Factors Influencing Mobile app adoption among older adults: An Explorative Qualitative Study

Research design

This study employed an exploratory qualitative research design to gain an in-depth understanding of older adults' lived experiences and perceptions regarding their adoption of mobile apps. This design was considered appropriate because it allows for the exploration of older adults' perceptions, experiences, barriers, challenges, and factors influencing the actual usage of mobile apps that cannot be adequately captured with other methods, such as quantitative ones. Given the inductive nature of the study, no prior theoretical frameworks were applied before the data collection. However, relevant theories/frameworks will be considered during the interpretation phase to contextualize findings within broader scholarly discourse.

Sampling method

The study employed a purposive sampling method. The participants with smartphones are only included in the study. Initially, the lead researcher explained the study's objectives. Participants who have agreed to and expressed their willingness are only included in the interview. All participants were previously unknown to the interviewer, reducing potential interviewer bias. There are 14 participants aged between 60 and 75. Some participants were members of registered elderly welfare organisations. The older adults who are not part of any elderly welfare organisations were also included.

Data collection

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (Gopal, 2026a). The interviews were conducted in person at the premises of the elderly welfare organisations and other convenient locations as recommended by the participants. Each interview lasted approximately 30 minutes. It focused on participants' awareness of mobile applications, the types of apps they used, their frequency of usage, usefulness, perceived benefits, barriers, challenges, and factors influencing their adoption.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee (No. 214/2020) of Kasturba Medical College and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India (Registration No.: ECR/146/Inst/KA/2013/RR-19). This study is also registered under the Clinical Trials Registry - India (CTRI/2020/09/027977). All participants were well-informed about the study's objectives and expectations during the interview. Additionally, written informed consent was also obtained from the participants. Participants were assured of the confidentiality and anonymity of personal data. They were also informed that participation in this survey was voluntary and that they could withdraw from the study at any time. The data was for this study was collected between 1^st October 2022 and 31^st June 2023.

Data analysis

We conducted in-depth content analysis within a constructivist paradigm (Green & Thorogood, 2018). All structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The two authors independently performed open coding, followed by axial coding, grouping codes into abstract ones. This process resulted in initial concepts. In the next step, the resulting themes and subthemes were discussed and finalized. During this process, all authors were involved. We used the constant comparison technique to compare existing concepts and themes with new data (Green & Thorogood, 2018). The participants' demographic details are analysed using MS Excel.

Participants profile

The study comprised 14 older adults, including nine males (64.3%) and five females (35.7%). In terms of occupation, seven participants were retired (50.0%), three were housewives (21.4%), two were engaged in business (14.3%), and 2 (14.3%) did not specify. Educationally, 7 participants held an undergraduate degree (50.0%), 5 had education below undergraduate level (35.7%), and 2 were postgraduates (14.3%). Regarding marital status, seven were married (50.0%), four were widowers (28.6%), one was a widow (7.1%), and two did not disclose their status (14.3%). Geographically, eight participants resided in urban areas (57.1%), while six were from rural locations (42.9%).

Smart phone usage

First, we asked the participants about their smartphone usage. The responses are coded as follows. Phrases such as "since inception," "since the beginning," and "since the availability of smartphones" were coded as referring to early adopters. Similarly, phrases such as "recently" were coded as "recent adopters." Responses that specify duration (For example, seven years, about five years) are classified as duration-based adopters. The analysis suggests that there were 50% early adopters, indicating long-term smartphone usage. Recent adopters (20%) mentioned starting "recently," suggesting limited exposure and potential need for onboarding support, such as digital literacy programs. The remaining 30% specified durations of 5–7 years (mean = 6 years), highlighting sustained use among some participants. This variation highlights the differing usage, level of confidence, and training needs within the senior citizen cohort.

Purpose

The next question was about the purpose of using a mobile app. We counted the number of times an app or category was mentioned across all responses. The top mentions were communication. Of the 89 mentions, 30 were related to communication, including WhatsApp calls, emails, and SMS. Payments and banking had emerged as the second-most-used mobile app. The other usage of mobile apps is presented in the following table ( Table 1).

