Importance of Mobile Application Testing

Over the last few years, the mobile phone has become an important part of everyone’s life. Number of mobile app users and mobile apps are increasing exponentially due to which developers strive to bring their product to market as quickly as possible. As a result, end users have a humongous number of apps to choose from. But how does the user choose the app that will take up the precious space on their device? App quality is the key to any app’s success, and it can only be achieved through mobile application testing.

Success of an app can be measured by the number of downloads or positive reviews along with rapid bug fixes and implementation of new features. Above all, quality of the app and user-friendly interface plays an important role in making an app successful and it can be achieved with mobile application testing.   All the major issues that an application faces can be resolved through a successful mobile app testing. Besides, a perfect mobile app testing allows you to deliver better software with new features and bug fixes in short intervals so that users do not lose interest and new features do not bring new bugs.  Testing becomes vital for an app’s survival.

Effective Mobile Application Testing Strategies

The purpose of testing is not always about finding the errors, but, it is also to make sure the application works properly. The best way to perfection is always questioning the possibilities. Testing is a mixture of techniques and strategies; there is no simpler way to make sure the working status of an application.

Here are the effective strategies that can be applied for testing iOS and Android apps:

1. Scope of Testing :

Defining the scope of testing is most important step in mobile app testing. It includes what features and functional requirements should be tested. It also determines the types of mobile apps testing required, whether functional testing, usability, compatibility, performance, security, or others. But mostly the scope of testing includes mixture of functional and usability testing.

2. Decide Device Coverage :

There are over 24,000 models that exist in Android itself and this number is growing by time. Deciding mobile devices for testing apps is very important. For deciding devices, consider the latest OS version for both Android and iOS, different OS versions on devices of different screen sizes and most popular mobile devices among targeted audience.

3. Write Test Cases :

Well written test cases help a lot through a sequence of steps to validate whether an application is bugs free and meets the end user’s requirement.  Test cases ensure good test coverage, improve the quality, and allow the tester to think thoroughly and test the app from as many angles as possible. Test cases bring together the whole testing process.

4. Functional Testing :

Ensuring that the app is performing the expected functions which are described in specifications of the app is on priority when we start testing an app. Tester makes sure that features are working as expected and user can complete the particular task. Give more importance to functional testing than the graphics.

5. Testing Network Conditions :

It is essential to test mobile applications under different network conditions to ensure the application’s behavior. It should work with challenging network and without internet connection for features which are expected to run offline.

6. Security Testing :

Security of data is most important concern of the users. Making sure that data of user cannot be deleted or hacked plays a significant role in mobile app testing.

7. Localization and Language :

Testers must ensure that the app provides high quality of user experience in every language especially for the apps which are expected to be used globally. Users must be able to switch between languages with ease, and not face any issues while doing so. Also, such apps must be tested to ensure that they interact with the device’s GPS to pick up location and customize its offerings accordingly.

8. Usability Testing :

Usability testing ensures the convenience of using the application. While testing usability of mobile applications, testers must ensure that app is friendly to use for end user, content and pictures look natural in app environment, components are synchronized with users’ actions, speed of response is high enough etc.

Conclusion:

These are the effective strategies to follow while testing a mobile application to make sure that end users get high quality applications. In my next blog, we will discuss about the challenges a QA used to face while testing mobile applications and key points to keep in mind during testing process to get reliable outcome.