According to recently released data, Android dominated the worldwide mobile operating system market, in the first quarter of 2015, with a whopping share of 78%. The massive popularity and market share of Google’s operating system create opportunity for app developers to accomplish higher number of app downloads and earn more ad revenue. But each Android app developer must focus on several factors to create a popular and profitable app. In addition to creating a new app with out-of-box features, the developer need to ensure that it performs flawlessly across a wide range Android devices. At the same time, the Android programmer must identify and avoid a number of common mistakes to build a high quality mobile application, along with reducing the time to market.

11 Common Mistakes Made by Android App Developers

1 – Not Checking the App’s Look and Feel across Many Devices
Unlike iOS and Windows Phone, Android is open source. So it is used widely by mobile device manufacturers across the world. But often developers forget the simple fact that Android runs a wide range of devices of varying shape and size. To deliver richer user experience, the app must run smoothly on each smartphone, tablet or phablet. That is why; while designing the app, the developers must not focus on specific devices or screen sizes. They must make the app flexible enough to work with a wide variety of devices. Also, they need to test the application’s look, feel and performance across many devices to make it flawless.

2 – Blocking the Main Thread
The primary objective of the main thread is to keep the user interface (UI) responsive. So often the Android app stops responding if the main thread is blocked. But programmers often forget to prevent the main thread from getting unblocked by using worker or background threads. The background threads can also be used for accomplishing a variety of tasks including image processing, bitmap loading, database querying, network calling, and reading information from SD card.

3 – Not Using Fragment
The recent versions of Android allow programmers to use fragment. Along with existing inside an activity, fragment also has its own lifecycle. The programmers can take advantage of fragment to customize the app for different screen sizes without launching new activities for each screen size. But many programmers forget to use fragment, and make the app consume additional memory by launching a new activity for each screen size.

4 – Not Using Intent
As one of the major components of Android, intent facilitate transmission of data between different parts of a single app, and different apps installed on the same device. The developers can use intent to accomplish a variety of tasks including taking pictures, recording videos, sharing content and adding events. But many developers ignore the key component of Android, and end up writing longer lines of code to accomplish these tasks.

5 – Using Too Many High Resolution Graphics
It is a common practice among Android developers to boost the application’s visual appeal by using high resolution images and graphics. Some developers even use too many graphics to impress end users. But the excessive high resolution images and graphics will make the app consume more memory. Also, the lower-end mobile devices lack adequate RAM to access these images and graphics quickly. The programmers must focus on the size and shape of the images to prevent the app from being slow and resource-hungry.

6 – Not Keeping End Users in Mind
The user experience will have a direct impact on the Android application’s popularity and profitability. But often programmers focus on the app’s features and functionality, and ignore the end users. To create a successful mobile app, each programmer must know the targeted users, their needs and expectations, the way they access and interact with the app, and how the application will help them. The understanding will make it easier for developers to pursue the original app idea and make it a reality.

7 – Imitating popular iOS Apps
Apple’s operating system provides better monetization options for apps than Android. So many apps first appear in the Apple App Store before being available in Google Play Store. Many developers try to imitate the iOS apps blindly to get higher returns. But each programmer must understand that to be profitable in the longer run each app must offer personalized and distinct user experience. So he needs to focus on adding out-of-box features to the app, and make it deliver richer user experience without looking like a clone of the popular iOS application.

8 – Importing UI Elements from Other Platforms
The mobile app development tools have made it easier for programmers to transfer UI elements from one mobile platform to another. But often programmers forget that the features, look and feel of individual mobile operating systems differ. Unlike other mobile platforms, Android is used by a wide range of devices with varying screen size and features. So it is important for the developers to create UIs according to Android design guidelines prescribed by Google. They also need to assess the UI thoroughly based on different versions of the mobile platform.

9 – Including Too Many Features in a New App
Each end user loves apps that allow them to accomplish specific tasks in a simple and quick way. Many users even avoid apps that are complicated and slow. Often developers add too many features to a new app to impress end users. The excessive features make the app complex, along with affecting its speed and performance. The developers must create simple apps to prevent the users from being confused. After analyzing the initial response of users, they can update the app with new features and advanced functionality.

10 – Ignoring Resource Consumption
The latest version of Android enables users to run their device in low battery mode. Most users still hate apps that consume a large percentage of their batteries. But while developing an Android app, programmers often forget to check the amount of memory consumed by it. They need to ensure that the idle processes are ceased to prevent excess battery consumption. The simple assessment will easily boost the user experience and make the app more popular.

11 – Not Using Commonly Used Icons
Each programmer wants to use all his creativity while designing the Android app’s user interface. But often he forgets the significance of being predictable while designing the UI. Often certain icons are inked in the minds of end users. If the developer creates a custom icon in the UI, many users feel confused. So each developer must use commonly used icons to make the user interface more user-friendly and simpler.

The Android developers have several options to avoid these common mistakes. They can use tools and frameworks to speed up mobile app development, along with reducing common coding errors. It is also important for the developers to avail assistance of the large Android community, along with remaining active on various online discussion forums. Also, the programmers must access and implement standard best practices to create Android apps without committing these common mistakes.