Performance is one of the most critical components of an app’s success when considering the influx of mobile applications flooding the market today. Users demand that their apps react instantaneously when a tap is executed, move fluidly when scrolling through menus and, ultimately, work without any flaws on every device used. Even brief delays or errors in the application cause negative ratings, increased uninstalls and steep declines in usage rates within the app.
This is why monitoring performance should be a priority for iOS applications being developed. App developers can discover weak points, capitalize on system resources efficiently, and ultimately provide the greatest possible user experience for their app’s users from their first interaction, by utilizing the appropriate performance monitoring tools and methodologies.
In this article, the various types of performance monitoring tools and methodologies available today are reviewed as well as some of the best practices for improving your app’s overall performance, dependability, and scalability.
Why Performance Monitoring for iOS Applications is Important?
Great performing applications can ultimately lead to success while poorly performing applications can lead to failure. The following are the reasons performance monitoring should be an integral part of developing your iOS app:
1. Enhances User Experience
With all the choices users have today, they want instant and seamless experiences within their apps. Long loading times or sluggish menus lead to unhappy users and lower retention rates.
2. Reduces Errors and Crashing
An array of methods for collecting performance data will assist developers in identifying memory leaks, CPU spikes, and other issues that could potentially affect users before they actually occur.
3. Enhances App Store Rankings
Performance plays a significant role in App Store ranking factors. High crashes or poor responsiveness can negatively affect visibility.
4. Optimizes Resource Usage
Better use of device memory, CPU, and network bandwidth leads to lower battery drain and increased efficiency.
5. Drives Better Conversions and Engagement
Apps that run smoothly build user trust, increase engagement, and improve overall satisfaction.
Apple has provided fantastic built-in capabilities for developers through their Operating System (OS) platform while also enabling third-party development and monitoring support.
Top Tools to Monitor iOS Apps
Below is a list of tools available to developers to assist them with the performance of their apps.
1. Xcode Instruments
Xcode Instruments is Apple’s native performance-monitoring tool and provides the most robust options for developers on the Apple platform. It measures:
- CPU Usage
- Memory Leak
- Battery Usage
- Network Activity
- Animation Timing
- Lag/Dropped Frames
These notifications can be analyzed to isolate performance problems using a visual timeline, with precision.
2. Xcode Organizer
Xcode Organizer is used by developers to maintain:
- Crash Logs from production users
- App Performance Statistics
- Energy Impact Statistics
- Trends Across Devices and iOS Versions
This allows developers to have an understanding of what to look for when monitoring long-term post-release performance.
3. Firebase Performance Monitoring
Firebase from Google provides a comprehensive solution to monitor performance from the timestamp of when an app starts up until it closes. It enables developers to understand:
- Startup Time
- HTTP Response Time
- Device-Specific Performance/Rendering Issues
Additionally, Firebase lets developers track and identify OS-specific problems, smartphone model problems, or user group problems.
4. New Relic Mobile
Due to New Relic Mobile’s comprehensive reporting capabilities, it is highly regarded by Enterprises Developing iOS Apps. Its reporting capabilities include:
- Real-Time Crash Monitoring
- Network Timeline Analysis
- API Performance Monitoring
- User Interaction Performance Analytics
New Relic Mobile is the ideal choice for Developers of High-Scale Applications.
5. Sentry Mobile
Sentry specializes in error tracking and performance monitoring.
It helps identify:
- Slow transactions
- App freezing issues
- High memory usage patterns
Sentry’s alerts help developers fix issues quickly before users notice them.
6. Charles Proxy or Proxyman
These tools focus on network monitoring and allow developers to:
- Inspect HTTP/HTTPS calls
- Diagnose slow or broken APIs
- Analyze payload sizes
For apps heavily dependent on APIs, these tools are indispensable.
Essential Methods to Enhance the Performance of iOS Apps
Building tools are insufficient by themselves. The combination of both will assure the user the longevity of performance success through implementing the proper optimization methods on an ongoing basis.
1. Decrease The Load Time For An Application To Start Up
An immediate load time is expected by users when they open an app; if not, users will rapidly remove the application.
Improving load time may involve:
- Defer large tasks, reduce complexity in storyboards/ UIs, and optimize for initial data being loaded.
- Fast launches will help you make a great first impression with your user.
2. Optimize The Memory Footprint Of An Application
Memory management contributes to a number of crashes to applications.
Developers should be mindful of:
- Not holding on to unused objects; perform regular dump/cache clearances; keep image files as small as possible; and utilize lazy load functionality.
- By successfully managing memory, developers will realize:
- Applications that perform smoothly and are less prone to crashing.
3. Optimize Network Throughput
Network intensive applications often experience performance degradation when operating in an unstable network condition.
Improved performance of network intensive applications can be achieved by following a few key steps:
- Implement Caching
- Background Downloading
- Compress API Response
- Minimize Unneeded Requests
These methods of improved network handling will help provide shorter load times and better overall response times.
4. Improve UI Performance
Inefficient UI creates dropped frames and lag.
To improve the performance of an application’s UI, developers should:
- Use Lightweight Views
- Avoid Complex Layouts
- Reduce Unnecessary Animations
- Move Heavy Jobs To A Background Thread
Providing a stable UI with smooth running animations is vital to providing users with a positive experience.
Best Practices for Long-Term iOS App Performance
iOS App Performance Monitoring and Optimization Strategies to Achieve Top Ranking and Create Valuable User Experiences
- Testing with Actual Devices
- Determine application performance by regularly reviewing logs for unexpected behaviors.
- Employing aides such as Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) with Automation to monitor application performance from within (for example, when the application is updated).
- Track Application Performance Post-Launch.
- Continuously Optimize Assets (Graphics/images and Animations/Graphics).
Performance monitoring should become part of a strategy that continues beyond the initial application release.
In conclusion
Continuous monitoring of iOS application performance and Creating User Value for iOS applications has never been as important as it is today. Whether launching a new iOS application or maintaining a long-standing hidden gem, understanding performance metrics, best practices, and using appropriate monitoring tools, will help you significantly improve your application’s performance, therefore increasing user satisfaction, increasing App Store rankings and visibility.
By taking advantage of application development tools such as: Xcode Instruments, Firebase, Sentry, and New Relic (find out about other monitoring tools) and following application performance best practices in Network Optimization, UI Rendering, Memory Management and Battery Efficiency, you will develop an application that can compete successfully in the current mobile application development marketplace.
A High-Quality Application Will Load Quickly but Only if Your User Trusts and Retains You Over Time.
