Tricks

133+ tactics to boost your app growth and UX. Each trick includes real-world examples from top apps.

Upgrading

Adding a loading screen to make users feel like they have a personalized experience

7 examples

Acquisition

Using user feedback to maximize App Store ratings

7 examples

User experience

Using in-app notifications to drive the adoption of new features & content

7 examples

Upgrading

Leveraging social proof on the paywall to drive subscriptions

7 examples

User experience

Showcasing employees to create a closer relationship with users

6 examples

User experience

Using in-app notifications to present recent changes made in the app

6 examples

Upgrading

Using auto-promotions & CTAs to create frustration and drive subscription

6 examples

Onboarding

Displaying your value proposition through a swipeable carousel in the onboarding

6 examples

Retention

Sending daily notifications to create a routine and boost retention

6 examples

User experience

Showing the value to maximize authorizations opt-in among users

6 examples

Activation

Pushing event-based activation campaigns

5 examples

Onboarding

Helping users unlock the value of the app by suggesting relevant topics

5 examples

Upgrading

Designing a whole app section dedicated to upgrading

5 examples

User experience

Using push notifications to announce new features

4 examples

User experience

Using auto-promotions to drive product adoption

4 examples

Onboarding

Starting the onboarding with a paywall

4 examples

Retention

Locking features temporarily to hook users in their early usage of the app

4 examples

Acquisition

Letting users customize the app icon to generate delight and drive viral acquisition

4 examples

User experience

Creating a leaderboard to drive user engagement

4 examples

Upgrading

Using push notifications to create frustration and drive subscription

4 examples

User experience

Giving prompts to users to start creating content on the app

4 examples

User experience

Offering daily rewards to create a routine and boost retention

4 examples

Onboarding

Removing sign-up from onboarding to push it purposefully to users

4 examples

Upgrading

Using the paywall layout to nudge users towards most valuable plans

4 examples

Upgrading

Pushing limited time offers to create FOMO and boost paying subscriptions

4 examples

Acquisition

Insisting on expected users involvement in the app to grow downloads

3 examples

Upgrading

Showing the value of the premium plan with quantitative arguments

3 examples

Upgrading

Offering pro users to customize the app's icon

3 examples

Acquisition

Using Tinder as an acquisition channel

3 examples

User experience

Designing strong product update activation flows

3 examples

Upgrading

Displaying sticky CTAs in the app header to promote special offers

3 examples

User experience

Pushing purposeful opt-ins to users

3 examples

Onboarding

Using the core product as an onboarding support

3 examples

Onboarding

Showing an example of notification on the "allow notifications" screen

3 examples

Retention

Using discounts as a churn prevention mechanism

3 examples

Upgrading

Bringing transparency to users throughout the onboarding

3 examples

Upgrading

Using the in-app messaging to send discounts and optimize monetization

3 examples

User experience

Driving usage by showing the number of users currently using the app

3 examples

Retention

Displaying "coming soon" features to pre-empt users' frustration and grow retention

2 examples

User experience

Designing a minimalist home screen to drive app usage

2 examples

Upgrading

Offering a steep discount at key moments in the customer journey

2 examples

Onboarding

Giving users access to the core feature of the app right after the onboarding

2 examples

Activation

Sending push notifications based on in-app events

2 examples

Activation

Telling users when friends/contacts use the app

2 examples

Retention

Implementing a loyalty program to drive repeat purchase and higher engagement

2 examples

Upgrading

Adding a family plan to increase your average order value

2 examples

Upgrading

Setting goals for the user that he will reach faster by subscribing

2 examples

Upgrading

Using auto-promotions to grow free trial conversion

2 examples

User experience

Giving users more flexibility with notification management, beyond opt-in vs. opt-out

2 examples

Upgrading

Designing several paywalls to convert users based on their main frustration

2 examples

Onboarding

Using the daily reminder feature as a notification opt-in

2 examples

Onboarding

Maximizing conversion during onboarding by asking for a double opt-out

2 examples

User experience

Using the in-app messaging as a product tutorial

2 examples

User experience

Using the story format to gamify the user experience

2 examples

Onboarding

Adding a step into the onboarding to capture data on user attribution

2 examples

Onboarding

Using the swipe to gamify the onboarding in a non-dating app

2 examples

Acquisition

Pushing users to share content from your app on social media

2 examples

Upgrading

Creating a special relationship with users with a "Pay what you think is fair" subscription

