Testing Mobile Apps in 2023: Best Practices and Tools

You need to test mobile applications before launching them so that customers get to enjoy a seamless and error-free experience. But doing so without a proper strategy can backfire. 

This blog covers the different types of mobile application testing and the best practices you must remember for accurate results. It also provides suggestions for testing tools. 

Testing an app is essential to make sure end-users enjoy a smooth and seamless experience. In fact, the earlier you do it, the cheaper and easier it will be to fix issues. However, if not done correctly, mobile app testing can turn out to be expensive and problematic.  

Moreover, some common challenges you might face while testing an app include network compatibility, too many devices, device fragmentation, variety of screen sizes, and power consumption. 

To address all that and more, you need this mobile app testing guide that helps make the process efficient and streamlined. 

Different types of mobile application testing 

Before launching an app, you must make sure that it can run without a single glitch on multiple operating systems and devices. 

Knowing about the popular types of mobile testing and the importance of each is one of the best practices to follow in this regard. 

Functional testing  

• Verifies if every app function is working properly 
• Tests in-app user flows 
• Checks if app installs and launches accurately 
• Checks the functioning of buttons, text boxes, menus etc. 
• Tests if push notifications appear at the right time and correctly 
• Tests if transactions can occur seamlessly 

Usability testing 

• Checks the app’s intuitiveness and ease of usage 
• Tests the design, layout, response 
• Detects bugs and suggests ways to enhance customer experience 
• Conducted with real devices and real people 

Performance testing 

• Checks app performance under a specific workload 
• Tests battery consumption, start-up time, memory consumption 
• Checks network and server performance 

Interruption testing 

• Tests the app’s response to unexpected interruptions while running 
• Common interruptions include – incoming calls/messages, low battery, OS upgrade, network loss/restoration 

Compatibility testing 

• Check if the app works on different operating systems, browsers, networks, and devices
• Tests app behavior with old and new software versions 

Localization testing 

• Tests app features based on geographical location
• Checks if user interface is aligned with local language, culture, preferences, currency, laws
• One of the difficult types of mobile testing due to inadequate access to test resources and coverage 

Installation testing 

• Check if the app installs and uninstalls correctly
• Makes sure that updates are accurate and uninterrupted 

Security testing 

• Tests app behavior under different device permission schemes 
• Ensures authenticity, confidentiality, integrity

Memory leak testing 

• Leaks happen when the app cannot return the memory it obtained for temporary use
• Programming bugs are responsible for memory leaks
• Testing involves running the app on various devices with different memory capabilities 

Manual testing 

• Includes physical interface, complex, and exploratory tests
• Makes sure the final product works as desired 

Automated testing

• Apt for complicated/tedious tests
• Accelerates product release 
• Requires you to build and maintain accurate test scripts, test automation framework and infrastructure 
• Requires integration of current engineering workflows with automated testing process
• Involves management of setups and test runs, careful monitoring, rigorous reviews for test result validation 

Mobile device testing 

• Ensures both software and hardware quality
• Tests biometric sensors like iris recognition, face recognition, fingerprint etc.
• Check if a mobile device can support contactless payments 

You can also explore various tools to test mobile applications on Zoftware, compare their features, and decide on one that supports the necessary testing types. 

Best testing practices for mobile apps 

Now that you know about the different types of mobile testing, keep the following best practices in mind, so you can develop, design and launch apps fast.

Understand the app

• Have a good idea about all functionalities 
• Set up test coverage metrics and develop appropriate test cases accordingly 

Study users 

• Analyze how they interact with the app
• Test parts that are used most often 
• Detect design aspects that frustrate users
• Then frame better test strategies, take more relevant business decisions, and refine the user experience 

Test under real conditions 

• Test mobile applications under real-time scenarios like – low-battery warnings, SMS interruptions, different time zones, poor network conditions, etc. 
• Check every probable situation in the testing cycle to correct flaws instantly 

Focus on fundamental functionality 

• One of the best testing practices is to test and execute main app functions thoroughly 
• Start testing user experience right after the prototype is ready 

Test early and frequently 

• Start testing from the initial stages and at multiple milestones 
• Reduce testing effort and time by automating most features 

Monitor operating system upgrades 

• Maintain the app in such a way that it works even when there is an upgrade

Leverage a real device cloud 

• Conduct automated tasks, obtain app performance insights, and switch devices easily 
• Test from any location
• Debug and release apps faster 

Split the process of testing 

• Conduct tests individually on smaller units
• Thoroughly test every aspect of the app to get accurate results

Enhance the app with specific tests

• Use A/B testing to find out which options users prefer
• Modify functionalities with optimization testing
• Determine which new features interest users most with fake-door testing 

Combine manual and automation testing 

• Manual testing helps cover various locations, devices, and user experience tests
• Automation makes it all faster, more efficient, and more accurate 
• Automate load, white box, and performance tests
• Automate any repetitive test
• Use crowd-testing for time-efficient, scalable testing 
• Schedule manual tests after crucial design/development cycles 

Check Zoftware’s platform for various solutions for testing an app and pick the one that helps you conform to the best practices. 

Top tools for testing an app 

There are plenty of feature-rich tools available in the market today, for various types of mobile application testing. They are priced differently to suit different budgets as well. 

You can compare them on Zoftware and check which one aligns with your business needs the most. Here are some options to make your task easy.  

• BrowserStack – Helps you perform visual, automated, and live testing across websites and mobile apps. Enables you to conduct local testing on applications that are work in progress, without having to host them in public environments. Integrates with Trello, Jira, WordPress, Slack, etc. 
• ClicTest – Cloud-powered solution that enables manual testers to quickly create automated tests. Helps develop top-quality apps with zero errors and minimizes launch time. Has a platform-agnostic and flexible approach. 
• CloudTestr – Onboards automated tests in 4 to 6 weeks and executes them within 3 to 5 days of quarterly releases. Enables constant automation testing for customers of Oracle Cloud. Apt for finance, manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and retail sectors.  
• Opkey – Instantly generates required test cases and quickly converts them into automated tests. A no-code platform that efficiently automates repetitive tasks and speeds up digital transformation. Suitable for multiple industries. 
• Verifaya Studio – Script-free automation testing platform that ensures agility for your business and provides continuous integration. Helps to quickly automate browser, native, and hybrid mobile apps. 

Conclusion

• Test mobile applications before launching them to ensure they are error-free and meet end-user needs perfectly  
• There are different types of mobile testing, including functional, performance, compatibility, localization, security testing, and more 
• Understand the mobile app and end users before testing
• Testing an app under real conditions, from an early stage, and focusing on fundamental functionalities help
• Split the testing process, monitor operating system upgrades, and combine manual and automation testing for the best results 

References:

https://www.browserstack.com/guide/mobile-app-testing-best-practices

https://www.browserstack.com/guide/mobile-testing-types

https://blog.kms-solutions.asia/best-practices-for-mobile-app-testing

https://testlio.com/blog/10-mobile-testing-types-and-approaches/

https://smartbear.com/blog/10-best-practices-for-mobile-app-testing/

https://www.outsource2india.com/software/mobile-applications/articles/mobile-application-testing-best-practices.asp