Developing an app in 2023? 9 awesome mobile app development trends to watch out for!

Developing a mobile application is a must for any business looking for success in 2023. It provides a great opportunity to widen the reach, leverage robust technology to stay on top of the competition, and ensure growth. Developing an app requires considering the right technology stack, and adopting next-gen trends to stay ahead of the curve.

Many decisions must be made throughout the process, from designing the user interface (UI) and experience (UX) to choosing which features and functionalities will be included. Additionally, there are often constraints on budget and timeline that must be considered along with the latest mobile app development trends.

The mobile app development industry has been growing rapidly over the last few years, and this growth shows no signs of slowing down. According to forecasts, the worldwide mobile application development industry will grow to $44.3 trillion by 2027.  The current trends in mobile app development are bound to shape up in 2023, and businesses are preparing to leverage the same. 

Since app development is always evolving, developers need to stay ahead of time to ensure crafting successful apps. And, as we enter 2023, the latest mobile app development trends are on the verge of redefining the industry. 

Let’s check out the top 9 app development trends in 2023.

#1. Cross-Platform Development 

With two major platforms (iOS and Android), it can be challenging for developers to build an app that works on both. That’s why cross-platform development is becoming increasingly popular, allowing developers to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms. 

This makes creating apps much more efficient and cost-effective. React Native is one example of a popular cross-platform framework that enables developers to build native applications for iOS and Android with JavaScript quickly.

A major trend can also be seen in Flutter development which is expected to continue upward as more developers and organisations are attracted to its advantages. Popular features such as Hot Reload, a vast array of plugins, and cross-platform compatibility will continue to draw developers looking for cross-platform applications. 

Additionally, there will be an increased emphasis on creating features that target specific platforms, such as Android and iOS. Flutter allows developers to leverage platform-specific features and APIs to create more robust and feature-rich applications. 

#2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI is becoming increasingly integrated into mobile apps as technology progresses. AI can help improve user experiences by automating tasks (for example, the IFTTT app), enabling personalisation, and ensuring accuracy.

Developers also use Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to predict user behaviour based on data gathered from their interactions in an app over time.

Businesses wondering how to develop an app that stands out in 2023 will leverage AI in the following manner.

Facial recognition: Facial Recognition is a biometric technology that uses a computer to identify a person’s face by comparing it to a database of known faces. It is used in mobile apps to provide user authentication and security. 

ML-powered mobile apps: ML-powered mobile apps use machine learning to improve the user experience by providing personalised recommendations, automated processes, and intelligent user interfaces. 

Smart camera apps: Smart camera apps use artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies to enhance the camera capabilities of a mobile device. These apps can automatically add filters, recognize objects, and focus on a subject. 

Real-time translation: App developers can develop an app with real-time translation where technology allows users to translate text or speech from one language to another instantly. This technology can be used in mobile apps to facilitate communication between people who speak different languages.

#3. Internet of Things (IoT) 

IoT is a system where physical objects have network connectivity, allowing them to exchange data through smart devices such as phones, tablets, or computers. This connection enables users to remotely control their home environment via their smartphone or wearable device like a fitness band or smartwatch. 

App developers are leveraging this technology by creating applications that allow users to control home appliances from anywhere in the world through their smartphones or other connected devices.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is quickly becoming an important part of mobile app development. By 2023, IoT will significantly impact the mobile app development industry, including integrating IIOT (Industrial IoT as a part of Industry 4.0) with a heavy emphasis on mobile apps. More and more mobile applications will adopt sensors and connected devices to collect and analyse data for consumers and B2B app users. 

#4. Cloud Computing 

Cloud computing involves storing data online instead of locally on hard drives or servers so it can be accessed from any device regardless of location. This has made developing an app easier since you don’t need an expensive server setup for your application to run reliably across multiple devices. 

App developers can take advantage of cloud computing services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Microsoft Azure, etc., which make hosting applications much simpler than before.

Moreover, the year 2023 may witness the following key mobile app development trends in the field of cloud computing —

1. Increasing Use of Edge Computing: Edge computing is becoming increasingly popular for mobile cloud computing, enabling data processing closer to the source. It is expected to become a mainstream technology in mobile cloud computing by 2025 since it ensures reduced latency and enhances user experience. 

2. Increased Security and Privacy: Cloud security and privacy will become even more important as more businesses move their data to the cloud. Forward-looking businesses will look to render services of mobile app developers well-versed in ensuring cloud security and privacy solutions for mobile apps. 

3. Increased Use of Containers: Containers are becoming increasingly popular for cloud computing as they provide a more efficient, lightweight, and portable way to deploy applications. Containers are expected to be widely used for mobile cloud computing in 2025, as they are ideal for running applications on multiple platforms.

#5. Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/VR)

AR/VR technologies are being used in exciting new ways within mobile apps. For example, Snapchat has implemented augmented reality filters into its platform so users can take selfies with animated 3D characters overlaid onto their photos. 

Similarly, virtual reality headsets allow users to experience immersive environments within gaming apps while still using their regular smartphone hardware.

While these technologies may still need to be widely adopted among consumers, they represent potential app developers' opportunities.

Developers who want to know how to develop an app in 2023 with A/R capabilities can leverage the following trends — 

1. Increased AR/VR Support: AR and VR support in mobile apps will become much more prevalent and robust by 2025, with the technology being used in various applications, including gaming, shopping, travel, entertainment, education, and more.

2. Enhancing Social Interaction: Apps will be increasingly designed to allow users to interact in virtual and augmented reality, leading to a more social experience and a greater sense of connection. 