Usefulness

When we asked about the usefulness of mobile apps, participants overwhelmingly described them as useful, particularly for communication and staying connected. Several respondents emphasized the role of mobile apps in maintaining relationships and exchanging information, stating "Very useful to contact and for information exchange" (R1) and "Useful to communicate with family members and customers" (R7). "To send greetings, it is very useful" (R7). The importance of apps during the pandemic was highlighted through comments like "Very useful, including online meetings in the period of COVID" (R2) and "Covid time online meetings, phone calls, WhatsApp were only used to be in touch" (R4), "I remember it was useful at the time of COVID" (R11), "Pandamic time time, it was useful to connect" (R12). WhatsApp emerged as a preferred tool, with one participant noting, "Use only WhatsApp to be in touch and communicate" (R5). At the same time, another shared, "I like the Voice Call and WhatsApp apps, easy and helps to communicate and also to gossip (she laughs)" (R10). Despite these positive views, a note of caution appeared, suggesting that "Even though useful, maybe it is risky sometimes" (R8), which raises concerns about privacy or misuse. Overall, the narratives reflect strong perceived usefulness for social interaction and information exchange, with occasional reservations about safety.

Contexts

To understand the different types of mobile apps used by older adults, we asked them to name a few. Since no single mobile app emerged, the interviewer provided the names of various types of mobile apps, including fitness apps, health apps, and reminder apps. Many respondents reported not using any mobile health (mHealth) apps. Most respondents said, "Not using any apps related to healthcare" and a few of them added, "I personally visit the hospital as per the regular timings" (R4), "Phone Call is easy" (R8), "I don't know about medication or healthcare apps" (R11), suggesting a preference for the traditional method of personal visits. However, three respondents reported using the Mediclaim app for consultations and hospitalization, and they found it very useful. One respondent was using reminders for that purpose, saying "Reminder apps are used" (R9), which indicates their unawareness. The most common reason for not using any mHealth app is a lack of awareness. Additionally, we also inquired about the mobile app's usage for other purposes, such as food ordering, banking, and travel. The insights are discussed below.

Food ordering

The responses from the older adults revealed that many of them are aware of food-related apps, but their actual usage is limited. Several respondents expressed that they are dependent on family members for such activities. For example, one respondent stated, "Grandchildren do it for me, so I do not want food ordering apps" (R2), and another respondent said, "Children do it for me, so I do not want food ordering apps" (R5). Others reported complete non-usage, stating "Not using any food-related apps" or "Never used."

However, situational adoption was noted during the pandemic: "Covid time, a few food ordering Apps were very useful" (R4). A few respondents mentioned using recipe apps rather than ordering apps: "I use apps to watch Food Preparation" (R10). Therefore, it can be concluded that there is a preference for traditional methods amongst older adults, which is evident in responses such as "Whenever food order is required, I use phone call. I find it difficult using so many options on the phone" (R10). These findings suggest that complexity, perceived lack of need, and reliance on family are major barriers to adoption.

Banking, payment, and purchase

Regarding the usage of Banking, Payment, and Purchase apps, responses indicate a mixed level of comfort. It is found that some older adults actively use apps like Google Pay for payment and Amazon for purchasing online, as reflected in "Using mobile banking and mobile payment apps like Google Pay, Phone pay. For purchase, also comfortable in using apps. Also using Amazon for purchase" (R1). Additionally, they found it easy to use these apps, as reflected in the statement "Using payment, banking, and finance related apps. I find it very easy. For purchase, Amazon is used the most" (R9). However, hesitation and fear were also common among older adults. A few respondents said, "I hesitate to use" (R3), "Sometimes I am scared" (R10), "I am not aware and also do not know how to use so hesitate to use these apps" (R3), and "I don't know using financial related, and I am also scared" (R13). Several respondents expressed their preference for traditional methods, stating "Using Debit cards only, I find easy than mobile apps" (R4) and "ATM Card are used to purchase" (R7). Most importantly, some expressed willingness to adopt if provided with guidance: "If I get more details and assistance may be useful" (R7). This highlights the role of digital literacy and trust in influencing the adoption of new technologies.

