When was the last time you installed an app and changed its default settings? Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I changed app settings except when made a change in all apps. I’m not alone either. Most people use apps in default settings.

It bodes well for mobile apps. Because the settings that come by default mean that it appeals to the general user audience. Apps should guide users to the right choices during the installation phase. What do I mean?

Get the Application Ready Quickly

Users should be able to use the application in a short time after downloading the application to their phones. Presenting the onboarding process in the best possible way will already make the app ready. I recommend you to read this article about onboarding.

For example, users in their 20s and 50s can use the application. News apps can be a good example of this. One of the methods I like very much in news applications is that it allows you to choose the font size during the onboarding process. Thus, people with eye health problems can adjust their settings at the beginning of the app.

Requesting Information from the User

I mentioned that it is necessary to ensure that users use the app as quickly as possible. The first thing that prevents this is the permissions for the app to work. But while doing this, it is necessary not to tire the user as much as possible. Users don’t know better than you what they want and how to give permission.

Get the necessary information from the system for the app to work. For example, if the app needs location, don’t manually ask the user for location. Ask permission for the phone’s location service. Of course, you always have an open door for manual input if the user denies this permission.

Keep User in App

The default Settings app is a location where you can set general settings for each app. However, it is a bit more tiring to find a specific setting for a single app in the default Settings app. In particular, take care to include the important settings directly in the application. It’s much more convenient to apply settings directly from within your app. It is not user-friendly to direct the user to different places instead of making a setting from one place.

Although users generally prefer the default settings, when there is a setting they want to change, they should find it in the application. If they can’t find it, they have to leave the app to go to the phone’s default Settings app.

Another use is to provide a redirect to the relevant section of the default settings from within the app. I use this very often on Instagram. My location services are turned off on Instagram, but when I want to share a location, the Instagram shows a warning and directs it to the location settings of the default Settings app.