In 2021, around 200 billion mobile apps were downloaded on the Google Play Store and about 40 billion+ on Apple App Store. By the year 2026, the number of smartphone users will reach 7.5 billion people and we can expect the number of app downloads to grow exponentially. The mobile app development landscape is fast evolving and the trends of yesteryear have now become commonplace. As more and more people turn to the Internet, businesses must adapt to the changes to gain and retain their competitive edge. Read on to find 15 trends that will be taking over the mobile app development space in 2022. 

1. Optimization for 5G

Adoption of 5G is nothing new but with the frequency at which it is being adopted, we can expect the connections to triple this year globally. 5G connection comes with several benefits, some of which include, reduced latency, increased speed and efficiency, low battery consumption, and improved app functionalities. This technology will allow developers to rethink their app performance benchmarks while giving them enough room to test new features. A boost in speed and space also opens doors to experimentation, with app owners leveraging IoT, augmented reality, and wireless technology to improve their app’s experience and performance.

2. Instant Apps

Instant apps are a convenient way to explore an app’s features without downloading. Unlike native applications, instant apps require less loading time and space which for businesses can mean better chances of app discovery. As users are already familiar with the interface, instant apps can help improve post-signup engagement on the full version. If you are building an app or planning to improve performance for an existing app, building an instant version can prove to be a good strategy.

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things (IoT) is a system of interlinked computing devices that transfers data to automate a process without human-to-human interaction. The growing demand for automation and the great synergy between IoT and mobile apps, owing to the latter’s penetration across industries, has made this sector a hot topic and by 2025, it is expected to surpass 1.5 trillion USD globally. Smart technology like security apps for homes and appliances are well known now and we can expect the space to get more diverse in the coming years.

4. App for Foldable Devices

The last few years have seen a comeback of foldable phones, with brands like Samsung and Motorola offering users a way to compress or expand their screens without impacting the overall size of the phone. Mobile apps should also adjust to the transformative capabilities of foldable designs and ensure that users can interact with app content in different ‘folds’.

5. Wearables

With Covid19 knocking on our doors in one form or another, wearable devices have become a convenient way to track changes in our health. The transition from the use-specific wearable device like Fitbit to all-in-one wearable phone-watches is indicative of the need in app development, wherein apps also cater to users interacting on these compact devices. 

6. Ecommerce App Development

Making use of native apps, mobile commerce has made it possible for users to buy products online without using their debit or credit cards. With the boom of digital wallets, mobile commerce is expected to evolve with new features. As customers’ preferences lean towards native applications over mobile-based web apps, it will be interesting to see how app developers adapt to this trend.

7. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have become a focal point in the app development space and with the release of Core ML 3 by Apple, we can expect developers to embrace and incorporate AI into their apps, whether it be in the backend development process or frontend user experience or both. Some examples of AI include image recognition, text and image classification, sentiment recognition, predictive maintenance, and more.

8. Mobile Wallet

2019 reported $6 billion worth of transactions from mobile wallets globally and the number is expected to reach about $14 billion in 2022. Pandemic has led to the surge in cashless payments and with apps adding third-party wallets and building their own mobile wallets, we can expect it to become a standard feature in coming years.

9. Augmented Reality

Innovation is the key to piquing users’ interest in your brand, converting them into customers, and retaining them for repeat sales. Providing them with an immersive experience is one way to achieve this. Brands providing eyeglasses, cosmetics, gaming services and more have already incorporated Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality into their platforms including mobile apps to help their users experience the product or game in a simulated setting. Now, people can go outside and catch Pokemon, try out a hairstyle virtually from anywhere before getting it done at a salon, and also browse through multiple options without the hassle of waiting at the store. Like AI and mobile wallets, we can expect AR to become a standard in mobile apps but the adoption might take some time before that happens. 

10. Chatbots

The global chatbot market is growing at 24% every year, yet when it comes to mobile applications, not many apps have incorporated chatbots into their interface. But with the adoption of AI, we can expect the trend to change. Chatbots can work as a moderator between the customer and the support team, providing the former with multiple options that they can try without relying on the support personnel while filtering the requests that do need the attention of the team. This helps reduce response time while ensuring effective assistance.

11. Security

With increased interaction online comes the question of security. How is our data being shared and if it is safe to interact with an app and share our account details? Malware attacks have led to a slew of questions around information security and developers are well aware of the challenges. Some apps have already started using Apple ID, fingerprints, and 2-factor authentication for signing up and we will see many more features around data protection.

12. Predictive Analysis

Data is the new oil. The adage has been in existence for the last few years but we are yet to utilize the potential of data to improve user experience on mobile apps. Combining machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining, and modeling, predictive analysis can be used to foretell user preferences and serve recommendations accordingly. 

13. Cloud Computing

Data is the new oil. The adage has been in existence for the last few years but we are yet to utilize the potential of data to improve user experience on mobile apps. Combining machine learning, artificial intelligence, data mining, and modeling, predictive analysis can be used to foretell user preferences and serve recommendations accordingly. 

14. On Demand Apps

If you need a cab, you can now book one through a cab-hailing app. The same goes for shopping, maintenance, video streaming, and other services. The demand for on-demand apps is not going to subside anytime soon and we can expect its penetration into other sectors in the coming years.

15. Omnichannel Interaction

Today, a user interacts with a minimum of 6 brand touchpoints throughout their journey. It is therefore important for a brand to make sure that they can provide unity in experience across platforms. There has been an increased interest in browser-based responsive web apps as they work as efficiently as native apps and we will see businesses leveraging them to boost their growth.

If you are looking for expert guidance to incorporate these trends into your app, our team at Digital Dynamics can help. Whether you need to build mobile responsive web apps or want to test a new feature to optimize your app’s performance, our app development service will cover all your needs. Get in touch with our team today to discuss your requirements.