you to describe your user interface using functions while the system handles rendering.

What you'll adore is this:

Composable functions: Your user interface can be divided into reusable components.
You can precisely customize behavior, spacing, and size with modifiers.
No more XML Kotlin is the way to go.

Additionally, Compose allows you to respond to screen sizes, orientations, and constraints with minimal code when it comes to responsive design.

Start Here: Core Tools for Responsive Layouts

1. Use `Modifier.fillMaxSize()` and `weight()` Smartly

Instead of hardcoding width and height, tell Compose to use available space:

Modifier.fillMaxWidth() // take up full width
Modifier.weight(1f)     // share space evenly

These Modifiers make your layouts flexible and fluid.

2. Try BoxWithConstraints – It’s a Game Changer

Do you want your user interface to appear differently on tablets and phones? Put BoxWithConstraints to work. It allows you to create conditional user interfaces by providing you with access to the size of the parent layout.

BoxWithConstraints {
    if (maxWidth < 600.dp) {
        Column { /* Phone layout */ }
    } else {
        Row { /* Tablet layout */ }
    }
}

This is how you design layouts that adapt—without needing to write multiple files or styles.

3. Detect Orientation Dynamically

You can check if the device is in portrait or landscape mode with this:

val orientation = LocalConfiguration.current.orientation
val isPortrait = orientation == Configuration.ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT

Use this to swap between horizontal and vertical layouts as needed. It’s clean, reactive, and powerful.

Real Example: Product Card That Adjusts

Let’s build something simple—a product card that looks good on all screens:

@Composable
fun ProductCard(product: Product) {
    BoxWithConstraints(
        modifier = Modifier
            .fillMaxWidth()
            .padding(16.dp)
    ) {
        if (maxWidth < 600.dp) {
            Column {
                Image(...)
                Text(product.name)
                Text(product.price)
            }
        } else {
            Row {
                Image(...)
                Column {
                    Text(product.name)
                    Text(product.price)
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

That's all. Now you have a layout that fits side by side on larger devices and vertically on phones.

Quick Tips to Make Your Layouts Better

This is what I discovered the hard way:

-Avoid hardcoding dimensions. Whenever feasible, use weight(), wrapContentSize(), and fillMaxWidth().

Try it in Preview. You may simulate various screen sizes without actually running the app by using Android Studio's Compose Preview.

-Make the most of reusability. Divide your user interface into manageable chunks. It facilitates the management of everything.

-Consider breakpoints. Probably a phone if the width is less than 600 pixels. More than that? foldable or tablet. Make the necessary layout adjustments.

Lucy @lucy1