Travel

The responses from the older adults suggest that the usage of travel-related apps is minimal, with only a few respondents reporting comfort with platforms like IRCTC and Clear Trip as seen in comments "Using IRCTC, Clear Trip, ixigo are comfortable" (R1) and "Rail Yatra is used occasionally" (R2). Most respondents do not use apps for travel, as seen in "Not using any of these apps" (R3, R5) and "I use only Phone Calls; I have contact with them (travel operators), and it is easy for all services" (R8), "Apps are not available, or I am not aware. If available, I want to use I am currently using phone call to get these services" (R9), and "I heard about only booking, but never used" (R11). The preference for phone calls and personal contacts suggests that convenience and familiarity outweigh perceived benefits of app-based services for this demographic.

Experience and sources of support

The second research objective was to understand the overall experience of older adults with using mobile apps and to identify the sources of support for using these apps.

Older adults reported a range of experiences when they first started using mobile applications. Several participants noted that they "found useful and started using" (R1, R4) or "slowly started using" (R2), reflecting a cautious and gradual approach. Others conveyed discomfort, saying they "hesitate to use the mobile apps" (R3) or were "not very comfortable" (R6). Fear was also evident, as one respondent shared, "I was scared in the beginning, if anything goes wrong" (R10), "A Little worried" (R11, R14). Another emphasized deliberate pacing: "I wanted to use slowly one by one" (R8), "Just started when I came to know one by one" (R11). These narratives illustrate an initial apprehension, balanced by a perceived usefulness, leading to a slow but steady adoption.

Participants expressed mixed feelings about their current experience with mobile applications. Many described a sense of comfort and utility, stating "Using mobile apps is very useful, and I am very comfortable" (R1), "It gives a lot of options, apps are user-friendly, and good" (R1), and "Apps are very useful" (R5). Others highlighted the selective use, saying, "I like the apps for communication like WhatsApp and Facebook" (R5). However, hesitation persists for some, as reflected in "I hesitate to use these apps" (R6), "Little worried to use mobile apps" (R14), and concerns such as "Apps use a lot of our time" (R4). A few participants noted progress, sharing, "Now I am comfortable using the applications which I am using at present" (R10). These narratives reveal a spectrum from confidence and appreciation to lingering reluctance, underscoring the need for ongoing support and time-saving strategies.

When respondents were asked about assistance in using a mobile app, family assistance was identified as the primary source of help. There were some respondents learnt themselves. Two respondents stated that they did not receive any assistance, and one respondent reported receiving help from the business organisation.

Barriers and challenges

Our third research objective was to identify the major barriers and challenges of using mobile apps. The feedback from the older adults reveals several concerns. Respondents expressed, "I do not know much about these apps" (R3) and "We do not have that much confidence to use payment or finance apps" (R6), "If information is available may be easy to use" (R11), highlighting knowledge and confidence gaps. Some respondents also expressed the stress they experienced due to technical issues while using such apps. One respondent noted, "If any app hangs or responds slowly, we get anxiety" (R5). Privacy and security fears are also very prominent. For example, a few respondents said, "We are concerned about our data, information related to bank accounts, etc., What if something goes wrong?" (R1) and "I think it is risky using payment or banking-related apps" (R8, R14). Additionally, discomfort with unfamiliar applications was evident, as indicated by responses such as "Other Apps I do not want to use, as I am not comfortable with unknown apps" (R2) and "I don't like receiving unknown and unnecessary calls" (R2, R13). Thus, based on the feedback provided by the older adult, the following items of perceived barriers were identified ( Table 2).

Challenges

Older adults expressed concern about their data and information related to bank accounts, asking, "What if something goes wrong?" (R1). They emphasized that, as senior citizens, they require assistance in using these applications. Many expressed discomfort with unknown apps, saying, "Other apps I do not want to use, as I am not comfortable with unknown apps" (R2) and highlighted that receiving unknown and unnecessary calls is troublesome. Additionally, they admitted, "We do not know how to use many apps" (R5), and "Yet to explore many apps, but not immediately" (R14), which reflects a lack of digital literacy and confidence. These responses indicate that privacy concerns, fear of misuse, and difficulty navigating technology are major barriers, suggesting the need for personalized support and simplified interfaces to improve mHealth app adoption among older adults. The following table ( Table 3) represents the challenges identified from the responses of older adults.