2 examples

User experience

Offering templates to users to reduce the friction to use the app

2 examples

Upgrading

Avoiding free trials

2 examples

User experience

Asking for a product feedback when the user takes a screenshot in the app

2 examples

User experience

Collaborating with relevant, famous people to showcase new features

2 examples

Upgrading

Retargeting users who just downloaded the app with a browser-based subscription flow

2 examples

Onboarding

Creating a relationship with users with fun UX wording

2 examples

Acquisition

Leveraging social proof within app ads to boost acquisition

2 examples

Onboarding

Showing the value of signing up to maximize user account creations

2 examples

Onboarding

Leveraging social proof to drive adoption during the onboarding

2 examples

Acquisition

Pointing out price differentiation within ads to grow app downloads

2 examples

Retention

Making promo codes public to grow loyalty and long term retention

1 example

Upgrading

Using in-app notifications to drive free trial conversion

1 example

User experience

Using auto-promotions to test users' interest for new features

1 example

User experience

Asking users to rate recommendations to improve long-term experience and retention

1 example

User experience

Embedding user feedback within push notifications

1 example

User experience

Locking access to features & content to push app updates

1 example

Retention

Reminding users about limited-time discounts to drive retention and monetization

1 example

Retention

Using push notifications to let users know about in-app changes

1 example

Activation

Notifying users when they recover full access to free features

1 example

Upgrading

Delaying the display of return buttons on the paywall

1 example

Upgrading

Using push notifications to drive subscription outside of the app paywall

1 example

Acquisition

Giving users in-app incentives to invite their friends on the app

1 example

Acquisition

Setting-up referral challenges to drive user acquisition

1 example

Acquisition

Showing the impact of the app to grow installs

1 example

Acquisition

Using sponsored ads to grow app downloads

1 example

User experience

Using empty spaces to make users aware of new features

1 example

Upgrading

Designing several subscription plans based on personas

1 example

Retention

Offering seamless in-app discounts to build loyalty

1 example

Retention

Creating in-app events to engage users and grow retention

1 example

User experience

Using Easter eggs to reinforce the relationship with users

1 example

User experience

Explaining why you advertise to reduce users' friction with ads

1 example

User experience

Teasing new features before the release

1 example

Retention

Using "Claim Now Use Later" discounts to drive retention

1 example

Onboarding

Using the onboarding to learn more about your users

1 example

Onboarding

Leveraging social proof to grow notification opt-ins

1 example

Retention

Sending personalized push notifications based on recent activity in the app

1 example

Onboarding

Maximizing onboarding completion with reassuring UX wording

1 example

Retention

Celebrate users' milestones to build loyalty and retention

1 example

Acquisition

Partnering with other apps to drive user acquisition

1 example

Retention

Using daily reminders to get inactive users back on the app

1 example

Acquisition

Pushing users to share their achievements on social media

1 example

User experience

Creating a relationship with users with personalized reports about app usage

1 example

Upgrading

Designing a demo mode to show the value of premium features

1 example

Acquisition

Unlocking in-app content in exchange of sharing the app to your friends

1 example

Onboarding

Reassuring users about privacy management with a GDPR logo during the onboarding

1 example

Acquisition

Displaying a permanent referral CTA on the home section to create organic acquisition

1 example

Upgrading

Driving retention with slight frustration when leaving the app

1 example

Upgrading

Designing feature-based subscription workflows

1 example

Upgrading

Sending push notifications to grow free trials in the first days

1 example

Onboarding

Nudging users to make their own onboarding simpler for them

1 example

Upgrading

Using in-app notifications to create frustration and drive subscription

1 example

Onboarding

Using a breadcrumb trail to maximise onboarding conversion

1 example

Upgrading

Pushing a free trial instead of subscription

1 example

Acquisition

Showcasing core users to create a core relationship with users

1 example

User experience

Driving usage and retention with FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)

1 example

Upgrading

Giving a free access to paying features for a limited time

1 example

Upgrading

Offering your users the possibility to invest in your company

1 example

Onboarding

Unbundling opt-in screens from the onboarding to maximize acceptance

1 example

Onboarding

Unbundling the onboarding to prevent user fatigue and drive product adoption

1 example

Upgrading

Give 1% of the subscription back to an NGO as an incentive to subscribe

1 example

Upgrading

Highlighting the value of the premium plan in the settings section of the app

1 example

Onboarding

Offering sign-up with Apple only to minimise onboarding length

1 example

User experience

Creating a safe relationship with users by making them sign a charter with the app

