Your developer went silent. Your project is half-built. You don't know what state the code is in. This is the step-by-step guide to recovering your project and getting back on track.
It starts with a late reply. Then a missed deadline. Then silence.
Your developer — the freelancer, the agency, the "technical co-founder" — has disappeared. Maybe they ghosted completely. Maybe they're still around but barely responsive, delivering less and less. Either way, your project is stalled and you're not sure what to do.
This scenario is painfully common. We hear it from new clients at least once a month. And the good news is: it's recoverable. But you need to act methodically, not emotionally.
Here's exactly what to do, step by step.
Before anything else, make sure you have access to everything:
Make a list of every service the app uses and verify you have admin access:
Rule of thumb: If a service is attached to the developer's personal email rather than your business email, you're at risk. Change ownership immediately where possible.
.env) or a secrets managerDo all of this before anything else. Every day you wait is a day the developer could delete the repo, let the hosting expire, or lock you out of services.
Once you've secured access, you need to understand what you actually have. This is where you need someone technical — either a trusted friend with development experience, or a new development partner.
Is the code usable?
What's the completion status? Map every planned feature against what's actually implemented:
What's the quality? A good technical audit will tell you:
In our experience auditing abandoned projects, we typically find:
The audit determines whether you should continue building on this code or start fresh. There's no universal answer — it depends on what's there.
Based on the assessment, you have three options:
When this makes sense:
What to expect: A competent new team will need 1–2 weeks to understand the existing code before they can be productive. This ramp-up time is unavoidable and any new developer who says they can "jump right in" on someone else's code is lying.
When this makes sense:
What to expect: A rebuild is often faster than you think, because you already have the spec and design decisions made. What took 4 months the first time might take 2–3 weeks with a focused team, because the requirements are now clear.
When this makes sense:
What to expect: This is the most common path. Keep the good parts, replace the bad parts. It's faster than a full rebuild but requires careful planning.
This time, protect yourself. Here's what to look for:
You own the code from day one. The repository should be on your GitHub/GitLab account. You should have admin access. Always. No exceptions.
You own all accounts and services. Hosting, domain, database, third-party services — all in your name, with your payment method.
Clear communication cadence. Daily updates. Weekly demos. A Slack channel or equivalent where you can ask questions and get responses within hours, not days.
Fixed pricing for defined scope. No open-ended hourly engagements. A clear spec, a clear price, a clear timeline.
Staging environment. You should be able to see progress at any time by visiting a staging URL. Not "we'll show you when it's done."
Your contract should include:
Most developers don't disappear out of malice. Common reasons:
Mitigate these by:
Budget for the recovery process:
| Recovery scenario | Typical cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Continue existing code (good quality) | ₹3L–₹8L | 2–4 weeks |
| Salvage + rebuild (mixed quality) | ₹5L–₹15L | 2–5 weeks |
| Full rebuild (bad code or no code) | ₹8L–₹25L | 3–6 weeks |
| Technical audit only | Free–₹50K | 2–5 days |
The costs vary based on the project's complexity, not just the state of the existing code. A simple app rebuild costs less regardless of why you're rebuilding.
The project isn't dead. The idea isn't over. You've lost time and money, but you've also gained something: clarity.
You now know:
Most of our best client relationships started with a rescue. The foundation of trust is stronger because the client has seen the alternative — and they know what "good" looks like by contrast.
Dealing with a disappeared developer right now? Request a free technical audit — we'll assess your code, tell you honestly what's salvageable, and help you plan the fastest path to getting back on track. Or book a call to talk through your situation.
If this guide resonated with your situation, let's talk. We offer a free 30-minute discovery call — no pitch, just honest advice on your specific project.
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