Your intranet on the go: best practices for launching and promoting your mobile app

Your intranet shouldn’t stop at the desktop. Whether your teams work at desks, on the retail floor, in warehouses, in the ER, or on the road, the Simpplr mobile app bridges the connection gap and extends the employee experience. This digital lifeline ensures everyone stays informed and engaged, regardless of location or schedule. 

In this post, I will share practical ways to promote and activate your intranet’s mobile app across any type of workforce. You’ll learn how to help employees find the app, understand its value, and start using it immediately. Successful mobile app adoption doesn’t have to be complicated — it simply requires thoughtful planning.

Why mobile matters for all workforces 

The modern workforce spans a variety of roles, schedules, and locations — whether hybrid, on-site, or in the field — making communication more important than ever. Employees expect the same level of access and convenience in their workplace tools as they do in their personal lives. 

Your mobile app extends your intranet beyond desktops, delivering resources to employees wherever they are and ensuring everyone stays informed, connected, and empowered.

Here’s why your mobile app is essential: 

• Real-time updates: Employees receive notifications instantly, ensuring they never miss critical information.
• On-the-go accessibility: The app makes content available to everyone, even those without company laptops.
• Integrated, personalized experience: Features like app tiles, enterprise search, recognition, and multilingual translation give employees access to everything they need. 
• Boosted engagement: Employees gain new opportunities to connect in ways that are accessible and convenient for them, wherever they are.

The mobile app transforms your intranet from a destination to a companion. Now that we’ve covered the why, let’s dive into the practical ways you can promote and activate your mobile app, starting with your most influential allies: your leadership team. 

Get leaders and champions on board 

No matter how seamless your technology is, successful adoption starts with people — especially those at the top. Leadership sets the tone, creates visibility, and reinforces trust. When leaders use and promote the mobile app, they signal its importance to the entire organization.

Here’s how to engage your leadership teams and internal champions: 

1. Get leaders to download the app: Give executives instructions on how to download and log in to the app. This increases the app’s credibility and will encourage adoption.
2. Record a short video or message: Have a senior leader record a quick video to welcome employees to the app and explain why it’s important.
3. Post a QR code: Make it easy to download the app by displaying a QR code throughout the office and on digital signage. 
4. Mention the app in team meetings: A shoutout like “Don’t forget to download the app if you haven’t yet” goes a long way.  

Ultimately, the mobile app is a tool for extending culture, communication, and productivity throughout the company. When your leaders are on board, app adoption not only increases but accelerates. 

Choose your mobile app distribution path 

When it comes to getting your mobile app into the hands of employees, how you distribute it matters. Whether your organization has a fully managed device program or a bring-your-own device (BYOD) environment, there is a path for you. 

Let’s break down the two most common approaches to app distribution: 

Option 1: MDM distribution (mobile device management) 

If your IT team uses MDM software to manage company-issued phones, this is your fastest route to mass adoption. MDM deployment is ideal for organizations with centralized device management or strict security requirements. 

Benefits of using MDM: 

• The app can be pushed directly to employee devices 
• Employees don’t need to search, download, or configure anything
• IT has full control over rollout timing 

Best practices: 

• Partner with IT early to plan the timing and communication
• Let employees know what to expect, such as when the app will launch and how to log in
• Create a simple FAQ or onboarding page that explains what they will see once the app is installed and launched

Option 2: App store download

Manual downloads through QR codes or links to app stores are best for companies with personal devices or hybrid environments. Many organizations that use manual distribution methods see success when they pair it with strong internal promotion. 

Benefits of manual download: 

• Works well in BYOD organizations 
• Gives employees flexibility on when to download
• Reduces IT burden as employees manage installations

Best practices: 

• Turn on mobile promotion in your Simpplr intranet so it’s easy for employees to download the app
• Use QR codes on flyers, posters, signage, and instant messaging platforms
• Offer clear step-by-step instructions on where to find the app, how to log in, and why it matters 

No matter your distribution path, the goal is the same: Make it as easy as possible for employees to get started.

Communicate, promote, repeat 

You’ve got the mobile app ready. Now it’s time to tell the story — and tell it often. A successful launch hinges on consistent, creative, multichannel communication that makes it easy and exciting for employees to get started.

Your internal campaign should answer three key questions for employees: 

• What is the app? 
• Why should I use it? 
• How do I get it? 