3. ARKIT 6 Improvements: WWDC 2022 saw Apple unveil many new ARKit 6 capabilities. Scene occlusion and other experiences will be more realistic thanks to the depth API change and Apple's LiDAR scanner that creates "instant AR" experiences.

Mobile app developers for iOS can leverage it to add motion capture data for 3D models while the camera focuses on surrounding objects. Humans occlusion, another recent update, lets virtual objects pass in front of and behind people. For instance, RoomPlan uses LiDAR scanning to design home floor plans swiftly using ARKit 6 features b.

4. Better Accessibility: WebAR is another major AR trend. WebAR works in browsers without further applications. Best accessibility situation. WebAR delivers the simplest AR experiences and lacks many of the capabilities native AR can give on mobile devices.

WebAR may be handy for simple experiences like applying filters to faces, altering hair or item colours, backdrop replacement, and basic 3D objects.

6. 5G

2023 is projected to be a major milestone in the world of 5G connectivity. By the end of 2023, 5G networks are expected to cover over 50% of the world’s population. Global 5G subscriptions are predicted to reach 3.5 billion, with more than 70 countries rolling out 5G services. In addition to the increased coverage, 5G speeds are predicted to be up to 10 times faster than 4G and one hundred times faster than 3G. 

This will enable high-speed data transfers and provide low latency for real-time applications. 5G will also provide improved bandwidth and capacity, allowing more users to access the same network simultaneously. The improved capacity will enable new services such as self-driving cars, and driving way for VR, AR, and IoT at ease.

7. Security and Privacy

Security and privacy concerns have moved up the agenda recently due to several major data breaches, so it’s no surprise that this trend will continue into 2023 too. Develop an app that ensures data security through robust encryption technologies, two-factor authentication methods, biometric identification systems etc. Otherwise, users may not trust them enough to use them.

The most significant security and privacy trend in 2023 will be the increased use of encryption. Encryption is a process of encoding data unreadable to anyone without the keys to unlock it. This will protect user data, making it harder for malicious actors to gain access. App developers will also need to monitor potential security threats. 

The following major mobile app development trends can be expected in security and privacy from 2023 onwards.

1. Cloud Security: Mobile apps will increasingly rely on cloud-based services, and the security of these services will be essential. End-to-end encryption, secure access controls, and other cloud security measures will be necessary 

2. Privacy by Design: Privacy by design will become a core principle of mobile app development. This means that privacy must be built into the app's design, and must be taken into account at all stages of the development process. 

3. Security Audits: Security audits will become a regular part of the development process, with third-party security experts conducting regular checks to ensure that apps are secure and compliant.

#8. Low Code Apps

As technology continues to evolve and become more user-friendly, the low-code mobile app development trend has grown significantly in recent years. Low-code platforms make mobile app development easier, faster, and more cost-effective for businesses. With the help of low-code mobile app development platforms, businesses can create sophisticated mobile apps without requiring extensive coding knowledge. 

In 2023, low-code mobile app development will be a key trend in mobile app development. Businesses will look for ways to reduce development costs and speed up the process. Low-code mobile app development platforms will be perfect solutions for businesses. 

Additionally, these platforms allow developers to quickly create mobile apps that are highly functional and visually appealing. In addition to reducing development costs, low-code mobile app development platforms provide several other benefits. 

For example, these platforms often come with various tools that allow developers to customise their apps according to the needs of their users. Additionally, these platforms often come with libraries of pre-built components that can be used to develop features quickly. This eliminates the need to start from scratch and allows developers to focus more on the design and functionality of the app.

#9. PWAs

PWAs are web applications that use modern web technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to create immersive experiences for users. They are designed to be faster, more secure, more reliable, and more engaging than traditional web apps. The key advantage of PWAs is that they can be accessed from any device or browser without installing an app. 

Users can access a PWA from their mobile device or desktop computer with a few clicks. Furthermore, PWAs can work offline, which makes them ideal for situations with no internet connection.

With Instant Apps, users can access specific parts of an app without downloading the entire thing, which helps reduce storage space and data usage on their devices. This also means that developers can focus on creating only those features the user needs instead of creating bulky apps with many unnecessary features. 

In 2023, it’s expected that both PWAs and Instant Apps will become even more popular due to the following reasons —

1. More Focus on Offline Experiences: Mobile apps will become even more focused on providing offline experiences since users no longer need to be connected to the internet to use them. PWAs will continue to provide a seamless experience across all devices and platforms, regardless of connection speed or bandwidth. 

2. Leveraging Browser Caching: Browser caching will become even more important for PWAs, as it will help make the apps faster and more responsive. Developers must pay close attention to caching mechanisms and ensure their PWAs are optimised for the best performance. 

3. Improved User Interface: PWAs will continue to focus on creating an intuitive and user-friendly experience. Developers will use AI and machine learning to create an intuitive experience and improve the user interface.

Conclusion

By 2023, mobile app development will continue to be an ever-evolving industry that relies on innovation and creativity. We expect to see more powerful apps leveraging the latest technologies, such as machine learning, augmented reality, virtual reality and 5G networks. 

These cutting-edge features will make apps more interactive, immersive, and engaging. Additionally, with the rise in popularity of cloud-based solutions, we anticipate a move towards cloud-native apps which offer enhanced scalability and security benefits. 

Ultimately, the future of mobile app development looks bright, and companies should strive to remain competitive in this dynamic landscape in 2023.