Do all the world's most famous museums have a visitor app?

New technologies are gradually transforming the way we experience culture and heritage: museum mobile apps offer interactive guides, additional information and virtual tours. But are these tools really being adopted by major cultural institutions and their visitors?

A growing trend towards digitization

According to the study "Mobile applications of museums and heritage sites in France" (2015), 67 mobile apps were identified, of which 24 offered a "virtual tour" feature. This trend reflects museums' growing interest in digital solutions.

The "Museum Innovation Barometer 2021" reveals that 85% of museums had integrated audio and video elements into their exhibitions, and that 49% used mobile or web apps for cultural interpretation. This demonstrates a desire to offer visitors an enriched experience.

Adoption varies from one institution to another

Historically, museums offered audio guides in the form of devices rented on site. Mobile apps are gradually replacing these devices by offering greater flexibility: visitors use their own smartphone and access enriched content (images, videos, interactive tours), which also spares museums the management and maintenance of the devices.

Some famous museums have developed an official app available on the App Store and Google Play, offering guided tours, information about the works and interactive content:

• Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris
• Prado Museum (Madrid)
• Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam)
• British Museum (London)
• Palace of Versailles (France)

Other major institutions do not offer an official app despite their international renown. A striking example: the Louvre currently has no official mobile app to accompany visitors on their tour. Some museums do, however, provide multimedia guides available on site, such as the Musée de l'Armée, which offers both a mobile app and multimedia devices integrated directly into the exhibition rooms.

Why don't some museums offer an app?

Several reasons explain why some museums do not invest in mobile apps:

• Low adoption rates: in some cases, studies show that fewer than 5% of visitors use these tools.
• Technical and logistical issues: the stable Wi-Fi connection needed for downloading or use is not always guaranteed in every area of the museum, and the large size of some apps can put visitors off.
• A diminished visitor experience: some museums fear that the app diverts visitors' attention from the works themselves, creating a barrier between the work and the visitor rather than a direct connection.
• Cross-platform development complexity: the diversity of platforms (iOS, Android) and devices represents an additional technical hurdle for cultural institutions.

A digital transformation that is only beginning

While museums are increasingly integrating mobile apps into their cultural interpretation strategy, public adoption remains limited. The key to better uptake lies in greater awareness, optimized ergonomics and clearer added value for the visitor. The digital transformation of museums is only just beginning, and it will be interesting to follow how these tools evolve in the years to come.