midXamarin
What is the difference between async and await in Xamarin applications?
Updated May 6, 2026
Short answer
async defines an asynchronous method, while await pauses execution until the awaited task completes.
Deep explanation
In Xamarin, async/await is used to keep UI responsive during long-running operations like API calls or database access. The async keyword marks a method as asynchronous, allowing it to use await inside. Await does not block the thread; instead, it releases the UI thread and resumes execution once the task completes. This prevents UI freezing and improves user experience.
Real-world example
A news app loads articles from a server without freezing the UI while waiting for network response.
Common mistakes
- Using async void incorrectly
- blocking with .Result or .Wait()
- forgetting exception handling in async methods.
Follow-up questions
- Why is async void dangerous?
- How does async improve UI performance?