Thanks to this comprehensive guide that our experts have put together, you’ll soon learn all you need to know about optimising the performance of your mobile application.
What is mobile application performance?
The performance of a mobile application refers to its overall efficiency in meeting users’ expectations smoothly and quickly.
A high-performance application is one that launches quickly, responds instantly to user actions, makes judicious use of device resources, and runs stably without interruption or errors.
Why is it important to know how your mobile application performs?
A high-performance mobile application delivers a high-quality user experience, minimising frustration and maximising satisfaction. It’s therefore a key mission in not only attracting and retaining users, but also maintaining a company’s image. In addition, it’s a way to ensure that we are viewed favourably in application stores.
How do you measure the performance of a mobile application?
There are several aspects to consider when assessing the performance of a mobile application, including the following indicators. Find a sample report on the performance of Swiss websites during Black Friday 2023.
Loading times
The loading time of a mobile application is the time needed before it is ready for use once it has been launched. In more specific terms, this indicator measures the time elapsed between the moment the user clicks on the application icon and the moment the application is fully operational. This is often broken down into several phases, such as initialization of coding, loading of resources and the user interface display. Fast loading times are crucial in order to create a positive first impression and to hold users’ attention.
Frame rate
The refresh rate or frame rate, which is measured in frames per second (FPS), is a crucial indicator of an application’s visual fluidity. Smooth animations and scrolling – with a target of 60 FPS – are essential for a level of performance that would be perceived as optimal by the user. A high and stable refresh rate contributes to a more pleasant and responsive user experience, especially for applications with animation-rich interfaces.
Application responsiveness
Similar to loading time, application reactivity measures the application’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to user actions. It measures the time elapsed between an interaction (such as a click, swipe or the entering of data) and the visible response of the application (such as navigation to a new page, for example). To be reactive, the application must process actions as close as possible to real time, with no perceptible latency, in order to guarantee a fluid and pleasant experience.
Memory usage
This refers to the amount of RAM consumed by the application during execution. It’s a question of measuring the efficiency with which the application manages the available memory resources. Optimising this aspect is key when trying to counteract device slowdowns and crashes. The goal is to achieve efficient memory management as this will, in turn, contribute to the fluidity and stability of the application. Excessive RAM usage should be avoided since this can result in performance degradation and a poor user experience.
Battery consumption
This is the application’s impact on the device’s battery life. A well-optimised application should use resources efficiently, avoiding power-hungry processes such as frequent background updates, complex animations or recurrent use of sensors (such as GPS). Excessive battery consumption can lead to the device running out of power quickly, frustrating users and increasing uninstall rates. Effective management of power consumption is therefore essential to deliver a quality user experience and prolong application use without the need for frequent recharging.
Factors affecting the performance of mobile applications
In addition to the code and its internal components, the way in which mobile applications perform is also influenced by a multitude of factors. Here are the main ones to consider.
Hardware limitations
The performance of mobile applications is primarily limited by the resources available on the device. A less powerful processor can slow down the execution of intensive tasks. A small amount of RAM limits multitasking and can result in errors. Limited storage space can affect installation and the smooth operation of applications. A low-capacity battery may reduce autonomy, especially if the application is power-hungry.
Network connectivity problems
Network connectivity problems can greatly affect the performance of mobile applications. Unstable or slow connections can result in loading times becoming longer and interruptions to service. The effective management of bandwidth variations and interruptions to networks is crucial for ensuring the reliability and fluidity of applications, even when connectivity conditions fluctuate.
Differences in operating systems and platforms
iOS and Android have different performance characteristics and require different optimisation techniques. For example, iOS generally offers better hardware/software optimisation due to its closed ecosystem, while Android has to work with a wider variety of devices. These differences influence memory management, CPU utilisation and graphics rendering strategies. Developers need to adapt their optimisation approaches to the targeted platform so that they can maximise performance.
Integrating third-party services
To enhance functionality and user experience, an interesting approach could be to integrate third-party services into mobile applications, although this also brings its own set of challenges with it. Calls to these services, such as social networking, payment or geolocation APIs, can introduce additional dependencies and performance issues. It’s crucial to manage these integrations efficiently, by implementing appropriate failover mechanisms. A well-managed integration process ensures greater reliability and a consistent user experience.
Tools and techniques for optimising mobile application performance
There are a number of ways in which we can analyse and improve the performance of an application.
Monitoring and profiling tools
Monitoring and profiling tools are valuable assets in the quest for performance optimisation. The former involves the real-time monitoring of resource utilisation (CPU, memory, battery, bandwidth) and alerts of any anomalies. Profiling analyses code behaviour to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks.
Specific tools such as Android Profiler for Android and Xcode Instruments for iOS offer advanced features for detailed performance analysis. For example, Android Studio’s CPU Profiler allows you to visualise CPU usage in real time, while identifying the methods consuming the most resources. Perfetto, an open-source tracing and profiling system developed by Google, provides even more advanced system profiling capabilities for Android, enabling in-depth performance analysis at system and application level.
In addition, third-party solutions such as Firebase Performance Monitoring can track application performance during production, generating valuable insights into the real user experience.
For real-time monitoring in production, Application Performance Monitoring (APM) tools are particularly useful. These solutions allow the continuous collection and analysis of performance data, which allows problems to be quickly identified and the user experience to be optimised in real-life conditions.
By combining monitoring and profiling, developers can detect performance problems and implement appropriate strategies to resolve them.
Techniques for reducing loading times
Effective techniques for reducing loading times include compressing resources (images, videos) to reduce the size of files and using “lazy loading” to only load elements when they are needed. Minimising code by eliminating unnecessary sections and optimising the libraries that are used can also speed up loading. The use of caches enables frequently-used data to be stored locally, thus reducing network requests. Finally, the asynchronous initialisation of non-critical components enables the application to become interactive more rapidly.
