Apps are the most important and abundant features of smartphones and people are very selective with what apps they choose to keep on their devices.
As the digital world becomes increasingly competitive each year, mobile apps have to stay up-to-date with what they offer in order to continue to appeal to smartphone and tablet users.
Read the guide below to see all of the scenarios that indicate when you should update your mobile app for optimal performance and user retention.
When You Identify Bugs or Security Vulnerabilities
As time passes and security technology gets more advanced, you will need to update your app’s security programming so that users are not exposed to breaches of their information. If even one case of a security breach is discovered by a user, it can dramatically damage the reputation of the app and you may see a string of deletions.
Likewise, if you are getting reports of bugs on your app from users, you need to fix those bugs as quickly as possible so that your users know you are listening to their feedback. If the bug is fixed in a short amount of time, users will continue to use your app without issues, but if there is a consistent bug that is annoying enough to turn people off to your app, they will delete it. You want your app to run at the highest performance possible, so bugs must be addressed and resolved with haste.
After Major OS Updates
Oftentimes, operating system updates from iPhones and Androids include new technology and requirements that an old version of your app does not comply with. When this happens, you can work with a mobile development service to get your app up-to-date with the latest operating systems for all common smartphones that use your app. Make sure that your app updates are compatible with the operating systems updates and stay ahead of these updates by preparing for them long before they come out.
To Improve Performance
Regular maintenance and updating of your app will help reduce loading times and low battery consumption as well as enhance responsiveness when users tap on certain tabs in the app. It can be frustrating to use an app that has a lag and doesn’t always respond the first time you tap on something. These small but significant performance issues can be enough to lead users to look for alternative apps if they are not improved upon quickly.
To Add New Features
New features are always exciting to app users and will get them excited about trying them out. This will increase activity on your app and retain customers if done regularly. One example of this is with gaming apps. When users are waiting for a new set of levels to be released, they don’t like to wait long. The thrill of opening the app to see that a new update is available can make a person’s day if that is their favorite activity on their commute or in their downtime.
New features like this are important for apps that continuously have something to offer to users. Remember to write out clean explanations of all that is included in each update in the release notes section so that users know what new things they have to explore.
When You Rebrand
If you are rebranding your business, then your app needs to be updated along with your website, business cards, and everything else that has your logo and color scheme. Amid a big rebrand, it is important that adjustments made to the app are done in detail and still work well in a mobile setting. A rebrand gives your app a new look and will help users have a new appreciation for the more modern version of the app.
Some examples of rebranded features include an aesthetic change that is consistent with your brand, improved navigation throughout the app, and enhanced accessibility features. Remember that if your logo changes in one place, it needs to be changed in all channels that represent your business, including your mobile app.
To Adapt to Market Trends
Mobile apps have to stay relevant in order to retain users, so implementing trending features like dark mode, AI features, and other interactive things in consistent updates will keep users coming back. This is something that apps like Spotify and Instagram have always done right because they always have new updates with interesting features like AI-generated daily playlists and messaging technology that appeal to users both young and old.
Tech-savvy users appreciate when brands make the effort to adapt to market trends because it means they have their finger on the pulse and they can access relevant content on those brands' apps.
Seasonal or Event-Based Updates
One of the great joys in life is the changing of the seasons. People get very excited for holidays like Halloween and Christmas, so apps that take the time to plan for these seasonal updates are appreciated by many. When an app gets a temporary makeover for certain events, it means that every time a user logs on, they get in the festive spirit. These kinds of updates are also very well received when they are done for big global events like the Olympics or the World Cup.
Changing the interface of the app for these special events to colors like orange and black for Halloween or red and green for the holidays means that users will feel the spirit of the season both when they look at the world and when they look at their phones. Brands can even create fun contests or other events centered around these seasons or events to bring up user engagement on their apps. From sweepstakes to bonuses, rewarding users for their loyalty to the app is a great way to win their hearts.
To Meet Store Requirements
Sometimes app stores from Google or Apple update their terms and conditions, and so apps have to adjust their terms and conditions to match theirs. To make sure your app complies with store requirements, it is important to read through these new terms and conditions so that the app does not get rejected.
Consistent app updates are the key to keeping customers happy and complying with the powers that be in the digital world. Keep an eye out for all of these circumstances that warrant an app update.
