The mobile app development landscape is constantly evolving with the dynamic trends and changing consumer behavior. Tech advancements, customer demands, software updates, and more highly influence the application development trends.

To cope with these ever-changing trends, companies offering mobile app designing services are required to remain updated. They should gain an edge on the latest technology developments, market needs, and existing trends. Without keeping track of what’s happening around, the application developed could fail badly and result in lost revenues.

To tread on the heels of current trends, keep a count on these mobile app development trends for 2022 and beyond.

In 2021 mobile app market revenue reached a whopping $693 billion and there are no chances to see a decline in this figure. Consider these trends prior to planning on app design and development.

2. IoT Integrated Apps

3. 5G Technology

4. Artificial Intelligence

5. Cloud Computing

6. On-demand Apps

7. Blockchain Technology

8. Foldable Device Friendly Apps

9. Biometric Verification

10. Beacon Technology

11. Chatbots

12. Mobile Wallets

Snapchat and Instagram filters turning the human face into funny characters is nothing but the integration of AR. The trend of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality is marking rapid growth and is nowhere to go in the near future.

Pokemon Go paved the way for AR in the mobile app development landscape and extended its use apart from just gaming apps. Apps developed with AR and VR technology are widely used for numerous categories such as gaming, beauty apps, professional companies, and more.

For instance, brands like L’oreal creating a virtual makeup app, Ikea developing a digital furniture app, and Lenskart allowing users to try glasses virtually are the most famed use cases all over.

● Nike uses AR and VR in their physical stores, facilitating customers to scan products either to check the view or know more about the product.
● FaceCake’s Infinite Virtual Closet allows users to build a virtual closet and try clothes and jewellery items.
● BMW’s AR tools to customize cars with different colors or styles from tablets and phones. The company’s VR technology lets customers put on virtual goggles and provides them with a real driving experience.

According to a report, “The global IoT market size was USD 308.97 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow to USD 318 billion by 2023. The category marking airplay includes IoT platforms, application development services, and software.

The increased usage of mobile devices has created seamless opportunities for mobile app development teams to design IoT-enabled apps. Smartwatches, smart home apps, speakers, security control apps and more are a few common examples of the trends in IoT and mobile app development.

The rollout of 5G technology has received tremendous responses from tech leaders around the globe. Mobile operators are upgrading their networks by investing $160 billion each year in the deployment of 5G to develop edge computing mobile apps.

● Seamless IoT integration

● Uninteruppted video streaming

● Easy AR and VR integration

● 3D and immersive AR-based app development

● High performing GPS

● Scalable cloud compatibility

● Application development for smart cities/homes

When we first come across Siri, Alexa, or Cortana, what pops our mind is AI and its role in our daily chores as well as in business activities. The concept of smart assistants and effortless actions has urged app programmers to utilize AI across all sectors and enhance user experience.

“The global market revenue of AI in 2021 was US $25995.6 and it is expected to reach the US $53231.4 by 2023,” reports Statista.

According to McKinsey reports, AI advancements brought in $139 billion in investment in 2020, which was more than three times the money invested earlier.

These figures evidence why AI-enabled apps are gaining much popularity and acceptance by mobile app development teams.

Whether it be booking a cab or ordering food online, cloud technology has been leveraged in almost every industry. Hybrid cloud solutions, cloud computing infrastructure, and quantum computing has made cloud computing emerging as the top mobile app development trend.

Cloud storage can improve the app’s performance, speed, and storage capability.

The growth of the smartphone industry and the internet has enabled mobile app developers, users to store, share data seamlessly.

Cloud computing or cloud security is now one of the essential needs of an enterprise. still, there are businesses that do not know the actual worth or what is cloud security in detail and how it can be beneficial to them.

When you’re rushing out of your time, whether it be for a health check-up or making a transaction, what helps you thrive amid busy schedules is an ‘on-demand app.’ The common examples of on-demand services include health experts on-demand, fitness apps, pet caretakers, beauty salon services, house cleaning apps, e-learning apps, and more.

According to the PwC research, it is estimated that the on-demand economy will soar to reach a whopping $335 billion by 2025.

The statistics make it clear why app developers are shifting towards designing on-demand apps to leg up with rising consumer needs. The opportunities are endless and software developers should leverage these chances to widen their customer base and maximize profits.

The cryptocurrency boom has made blockchain technology a much more familiar term than ever. If we count on 2022 app development trends, the blockchain use cases cover mobile payment apps, wallets, and more rather than just crypto lending. The trend is further becoming highly mainstream with decentralized apps like BitTorrent, Popcorn Time, etc. gaining immense traction.

“The DApps Market size was valued at USD 10.52 Billion in 2019 and is anticipated to reach USD 368.25 Billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 56.1%,” claims a report.

As per a report on foldable smartphones, the market will mark a 10x growth in shipments by 2023.

Large screens majorly interest users as it creates a positive impact, making video streaming or gaming experience better.

● Expanded screen

● Engaging experience

● Multiple windows — multitasking

This claims that app developers should also consider developing mobile apps for foldable devices as an important trend to follow in 2022.

The increasing threat to identity thefts and data breaches has made biometric authentication a key necessity. 6 digit passwords and OTPs are no more considered as secure ways to maintain data security.

Users are constantly seeking mobile apps that allow quick access using fingerprint, facial recognition, iris scanning, and similar biometric features. For instance, mobile banking apps and digital wallets like Apple Pay use facial recognition to unlock the app. The biometric market size is expected to reach $24.59 billion, and by 2023, there will be roughly 2.6 billion biometric payment users.

Developing a mobile app with beacon technology is the current exploding hit that improves online and offline user experience. Have you thought of how does the data of calls and messages get recorded in your fitness tracker and send you timely alerts?

This is made possible with a beacon-based technology that allows signals to be transmitted. It detects a Bluetooth-enabled device and tracks function efficiently. For this, mobile development companies need to develop an IoT app that can help businesses to establish better user engagement.

The beacon technology is expected to soar to a whopping value and reach $56.6 billion by 2026. This explains why you should focus on this recent buzz, irrespective of your niche.

Chatbots are not something that is going to fade away soon. Chatbot growth has been prominent across numerous sectors, to the point where 1.4 billion people now use them on a fairly regular basis. A recent survey showed that over 70% of millennials and Gen Z aged between 16–34 were willing to purchase the consumer goods available on mobile apps through or with the assistance of chatbots.

With human-like responses, they have made daily tasks much simpler, particularly gaining popularity across the service sector. Chatbots, if integrated into mobile apps, make the user experience seamless and increase operational efficiency.

To cope-up with this upward moving trend, mobile application developers should include AI-equipped chatbots into the software.

The role of mobile commerce in recent years has shown rapid growth. This has in turn influenced a large share of people to make payments using mobile devices. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayTm are commonly accepted sources for a great many users.

According to a report, $13.98 billion worth of transactions is expected to be made from mobile wallets in 2022. This means developers should start finding ways to create secure, simple apps to thrive in the competitive force. Wallet integration must be the common feature to be included in every app that allows making transactions.

The mobile device penetration will definitely mark a significant growth in the upcoming years. As a mobile app development team/platform, you can follow these 2022 mobile app development trends to gain an edge in the industry. Incorporate these shifts into your development process and make the transition before your technology goes stale and outdated.

What Are The New Trends To Watch For in Mobile Application Development in 2022? was originally published in AR/VR Journey: Augmented & Virtual Reality Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.