15 Strategies to Increase Mobile App Engagement

If you’ve ever downloaded an app and then forgotten it, you’re not alone. People uninstall 1 in 2 apps within the first 30 days after download, citing “not in use” as the main reason. There are over 3.6 million apps on Google Play, nearly 600,000 on Amazon, and over 2 million on the App Store. How, then, do you reduce churn and get users to engage with your app at least once or twice a week? 

In this guide, you'll see what makes the most engaging apps stick and how you can implement them as a mobile app marketer. We’ll break down the latest mobile app engagement strategy tactics that retain users and generate revenue. 

What is App User Engagement?

App user engagement measures how much people interact with your app after downloading it. It shows how often users open the app, how long they stay, and how many features they try. This is a more important metric to track than just counting downloads or new users.

This is important because high engagement usually signals your app gives real value or makes daily life easier. If people only open your app once or twice and never return, that’s low engagement, even if your download count looks good. When you measure app engagement, you look at numbers such as:

• Daily active users (DAU)
• App opens
• Session length
• Session intervals
• How many key actions each user takes (behaviour flow)
• Conversion
• Communication
• Retention rate

All of those will directly affect the lifetime revenue per user before they eventually stop using your application.

Why Monitoring and Improving App Engagement Matters?

When you monitor engagement, you quickly spot what works, i.e., features people love, and what pushes users away early or where they get stuck. With this data, you can fix weak spots and double down on what keeps users coming back. Higher retention, better reviews, and more in-app spending are all associated with strong engagement.

Recent data showed that mobile apps lose over 70% of new users within the first week. That means every chance to boost engagement can shape your app’s future. For instance, engaged users are also more likely to recommend your app, buy extra features, and leave positive reviews. More importantly, strong engagement reduces churn, which helps your app survive in a crowded marketplace.

15 Strategies to Increase User Engagement on Mobile Apps

We consider user engagement strategies as a process of creating and nurturing a relationship with app users rather than a single step. The following 15 strategies help businesses design experiences that keep users coming back and make your app sticky:

1. Implement a 3-step onboarding flow
2. Send time-zone optimized push notifications
3. Add progress bars to every multi-step process
4. Create daily login streak rewards
5. Enable one-tap social login
6. Build in-app chat support with 2-minute response time
7. Launch monthly email digest with personalized stats
8. Add friend invite system with dual rewards
9. Display loading screen tips and stats
10. Set up abandonment push notifications
11. Create feature discovery tooltips
12. Implement A/B testing on key conversion points
13. Add haptic feedback to all interactive elements
14. Create time-limited exclusive offers
15. Build achievement system with 50+ unlockables

1. Implement a 3-Step Onboarding Flow

Short, focused onboarding flows yield better results. Research shows 3-step onboarding flows have an 80% completion rate, while longer flows with 5 or more steps drop to 50%. Duolingo is a wonderful example. The app walks new users through three clear steps and uses progress dots (“1 of 3”) to show where they are in the process.

Here’s how to structure a 3-step onboarding:

• Step 1: Show your app’s core value. For a language learning app, this is a simple language selection and a promise to help you learn fast.
• Step 2: Ask for just one preference. For instance, let users pick their learning goal, such as “casual” or “serious.”
• Step 3: Guide users to take the first real action. This could mean starting a practice lesson right away.

Each step should feel quick. Showing progress with “1 of 3” dots helps users know how much is left, reducing drop-off. This approach builds trust and gets users to their first success in seconds.

2. Send Time-Zone Optimized Push Notifications

Push notifications can increase app engagement and they work best when they reach users at the right moment. Notifications sent between 12–2 PM and 5–8 PM in a user’s local time zone get open rates of 7.8%. But there’s a catch; 71% of app uninstalls happen because people get too many or annoying notifications.

The style of notification also matters. Personalized messages like “Your daily goal streak is at risk!” get more attention and action. Generic alerts such as “Check out our app!” usually get ignored or even drive users away.