Optimising memory use
To optimise memory use in mobile applications, several avenues can be explored. Firstly, it’s essential to adopt suitable data structures and proactively release unused memory to avoid leaks. Next, by implementing asynchronous data loading and carefully managing component lifecycles, it is possible to carry out further optimisation. Finally, by using optimised formats and compressing them to reduce the size of resources, such as images, it is possible to significantly save memory.
Efficient resource management
In addition to memory, other resources must also be taken into account when optimising performance. It is essential to manage battery consumption by limiting background tasks and reducing the intensive use of sensors, such as GPS. CPU optimisation is also key and this can be achieved by avoiding process-heavy tasks to prevent overheating and maintain fluidity. In addition, it’s important to manage bandwidth by minimising unnecessary network requests and compressing transferred data.
The best strategies for improving mobile application performance
Performance-driven design and development
Developing a high-performance application starts first and foremost with careful design of the user interface (UI), giving priority to lightweight components and fluid transitions. Optimisation of codes to reduce processing times and minimise resource usage is also essential. Adopting techniques such as lazy loading allows elements to be loaded only when they are needed, thus reducing the initial load. In addition, it is important to choose the right algorithms and data structures to improve processing speed.
Regular testing and continuous deployment
Automated testing – including unit, integration and performance tests – enables bugs and inefficiencies to be quickly detected and corrected. Continuous deployment facilitates the integration of changes and improvements, reducing the time between development and production. This approach enables rapid iterations and ensures that each version of the application is stable and optimised. By integrating these practices into the development cycle, teams can maintain high standards of performance and reliability.
Reducing network demands and using cache
Minimising the number of network requests by grouping together necessary data and eliminating redundant calls can reduce latency and save bandwidth. The use of caching allows frequently used data to be temporarily stored, reducing the need for further network requests. By using techniques such as HTTP caching and local databases, we can significantly improve loading times and deliver a pleasant user experience.
Efficient data management
The way an application processes and stores data is key to how it performs. The efficiency of database queries, background data synchronisation and intelligent caching are all key aspects to be optimised. Good data management reduces application response times and improves the user experience, particularly in the case of limited or unstable connections.
Optimisation of graphics resources
Visual elements can greatly affect application responsiveness. The size and format of images, the complexity of animations and the rendering of user interfaces are key factors to consider. Efficient optimisation of graphic resources can lower memory consumption and improve loading times, while also preserving the visual quality of the application.
The benefits of a high-performance mobile application
Improving the user experience
An application that loads quickly and runs smoothly meets the expectations we have today in terms of speed and efficiency. Reduced response times, smooth transitions and a responsive interface increase user satisfaction. By improving speeds and removing errors, users are less frustrated and are instead encouraged to spend more time on the application. A quality user experience is often the decisive factor in the adoption of a mobile application.
Building user loyalty
Improving the user experience also brings about increased loyalty. Users are more likely to continue using an application that responds effectively to their needs without bugs or slowdowns. Optimised stability and responsiveness reinforce trust and loyalty. What’s more, a positive experience encourages people to recommend the application to others, thereby increasing the number of new users. In this way, making an investment in performance optimisation not only satisfies existing users, but also builds long-term loyalty.
Increasing conversion rates and revenues
Users are more likely to make purchases or subscribe to services when an application works quickly and smoothly. Fast loading times and smooth navigation lower abandonment levels during the purchasing process or when entering data. What’s more, an optimised app allows advanced features to be integrated, such as personalised recommendations and real-time notifications: these in turn can then encourage impulse purchases and subscriptions. This means that not only does a high-performance app attract more users, it also converts them more effectively into paying customers.
Lower maintenance costs
By using performance-oriented development techniques, it is possible to minimise the number of bugs and slowdowns, thereby reducing the need for frequent fixes. Efficient resource management and well-designed architecture make it easy to update and add new features without compromising performance. What’s more, a stable, well-optimized application requires less technical support to be provided, which subsequently frees up resources for other projects. Investing in optimisation, ideally from the outset of a project, will result in long-term savings on maintenance and support costs.
Qim info helps you optimise the performance of your mobile applications
At Qim info, our experts are masters in IT performance management and can ensure the performance and stability of your applications. For 20 years, our teams have been successfully resolving the issues our clients have experienced with their IT systems. Our mission? To guarantee the stability and performance of your applications at every stage of their life cycle. Our teams provide custom solutions that are adapted to your needs so that they can guarantee optimal results.From requirements modeling to software optimisation, our experts provide a full management service, supporting you every step of the way.
Load Testing and Performance
Ensure your application's performance before going live to guarantee an optimal user experience.
Application Observability
With Application Performance Observability (APO), integrate performance visibility into your applications for efficient testing, tracking, and troubleshooting, regardless of the technology environment you're working in.
Continuous Performance Engineering
Shift left, shift right, and automate processes to master performance throughout the software life cycle, thanks to Continuous Performance Engineering (CPE).
Rapid Performance Diagnostics
Identify and quickly resolve performance and stability issues affecting your production environment with Rapid Performance Diagnostic (RPD).
Cloud-Native Performance
Ensure your application's performance throughout your Cloud migration journey.
Strategy and Governance
Improve your performance maturity with a vision and roadmap that will help your organisation to achieve its objectives.
Web and Mobile Performance
Maximise user satisfaction and revenue by improving the design and responsiveness of browsers and mobile applications.
Resilience and
reliability
Ensure your application continues to function even in the event of unforeseen issues.
Discover our Performance & Observability department
Ensure the performance and stability of your IT system applications
