Currently, there are almost three million mobile apps available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play - and the number is continuing to grow. In an environment where there are so many apps and the mobile ecosystem is so complex, it is difficult to find and create loyal users for a new app. Any app that wants to stand out from the crowd must be top quality, and that requires thorough testing and design.
In this article, we will have a brief overview of mobile testing, its types, and actionable tips that you should consider before launching your app on the market
Let us get started
What is meant by Mobile Application Testing
The mobile application testing process includes testing for functionality, performance, usability, etc. of modern mobile applications.
Testing mobile applications can either be automated or manual. That way, you can ensure that the application you deliver to users meets both business requirements and users' expectations.
Why is Mobile Testing crucial
In the last few years, mobile internet usage has risen while desktop/laptop internet usage has decreased. A good mobile app experience is essential because of the proliferation of mobile devices.
It is impossible to tell how well your application will serve most users if you do not test the mobile experience. Unless you understand this, you'll receive negative comments and one-star app reviews on social media.
Regardless of the type of app, you are using or the platform on which it is developed, mobile app testing makes sure your mobile experience is strong.
Types of mobile apps
Different types of mobile apps are
1. Native Mobile Apps:
A native app is designed to run natively across one platform, be it Apple iOS, Google Android, or Windows Phone. It is advantageous to use a native platform since it tends to optimize the user experience. It can operate more quickly and intuitively since it was developed specifically for the platforms
2. Hybrid Mobile Apps:
A responsive website changes its design when viewed on a mobile device. Adaptive web applications, however, automatically adjust their sizes according to each device. These apps can be installed and run through a web browser like native apps on mobile devices. All hybrid applications are created using HTML5. In spite of being slower and less reliable than native apps, hybrid apps can greatly streamline the development process. The fact that your business doesn't need to build and maintain separate applications for different platforms can save you time and money. Apps that mainly deliver content benefit from this.
3. Web Apps:
The design does not change with these applications. The most popular programming languages can be used to build web apps, but they cannot operate on mobile devices or be sold in app stores.
Types of Mobile Testing
A high-quality mobile app is ensured by mobile automation testing, which contributes to reducing the application development time and cost. The various types of mobile testing are
1. Usability Testing
Usability testing can be used to determine how an app will help users achieve their intended goals.
2. Performance Testing
Performance testing assesses how well a mobile application performs as its workload increases. Mobile devices must undergo these tests to ensure they perform well under varying loads.
3. Security Testing
Security concerns lead to one-third of all app uninstallations. In order to ensure data security and app behavior, security testing is implemented for various permission schemes.
4. Manual Testing
To ensure the mobile product functions as intended, manual testing is conducted. This includes complex and exploratory testing as well as physical interface testing.
5. Interruption Testing
Mobile applications are subjected to interruption testing to ensure and monitor their behavior. For example, An interruption may be an incoming SMS or phone call, a push notification, or notification of low battery, and so forth.
6. Functional Testing
A functional test ensures that a mobile application is working according to requirements. Testing the functionality of a device ensures consumer satisfaction and quality.
#### 7. Localization Testing
Localization testing makes sure that mobile apps are compatible with specific cultural and linguistic aspects of a specific region.
#### 8. Compatibility Testing
Having a mobile application compatibility-tested is an essential step in developing it. It is essential to ensure that mobile applications are compatible with as many devices as possible. In order to check the usability and performance of mobile applications, a compatibility test is essential.
#### 9. Installation Testing
A mobile app installation test verifies that it was installed and uninstalled correctly. It also ensures that updates were installed and uninstalled correctly.
10. Automated Testing
By combining automated and manual testing, we can deliver a better product faster and with greater quality.
Tips for Testing Mobile Apps
1. Be familiar with your end-users
For a mobile app to be successful, you must have data about your end-users. The key to making informed business decisions, defining your support policy, prioritizing development, and refining the user experience is knowing how your users interact with your app. Make sure your team includes analytical mechanisms when developing your app. It is vital to measure end-user data, not only in identifying test strategies, but also to make business decisions in the future.
2. Intelligent Balanced Testing
Try to strike a good balance between script-based testing and exploratory testing. It is important to remember that script-based tests cannot assess emotional engagement, and they typically take longer to complete. Using session-based testing to detect user experience issues, edge-case scenarios, and special usage conditions provides a better level of assurance. Select the right mix to ensure the best level of coverage.
3. Check how the UI looks on different screens
Especially in the Android market, designing for all the different screen sizes can be challenging. The app must run consistently regardless of the screen size. Users may immediately uninstall the app if they see an ill-aligned screen, or worse if elements bleed off the page. The app must be mapped to every model it will support and tested on every device with every screen size. You do not need to test the UI on both devices if two different models have the same screen size. It is sufficient to test the app on only one of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5s if the app supports both models.
4. Prioritize functionality first
The core functionality of an app or website determines its success or failure. Most people look for apps that perform a particular function. Insufficient or incomplete functionality will lead to abandonment, so make sure that the main functions have been implemented and tested before proceeding.
5. Perform Localization Testing
It is best to cater to the needs of users from different geographical locations and cultures by providing the app in their own local language, date format, currency, and measurement unit. By testing localization, the application ensures that its target audience is met and that it conforms to local requirements.
6. Test on more devices with a cloud service
Even though emulators are useful during development, your app must eventually be tested on real devices. The task of maintaining a complete inventory of all mobile devices is impractical. Make sure that your team has easy access to a wide range of devices and platforms by using a cloud-based device management platform.
7. Establish a Support Policy
The ability to test every possible combination of browsers, platforms, and devices is impossible. To keep up with the pace of the mobile market, make your support policy clear as soon as possible and revisit it every three months or so. Identify your target devices and platform versions using end-user data and market research. Most testing should be done on combinations representing the largest number of users.
8. Performance testing shouldn't be overlooked
Testing mobile devices can be overlooked due to the range of conditions they operate under. Test your app on different devices to see how it performs when the signal strength changes, when it multitasks with other apps, when it switches between core functions, and when it runs on different carriers. To detect all performance issues, you need to examine a variety of scenarios.
Developing a successful mobile app isn't easy, but with the right mobile testing strategy, your chances will be greatly improved. So do it in a wise way by following the tips mentioned above
Conclusion
Developing a successful mobile app isn't easy, but with the right mobile testing strategy, your chances will be greatly improved. So do it in a wise way by following the tips mentioned above
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