Behavioral intention

Our next question was their willingness to use Apps. The responses to this reveal a mixed level of willingness among older adults to adopt mobile Apps. While some expressed clear interest, such as "I wish to use" (R1), "I may use sometime later" (R14) their readiness is conditional on receiving support and guidance, as indicated by statements like "If any training program is there, it will be useful" (R4), "We need to know what apps are all available and their purpose. With that, if any training is provided, it will be easy" (R5), and "Assistance if available makes it easy to handle these mobile apps" (R9). These responses highlight that the lack of awareness and digital literacy are major barriers. Few respondents showed selective interest, prioritizing essential apps over non-essential ones, as reflected in "May be Banking related apps are useful for me" (R7, R11). Conversely, some respondents expressed resistance or a perceived lack of need, stating, "I don't want to use any other mobile apps" (R8) and "I don't want to try other apps" (R11). Altogether, the responses suggest that the intention to use apps among older adults depends largely on perceived usefulness, simplicity, and the availability of training and assistance.

Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU)

Fred Davis developed the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) in 1989 (Davis, 1989). It focuses on the user acceptance of technology. The PU and PEOU are the two main constructs of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Davis defines PU as "the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance their job performance" and PEOU as "the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free from effort". Since its inception, this model has been widely used in understanding the adoption of various health apps. For example, a study conducted in Korea highlights that PU and PEOU significantly influence user satisfaction, which in turn drives their behavioral intention to use mobile health apps (Park et al., 2025). Similarly, a mixed-method study conducted in Indonesia reveals that PU was the most significant factor influencing positive user responses (Aqilah et al., 2024).

Furthermore, multiple studies confirm the positive and significant role of PU and PEOU on users' acceptance and behavioral intention (Lin et al., 2019; Park et al., 2025; Saare et al., 2019; Xie & Or, 2020). Specifically, a study conducted in Iraq revealed that PU and PEOU were significant predictors of adoption of mHealth apps among older adults (Saare et al., 2019). Thus, based on the above literature and findings of our qualitative study, the propositions are proposed:

Social Influence (SI) and Facilitating Condition (FC)

The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model (Venkatesh et al., 2003), integrates constructs from eight prominent TAM frameworks to explain user intentions and usage behavior. It identifies four core constructs: Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), SI, and FC. According to this model, PE refers to the degree to which using the technology will provide benefits to users in performing specific activities. Whereas EE is associated with technology, such as PEOU. While SI refers to the extent to which individuals perceive that important others believe they should use the technology, FC deals with the degree to which an individual believes that an organizational and technical infrastructure exists to support the use of the system.

In the context of health app adoption, SI refers to the impact that others (e.g., family, friends, healthcare providers) have on an individual's decision to adopt apps. Past literature has mixed evidence on the significance of SI on individuals. Several studies suggest that SI has a significant impact on the behavioral intention to use mHealth apps. For instance, SI was a substantial predictor of mHealth app adoption among high-income individuals (Akiogbe et al., 2025). SI was also found to be an important influencing factor in mHealth adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic (Meng & Guo, 2024). Additionally, social influencers, such as healthcare workers, have been found to have a significant impact on mHealth adoption among hospital patients (Lee & Chong, 2021).

On the other hand, some studies have not established a significant relationship between SI and BI. Research conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia revealed that SI had no significant effect on mHealth app adoption (Candra et al., 2025). Similarly, a Tanzanian study also found that SI had no impact on the adoption of mHealth among health workers (Mbelwa et al., 2019). These contradictory findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate the role of SI in shaping BI across diverse contexts and populations, including older adults. Accordingly, we propose the following proposition:

Facilitating Condition (FC)

As mentioned earlier, FC refers to the resources and support available to users that facilitate the use of mHealth apps. The empirical evidence regarding the relationship between FC and BI remains inconclusive. FC was found to significantly impact the user's BI in mHealth adoption. In high-income countries, FC were identified as a significant predictor in shaping user acceptance of mHealth apps (Akiogbe et al., 2025). Likewise, in an African study, FC were a crucial element for the adoption of mHealth apps among youth (Mtshali et al., 2024). In contrast, a few studies reported a weak or insignificant impact of FC on BI. For example, a survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia revealed that FC had a very weak effect on mHealth usage intention. Similarly, the Tanzanian study did not establish a significant impact of FC on BI. Therefore, additional research is warranted to explore why FC produces divergent effects in users' BI. Thus, the following proposition is put forward.

