INTRODUCTION
When a fantastic idea is combined to produce a robust application, the success of a mobile application is half accomplished. The second half is completed when the intended user experience is delivered without lag. It is advised that the cause of the sluggish application be identified and corrected to ensure that the application operates appropriately. This is why we need performance testing.
WHEN CAN WE SAY AN APP IS EFFECTIVE?
Because mobile application performance is more than just app speed, you must monitor the following parameters:
- The software loads quickly — up to 2 seconds;
- The app is compatible with the devices that use it (system requirements, screen resolution);
- Reasonable memory and battery consumption;
- UI and UX make the app navigable and easy to use;
- While in the background state, the app does not lose user data and progress;
- It is natively and smoothly integrated with the required third-party apps and device services such as camera, Bluetooth, and calendar.
WHAT CAUSES A PROBLEMATIC APP PERFORMANCE?
Common reasons for an application’s poor performance include those related to the server side, the application’s main thread, and the interface.
On the server side
- Obtaining massive volumes of worthless and heavy data from the server, making repeated HTTP request calls; • API slowness, failures, and data compression
The main thread
- Heavy operations are performed on the app’s main thread. • Database operations are performed on the app’s main thread, as well as erroneous database and data retrieval algorithms.
Interface
- Incorrect shadow rendering algorithms on interface components.
In brief, these are the most prevalent and frequent causes of app performance concerns or why the app may be sluggish. Certain circumstances are unique to each solution.
7 TIPS FOR IMPROVING MOBILE APPLICATION LOADING PERFORMANCE
Below is a list of strategies that work globally to increase your app’s performance and improve user experience. It further enhances your mobile app testing ability.
- Cacheable files and calculations must be defined to speed up the program. Storing resources and processes on the device’s hard drive guarantees fast access to app data and removes performance difficulties in a network outage. Automated mobile app testing tools like Head Spin facilitates the process.
Simultaneously, it is critical to balance data caching and loading to avoid displaying outdated data to the user. Furthermore, because there is limited storage capacity, you should only cache some things.
- The larger the image, the better it is for a user. In actuality, using a picture that is greater than the size of the screen makes no sense. Optimized graphics and visual components assist in avoiding latencies when using the app and optimize content loading time on the screen.
- App launch interval leaves a lasting impression and significantly influences user experience, being the initial user-app interaction. According to many research and standards, you should aim for a 1.5-2 second app launch time.
It is required to monitor if any resource-intensive actions are performed at the program’s start. For example, removing old data from the cache.
- Hold off on any intensive activity that isn’t required for the app to open until the first screen is rendered.
- Load data when the relevant screen is opened rather than at the program’s start (e.g., user profile).
- Load data progressively by selecting the most critical components to display first and then using
- Keep the code up to date and delete any frameworks that are no longer in use. Outdated and unnecessary code lengthens the time it takes for your program to launch.
- Keep an eye out for memory leaks and fix them as soon as possible. Use a memory profiler to trace the lifespan of objects and optimize memory utilization. If superfluous items cannot be deleted from RAM (random access memory), the system terminates a program due to a memory shortage.
- Correctly render shadows. This implies calculating the size and attributes of the shadow once rather than rendering them numerous times as you move around the screen. Because the strategies vary by platform, we recommend searching for best practices on your platform.
- Create an offline mode to maintain data access during a network outage. It provides data security, dependability, and user comfort. Some recommended practices include studying user behavior to provide the content, and functionality users require offline, preserving users’ in-app progress, signaling if the network state is offline, and creating an empty state for offline usage. It is also advantageous for music players and maps to allow users to download material to function offline.
Reduce the number of offscreen computations in iOS apps. It may occur when you use visual effects (such as shadows, rounded corners, or masks) in your program. Offscreen rendering may degrade performance in such circumstances.
- Create client-server APIs in such a manner that the user does not get unneeded data. Divide content and objects by purpose and request them as needed. This method reduces the amount of data loaded, resulting in a quicker app load.
When designing and creating the API, remember that consumers utilize not just 4G connections but also 3G connections, which are slower and less stable. Divide complex requests into smaller ones to run gradually and test your app on a weak network to adapt to such scenarios.
- Use a CDN (content delivery network) to shorten data load times by reducing the distance between the user and the data source. Create a pagination system for massive volumes of data. Instead of loading 100 items in the news stream at once, display the top ten and then load as the user scrolls down or switches sites. Avoid redirects when opening an app since they lengthen the time it takes to send data to the end user.
CONCLUSION
One of the crucial characteristics of a successful product that people enjoy and remain with is the ability to execute flawlessly. Optimize digital experiences by discovering and addressing performance issues across apps, devices, and networks with the performance testing tool HeadSpin Platform’s mobile app performance testing capabilities. It is trusted by businesses all across the world. HeadSpin’s performance testing assists in monitoring and optimizing the user experience throughout the trip.
