Developing an app version of a printed dictionary is a new challenge faced by lexicographers. Lexicographers involved in the app development process must consider fundamental lexicographic aspects as well as learn to understand technological and usage issues inherent to the new media. An inevitable question is how closely the content and layout can be made to match the printed dictionary while still offering ‘digital’ functionality such as linking, collapsed sections, audio, etc. Only a few reports discussing these issues have so far been published. The aim of our paper is to further advance the exchange of knowledge and experience by sharing our observations made during the development of a new app corresponding to the comprehensive printed dictionary, Svensk ordbok utgiven av Svenska Akademien (the Contemporary Dictionary of the Swedish Academy, 2009). The app is the result of close cooperation between the financer The Swedish Academy, lexicographers and system developers at the Department of Swedish, University of Gothenburg and Isolve AB, a Stockholm-based app development agency specializing in dictionary apps.