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Overcoming Mobile App UX Constraints for Better User Engagement

Last updated on Mon Dec 30 2024


The chances that any new app will break into the top 1000 are effectively 0%. This is majorly because the mobile app market is overly competitive. With a lot of apps (let’s say up to a million of them) being made available on platforms like Google Play Store, or Apple’s App Store, it is nearly impossible for new apps to achieve a top ranking.

Although a few might break into the top 1000, it usually takes many different factors to achieve that milestone. This is because many established apps already dominate these positions, and it is always a struggle for new apps to compete with them as the old apps have great brand recognition and long-term user engagement.

This is why we see that despite the amount of significant resources that are invested in the development and marketing of a new app, many companies still find it very hard to attract and retain mobile users.

So, definitely, this challenge isn’t due to a lack of effort. The major issue is that app discovery is broken; this means that a lot of potential users have a hard time finding newer or lesser-known apps, let alone downloading them.

Often, mobile products fail to overcome the many constraints tied to the platforms. Hence, companies must understand these constraints and find a way to address them to create mobile apps that will break out among the top 1000.

This article will explore the five biggest user experience design constraints that every mobile app must overcome. We will provide insights on how to work around these challenges so that you can finally create an app that can compete and succeed in the current app ecosystem.

Stick with us!

The 5 UX Constraints of Mobile Apps (& How You Can Work Around Them)

Factors affecting Mobile App User Retention

We will start with what we believe is the most critical of the five constraints and that is:

1. Making Any Update Is Incredibly Hard

Shipping mobile software is tougher than web software because of the constraints of the mobile app. Unlike web updates, which can be done immediately, mobile app updates must pass through a review process that can take several days.

For example, it takes Apple approximately seven days to approve an update for iOS apps. Once approved, users will then need to manually download updates to access the latest features or fixes.

This means app developers must work hard to ensure each release is as polished as possible.

If updates don’t perform well, fixing issues is time-consuming and requires a long, tedious, process. This is why release management is essential.

2. Environments Full of Distractions

Mobile users are more prone to disengagement due to distractive environments than their web counterparts. This is because most times they tend to use their phones in environments that are filled with interruptions and distractions like commuting, and social gatherings. This makes it challenging for mobile users to remain engaged with one app consistently for a long time.

When a user postpones interacting with an app, there’s a high tendency that they will not return and even possibly forget about the app, eventually uninstalling it to free up space. The best way for your app to counter this is to have strong internal and external triggers that would encourage your users to re-engage. It could either be an in-app reminder or a push notification designed to bring your users back at the right moment.

These counterattack mechanisms work similarly to digital signage in public spaces, using well-timed, relevant messaging to capture attention and encourage action.

3. Small Screen Sizes and Clunky Controls

Although the sizes of phone screens have gotten larger over the years, the mobile experience remains less than ideal for tasks that require focus or lengthy reading. This is because smaller screens demand a higher cognitive load from users, who must process information within a constrained space. This added mental effort can lead to frustration and ultimately deter user engagement.

Also, the way smartphone controls are designed has proven to make engaging in mobile tasks even more tedious. As a result of this, users are easily disinterested and oftentimes end up letting the app go.

When it comes to the way users experience a design, whenever they face restriction or friction, they are quick to back out. Reducing friction is key for mobile UX. You can do this by either re-structuring your information architecture, designing for mobile thumb zones, or simplifying logins to improve user experience.

4. Client-Side Storage

It is a hassle for mobile app developers to retain users. On average, an app loses 77% of its users within three days of installation. At the end of 90 days, it would have lost over 95% of its users. Surprising, right?

You might be wondering why this is so. A major factor in this rapid rate of decline in user numbers is due largely to limited storage space. Many users do not have enough storage space on their phones for all the apps they want to download. Unlike web apps, which store much of their data on external servers, mobile apps usually require a lot of data storage on the client’s device itself, known as client-side storage.

Every new app download consumes an average of 23 MB of storage, and a considerable percentage of users report running out of space at least once a month. For example, most iPhone storage is limited to 16 GB, and users often have to choose between keeping an app or retaining personal files.

To combat this, product owners must make their apps habitual. They must make it into something that is hard for users to give up- something that encourages frequency of use over perceived utility.

For example, apps like Hipmunk and Hopper, show upcoming trips to re-engage users. Because they provide ongoing value for their users, they make it all the more difficult for users to give up on them when it comes to it.

5. Broken Data Passing

When users try to transfer data on mobile, for something that is supposed to be really seamless, it usually ends up being complex and inconvenient for users.

For example, if a user initiates a search on Yelp and during the process of the search, is prompted to download the Yelp app, one would expect that the user is able to continue from where he left off. However, it is usually not so as the user typically has to start the search over from the beginning.

This happens because there were no contextual data transfers during app installation. Solutions like deep linking are being explored to address this issue, in order to improve this flow and make contextual data transfers when switching apps possible.

It will allow users to continue tasks seamlessly after installation or when switching apps which would help create a more cohesive and less frustrating experience for the user.

Constraints Can Be Catalysts

While all these constraints might seem extremely problematic and tiring, confronting them can push teams to create better products. Small screens, limited storage, distractions, and app store processes can inspire creativity and innovation as teams work to improve user experiences.

Rather than viewing constraints as barriers, successful teams leverage them to drive innovation, focusing on creating efficient, user-friendly products within these limitations.