The latest Scripture App Builder version

Issue 161 | November 2025

Get the latest Scripture App Builder version today!
by Andrew Shafe

Scripture App Builder is your go-to tool for creating customized mobile apps that bring Scripture text and audio together in a seamless experience. Designed for both Android and iOS platforms, this powerful tool lets you specify everything from the Scripture files to the fonts, colors, and even the app icon. Imagine the joy of having a personalized Scripture app that you can share easily with others via Bluetooth, microSD cards, or even app stores. Users can interact with God’s Word using reading plans, daily reminders, quizzes and study notes, and share verses and audio with their friends via social media.

Beyond just customization, Scripture App Builder also offers the ability to synchronize text with audio. This makes it an invaluable tool for those learning to read in their language. Whether you’re a church leader, a translator, or a passionate individual wanting to spread the Word, this tool makes it easy for you to build and distribute Scripture apps without needing any programming experience.

Here’s what’s new in version 13…

• SAB-created apps now include a fairly comprehensive PDF viewer which will allow users to view, page through, and zoom in and out of a PDF. With this feature you can easily include literacy or health publications that you have in PDF form.  Include a series of maps, add Bible studies or Pastor’s notes, add a hymn or song book with musical score or tablature–allowing you to zoom in on musical notation.  The PDF viewer allows you to easily add existing PDF publications without having to create them as “book” files for SAB (using the SFM format).

• Books can now be added as HTML5 modules, such as e-learning games and tutorials created in ActivePresenter.

• Android edge-to-edge view is now supported.

• Contents menus now support animated GIFs (e.g. for sign language explanations) and can point directly to images like maps.

• Several important bug fixes have been implemented.

• Google’s Android 15 requirement - Building (or rebuilding) an app with SAB 13 and up will make apps compatible with Android 15 (API 35). If your apps don’t target this version or above, they will eventually be removed from the Google Play Store (we think after August 2026).

• The latest version, 13.2, meets the recent Google requirement for supporting 16KB page sizes.

• New from version 12.6 and on: Download study Bible notes from the Aquifer aquifer.bible, such as Biblica Study Bible Notes or Tyndale Study Bible Notes. They are available in multiple major languages, and more are coming soon.

We hope this inspires you to think through how to add helpful and engaging resources to your apps!

For more info you can visit https://software.sil.org/scriptureappbuilder/
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help; 
write to Andrew Shafe at andrew_shafe@sil.org.
App Builder Specialist - SIL Global.

After 14 years in the software industry, Andrew and his wife Cathy felt led to join Wycliffe and then served for over 12 years with SIL in Senegal. Andrew was the computer department coordinator and digital media coordinator, helping teams get Scriptures distributed via digital means. He is now based in Oregon on the app builder support team, creating apps for Francophone Africa and assisting others via workshops, mentoring, and the app builder help desk.

New animated Jesus film!

November 18, 2025, a Jesus Film Project representative delivered a thought-provoking presentation on their new project: the Animated Story of Jesus, revealing why they chose to focus on an animation style delivery.  A lively group discussion ensued as the topic was explored.

You can watch the full video of the IMS CoP session by clicking here.

https://www.internationalmediaservices.org/post/jfp-s-new-animated-story-of-jesus-project

IMS hosts a Community of Practice (CoP) online video session several times a year, exploring various products and aspects of Biblical media distribution. Want to join us? Get in touch via our website contact form to find out more:

https://www.internationalmediaservices.org/contact-us

Past CoP video episodes are also available to view on our website here.

This one-week online course gives you an overview of how media has shaped Christian ministry and holistic development both from a secular and historic perspective, as well as in terms of new trends. Its main emphasis is on audience research. Through personal research projects, participants will learn to use qualitative and quantitate research methods to better understand the communication needs and media habits of the people group they serve, in order to develop appropriate media strategies for effective engagement. An important aspect of projects will also be understanding the specific behaviour and needs of subgroups (niche audiences).

Taught by: Andreas Ernst, Margaret Doll and Johannes Merz

*** REQUIRED FOR NEW IMS STAFF ***

Contact Andreas Ernst at ims_training@sil.org for more info & registration.

https://www.internationalmediaservices.org/role-of-media-training