The mobile app industry is changing at a rapid pace. To survive and thrive in this digital Darwinian age, you need to be familiar with the current mobile app development trends.

Some experts predict that mobile apps equal digital media success. This is one of the top mobile app development trends for 2022.

Mobile apps are revolutionizing business models, operating models, and marketplaces at an astonishing rate today. Mobile app market revenue is forecasted to reach $808 billion by 2022.

However, going by Gartner’s previous prediction, which almost got true, 9,999 in 10,000 mobile apps fail.

Top 12 Mobile App Development Trends In 2022

1. Build Apps For Folding Devices

The operating systems are now ready to use Samsung’s foldable OLED display to enhance the smartphone experience. In 2018, Google announced that Android smartphones will now have foldable support using its screen continuity API.

Samsung claims that hundreds of popular Android apps have been optimized for the Galaxy Fold, such as Amazon Prime Video and Spotify.

You need to design your mobile app development strategy to work seamlessly on foldable phones. This is a problematic mobile app development trend for 2022.

Users can make their devices foldable to reveal a larger screen.

• A bigger screen allows for more detail and immersion.
• Multi-windows enable users to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

The foldable device is used for video streaming and gaming applications. In 2022, the most important mobile app development trend will be to keep the screen in your mind.

2. Machine Learning (ML) And Artificial Intelligence

FaceApp is a well-known mobile app that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to popularize it. The app adds filters to users’ photos to show younger or older. The app had total revenue of $1m as of October 2019.

For the past few years, AI and ML have been the top trends in mobile app development.

• Popular mobile apps such as Replika, Cortana, and Google Assistant have been digging deeper in this field, hoping to find a ray for success.
• In fact, when Deep Learning is integrated with ML, it is beneficial for mobile app development projects by delivering valuable data and real-time analytics.

Global ML will grow at a rate of 42 percent and reach almost $9 billion by 2022. ~ Machine Learning in 2019

Apple welcomed Core ML 3 to its latest version of its machine-learning model framework at the WWDC 2019. This is designed to assist iOS developers in embedding AI smarts into apps. This year, dive deeper into these technologies to learn more about their features and many components.

3. Chatbots Are On The Rise

Over 50% of buyers desire more DIY (Do-It-Yourself) tools to speed up their online purchases. In addition, chatbots are an excellent way to manage customer relationships.

The inclusion of chatbots into mobile apps will grow from being a very basic to a formidable level in 2022.

Chatbots will deliver $8 billion in cost savings between 2022 and 2022. Gartner

There are currently approximately 2.5 million apps on the Google Play Store and 1.8 million on the Apple App Store. However, you will be surprised to learn that only a handful of apps have used chatbots to provide better UI/UX services.

Starbucks is one of them. Starbucks has released an app called “My Starbucks Barista,” where you can tell it what kind of coffee you would like, and it will place an order for you.

With 80% of enterprises expected to use chatbots by 2022, users will appreciate quick and accurate answers. This is one of the most important trends in mobile app development for 2022.

4. Wearable App Integration

Globally, wearable technology is proliferating. Statista estimates that the number of connected wearable technology devices reached 453,000,000 in 2017 and will reach 929 million by 2022.

Wearable applications will soon be an integral part of our daily lives thanks to technological advancements.

Apple recently revealed its WatchOS update at the WWDC conference. Apple Watch apps won’t require a companion iOS application and will be available in their own App Store. This is a clear sign of the growing importance of wearable technology, which will be a key trend in mobile app development in 2022.

Apple Watch has been upgraded to an independent device with apps that work independently of the iPhone.

App developers and businesses need to be prepared with apps that offer a great digital experience for Apple Watch users. This will give them an advantage over others.

This mobile app development trend is a great way to connect with your customers and offer them seamless digital experiences.

5. IoT-Enabled Smartphone Apps

The Internet of Things is a network of smart gadgets that are interconnected. Google and Amazon have both fully utilized this technology, and they’ve increased their IoT competition with the introduction of the Echo line of devices and the Google Home Voice Controller.

Google’s acquisition of Fitbit, a wearable company, for $2.1 billion, and its collaboration with Nest, a manufacturer of Home security cameras, are further indications that it is making rapid progress in the Internet of Things technology.

Continuous supply chain in retail, smart home and savvy insurance plans is no longer a sci-fi concept. The demand for IoT gadgets will rise simultaneously. This is why we included IoT-enabled mobile apps in our top 20 app development trends for 2022.

6. Augmented Reality (AR) And Virtual Reality (VR)

Although ‘Pokemon Go” may have been a temporary phenomenon on the Eastern Seaboard, AR and VR will be here for good.

AR and VR technology, one of the most important trends in mobile app development, is used to prepare and increase high-quality gaming apps and many other purposes.

Google and Apple are already creating new AR applications. Google, for example, is about to launch an AR feature in Google Maps that would allow users to get directions directly from their phones.

AR integration will therefore be a key trend in mobile app development for 2022. It creates a seamless user experience.

