In this guide
Onboarding has one job: get a new user to the first moment of value quickly. Everything else in the flow has to justify its place. These are principles, not rules; test them on your own app.
1. Know the first value moment
Name the one thing a user should have done or seen by the end of onboarding (your activation event, see retention in the first seven days). Count the taps and screens between the first launch and that moment. Cut what does not lead there.
2. Keep the flow short
- Show only what the user needs to start. Teach other features in context, when they first matter.
- If you use intro screens, make each one carry one idea and make them skippable.
- Do not explain what the interface already shows.
3. Delay accounts and permissions
Ask for something only when the user can see why.
- Sign-up: if the app works without an account for a first success, let people try it first, then ask when saving or syncing needs one. If an account is truly needed from the start, say why in one line and offer the simplest sign-in options you support.
- Permissions: ask in context, right before the feature that needs it, with a short sentence on the benefit. See when to ask for push permission.
- Questions: each profile question should change what the user sees right away. If it does not, drop it or move it later.
4. Show progress and allow exit
A short progress hint helps in multi-step flows. Provide a way to go back and, where reasonable, to skip. Forcing a long tutorial before use tends to frustrate people; whether it does in your app is a question for a test.
5. Handle the empty state
The screen after onboarding is often empty. Fill it with a clear next step, sample content the user can delete, or a short prompt for the first action.
6. Cover the edge cases
- No network on first launch.
- Permission denied: the app should still work as far as possible and explain how to change the choice later.
- Interrupted flow: returning users should land where they left off.
- Small screens, large text sizes and screen readers.
How to test your onboarding
- Give the app to a few people who have never seen it. Say nothing about the flow.
- Watch, or ask them to record the screen and talk aloud. Note where they hesitate or tap the wrong thing.
- Ask five targeted questions; this list helps: 5 questions for testers about your onboarding.
- Change one thing, test again.
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Related: ASO and launch hub, Push notification permission timing, Writing push notification text.