Features of mobile health applications (mHealth apps) for asthma

Objective: Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) can support effective asthma self-management interventions, improving patients’ quality of life while reducing costs for healthcare systems. This article aims to identify trends in app features relevant to the future development of reliable mHealth asthma support applications that can meet the challenges of the new century. Methods: The search of the PubMed database was performed during August–September 2025. The database was searched electronically using the following keywords: digital AND asthma AND apps. Thirty review articles and international studies were included. The studies encompassed the period from 2015 to September 2025. Only articles available in the English language were included. Results: All selected apps were compared across categories such as availability for unrestricted use, functionality and design, ease of use, and information management and medical accuracy. Features preferred by asthma and allergy patients were also reviewed, including guidance for emergency situations, asthma action plans, and notifications from clinics. Despite the wide variety of medical apps available, only a limited number have been tested in clinical environments, and few have been translated into languages other than English. Conclusion: mHealth apps have considerable potential for asthma self-management not only in adults but also in children, and they can improve quality of life and symptom control compared with conventional treatment methods. App design, maintenance, and update practices vary widely across apps and platforms. This article will assist in identifying apps that are most suitable for specific user groups and may help guide the future development of robust and easy-to-use mHealth apps for asthma management.