6 Common Errors Android Developers Make

Designing mobile apps is quite different from desktop programming. In desktop programming, developers are certain to assume that users have high-speed Internet, larger screens, electricity, and a keyboard to interact with pages and they keep these things in mind while designing.

This is not so with mobile app development. App developers who are new to the field, especially those with desktop programming experience, often make similar errors when writing apps.

For Android developers, below are some mistakes to avoid when building a mobile app.

1. Not Using Asynchronous Threads in Design

Mobile apps developed should be able to perform many tasks at the same time. Asynchronous threads allow an app to run background actions such as make an API call, while users still perform tasks effectively with the app.

This prevents hang when users are accessing the application and allows them to interact effectively with the app.

2. Developing Apps that Aren't Optimized for Low Bandwidth

Many developers do not consider low-bandwidth users. Data charges are high and mobile devices are yet to attain the speed of LAN connections.

For users with low bandwidth and data charges, images should be designed particularly for mobile devices. Their sizes should be reduced but its quality retained. Also, the number of images on a screen should be limited as low as possible as too many images can slow down the app's performance.

3. Using UI Elements That are Meant for a Mouse and Keyboard

When developing an app for mobile devices, the user interface components should be designed in such a way that users find it easy to access and perform tasks. Items should be large enough for easy view and click as mobile users tap screen with their thumbs and fingers, not a mouse. Text boxes and font sizes should also be larger for easy interaction with the application.

4. Utilizing Too Much Battery Power

Most batteries on sale are usually half their worth; they do not last. App developers should write apps that require minimal battery usage to perform tasks. Unnecessary background processes should be eliminated, as these consume app battery life.

5. Not Utilizing Standard Input Elements

When the iPhone was initially released, most mobile app developers used iPhone standards for the Android interface. iPhone and Android have different input styles. It is a grievous error to create an Android app with iOS features.

Although this was common in previous years, some new app developers also make this error. To prevent this, developers should use Android's Material Design as a guide. It entails examples on how a user interface should appear. Standard input buttons, textbox components, and the dropdown should also be integrated to avoid user confusion.

6. Supporting Older Versions of Android OS

When designing Android apps, it is essential to indicate the minimum version the app supports. It is easier to support newer versions of an Android operating system. Outdated software is usually more complex to code and often lead to bugs. Not testing app on different screens is.

One major reason why apps fail is because of poor testing. Apps are released on Google Play without being checked on different screens leading to too many bugs. It is essential to test an app on various devices such as smartphones and tablets before release to ensure a satisfactory user experience.

Also, the app should be tested with every version it supports, this can be done by a QA tester.