Statista predicts that the global AR and VR technology market in 2022 will reach $209 billion.

7. Mobile Wallets

Mobile wallets like Apple Pay or Google Wallet, ubiquitous on smartphones and users’ intention to move to smartwatches in the future, will drive purchase through 2022. Mobile wallet apps will continue to be a key trend in mobile app development through 2022.

According to a report, the value of mobile wallet transactions reached $4,296 billion in 2018.

Mobile wallets are being used by big brands such as Samsung, Apple, and Google to provide their customers with a safe and convenient way to pay bills and make money transactions.

8. Mobile App Security Prioritized

It is not a new trend, but Uber has come out of the metaphorical closet, accepting the hacking scandal and Google and Facebook admitting to security breaches. Businesses will now be more interested in cybersecurity, directly related to data privacy and data protection laws. Digital security is expected to be a top trend in mobile app development in 2022.

In 2018, Facebook shares dropped 8.5% after discovering that Cambridge Analytica had been involved in users’ data breaches. It was then followed by a #DeleteFacebook movement that was even backed by Brian Acton, the founder of WhatsApp.

Ther are four key digital technology trends that businesses need to embrace: Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Security (CADS)) —that businesses should embrace. 37.3% of organizations believe digital security is the biggest challenge that they face on the road to digital transformation.

To remove the uncertainty surrounding mobile apps, the best minds in the industry must step up their game. Apple announced at the WWDC that it had introduced a new feature called “Sign in with Apple” to address security concerns. This feature was intended to reduce illegal data sharing during app logins.

The mobile app development industry is set to shift towards security-first in 2022. This will lay the foundation for a strong DevOps Strategy.

9. Beacons Technology

The technology of beacons has been around for a while now. 2022 will see it grow in popularity. Many industries and businesses are finding that beacon-based notifications can help them connect with customers in highly contextual ways.

Beacon technology is a key trend in mobile app development in 2022. We’ll see more beacon-enabled airports and mobile payments beacons as well as automated personal beacons. In addition, beacons technology can make virtual tours more personal and facilitate information sharing.

GeoMarketing predicts that by 2020 beacon deployments will reach 400 million worldwide, which would generate $56,554M in 2026.

Here’s how we built an IoT-based solution for Beakn

Beakn Mobile, founded by Matt Frazier, is a way to build customer relationships that respond to the changing needs of customers. Matt reached out to Net Solutions in order to have an IoT-based Customer Loyalty program developed for the SMBs sector. Matt developed a Bluetooth hardware solution called Beakn Mobile that could be used across all mobile devices.

The implementation was the challenge.

Net Solutions used CoreBluetooth for CoreLocation Ranging and Beacon Integration.

10. Instant Apps Coming Soon

Instant apps were started in 2016, which are native mobile apps that are smaller than other apps. They are user-friendly and highly convenient, as there is no need to download them. Moreover, they can be accessed immediately without the need to download, as their name implies.

Not only are instant apps popular with users, but they also have a higher conversion rate than regular mobile apps. “Instant apps” is one of our top mobile app development trends.

Hollar and NYTimes claimed they could increase conversion rates from 20% to 27% by creating an instant mobile app.

Instant apps will be the next mobile app development trend in 2022, as users demand a better user experience and faster load times. This eliminates the need to wait for an installation.

11. More Demand For On-Demand Apps

Uber was the first company to introduce a demand-based pricing system. It also opened the door to a better user experience for many other popular apps.

On-demand apps are needed everywhere, from ride-sharing to healthcare and beauty to travel, food, health, and transportation. 42% of adults have used at least one online service to date.

The on-demand app industry is expected to bring in $335 billion in revenue by 2025. This is 24 times higher than the $44 billion recorded in 2014.

The on-demand economy will expand into new verticals and disrupt businesses in 2022. We expect to see on-demand apps as one of the most important mobile app development trends for 2022.

12. Cloud Storage Development

Cloud architecture is still a futuristic trend, with 54% of UK enterprises moving forward without a cloud-based solution. However, this will change in 2022.

The global public cloud services market will grow 17% by 2020, to $266.4 billion. This is an increase of $227.8 million in 2019. Gartner

Cloud technology is an essential part of building instant Android apps. In addition, some apps on iOS also make use of cloud databases.

Cloud computing integration allows mobile apps to store large amounts of data efficiently, perform complex tasks, and be cost-effective and more secure.

One of the most important trends in mobile app development in 2022 is the cloud. This technology allows for simplified operations, lower hosting costs, greater storage, and loading capacities, and increased user retention.

In Summary

Over a billion mobile apps are already available in the Google Play and Apple App Stores, Windows Stores, Amazon App Stores, and Windows Stores. The mobile app development trend will continue to grow rapidly with all the other mobile apps.

It is crucial for business leaders to keep up with the latest technologies and trends to be competitive in the mobile app development market.

Mobile apps will continue to evolve thanks to the emerging platform for app development, growing backend platforms, and microservices.