Given the relative quickness by which users decided which app to install and which not
and the very limited number of cues that were considered for this decision, we argue that
on a theoretical level adopting a heuristic-based decision-making perspective on app
selection processes provides a viable theoretical explanation. Our study found by combining
observational data with self-report that smartphone users heavily rely on rather
simple heuristics when downloading and installing specific apps. What decision-making
strategy they chose seems to depend on personal but more importantly app-specific characteristics.
We might label the app selection process as an ecologically rational decision making
process focusing only on few cues. Future research is advised to investigate the
interplay between app characteristics and personal traits for app selection more thoroughly
and follow up on our characterizations of different heuristic modes found in the
selection of smartphone apps.