Offline-first mobile apps are designed to perform most of their core functionality without access to the internet, eliminating internet dependencies and making them faster and more reliable. This approach should be considered the standard for any mobile app development effort, as users expect seamless experiences even in areas with slow or no network connectivity. To achieve this, developers need to handle data locally on the device, store it in a cloud database, synchronize data between clients, and build an architecture that can handle disruptions and ensure real-time responsiveness. A robust mobile database platform like Couchbase Mobile is essential for offline-first apps, providing critical components such as embedded databases, cloud databases, and synchronization technologies that enable faster and more reliable app development.