Mobile device fragmentation takes place when a specific group of users of an operating system still use its older version with a few of them having updated the latest version. It causes inconsistent user experience, compatibility issues, and bugs. Device fragmentation is a challenge in mobile app development, specifically for platforms like Android where there’s a large pool of devices with different resolutions, screen sizes, hardware competencies, and OS versions.
Mobile device fragmentation tends to be tricky for a mobile app development company that needs to craft various versions of an app to get it to work on different devices of an operating system. It might be an issue for the IT department, as different operating versions with various competencies can make it tough to manage and secure. It’s difficult, however, with the right approach, you can easily manage device fragmentation.
This article will be navigating you through all the answers on “how to deal with device fragmentation in mobile app development?”
How To Handle Device Fragmentation In Mobile App Development?
Read through the 8 steps on how to efficiently handle mobile device fragmentation to ensure your app performs flawlessly on different platforms.
Know Your Target Audience
Mobile app development statistics show that the mobile app market worldwide is anticipated to reach $756 billion by 2027. It’s a huge increase in mobile app use, but it comes with a challenge of how to determine your target audience in this crowded marketplace. Before you embark on app development, know your target audience and the devices they use. Make use of analytics tools, conduct market research and surveys, or you can seek feedback to garner this essential information. Doing so will aid you to prioritize the most crucial platforms and devices, and optimize your app’s design and performance accordingly. However, you don’t need to target supporting all the devices, it would be good to aim for covering the market you target.
Use Adaptive Layout And Responsive Design
Using adaptive layout and responsive design is an excellent way to tackle device fragmentation. Responsive design means your app tends to adjust the layout and the content as per the screen size and the orientation of devices. Adaptive layout means an application adapts its features and functionality according to the capabilities of a device or the user’s preference. You can make use of frameworks and tools like React Native, Bootstrap, or Flutter that support adaptive layout and responsive design. Moreover, you can make use of media queries, flexible grids, or breakpoints to craft responsive and adaptive UI elements.
Prioritize Device Compatibility
Make sure your mobile app is compatible with as many devices as possible, as it helps you circumvent device fragmentation. What’s more, you should consider testing the app on a wider pool of devices to make sure it is compatible with them. In case you find it tricky to cover that larger range of devices, consider prioritizing the most used ones.
Choose Proper Reference Device For Testing
It’s quite difficult for testers to perform app testing on all the devices available and being used in the marketplace. Therefore, it would be the best way to limit the scope of app testing by selecting a possible number of reference devices commonly used by the majority of people based on age and demography.
Employ Modular Code
Using modular code can help you deal with mobile device fragmentation. Using modular code helps you restrict device fragmentation by allowing the app to be broken down into smaller components. The very approach to mobile app development makes it convenient to update certain parts of apps without affecting the entire application.
Provide Clear Documentation
Providing clear documentation makes it easy for developers to understand the way the app works and how to make changes, helping them to keep device fragmentation at bay. It helps to determine the consistency in the application’s design and functionality.
Use Automated Testing
Automated testing enables developers to test the app on a wide variety of devices and operating systems without much time consumption. Employing automated testing enables you to identify compatibility issues that might arise when the mobile app gets updated.
Work With A Tech Partner
It would be worth it to engage with a mobile app development company for mobile app development and proper testing, extinguishing the feasibility of device fragmentation. That’s because when you have an experienced partner working with you on your project, everything gets done the way it should, eliminating device fragmentation.
Signing Off…!
Dealing with device fragmentation is undoubtedly a daunting task, however, following the steps given in this guide would be helpful for you. By following these best practices, you can simply handle mobile device fragmentation, ensuring your applications function seamlessly on different operating systems. It’ll assist you to enhance user satisfaction, thereby increasing retention, and making sure the app succeeds in this immensely competitive mobile app marketplace.