How To Build An App That Connects With Gen Z

Gen Z is the first generation born with the Internet. The way we treated previous generations can not be applied in the same way. As an app development company tasked by brands to connect with Gen Z, we have to adapt our strategies on how to engage with this new generation. Here is a summary of our research into the UX trends, UI trends and apps they currently use.

Most Popular Apps Used By Gen Z

As always, the first step in any research we do is to look at the existing market and what apps Gen Z currently uses. The most popular mobile apps among Gen Z users (aged 18-24) are:

• Snapchat: 73.6%
• Instagram: 72.9%
• TikTok: 63.4%
• YouTube: 60.8%
• Twitter: 33.3%

Source: Statista in August 2021

UX Trends For Gen Z

Next, we did our own little research and a few focus groups to establish what UX trends they enjoy. The results were outstanding:

• ?? Personalisation: Personalisation is huge. Gen Z users are more likely to engage with an app that feels tailored to their needs and interests. Salesforce found that 76% of consumers expect companies to understand their needs and expectations.

• ?? Minimalism: Minimalism is an interesting one considering you could argue Snapchat and TikTok aren’t very minimalistic, but it can help to reduce cognitive load and make it easier for users to navigate an app. For any app that’s created, we should consider using a simple, uncluttered design with clear, easy-to-understand icons and navigation. HubSpot found 76% of users said that the most important factor in an app’s design is ease of use.

• ?? Gamification: Gamification is my favourite trend, and it’s super effective in driving user engagement and retention. Badgeville who found gamification can increase user engagement by up to 60%.

• ??Voice User Interface (VUI): With the rise of smart speakers and voice assistants, voice user interface (VUI) is becoming an increasingly popular trend in UX design. PwC found that 71% of people would rather use a voice assistant than physically typing in a search query.

UI Trends For Gen Z

Next, the looks. What aesthetics do Gen Z want from apps?

• ?? Dark Mode: Dark mode is super cool and popular, especially among younger generations. Statista found that 62% of US respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 preferred using dark mode on their devices. Dark mode can also reduce eye strain and save battery life on mobile devices but the latter isn’t so important with iPhone 14 and the latest Android devices having a great battery life.

• ?? Micro-Interactions: Micro-interactions are small, subtle animations, haptics or visual cues that provide feedback to users and make the app feel more responsive and interactive. This is genuinely one of my favourite things and it’s something we do in nearly all of the apps that we create. When you use your favourite apps, you most probably won’t realise them, but when you actively look out for them, you’ll notice them. Look out for small vibrations in an app that you use on your device. Such little effort but they make a huge impact. According to a study by UXPin, micro-interactions can increase user engagement and create a more memorable user experience.

• ?? Vibrant Colors: Using vibrant, bold colors can help to grab user attention and create a fun, playful vibe. A WebFX study found that colors can increase brand recognition by up to 80%. Additionally, using contrasting colors can make the app more accessible to users with color vision deficiencies.

So in summary, what does Gen Z want from an app?

Gen Z users expect a seamless and personalised mobile app experience. Accenture found that 60% of Gen Z respondents said that they expect real-time, personalised recommendations from apps, and 52% said that they expect apps to anticipate their needs before they express them.?

Gen Z users also prioritise apps that are easy to use and navigate. Google found that 70% of Gen Z respondents reported that they value app experiences that are easy to use and navigate.

In summary, Gen Z users want mobile apps that offer personalised recommendations, and anticipate their needs. These expectations are reflected in the design and functionality of popular apps among Gen Z, such as Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok, which offer personalised content, social and interactive features, and intuitive navigation.

I hope you enjoyed this article! If you're looking to build an app that connects with Gen Z for your brand, book a free meeting with a member of our team to get started here: https://digiruu.com/get-started

Aman Birdi is the founder of Digiruu, an award-winning mobile app development company with +10 years of experience in designing and developing apps for startups and businesses across multiple industries with the aim of generating results.