Perceived Risk (PR)

According to the Perceived Risk Theory (PRT) (Cox, 1967), PR is a combination of uncertainty and the severity of possible consequences when choosing products or services. PRT identifies several risks, including financial, performance, social, psychological, and privacy-related. When PR exceeds an acceptable threshold, individuals engage in risk-reduction strategies. They may seek additional information or rely on trusted sources. This theory is widely applied in technology adoption research, particularly in the context of mHealth adoption, where privacy and security are crucial (Velverthi et al., 2024; Wei et al., 2010; Zhao et al., 2025). PR has emerged as a significant barrier to the adoption of mHealth apps (Halvadia et al., 2025; Wang et al., 2023). Thus, based on the qualitative feedback from the respondents of our study and the above discussion, we propose the following proposition.

Moderators

Digital Competence (DC)

The concept of the DC has emerged alongside technological development. It refers to the set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to use digital technologies effectively, responsibly, and safely in various contexts, such as work, study, and everyday life (Ncube et al., 2025). DC is one of the key competencies for lifelong learning (Vuorikari et al., 2022), defined in 2006, involves the confident, critical, and responsible use of, and engagement with, digital technologies for learning, at work, and for participation in society. It includes information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, media literacy, digital content creation, safety, intellectual property-related questions, problem solving, and critical thinking (Directorate-General for Education, Youth, 2019). Research findings suggest that the DC impacts technology adoption across various contexts. For example, it has been found that teachers' competence is a significant predictor of integrating digital resources in schools (Codina & Estebanell, 2023).

DC as a moderator within the TAM framework

Prior research has shown that the DC has a significant impact on the PEOU and PU. Higher digital competence enhances users' perception of usability and usefulness, which in turn positively influences their BI (Faradiba et al., 2025; Nikou et al., 2020; Rodafinos et al., 2024). For instance, digital capability was found to moderate the effects of perceived usefulness and ease of use on business performance (Faradiba et al., 2025). In the context of AI adoption in education, it has been found that digital literacy significantly enhances the adoption of AI (Tomczyk & Majkut, 2025). Similarly, digital skills were also found to have a significant impact on PEOU, PU, satisfaction, and actual use, confirming their dual role as both predictor and moderator (Netinant et al., 2025). Therefore, it can be concluded that the DC could be a critical factor in enhancing the use of technology, such as mHealth, and its adoption within the TAM framework. By enhancing DC, trainers, educators, and policymakers can significantly improve the integration and use of mobile apps among older adults. Thus, based on the above discussion, we propose the following propositions.

DC as a moderator within the UTAUT framework

UTAUT is one of the is widely used frameworks to understand the technology acceptance and usage intention. In this framework, DC can play significant role as a moderator that influences various relationships among UTAUT constructs, such as performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, and social influence on behavioral intention. For example, a study integrating the Digital Competence Framework (DigComp) with UTAUT2 found that DC variables, such as problem-solving skills and ethical considerations, significantly influenced students' intention to use GenAI tools (Caner-Yıldırım, 2025). Another study exploring the link between AI usage and DC among college teachers found that SI and DC, both predicted the teachers' BI (Yi et al., 2025). The findings of this study further suggest individuals with higher DC are more likely to act on social cues because they feel confident and capable. However, with regards to the FC, there are no empirical evidence for DC as moderator between FC and BI in the literature. This represents a clear research gap and opportunity for the future research directions. Therefore, the following propositions are suggested.

DC as moderator within the Perceived Risk Theory

PR generally has a negative impact on mobile app adoption. For instance, privacy risk perceptions negatively influence continued usage intention (Mishra et al., 2020). A study conducted in the context of mobile banking app usage intention revealed that PR, encompassing financial risk, social risk, time risk, privacy risk, security risk, and performance risk, was negatively related to trust and the intention to use mobile banking (Van et al., 2020). While the role of PR and BI is well established in the literature, the moderating role of DC between PR and BI is less explored. There are certain indications that DC can play a moderating role. Previous studies have demonstrated that enhancing DC helps in modifying risk associated with digital activities by improving users' skills and confidence in using digital tools (Lam et al., 2025; J. Xu & Aumeboonsuke, 2025; Z. Xu et al., 2024). Thus, based on the above literature, it can be concluded that DC can play a significant role in shaping behavioral outcomes among older adults in using mobile apps by enhancing their confidence and reducing PR. Thus, we propose the following proposition.