Mobile AR Application Development with ARKit for Shoe Fitting

The Problem of Trying On Shoes in an Online Store: Customers Leave

Shoppers choose footwear online blind. Photos and size charts don't answer the key questions: will the pair fit, is it too tight, how does it look in motion.

Not being able to try them on is the main problem with buying shoes online, which makes customers hesitate and often close the tab without completing the order.

For an online store, this directly means lower conversion. An interested visitor is not ready to risk paying for something that might not fit. And those who do take the plunge often order several sizes at once — and return part of them.

Shoe returns from online orders are several times higher than in many other categories: this means lost margin, extra logistics, and staff time.

Another factor is customer trust. When you can't try the item on, the purchase feels like a lottery. This is especially acute for new brands: it's hard to believe a shoe will be comfortable.

As a result, shoppers turn to those who remove uncertainty — offline stores or competitors offering virtual fitting.

Augmented reality solves this problem. A smartphone app for shoe fitting shows how the pair looks on your foot, lets you assess color and shape — before placing the order. The customer stops relying on luck, and the store gets more completed orders and fewer returns. This step turns the biggest barrier into a competitive advantage.

What Augmented Reality Does for Your Business

Shoppers can't try on shoes online — that's the main barrier to purchase. Augmented reality removes it: the customer sees how the model looks on their foot before ordering. We at truetech.by help brands implement these scenarios and achieve measurable business results.

What changes after launching AR fitting:

• [x] Higher conversion — AR fitting reduces the “will it fit, won’t it fit” hesitation. The customer makes a decision faster, and carts are abandoned less often at checkout.

• [x] Fewer returns — when the size and fit are visible before purchase, the share of ill-fitting orders drops. Fewer exchanges means lower logistics and processing costs.

• [x] Higher average order value — with AR fitting it's easy to offer a set: “these sneakers go with this bag.” A prompt at the moment of fitting raises the order total.

• [x] Stronger loyalty — the unusual experience sticks in memory, gets shared on social media, and brings people back to the app. The brand looks modern and caring.

These benefits work as one system: higher conversion grows revenue, fewer returns save resources, and loyalty drives repeat orders. AR fitting pays off not as a one-off promotion but as an ongoing sales channel. You get a working tool, not just a nice demo.

AR Solution Formats for Shoe Fitting: Which to Choose

Each task has its own AR format. One thing is to quickly show a customer how sneakers look without making them download an app. Another is to build a branded fitting experience that becomes part of the brand. To choose the right option, it's worth comparing what each format delivers for business.

Below are typical scenarios used by shoe stores and brands. The table rows show not technical details but the outcomes the client gets.

A ready-made solution works when time frame and budget matter most. Custom development is when AR becomes part of strategy and should build brand recognition for years.

In the latter case, we design the interface, refine the fitting scenario, and embed the solution into your business processes — from inventory to loyalty programs.

If you're unsure which format will deliver quick results for your store, send us your task and we'll advise. We'll tell you how long the launch will take and what metrics it will affect.

Stages of Developing an Augmented Reality App

Any shoe fitting app development project starts not with code but with your business objectives.

We've structured the process so that at every stage you understand what's happening with the project, what the current timelines and budget are, and what exactly your customer will get in the end.

Below are the six steps a project goes through, from the initial brief to release and support. No black boxes: you always know what stage the app is at and what results you'll get.

1. Brief and task discovery. First, we pin down the goals: why you need the app, who your audience is, and what customer problem it solves. The output is an understanding of the functionality and a realistic estimate of budget and timeline.

2. Plan and prototype. We design the user journey: from selecting a shoe model to trying it on and deciding to buy. You see the app structure and logic before the first line of code is written — this eliminates costly changes at the end of the project.

3. Design and mechanics sign-off. Here we approve the look, brand style, and interaction logic. You get an interactive prototype you can “touch” and show to colleagues or partners to gather feedback.

4. Development and quality control. Our engineers build the project using refined tools and professional AR equipment. For you, this means stable app performance across different smartphone models and no surprises at the most critical moment.

5. Launch and publication. We prepare the app for release in official app stores, pass moderation, and set up analytics. You get a download link and initial data on user behavior.

6. Support and growth. After launch we stay in touch: we monitor stability, collect user feedback, and make improvements. If customers ask for new features or you want to expand the shoe catalog, it goes into the plan for the next iterations.

Thanks to this order, you don't pay for “surprises.” Each stage ends with a clear deliverable — a document, prototype, build, or finished app.

You control the project's progress and see where the money and time go, and in the end you get a tool that genuinely increases sales and customer loyalty.

What's Included in an AR Solution: Project Scope

We hand over not just a built app but a completely ready-to-use product, along with rights, training, and support. The package includes everything you need to develop the project on your own and not depend on a specific vendor.

