Does my server need a registered domain name if it is only accessed from mobile application?

Question

I want to develop an app for android and am a newbie to pretty much anything server related. I want my app to be able to perform simple get and post requests to my server. I don't intend on hosting a website on it and it will only be accessed by the app. Do I still need to get a registered domain name or can I directly access the ip address of my server? Obviously it would have to be able to be accessed by things other than the local network the server is on.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The problem with doing it with the IP address is: "What if the IP changes?". With a domain you can just update the DNS records and the app will work as expected, but if you hardcode the IP you're going to have to have everybody update it.

Look into services like DynDNS which will provide a free subdomain and manage DNS for you.