For the best results, always schedule notifications using the user’s device time, not your server time. Also, get creative with the messaging such that they trigger action and are fun to read. This methodology ensures every message lands at a moment when users are most likely to respond.

3. Add Progress Bars to Every Multi-Step Process

If you're looking for how to increase user engagement on app especially for people with low attention spans, progress bars work. People naturally want to finish what they start. This is known as the Zeigarnik effect; it’s why unfinished tasks stick in our minds. Adding progress bars to app tasks taps into this feeling and encourages users to keep going.

For example, a “Profile 75% Complete” progress bar lets users see how close they are to finishing. Studies show that progress indicators can increase form completion rates by up to 40%.

Add progress bars to any multi-step process in your app. Use them for profile completion, tutorials, checkout steps, and onboarding flows. When users know where they stand, they’re much more likely to reach the finish line.

4. Create Daily Login Streak Rewards

Apps like Snapchat and Duolingo keep users coming back by rewarding daily logins. These streak rewards make logging in feel like a game. For example, you can start with 10 points on day one, then multiply rewards by 1.5x each day, capping at 30 days before resetting.

This simple system works; daily streaks can increase retention by up to three times. But life happens, so to keep users from losing a long streak over one missed day, add a streak freeze feature. This lets users pause their progress for emergencies or busy days.

With the right streak system, users get hooked on coming back and don’t want to break their chain.

5. Enable One-Tap Social Login

Letting users sign up with Google, Apple, or Facebook is a mobile engagement strategy that speeds things up and boosts conversions. Apps with social login see 40% higher sign-up rates than those using only email forms.

Integrate Google, Apple, and Facebook SDKs so users can get from app open to the home screen in under 10 seconds. Social login also fills in user info automatically, so people skip the boring part; no long forms, no extra steps. Making sign-up this easy means fewer users drop off and more jump right in.

6. Build In-App Chat Support with 2-Minute Response Time

Chat support gets results; 90% of users say they’re satisfied with chat help, compared to only 60% for email support. On mobile, people expect fast answers, that’s why aiming for a 2-minute response time is key.

For the best experience, add Intercom or Zendesk as your chat tool. Use chatbot fallback for after-hours so users always get some response. Make sure the chat button floats on every screen, so help is always one tap away.

Fast chat support builds trust, keeps users from leaving, and solves problems before they become complaints.

7. Launch Monthly Email Digest with Personalized Stats

Emails are still very useful and a monthly email digest can lift app open rates by 26%. The best results come when you send them on Monday mornings at 10 AM when users are more likely to check updates and set goals for the week.

Your email should show each user their weekly activity, highlight three features they haven’t tried with links, and track their progress on achievements. For best results, use a subject line like: “[Name], your week in [App]: [Key stat].”

This is important because a well-timed, personal email keeps users curious, motivated, and eager to open your app again.

8. Add Friend Invite System with Dual Rewards

Just like emails, referral rewards may be old but they're gold because they still work and can turn customers into marketers. Dropbox grew by 3,900% in just 15 months by rewarding both the inviter and the friend. Offer something like 100 credits or 7 days of premium access to both the sender and the new user.

Make each referral code unique and easy to track in your analytics. This way, you know exactly which invites are working. It is also important to show the invite prompt right after a user completes their first big action in your app. This is when excitement is highest.

9. Display Loading Screen Tips and Stats

Nobody likes to wait, but a clever message can make those few seconds fly by and improve app engagement. Adding tips or stats during load screens can reduce perceived wait times by 40%. Whenever your app takes more than two seconds to load, fill that gap with something useful like quick tips or fun stats. Users say the wait feels almost half as long.

For example, messages such as “Pro tip: Shortcuts save time,” “Did you know…?” or even “You’ve saved X hours using this app” can be used. Rotate these so users see something new; aim for 10 or more tips that fit different experience levels. It’s a simple touch, but it can turn dead time into a moment that feels valuable and keeps users in a positive mood. Slack does this extremely well with witty quotes on its loading screen.

