Mobile app development has grown exponentially in the past few years, and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, by 2022, the number of mobile app downloads worldwide is expected to grow by 50%. What does this mean for you? It means you need to keep up with the latest trends to ensure your app stands out from the crowd and meets customer expectations, and that’s what we’re here to help you with today. Here are our top 8 mobile app development trends that you need to watch out for in 2022.

1) Faster release cycles
If there’s one thing we can all agree on about mobile app development, it’s that its pace is increasing. Consumers want what they want, and they want it now—and app developers are generally racing to keep up with (and ultimately lead) those demands.

2) Microservices
Microservices are becoming more and more common with mobile app development, so it’s crucial that you know what they are and how they can benefit your business. These services make up an application that can be broken down into bite-sized pieces. Each small piece of software is designed to have minimal dependencies on other services within a larger architecture, which makes them ideal for use in modern distributed systems.

3) Enterprise apps are using more AI
Enterprise applications have traditionally lagged behind consumer apps in terms of AI integration, but that’s changing. In a recent study by Red Hat, 31% of IT pros polled believe developing enterprise-level artificial intelligence solutions is among their top three priorities for 2018. And, with good reason: AI can boost efficiency and give workers more time and energy for creative work.

4) More secure apps are being developed
Apps are becoming more secure with every update, and users are becoming increasingly aware of how apps can leak their private data. With these security breaches making news headlines almost daily, consumers will demand more robust security features from app developers in upcoming years. This is why there’s such a big focus on strengthening user authentication, encrypting sensitive information and adding multi-factor authentication so that apps can’t be easily exploited by cybercriminals.

5) Building apps with new frameworks and tools
Developing mobile apps with new tools and frameworks will be trendy in 2022. This year, developers experimented a lot with React Native, while Google Flutter gained popularity due to its similarity with React Native. The future belongs to Vue.js and Apollo Framework — they’re lightweight, functional and easy-to-learn tools that will grow fast among mobile app developers over next few years.

6) Chatbots on mobile devices
By 2022, mobile apps will use chatbots to help with customer support and order fulfillment. With app downloads on a steady decline, retailers will turn to chatbots on mobile devices to allow customers 24/7 access and convenience. Additionally, companies will use virtual agents as a means of personalizing their service offerings without making substantial investments into advanced infrastructure or human resources. Chatbots also allow retailers to handle peak demand during high-traffic shopping seasons such as Cyber Monday, Christmas Eve and Black Friday by offering proactive notifications and reminders.

7) Blockchain technology is being used more often
Blockchain technology was initially used as a way to ensure digital transactions, but with more organizations now using it, that is no longer its only application. Blockchain is also being used by developers to create transparency and ensure that data remains unaltered and secure on app users’ devices.

8) Mobile app development costs are decreasing
Not only is mobile app development becoming easier and cheaper every year, but it’s also increasingly accessible to startups and individuals. There are even a few platforms that let you develop Android apps without writing any code at all. Though professional developers will continue to charge more than amateurs, you can expect both sides of that market to drop significantly over time.