Video
Background and Problem
Despite its potential, paid parking services still have room for improvement in terms of user experience. While existing systems based on gate machines or human staff offer a certain level of efficiency, I believe that integrating digital technology can unlock an even better experience. That’s what drew me to this field.
Globally, many parking operators are working to improve user experience via mobile apps. Mobile app-based payment systems are one of the most common examples of this trend.
However, this approach has structural limitations. Many users only need to use the service once, yet are required to install a heavy app (sometimes hundreds of megabytes), register an account, and input payment information. This creates an unnecessarily high barrier to entry, often leading to user fatigue.
Companies try to encourage usage with coupons or loyalty programs, but such incentives merely compensate for the inconvenience—they don’t eliminate it.
A possible alternative is to offer both mobile apps and web-based services. But web apps have limitations in features like push notifications and location-based services. On the operational side, maintaining two platforms adds considerable overhead.
So, is there a better way?
Why App Clip?
To address this issue, I turned to Apple’s App Clip technology as a practical solution.
App Clips are lightweight mini apps that are linked to full App Store apps, but can run independently—no installation required. Users can instantly launch them via NFC tags or QR codes.
Importantly, even if the full app isn’t installed, App Clips can still support location services, push notifications, and Apple Pay. Users can get a seamless experience from just a single use—and if they’re satisfied, it naturally leads to full app installation.
This dramatically lowers the psychological barrier to entry while also serving as a strategic entry point for user conversion. Furthermore, since App Clips are automatically removed from the device after 30 days of inactivity, they do not add long-term clutter or maintenance burden for the user.
My Sample App
The App Clip shown in the video was created as an example to address these challenges with better UX.
Many parking facilities detect whether a vehicle is parked using sensors or cameras. When a user scans the QR code after exiting the vehicle, the App Clip launches instantly, shows the current status, and allows payment via Apple Pay—all without installing a full app.
It offers a streamlined experience for actions like checking the fee, applying coupons, and completing payment. If users are satisfied with the experience, transitioning to the full app becomes a natural next step.
Considerations
The biggest limitation of this solution is that it’s currently iOS-only. Android users—or those unfamiliar with smartphones—are excluded by default. While Android’s Instant Apps offer similar functionality, I would need to further investigate whether the user experience can match that of App Clips.
Additionally, Apple Pay is the only payment method supported for now. Providing multiple payment options would be essential to support broader user adoption.
To Close
To be honest, I’m one of those users who feels overwhelmed by having to install too many apps. While using parking apps myself, I often wondered, “Isn’t there a better way?”
That question led me to experiment with App Clips and build this sample. I don’t claim it to be a perfect answer—but if it can spark new approaches to user experience, that alone would make it worthwhile.
If a service like this existed, I’d gladly use it.