8 Best Tips on How to Improve Android App Performance for Developers

Did you know? There are about 3.553 million mobile apps available in the Google Play Store.

But remember, poor-performing applications have high uninstall rates and low engagement. An app development that helps you create a high-performing application that stands out in the market is all that matters. As users, we all expect a seamless and responsive experience when it comes to app usage.

In this article, we have some tips that will help you improve Android app performance and provide a better user experience.

Top 8 Tips to Developers for Boosting Android App Performance

● Design a Seamless UI with Optimized Layouts

When a user first accesses an application, you must keep the design a priority. You can positively impact your app's performance with a seamless user interface and optimized layout. Complex layouts typically result in slow load times and a sluggish overall experience. Using more straightforward layouts such as ConstraintLayout or RelativeLayout reduces the complexity of the hierarchy, allowing for faster rendering. 

Prefer vector drawables when using images because they scale well and require less memory. Avoid using too many nested views, leading to longer rendering times. The Layout Inspector in Android Studio can help you identify potential issues, such as overdraw, when the system redraws pixels multiple times in a single frame. An app developer reduces these unnecessary elements and creates a visually appealing and functional UI.

● Offload Tasks to Background Threads

Heavy tasks on the main thread can cause an app to freeze or stutter, so move them to background threads. Background threads allow the main thread (in charge of UI rendering) to run continuously, providing users with a seamless experience. While AsyncTask is a simple method for background tasks, Kotlin Coroutines proves to be more powerful and adaptable. 

Coroutines suspend functions without blocking threads, allowing for more efficient handling of long-running tasks. WorkManager is an excellent choice for persistent background tasks like data syncing or file uploading because it manages these processes even after the app is closed. By carefully accessing everything, your app remains responsive even during heavy processing.

● Improve Memory Usage to Prevent Crashes

Efficient memory management is critical to performance. Excessive memory use can cause crashes and poor user experiences, particularly on lower-end devices. Begin by avoiding memory leaks, which occur when an object is no longer required but is not released by the app. 

Memory profiling tools in Android Studio can help you identify and fix these problems. Be mindful of how you handle large files or objects, such as images or bitmaps, as they can consume a lot of memory. To keep memory usage low, load only the essential data required by the user at the time and precisely cached data whenever possible. Careful memory management increases stability and lowers the likelihood of your app crashing.

● Reduce app Size for Faster Downloads and Better Performance

Large app sizes can be a turnoff for users with limited storage or slower connections. When your app takes limited storage, it improves the initial download time and the loading speed. One way to accomplish this is to delete unused resources, such as images or strings, that are no longer needed. 

Furthermore, using ProGuard (or R8) to shrink, optimize, and hide your code can help reduce app size by removing unused code. Users can download, install, and use your app more quickly by keeping it lean.

● Implement Efficient Network Calls

Most apps rely heavily on network calls, but poorly managed calls can degrade the user experience. Reduce the number of network requests and make them as efficient as possible. Caching data is critical, especially for content that stays the same; it reduces the need for multiple network requests. 

Libraries like Retrofit and Volley handle network calls efficiently, making caching and managing large requests easier. Another important consideration is to batch more minor requests rather than send them individually, which reduces server load and improves user response times. Optimizing network calls increases responsiveness, particularly in apps that rely heavily on data retrieval.

● Optimize Database Queries for Faster Data Handling

Apps frequently use databases to store and retrieve data, but slow queries can degrade performance. Keep your queries optimized by using indexes and selecting only the fields you need rather than retrieving all data simultaneously. 

Room, Android's database library, makes database management easier with SQLite and provides valuable tools for managing queries efficiently. Avoid complex, multi-joint queries as they can degrade performance. Regularly review and refine your queries to ensure that your app processes data quickly and efficiently, even as the database grows.

● Use Jetpack Components for Stability and Efficiency

Android's Jetpack components simplify development while improving performance. Components such as ViewModel, LiveData, and Navigation improve app logic, reduce boilerplate code and prevent memory leaks. 

ViewModel, for example, manages UI-related data to withstand configuration changes such as screen rotations, which is critical for a seamless user experience. LiveData enables data to be updated automatically in response to changes, while the Navigation component simplifies navigating between app screens. Using these tools improves the efficiency of your codebase and ensures a stable, performant app.

● Optimize Offline Mode for Enhanced User Experience

A lot of apps have to work offline or with intermittent connectivity. Ensuring that your app can function offline improves the user experience and performance. Caching essential data locally enables users to interact with the app without a network connection. Tools like Room and SharedPreferences can help you manage your local data storage. 

Furthermore, it is beneficial to implement data syncing strategies that trigger when the network becomes available again, ensuring that updates are automatically pushed when a connection is restored. Providing a dependable offline experience demonstrates consideration for users with limited or unstable connectivity and strengthens your app.

End Note

Optimizing an Android app's performance involves attention to visible and invisible aspects, including layout designs and database management. An Android app development service can help you get a smooth user interface, efficient memory usage, background processing, and offline capabilities.

All the eight tips discussed in the article will help you create an app that is fast, dependable, and ready to meet the demands of today's mobile users. A high-performing app increases user retention and provides a competitive advantage in the crowded app marketplace.