Mobile Users Access Only 1/4th of Their Installed Apps On Daily Basis — GoodFirms Survey
The home screen of our mobile devices tells us more about our usage behavior more often than not. Smartphone users predominantly tend to arrange their most used mobile applications in such a manner that they are easier to locate.
GoodFirms in search to understand the usage behavior of smartphones users regarding variably categorized mobile phone apps conducted a survey which helped figure that 3 out of every 10 users delete a mobile phone app if they have become redundant.
The mobile app download & usage report showed that an enormous 96.77% of survey participants use some or the other kind of productivity apps that help in adding value to their day to day lives. At 94.35%, though a close difference, social media apps surprisingly come in second on top mobile app categories based on downloads.
To an extent, this discloses that though smartphones gained popularity since they provided a means to connect almost instantly with our immediate world, the realization that these devices can help achieve more at a personal level through numerous productivity apps has assisted in witnessing a paradigm shift in application download patterns.
When it comes to recreational activities, statistics regarding gaming (46.37%) and entertainment (43.15%) applications led to the discovery that every second smartphone users did not use any apps in these categories.
People in leading roles tend to be surrounded by elements that help them evolve. Founder & CEO of BrandHoot, Nate Nordstrom has an apparent view that “The best apps are the ones that combine exceptional utility and speed with great user experience. Apps should improve my workflow, not drag me down. I’m pretty quick to delete an app that doesn’t help accomplish my goals.”
Family and Friends Play a Significant Role Above Advertisements in the Discovery of Mobile Phone App
More than 2/3rd of the participants (68.95%) got to know about apps through family or friends, which bagged the top spot in sources of discovery. App store recommendations (39.52%) made it to the 5th place, whereas applications found while browsing the app store (60.08) secured second place.
Below 30% of users got to know about applications through various sorts of advertisements. This indicates that smartphone users rely on recommendation from a person they know rather than advertisements when it came to hosting new software in their devices.
Azman Nabi, growth marketer at Webisoft, had an interesting story to share about the game PUBG where he said and I quote, “I knew about the game from a while but never downloaded it because I knew it can get addictive. But then, one of my friends asked me, or say, insisted me to install the game and play with him. That’s the point when I started playing it. But, I must say it’s an addictive game, especially because of the environment PUBG mobile created by socializing with friends while playing.”
The Relevance of an App and Hesitation to Grant Access Permission Affects Continued Usage of an Application
The factors shared earlier are essential in assisting the download of an app. However, usability and relevance of an application over time is what matters most behind its continued usage or deletion.
At just above a quarter (25.49%), people used only 13 apps out of 51 installed on their mobile phones. As high as 92% of people spent the bulk of their time using only 6 or even fewer applications of relevance.
With 29.84% users deleting an app when no longer needed and 1 in every 4 (24.60%) when not useful, it shows that applications that do not have more to offer to improve the users’ life daily are bound to get uninstalled.
A high (70.56%) of users felt not comfortable to allow access to their geographical locations. Nearly 3/4th of the participants (74.60%) were reluctant to let access to their contact list. Another observation made indicated that 2 in every 3 users (66.13%) were agreeably allowed access to their mobile’s camera.
“I will always let Snapchat [for example] access my camera, but if it’s a weather app, I will never allow the app to access my camera. It’s all about the app I’m using and the relevance of the feature they want to access.” is what Vincent Mouton, the office manager at Sidekick Interactive, had to say.
This manifestation could serve as a guide for mobile app development companies and presents an opportunity to help users through technology that can enrich lives.
The focus should get laid on developing ideas that can be liked by common groups while assisting personal growth and making users feel assured that their data is secure.
GoodFirms surveyed more than 450 global mobile app users.
Read the full survey report: https://www.goodfirms.co/resources/app-download-usage-statistics-to-know
For questions about the survey, contact at nathan@goodfirms.co
