What are the best practices for designing mobile apps in low connectivity areas?

Offline-First Design: Build the app to function without internet, using local storage for data and syncing when online. Local Storage and Caching: Implement local databases and caching to minimize dependence on real-time connectivity. Efficient Data Synchronization: Create a system to sync data between the app and server once connectivity is restored, handling conflicts effectively. Responsive to Network Changes: Ensure the app gracefully handles changes in network status, keeping the user informed. Optimized Data Transactions: Reduce data size for transmissions and focus on essential data to improve sync efficiency.

You should also think of periodic data fetch / upload strategy in background and update the local cache. Timely checks & updates would assure that content look fresh on the next app open in case of network issues.

Compress responses, use cached data wisely, and utilize small images to minimize data usage for your app. This will reduce the amount of data needed to use your app. Don't expect your users to always have a stable connection. If connections fail, provide feedback to users. Put requests in a queue to try again later if needed. Allow basic functions without a connection. Where possible, enable features to work offline. Use local storage, let users read cached content, and queue actions to sync later. Only load non-critical content when needed. Prioritize loading important content first. The key is to build your app to perform well even with limited network connectivity, while optimizing the experience when users have robust connectivity.

Compression: Reduce file sizes without quality loss using tools like JPEG or PNG compression. Resizing: Match image sizes to display dimensions, e.g., smaller thumbnails and larger images for zoom. Format Conversion: Use efficient formats (e.g., WebP) for better compression. Minimize Assets: Cut down on assets and sizes to speed up load times. Lazy Loading: Load assets when needed, like images as users scroll down a webpage. Progressive Loading: Start with low-res previews and load higher quality for better slow network experiences. Adaptive Loading: Adjust asset quality based on network and device, e.g., high-res for large screens, low-res for slower connections.

Combine small images into a single sprite sheet (Image Sprites) to reduce server requests. Implement caching to store frequently used images locally, minimizing repeated downloads. Use Content Delivery Networks (CDN) to distribute assets globally, ensuring faster loading. Leverage browser caching headers to store assets on users' devices, reducing re-downloads. Group similar assets (Asset Bundling) to minimize HTTP requests and optimize loading. Use libraries like "lazysizes" or "Intersection Observer" for efficient lazy loading. Replace bitmap images with scalable SVGs (Scalable Vector Graphics) where applicable. Preload critical assets during idle time (Preloading) for swift access, enhancing overall user experience.

GraphQL: Consider using GraphQL for more efficient and flexible data fetching, enabling clients to request only the specific data needed. Resource Prioritization: Prioritize critical resources to ensure essential content is loaded first, improving the perceived speed of your app. Adaptive Loading: Adjust the amount of data fetched based on the user's device capabilities and network conditions, providing an optimized experience for varying scenarios. Prefetching: Anticipate user actions and prefetch relevant data, reducing latency and ensuring a smoother user experience. Content Delivery Optimization: Explore techniques like lazy loading for images and content, delivering assets on-demand to reduce initial load times.

Efficient Formats: Use compact data formats like JSON or protobuf to minimize data payload size. Avoid Redundancy: Don't send unnecessary or redundant data to reduce unnecessary network traffic. Batching: Group multiple data requests together to minimize the number of network calls. Throttling: Limit the rate of outgoing requests to avoid overwhelming the server and conserve bandwidth. Debouncing: Delay or cancel data requests to prevent frequent, unnecessary calls, especially in scenarios like search suggestions.

Indicators: Use clear and intuitive network status indicators (e.g., signal bars, Wi-Fi icons) to inform users about their connectivity status. Messages and Notifications: Provide informative messages and notifications for data sync progress, errors, and retries. Ensure these messages are concise and actionable. Placeholders and Skeletons: Use placeholders or skeleton screens to show users that content is loading. These visual cues reassure users that the app is working, reducing frustration. Spinners: Implement loading spinners or progress indicators to visually represent ongoing processes, giving users a sense of progress.

An often overlooked feature on iOS is the network conditioner, a tool that has been around for quite some time. Initially just a script in the xCode tools, it has now become seamlessly integrated into the developer settings. This allows you to simulate a rural area experience effortlessly, even when you're located in the heart of the city! Ps. For macOS, it's a a preferences panel plugin that you can find in the xCode additional tools.