What are the best ways to measure your mobile app's loading speed and performance?

Loading speed is vital for user experience and retention in mobile apps. Google's research shows 53% of mobile users abandon sites if loading exceeds 3 seconds—this is equally true for apps. Speed reflects value and respect for the user's time. A fast app decreases bounce rates, extends session times, and boosts loyalty. With users a tap away from alternatives, performance is key to retention. In essence, app speed is not a mere technical metric; it's central to user satisfaction and business success.

Measuring mobile app performance goes beyond launch speed. • Track key metrics like responsiveness, stability, and resource usage using tools like Firebase Performance Monitoring. • Prioritize user experience and set clear goals to optimize app performance for a smoother ride.

There is some nuance in this question. It is somewhat easier to measure loading time in between monitored events (e.g., user taps A...... then taps B) where networking time / lag in API response can be omitted. In some cases, you do and do NOT want to include such lag in your measurements. I had a greater challenge with measuring loading speed of mobile app initialization from the moment the app is opened, to the time the UX is ready for the user to log in. Between the OS, networking, application logs, and established monitoring, it was hard to get reliable data on how long it took for, "the app to open". Even harder from a realtime monitoring perspective. A very raw approach was to record videos and measure timestamps from each frame.

As product managers, we often juggle a myriad of data points to gauge our app’s performance. However, it is important to communicate this information effectively to our diverse stakeholders. Each audience has unique needs and perspectives. Take developers, for instance. They thrive on the technical details - app launch time, crash reports, and performance bottlenecks. My approach here is to dive into the specifics, using metrics that directly impact their work. On the flip side, while presenting to executives, the focus shifts. It is important to translate the technicalities into strategic insights, linking app performance to business outcomes like market penetration and revenue growth.

Remember, an app's loading speed isn't just about technical metrics; it's a crucial part of user experience. Imagine an app that feels like stepping into a seamlessly flowing conversation. That's the magic of a well-optimized, responsive app – it becomes an integral part of users' lives. Always strive for that seamless connection. I use two popular grocery delivery apps: 1) Images sometimes load slow, interscreen transition is annoying, useless pop ups & selections make the flow irritating. 2) Easy, intuitive and seamless flow. You can figure out where I am spending my money mostly!

Some things to consider in trying to optimize or troubleshoot. Beware if these are impacting any time measurements: 1.) Backgrounding <> foregrounding vs a cold initialization. 2.) Are there security services in background forcing the networking to jump from WiFi to carrier in order to request telephony data? 3.) Any kind of caches that could get overloaded and cause the execution to be restarted, delayed, or fail. This can also lead to data anomalies and null data.

When considering app performance, remember to embed it into your product roadmap. Even successful apps face loading and speed challenges as they scale. Take a popular social media app, for example; its user base grew rapidly, but so did the load times, prompting a strategic roadmap update focusing on performance optimization. This move is a testament to the fact that performance isn't a one-off task; it’s an ongoing commitment. As your app evolves, so should your efforts to maintain and enhance its speed, ensuring consistent user satisfaction and engagement.

Performance that wows: Measure, refine, repeat: 1. Nail down the basics by tracking app launch time, responsiveness (scrolls, taps), and network usage on various devices and networks. 2. Gain deeper insights into user behaviour with analytics. Identify slow screens, analyze drop-off points, and measure real-world impact. 3. Don't forget to monitor user sentiment and feedback. Surveys and A/B testing can reveal hidden performance issues and areas for improvement. 4. Set clear performance targets, iterate on optimizations, and track progress. Remember, even small improvements can have a big impact on the user experience. *Bonus Tip: Keep track of vital metrics such as Crash Rate, ANR, Ratings, Reviews, Hot Start and Cold Start.