The Power of Micro UX

In the UX field, small interactions often have a disproportionately large impact on the overall user experience. A seemingly minor feature, like adding the ability to copy a number or text, can create a seamless and satisfying journey for users. It’s these small steps toward making products more user-centric that often set successful apps apart from the rest.

In this article, I’ll share my personal experience with the Bkash app, a leading mobile wallet service in Bangladesh. While Bkash delivers an exceptional user experience overall, one missing feature—the ability to copy saved numbers—highlighted how such a small functionality can make a big difference.

Bkash: A Great App with Room for Improvement

I’ve been using the Bkash app for nearly 6–7 years. Among the many apps I rely on in my daily life, Bkash consistently stands out for its usability and features. From money transfers to utility bill payments, it’s my go-to app for financial transactions.

However, a particular situation involving prepaid electricity meter recharge revealed a gap in the app’s user experience. This wasn’t a major feature flaw, but a small limitation that caused repeated friction in my day-to-day use.

The Problem: Managing Prepaid Electricity Meters

A few months ago, our home electricity meter was switched from postpaid to prepaid. We now have three prepaid meters at home, with all their numbers being nearly identical except for the last digit. I used my Bkash wallet to recharge these meters regularly.

The Initial Process

Initially, I followed this cumbersome process:

1. Take out the electricity card from my drawer.
2. Scan the barcode or manually type in the meter number.
3. Input the number and recharge through the Bkash app.

While this method worked, it wasn’t efficient—especially when I needed to recharge multiple meters. To make things easier, Bkash allows users to save up to three meter numbers. I saved one of my home’s meter numbers and two belonging to my aunt.

The Challenge with Saved Numbers

Later, I needed to replace my aunt’s saved numbers with the other two meter numbers from my home. This is where things got tricky:

• Bkash didn’t allow me to copy the saved meter numbers. If I wanted to reuse or edit a saved number, I had to manually retype the entire sequence.
• Editing a saved meter number wasn’t an option. I couldn’t modify the last digit of a saved number to quickly switch between meters.

These limitations made the process unnecessarily tedious. To recharge a meter, I repeatedly had to retrieve the card from storage and manually enter the number. For something I did regularly, this wasn’t an optimal experience.

The Role of Micro UX in User Experience

Micro UX refers to the small but impactful design elements that enhance usability and make digital interactions smoother. These subtle improvements often go unnoticed when implemented well but create frustration when missing. Features like auto-saving inputs, real-time feedback, and quick access options fall under Micro UX and can make everyday tasks effortless for users.

In this case, a simple copy button for saved numbers would have significantly improved usability, saving time and reducing errors—an example of how Micro UX details shape the overall user experience.

Discovering the Simplicity of Upay

A few months later, Bkash experienced server issues with prepaid electricity meter recharge. For days, I couldn’t use Bkash for this purpose, so I turned to Upay, another mobile wallet service.

A Game-Changer: Copy Functionality

Setting up my Upay account took just 3–5 minutes, and I quickly recharged my meter using the app. While exploring Upay’s features, I noticed two things that immediately stood out:

1. The ability to copy saved meter numbers: Upay allowed me to copy a saved number with a single tap.
2. Editable saved numbers: I could modify a saved number directly in the app, making it incredibly convenient to switch between similar meter numbers.

These small features made a significant difference. The process was faster, easier, and more user-friendly.

How This Affected My Bkash Usage

Over the following months, I began relying on Upay for all my prepaid meter recharges. Even when I didn’t have sufficient funds in my Upay account, I’d open the Upay app to copy the meter number, then switch to Bkash to complete the transaction.

This workaround highlighted a key issue:

• Bkash’s lack of copy functionality forced me to use a competitor’s app.
• A small missing feature created unnecessary friction in my user journey.

Why Copy Functionality Matters in UX

At first glance, the ability to copy text or numbers may seem trivial. But in the context of mobile apps, it’s a powerful feature that can significantly enhance usability. Here’s why:

1. Time-Saving

Copying a saved number eliminates the need for manual retyping, saving users precious time—especially in repetitive tasks like utility bill payments.

2. Error Reduction

When entering long sequences like meter numbers, manual typing increases the likelihood of errors. Copy-pasting ensures accuracy.

3. Convenience

Small conveniences, like the ability to copy or edit saved data, make users feel that an app is designed with their needs in mind.

4. User Retention

Missing features, no matter how small, can push users toward alternatives. In my case, Upay gained my loyalty because of its superior experience in this area.

A Lesson for Bkash: The Cost of Small Oversights

Bkash is an industry leader in mobile wallet services, and its app excels in many ways. But this experience underscores the importance of sweating the small stuff in UX design.

What Could Bkash Do?

To address this issue, Bkash could:

1. Enable copy functionality for saved numbers: A simple copy button next to saved meter numbers would solve a lot of user frustration.
2. Allow editing of saved numbers: Giving users the option to modify saved data would add flexibility and eliminate unnecessary steps.

Final Thoughts

Sometimes, it’s the smallest interactions that create the biggest impacts. The ability to copy a saved number might seem insignificant, but for users, it can mean the difference between a seamless experience and a frustrating one.

For me, the lack of this feature in Bkash led to a shift in how I handled my prepaid meter recharges. While Bkash remains my primary financial app, Upay’s attention to detail in this specific area won my loyalty for a key task.

If there’s one takeaway from this experience, it’s this: User experience is built on the little things. Adding small yet thoughtful features can transform how users interact with your product—and keep them coming back for more.