1 example

User experience

Displaying a notification opt-in on the app homepage

1 example

User experience

Using auto-promotions to remind your values and foster user loyalty

1 example

Onboarding

Introducing premium features in the onboarding to trigger latter subscriptions

1 example

Upgrading

Driving paying subscriptions with exclusive wording

1 example

Onboarding

Rewarding users on the first screen of the onboarding

1 example

Upgrading

Using ads to guide users towards browser-based subscription paths

1 example

Upgrading

Pushing two paywalls in the onboarding to increase subscriptions

1 example

Tricks

Pushing discounts through social media with a browser-based subscription flow

Giving users financial incentives to invite their friends on the app

Pushing event-based discounts

Personalizing app UI to create a closer relationship with users

Driving app adoption with product tutorials

Adding a loading screen to make users feel like they have a personalized experience

Using user feedback to maximize App Store ratings

Using in-app notifications to drive the adoption of new features & content

Leveraging social proof on the paywall to drive subscriptions

Showcasing employees to create a closer relationship with users

Using in-app notifications to present recent changes made in the app

Using auto-promotions & CTAs to create frustration and drive subscription

Displaying your value proposition through a swipeable carousel in the onboarding

Sending daily notifications to create a routine and boost retention

Showing the value to maximize authorizations opt-in among users

Pushing event-based activation campaigns

Helping users unlock the value of the app by suggesting relevant topics

Designing a whole app section dedicated to upgrading

Using push notifications to announce new features

Using auto-promotions to drive product adoption

Starting the onboarding with a paywall

Locking features temporarily to hook users in their early usage of the app

Letting users customize the app icon to generate delight and drive viral acquisition

Creating a leaderboard to drive user engagement

Using push notifications to create frustration and drive subscription

Giving prompts to users to start creating content on the app

Offering daily rewards to create a routine and boost retention

Removing sign-up from onboarding to push it purposefully to users

Using the paywall layout to nudge users towards most valuable plans

Pushing limited time offers to create FOMO and boost paying subscriptions

Insisting on expected users involvement in the app to grow downloads

Showing the value of the premium plan with quantitative arguments

Offering pro users to customize the app's icon

Using Tinder as an acquisition channel

Designing strong product update activation flows

Displaying sticky CTAs in the app header to promote special offers

Pushing purposeful opt-ins to users

Using the core product as an onboarding support

Showing an example of notification on the "allow notifications" screen

Using discounts as a churn prevention mechanism

Bringing transparency to users throughout the onboarding

Using the in-app messaging to send discounts and optimize monetization

Driving usage by showing the number of users currently using the app

Displaying "coming soon" features to pre-empt users' frustration and grow retention

Designing a minimalist home screen to drive app usage

Offering a steep discount at key moments in the customer journey

Giving users access to the core feature of the app right after the onboarding

Sending push notifications based on in-app events

Telling users when friends/contacts use the app

Implementing a loyalty program to drive repeat purchase and higher engagement

Adding a family plan to increase your average order value

Setting goals for the user that he will reach faster by subscribing

Using auto-promotions to grow free trial conversion

Giving users more flexibility with notification management, beyond opt-in vs. opt-out

Designing several paywalls to convert users based on their main frustration

Using the daily reminder feature as a notification opt-in

Maximizing conversion during onboarding by asking for a double opt-out

Using the in-app messaging as a product tutorial

Using the story format to gamify the user experience

Adding a step into the onboarding to capture data on user attribution

Using the swipe to gamify the onboarding in a non-dating app

Pushing users to share content from your app on social media

Creating a special relationship with users with a "Pay what you think is fair" subscription

Offering templates to users to reduce the friction to use the app

Avoiding free trials

Asking for a product feedback when the user takes a screenshot in the app

Collaborating with relevant, famous people to showcase new features

Retargeting users who just downloaded the app with a browser-based subscription flow

Creating a relationship with users with fun UX wording

Leveraging social proof within app ads to boost acquisition

Showing the value of signing up to maximize user account creations

Leveraging social proof to drive adoption during the onboarding

Pointing out price differentiation within ads to grow app downloads

Making promo codes public to grow loyalty and long term retention

Using in-app notifications to drive free trial conversion

Using auto-promotions to test users' interest for new features

Asking users to rate recommendations to improve long-term experience and retention

Embedding user feedback within push notifications

Locking access to features & content to push app updates