Here's what you get when the work is done:

• Ready-built mobile app for shoe fitting — adapted for modern iPhones, easy to publish in the App Store, and ready to use right away.
• Full source code ownership — the product belongs entirely to you: you can hand it to another team or develop it with your own specialists.
• Admin panel for catalog management — upload new shoe models, change prices and descriptions yourself without involving a programmer.
• Staff training — we run a hands-on session for your employees: how to take orders, update the assortment, and work with analytics.
• Technical support — a dedicated manager and a clear line of communication, post-launch assistance, and support for new mobile OS versions.
• Complete documentation — detailed instructions for installing, configuring, updating the app, and using the admin panel.
• Warranty period — within the agreed timeframe we fix bugs and assist with updates free of charge, so you don't face unexpected costs.

This package removes the main client risk — dependence on the developer after launch. You get a standalone tool, your team knows how to use it, and we stay in touch for the project's further development.

Case Study: How to Increase Retail Conversion with AR

Ordinary shoe fitting means queues, unhappy customers, and lost sales. When the right size isn't in the store, the customer leaves for competitors.

We faced this challenge in a project for the shoe retail chain Shagai: we needed to increase purchase conversion without expanding retail space.

Solution

We developed a mobile app with AR fitting. The customer points the camera at their foot and sees how the selected models look — color, shape, details. The system itself selects the size based on captured foot measurements. This removed the main barrier: the fear that the shoes won't fit.

Business results

Within two months, the number of fittings doubled, and the conversion from fitting to purchase increased by 37%. Repeat orders through the app reached 28% — customers come back because they don't need to spend time traveling to a store. Size-matching accuracy reached 94%, and returns due to wrong size fell by almost half.

A key point is integration with the retailer's accounting system. The app shows whether the right size is available in a particular store or offers delivery. This reduced lost sales when the right pair is in the warehouse but not displayed on the floor.

This case shows that AR fitting pays for itself in one season. If you want similar conversion growth, we'll start with a pilot on one collection to measure the effect on your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adopting AR Technologies

Before implementing AR shoe fitting, clients have the same doubts: will it work reliably, how do we integrate the technology into existing processes, and who will support the solution after launch.

We've collected answers to the most common questions — no technical details, just what matters for business.

Our solutions are built on ARKit, Apple's proprietary platform for augmented reality. This means the app will run smoothly on most modern iPhones and iPads, and customers can “try on” their favorite pair directly in the app or on the store's website.

How reliable is it? What if the camera doesn't recognize the foot or the shoes appear to “float” in the air?

We use refined tracking algorithms and carefully calibrate every model. Before launch we run tests on real devices, so the shoes look natural and recognition works in different lighting conditions.

Will AR fitting work with our website and accounting system?

Yes. We integrate the module into your catalog and cart so the customer sees current stock and can proceed to order right away. Setup doesn't require stopping the store — everything happens in parallel.

Who will support the app after launch?

We handle maintenance: we update compatibility with new OS versions, monitor performance, and refine functionality when needed. You get a working tool, not a “box” you have to service yourself.

How safe is it for us and our customers?

We work under a contract with clearly defined obligations. Customer data is not shared with third parties, and processing happens in a secure environment. Everything is transparent and complies with legal requirements.

Order AR App Development for Your Store

Shoppers choose shoes “by eye”: it's inconvenient, risky, and leads to returns. AR fitting removes the doubt — people see how the model looks on their foot and can turn it around and view it from any angle. For the store, this means higher conversion and fewer returns.

We develop such apps turnkey — from idea to publication in app stores. We work on the professional ARKit platform so the fitting is smooth and realistic on any modern iPhone.

How to order development:

• Leave a request on the website — we'll call or write back within one business day.
• We'll have a consultation: we'll review your tasks, audience, and assortment.
• We'll prepare a cost and timeline estimate — a clear quote with no hidden work.
• We'll show solutions: a standalone app or an embedded module for the website.
• We'll agree on the contract and a step-by-step plan with acceptance points.
• We'll launch the app and remain on support after release.

No jargon and no hidden details: you get a ready-made tool that increases sales. The estimate includes exact timelines, scope of work, and a dedicated manager. You always know what's happening at every stage.

Leave a request for a free consultation — tomorrow you'll have a plan and the cost of developing an AR shoe fitting app in hand. It's completely non-binding: first we listen, then we calculate, and the decision stays with you.

How to Choose the Right AR Format for Your Task?

You should choose an AR format not by technology but by the scenario in which the customer encounters your product. Answer three questions: where is the user, what should they do, and on what device are they doing it.

For shoe fitting, the answers are obvious: the customer is at home or on the go, their task is to see how the model fits on the foot, and the device is a smartphone.

That means a mobile AR app is right for you: the user opens the camera, points it at their foot, and sees the shoes at real scale — no fitting rooms, no queues, no extra try-ons.

If customers tried on shoes in a store, we'd be talking about an AR mirror or a stationary kiosk. If the task is to showcase a collection at an exhibition, a VR presentation might be enough. But for everyday use and unlimited reach, mobile AR solves the task most precisely.

Selection criteria: number of target devices, frequency of scenario use, complexity of the product. For shoes, the mobile format covers both online sales and the offline storefront — the customer immediately understands whether to buy or not.

We'll help you assess your scenarios and choose a format that delivers measurable results — higher conversion, fewer returns, and more purchase confidence. Ask us — we'll advise you at the start for free.