What is a mobile SDK?

A mobile software development kit (SDK) is a collection of tools, libraries, and documentation that allows developers to build mobile applications  or implement new features in existing apps for mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, and visionOS.

These kits provide pre-built functionalities, which makes it easier and more efficient for developers to integrate complex features such as security, analytics, or third-party services into apps without building capabilities from scratch.

SDKs provide comprehensive tools for software developers to build applications more efficiently.

For example, a cloud-native mobile app for iOS will typically leverage Apple’s iOS SDK. In contrast, an Android app would use Google’s Android SDK or HUMAN SDK to speed up development and include platform-specific features, like access to the device’s camera or sensors.

On average, up to 40% of bot traffic comes (or appears to come) from mobile devices.

Sophisticated malicious bots mimic human behavior and can fake human use of mobile apps. Without a proper SDK, organizations must make a binary decision: either allow all mobile traffic  or risk permanently blocking some real users. The former can invite malicious bot attacks but the latter creates user friction for well-intentioned users. A mobile SDK, however, enables adaptive solutions like CAPTCHA or HUMAN’s Human Challenge, allowing legitimate users to verify themselves and proceed without disruption.

Assuming an organization doesn’t want to block legitimate mobile traffic, it  will allow automated requests that imitate mobile devices. SDK integration is imperative to prevent mobile threats.

Mobile SDK technology enhances app security by enabling real-time data collection and behavioral analysis of device activities. Rather than directly identifying bots, the SDK acts as a delivery mechanism, capturing signals and sending them back for analysis.

Advanced solutions like HUMAN’s SDK leverage machine learning models that continuously analyze device behavior patterns, making it more challenging for bots to mimic real users.

SDKs  can enable precise traffic filtering, enhancing security without disrupting the user experience. However, SDK implementation poses challenges — SDKs must remain lightweight to  seamlessly integrate into the app without undercutting performance.

HUMAN offers SDK support for iOS, Android, and visionOS, enabling the collection of native signals that help mitigate bot traffic on mobile devices. The SDK captures detailed, real-time signals—such as device behaviors and interaction patterns—that are then processed by HUMAN’s advanced bot mitigation platform.

Through this data collection, HUMAN’s platform leverages intelligent fingerprinting, machine learning, and behavioral analysis to accurately differentiate between real users and bots. The SDK also enables additional defenses like Human Challenge, a user-friendly verification method, to neutralize suspicious activities without compromising user experience.

With unmatched scale, speed, and decision precision, the Human Defense Platform identifies and mitigates malicious bot attacks, keeping mobile environments secure.

• Mobile SDK for Android, iO, and visionOS
• Android SDK
• HUMAN integration guide