Meta Description: See 8 real wireframe examples for mobile apps, from low-fidelity sketches to mid-fidelity flows. Learn how to wireframe your app before visual design.
Mobile app wireframes are not about making something pretty. They are about answering one question fast: does this structure work?
Below are 8 practical wireframe examples for common mobile app screens. Each one includes the layout pattern, the placeholder system, and what to watch out for. Use them as templates for your next project.
If you are new to wireframing, start with our complete guide to effective wireframing in UX design first. Then come back here for concrete examples.
Layout: Logo at top, two input fields (email, password), primary button, secondary link for “Forgot password,” and a divider for social login.
Placeholder system: Black rectangle for the primary CTA. Gray rectangles for input fields. A circle for the social icon.
Watch out for: Too many steps. Keep sign-up to one screen if possible. Show inline validation errors early. Always include a “Continue as guest” option if your business allows it.
Real-world reference: Most banking apps use a clean two-field login. Copy that simplicity.
Layout: Top bar with greeting and notification icon. Search bar below. A vertical list of cards, each with an image placeholder, title, and short description.
Placeholder system: X box for image. Wavy lines for text. Small circle for avatar.
Watch out for: Card overload. On mobile, show 3–5 cards above the fold. Use a “See all” link instead of cramming everything.
Pro tip: Wireframe the empty state first. What does this screen look like when there is no content? That is often the hardest state to design.
Layout: Search input at top. Filter chips below (e.g., “Price,” “Category,” “Rating”). Results list with a sort dropdown.
Placeholder system: Rectangle with rounded corners for chips. Lines for result items.
Watch out for: Hidden filters. On mobile, filters should be visible or behind a clear “Filter” button. Do not bury them in a hamburger menu.
Real-world reference: Airbnb’s mobile search is a good model for chip-based filtering.
Layout: Large image carousel at top. Title, price, and rating below. “Add to cart” button sticky at the bottom. Accordion sections for description, shipping, and reviews.
Placeholder system: Large X box for main image. Small X boxes for thumbnails. Black rectangle for CTA.
Watch out for: The “Add to cart” button must be reachable with one thumb. Sticky bottom bars work well here.
Pro tip: Wireframe the “out of stock” state. What changes? Does the button disappear? Does it become “Notify me”?
Layout: List of items with quantity controls. Subtotal and shipping estimate. Primary “Checkout” button.
Placeholder system: Lines for item names. Small rectangles for quantity steppers. Black rectangle for checkout.
Watch out for: Surprise costs. Show shipping and taxes before the final step. On mobile, use a progress indicator if checkout has multiple steps.
Layout: Avatar and name at top. List of settings items (Account, Notifications, Privacy, Help). Logout at the bottom.
Placeholder system: Circle for avatar. Lines for menu items. Chevron icon for navigation.
Watch out for: Grouping. Do not mix account settings with app preferences. Use section headers.
Layout: Centered illustration or icon. Short headline. One sentence of explanation. A primary action button.
Placeholder system: X box for illustration. Lines for text. Black rectangle for CTA.
Watch out for: Dead ends. Every empty state should offer a next step. “No messages yet” should include a “Start a conversation” button.
Layout: Full-screen illustration or value proposition. Progress dots. “Next” or “Allow” button.
Placeholder system: X box for illustration. Dots for progress. Black rectangle for CTA.
Watch out for: Asking for permissions too early. Explain why you need notifications before the system prompt appears.
Do not copy them blindly. Use them as starting points. Sketch them on paper first. Then move to a tool like Balsamiq or Whimsical.
Remember the grayscale rule: no color at this stage. The goal is structure, not style.
If you want a full checklist for wireframing, see our 9 practical wireframing rules for 2026.