Quick checklist: what to include in your comms

Your communications need to clarify what the app offers, why it matters, and how to get started. Create focused, actionable messages that give employees everything they need to take the next step.

Ensure each communication includes these key elements:

• App name and QR code or download links
• Key benefits and use cases 
• Instructions to log in 
• Support contact for troubleshooting 
• Encouragement from leadership or peers 

Mix your channels and repeat the message

Employees consume information in different ways, especially when they are dispersed across locations, shifts, and roles. Use a variety of communication methods to reach them where they are. 

Consider these key channels for your mobile app campaign:

• Email announcements
• Intranet banners or homepage announcements 
• Digital signage and TV monitors
• Printed flyers and posters 
• Slack/Teams messages 
• Onboarding packets

Use a sprint-style campaign that reminds and reinforces adoption over two to four weeks and then once or twice a year to maintain engagement. Most employees need multiple exposures to a message before taking action, so plan your communication schedule to include frequent touchpoints across various platforms.

Create buzz with on-brand messaging 

Your campaign should match your company’s tone and culture. Find creative ways to make it exciting, relevant, and fun. 

Here are ways to infuse your launch with energy:

• Use taglines like “Your intranet. Anywhere.” or “Stay connected on the go.” 
• Highlight benefits such as “Get company news,” “Find what you need in seconds,” or “Never miss a shout-out.” 

Connect the app to everyday work situations employees actually face. Use language and build a story that resonates with your employee base. 

Here are a few example “why” statements to include in your rollout communications: 

• Access time off requests, policies, and shift updates in just a few taps.
• Find important resources like safety protocols, installation instructions, and equipment manuals.
• Get instant updates on company news, sales promotions, hot jobs, and learning opportunities.
• Look up coworkers in the directory and get answers fast with easy access to the help desk. 
• Get recognized, stay in the loop, and never miss a team moment.

Turn the launch into an event 

People are busy. A simple message that says “Download the app!” can get buried under an influx of emails and notifications. But turning your mobile app launch into a memorable moment? That gets attention and adoption.

 Here are ways to bring energy and visibility to your mobile app launch: 

• Create a countdown using banners and teaser posts in Slack/Teams 
• Host a launch day activation station 
• Recognize the first team or department to reach 100% downloads 
• Create a scavenger hunt using QR codes throughout the office

Bonus: Encourage employees to post photos or share stories of their day-to-day experiences. By transforming your rollout into an engaging and memorable moment, you’ll turn a tactical launch into a cultural touchpoint. 

Maintain ongoing momentum  

Launch doesn’t stop at download — it’s only the beginning. For your mobile app to truly deliver on its promise of connection, community, and productivity, it needs to become part of your employees’ everyday flow. That means thoughtfully integrating mobile-friendly communications into your intranet strategy over time, not only during launch week.  

The goal? Make the app so useful, familiar, and relevant that employees want to open it again and again. Think beyond announcements and news feeds. Use your mobile app to support employees in the moments that matter most. 

Here are ways to keep the momentum going after download: 

• Send push notifications for time-sensitive, actionable content
• Share mobile-first employee recognition stories 
• Include mobile tips in your newsletters 
• Promote content using QR codes 

Sustained adoption also means staying close to your data. Monitor mobile usage trends monthly or quarterly. Look at login frequency, content engagement, and search terms. I also recommend asking for feedback directly or indirectly, as a continuous feedback loop builds trust and can often surface easy wins. These insights help you refine your strategy, keeping the mobile experience fresh and relevant.   

The intranet mobile app advantage

In the end, mobile app adoption isn’t a one-time project but an ongoing process. Whether you’re connecting warehouse teams checking inventory, or managers coordinating meetings, thoughtful distribution paired with compelling content creates lasting engagement. The organizations seeing the highest mobile adoption rates are those that integrate mobile into their ongoing communication strategy, not just during launch.

Simpplr’s mobile app brings the full digital workplace experience to your employees’ fingertips. Employees can access personalized news feeds, search for people and policies, find information or ask questions, and even recognize peers — all from their phones or tablets. The app optimizes mobile interactions, making it easy for frontline, hybrid, and remote employees to stay informed and engaged without missing a beat. 

With intuitive navigation and push notifications, Simpplr ensures your most important messages always reach the people who need them. Let us help you put your workplace in everyone’s pocket — wherever work happens.

Ready to find out how the Simpplr mobile app can connect your entire workforce? Request a demo today.