7 Top App Development Trends to Watch Out for in 2023

In a world where mobile phones have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, mobile app development has emerged as a key enabler of digital transformation. From the entertainment industry to healthcare, mobile apps are vital for businesses, organizations, and individuals to become productive, engage with their audience, deliver value, and stay competitive.

There are always plenty of new changes to monitor and adapt to in the world of custom mobile app development. In most cases, mobile app industry trends are driven by technological advancements, changing user preferences, and market demand. In this article, we explore 7 top trends in mobile apps that will be relevant in 2023.

Mobile App Development Overview

The more businesses recognize the enormous potential of reaching customers through mobile devices, the more the increase in demand for mobile apps to boost their bottom line. Statista estimates that the global revenue from mobile apps will increase from $318 billion in 2020 to about $613 billion by 2025.

But the revenue generated from mobile apps is not limited to app purchases or downloads. For pre-installed and downloaded apps, there’s an opportunity to include in-app purchases, subscriptions, advertising, and other monetization models. This huge potential for revenue generation is a significant factor in why businesses enlist the services of software companies for mobile app development.

Today, mobile apps are developed for various platforms using native, hybrid, or cross-platform development. Of course, each approach has its pros and cons. But, developers choose the most suitable approach based on project requirements, target audience, budget, and mobile app industry trends.

Top Mobile App Development Trends

You can find an endless list of trends and new technologies that are changing mobile app development every day. But if you want to build a successful mobile app in 2023, it’s important to consider the following trends.

Metaverse-like Experience

Since Facebook rebranded in 2021 to “Meta,” mobile app creators have been introducing immersive digital experiences to stay ahead of the curve. Gaming apps such as Sandbox and Zepleto are found to be leading the trend with their innovative use of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and other interactive features to create immersive and engaging user experiences.

From interactive filters, 3D avatars, and virtual events to gamified features, these gaming platforms create a new level of interactivity and immersion for users. But other industries are also catching up with the trend. For example, as of February 2022, 101 Finance apps and 70 Social apps were discovered to incorporate the term “metaverse” in their app name or description.

In fact, the growth of Tiktok and Snapchat is incomplete without mentioning the impact of their AR and VR features.

Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in mobile apps, and it’s getting smarter with time. AI-driven features are used to make personalized recommendations, analyze preferences, improve user experience, and even predict users’ behavior. For instance, Spotify has continually enhanced its AI capabilities to analyze users’ listening habits, genre preferences, and moods.This enables the app to offer personalized song and playlist recommendations tailored to users’ preferences.

The future of AI in mobile apps is largely unpredictable. However, as natural language processing tools become more sophisticated and mobile devices become more powerful, developers can create more complex AI-powered features. This will make mobile apps even more intuitive and capable of delivering personalized experiences.

Mobile Payment Solutions

The use of mobile payment solutions in app development is growing because it enables users to pay for products or services with their smartphones without carrying cash or credit cards. This feature is especially useful for international travelers who need to make purchases while traveling. They can use their phone as virtual wallets.

Mobile payments use technologies like Near Field Communication (NFC), barcode scanning, and QR codes. Each of these technologies has its pros and cons. And choosing the appropriate one for mobile app development will depend on the type of transaction, the device to be used, and the security requirements.

As the demand for mobile payment solutions increase, specializing in incorporating the technology that enables them into mobile apps will be a lucrative career path for software developers in 2023 and beyond.

Cloud-Based Mobile Apps

Cloud-based mobile applications are gaining popularity because they provide easy access and storage on the cloud server and facilitate seamless synchronization of apps across different devices. Most leading healthcare and wellness apps are turning towards cloud-based systems that are secure and easy to scale. Moreover, cloud-based services have high uptime rates, and you can scale them up or down at any time to meet the changing needs of your business.

In mobile app security, cloud-based pen testing tools are a big trend. Instead of using local physical devices, developers test mobile apps on remote, cloud-based servers to ensure their apps are safe and secure. However, developers must look for a trusted cloud service provider to leverage cloud-based pen testing tools while maintaining quality and security in 2023.

Predictive Analysis To Personalize Apps

Predictive analysis is the key to understanding mobile app users’ needs and behaviors. It is a big deal in mobile app development trends and is considered the next step in personalization. The idea is to use data to predict what users want before they ask for it and then give it to them. This can improve user experience and increase engagement and retention rates.

Apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime are setting the pace for applying predictive analysis in mobile app development. These apps utilize users’ browsing history and preferences to anticipate what content they may find enjoyable next and present it to them through personalized recommendations.

App Security

Security will always be a major concern for app developers. Every year, we see new breaches and vulnerabilities in the mobile app ecosystem that put user data at risk. Mobile apps must have strong security features as more people use their phones for banking, shopping, and other sensitive activities. In addition, developers must pay attention to risks such as cloud misconfiguration and keep their apps updated with the latest security features.

According to a recent Forbes article, some of the emerging mobile app industry trends related to app security in the future include:

1. Speed Of DevOps

2. Increasing Adoption Of Security Tools In CI/CD

3. Developers Taking Ownership Of Security

4. Developer Autonomy And Security Guardrails

Beacon Technology

Beacon technology is a location-based service that allows your mobile app to communicate with nearby Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons. When a user’s mobile app is within range of a beacon, it can trigger specific actions, such as sending alerts, opening menus, or providing more information about nearby objects or points of interest.

Today, beacon technology is used in various industries, such as retail, hospitality, and event management, to enhance customer experiences and provide personalized interactions based on location. In 2023, developers can leverage this technology for indoor navigation, customer loyalty programs, proximity marketing, and more.

Summary

Never let your enthusiasm take over with mobile app industry trends. Go with the trend, but focus on its ultimate impact. If you are in tune with the latest app trends and don’t shy away from the project requirements at the same time, you can bring more value to the end users and other stakeholders.