Researchers looked at 16 studies about how smartphone apps help people make better health choices and stick with them. These apps use special techniques—like reminders, tracking progress, and setting goals—to encourage people to exercise more, eat better, and manage diseases like diabetes. The good news? Every study found that these techniques worked. However, scientists need to do more research to figure out which specific techniques work best and why some apps use many techniques while others use just a few.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether special techniques built into health apps actually help people change their habits and stick with healthy behaviors
  • Who participated: This review looked at 16 different research studies that tested health apps. The original studies included various groups of people trying to improve their health through apps
  • Key finding: All 16 studies showed that behavior-change techniques in apps worked—people did follow through with healthier habits. However, apps used anywhere from 1 to 53 different techniques, with no clear pattern about which ones work best
  • What it means for you: Health apps can help you stick to your health goals, but we still need better research to know which features matter most. If you use a health app, look for ones with clear reminders, progress tracking, and goal-setting features

The Research Details

Scientists searched five major medical research databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) for all studies published through May 2025 that tested behavior-change techniques in health apps. They started with over 8,000 articles and carefully selected 16 that directly studied how apps help people change their health habits.

The researchers focused on apps available in the Apple App Store or Google Play that were tested with real people. Most of the apps studied helped people with ongoing health conditions manage their diseases or encouraged lifestyle changes like exercising and eating better. The scientists used a standard framework called the Behavior Change Wheel to organize and understand the different techniques used in these apps.

This approach is important because health apps are everywhere, but we don’t always know which features actually work. By looking at all the research together, scientists can spot patterns about what makes apps successful. This helps app developers create better tools and helps people choose apps that will actually help them reach their health goals.

This is a systematic review, which is a strong type of research that looks at many studies together. However, the review found only 16 relevant studies, which is a small number. The studies used different methods and measured different outcomes, making it hard to compare them directly. The researchers noted that most studies didn’t explain why they chose their specific techniques, which makes it unclear what works best.

What the Results Show

Every single study reviewed reported that behavior-change techniques in apps were effective. This is encouraging news—it means apps with these features do help people change their habits.

However, there was huge variation in how many techniques each app used. Some apps had just one technique, while others packed in 53 different features. This wide range suggests that researchers aren’t sure which techniques are most important or whether more techniques are always better.

Most of the apps studied (about two-thirds) focused on helping people manage long-term health conditions or make lifestyle changes involving diet and exercise. About 62% of the studies tested apps that were actually available in app stores, making them real-world tools people could use.

The studies used a quality-checking tool called MARS (Mobile Application Rating Scale) to evaluate how well-designed the apps were, which helped ensure the apps being tested were actually good quality.

The research found that apps focusing on maintenance (helping people stick with changes over time) and lifestyle modification were most common in the studies. This suggests these are areas where app developers think behavior-change techniques are most helpful. The fact that researchers could find apps in major app stores shows that health apps with these techniques are becoming mainstream.

This review adds to growing evidence that technology can help people change health behaviors. Previous research has shown that reminders and tracking work, but this review confirms that multiple techniques together also work. However, the field still lacks clear guidance on which specific combinations of techniques are most powerful, which is a gap in our knowledge.

The biggest limitation is that only 16 studies met the criteria—this is a small number for drawing strong conclusions. The studies used different methods and measured success differently, making direct comparisons difficult. Most importantly, the researchers couldn’t figure out why app developers chose their specific techniques or whether some techniques are more important than others. The review also couldn’t determine if more techniques are better or if a few well-chosen ones work just as well.

The Bottom Line

If you’re using a health app to change your habits, look for apps that include: clear reminders to take action, ways to track your progress, and goal-setting features. These appear in successful apps. Confidence level: Moderate—all studies showed these work, but we need more research to know which combinations are best. Work with your doctor or health provider to choose an app that fits your specific health needs.

Anyone managing a chronic disease (like diabetes or heart disease), people trying to exercise more or eat healthier, and anyone interested in using technology to improve their health should pay attention to these findings. This is especially relevant if you’re already using or considering using a health app. However, these findings don’t replace talking to your doctor about your health goals.

Based on the studies reviewed, people typically saw results within weeks to months of using the apps consistently. However, the real benefit comes from using the app long-term—the apps were most helpful for maintaining healthy changes over time, not just making quick changes.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track which app features you actually use daily (reminders, progress charts, goal updates) and rate how helpful each feels weekly. This helps you understand which techniques work best for your personal behavior change
  • Start by enabling push notifications and setting up one specific goal in your health app. Use the app’s tracking feature daily for two weeks, then assess whether you’re actually changing the target behavior. Add more features only if the first one is working
  • Check your app usage weekly and compare it to your actual health behavior changes. Keep a simple log of what you did (exercised, ate healthy meals) versus what the app reminded you to do. This shows you whether the app’s techniques are actually driving your behavior change

This review summarizes research about health apps and behavior-change techniques, but it is not medical advice. Health apps are tools to support your health goals, not replacements for medical care. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before starting any new health program or relying on an app to manage a medical condition. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. This research is current as of May 2025, and new studies may provide additional insights.