10. Set Up Abandonment Push Notifications

A well-timed reminder can bring users back and fast. We’ve found that sending a push notification exactly 24 hours after someone abandons an action can deliver a 60% return rate. Here, a direct message works best:“You left [specific item] in your cart. Tap to complete in 30 seconds.”

Segmentation also matters here. Tailor each reminder to fit what the user left behind or the action they skipped. For big-ticket items, use a more personal touch; for smaller actions, keep it quick and friendly.

11. Create Feature Discovery Tooltips

Users rarely find every feature on their own, so sometimes they need a nudge. The best time to show a new feature is after someone’s fifth app session. That way, you don’t overload new users right away.

Show the tooltip just once, with a clear “Got it” button so users feel in control. If they don’t use the feature after 30 days, show the tip again as a gentle reminder. Always point the arrow straight at the feature you want them to try.

A simple line works: “New! Try [feature] to [benefit].” You can use this template and customize it suit each feature you add.

12. Implement A/B Testing on Key Conversion Points

Small changes can lead to big improvements, but you have to test them as you figure out how to increase users on app. Start by running A/B tests on three areas: your signup button’s color and text, whether to show onboarding skip options, and where you place your main call-to-action (CTA).

To get trustworthy results, each version should reach at least 1,000 users. Always change just one element at a time so you know what made the difference. Tools like Optimizely and Firebase A/B Testing make this process easy. Data, not guesswork, will show you what works best for your users.

13. Add Haptic Feedback to All Interactive Elements

A quick buzz makes every tap feel real in the customer engagement mobile experience. Set the vibration for each tap to 50 milliseconds; this is the industry standard for smooth, satisfying feedback (Apple HIG, Android Dev). Haptic feedback can boost user satisfaction by up to 15%.

Use different patterns for different actions, one for success and another for errors, so users always know what’s happening. But remember, not everyone likes haptics. Always include a toggle in your settings so users can turn it off if they prefer. These small touches make your app feel polished and responsive, but they should always put user comfort first.

14. Create Time-Limited Exclusive Offers

As much as all the above helps keep people interested, you also need to make revenue. To sell without being annoying, short-term deals are an engaging option. Flash sales that last 48 hours and pop up every two weeks can triple your conversion rates.

To make these work, show a clear countdown timer right on your app’s home screen. Send a push notification at 6 PM local time when each offer starts. For example: “50% off premium upgrade” or “Unlock exclusive feature for 48 hours only.”

Urgency, paired with visible timers and well-timed alerts, turns limited offers into powerful motivators that boost both action and sales.

15. Build Achievement System with 50+ Unlockables

Finally, people need a sign of progress, and a simple achievement system gives users a reason to keep coming back. Design your system with at least 50 unlockable badges, split into three tiers: Bronze (easy), Silver (medium), and Gold (hard). Apps with achievement systems see a 40% boost in 30-day retention.

Show progress bars for each badge so users know how close they are. Display earned badges front and center on user profiles; let everyone see what they’ve accomplished.

Mix up your categories. Use badges for usage milestones, trying new features, social sharing, and login streaks. More achievements mean more reasons to stay engaged.

Measuring the Success of Your App User Engagement Campaign

It’s easy to launch new features and hope for the best. But real progress comes from knowing what actually works. If you’re not measuring results, you’re just guessing.

Watch simple numbers like daily users, session length, and which features people use most. Analytics tools such as Mixpanel, Firebase, or Amplitude let you track what’s popular and what needs work. With clear data, you can spot trends, fix problems early, and keep your engagement strategy on track.

Want a full list of the best metrics and tools? Read our step-by-step guide to app engagement metrics.

Conclusion

Keeping users engaged takes real effort and the right strategies. When you build smart features, track what works, and keep improving, your app has a better shot at standing out.

For more ways to boost downloads, raise retention, and build a lasting brand, check out our full guide on mobile app marketing. You’ll find step-by-step advice and expert tips to take your app even further.