The use of mobile applications for diabetes self-care has become increasingly popular for improving glycemic control and treatment adherence. This review aims to identify the characteristics, functionalities, and effectiveness of these applications, as well as to pinpoint patient needs and areas for new application development. Following the PRISMA-ScR framework, a search for articles published between 2017 and 2024 was conducted in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and Cochrane Library, with a focus on keywords like “diabetes,” “self-care,” “self-management,” “mHealth,” and “smartphone applications.” Out of 225 initially found articles, 41 underwent review based on specific criteria. While international studies have shown the effectiveness of mobile applications for diabetes self-care, research in this area is limited in Mexico. This article proposes to identify characteristics, needs, and opportunities from international studies to develop practical mobile applications tailored to the local context, addressing both medical and psychosocial aspects of diabetes for more personalized care in routine medical practice.