by admin | Dec 3, 2021 | Mobile App Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
Testing apps can be a great boon to a business, whether the platforms are iOS, Android, or any other options on the market. While automated testing tools can provide a good idea of how well an app functions, it is also vital to test apps manually. Manual tests are not only more precise but can also improve the user experience of an app. To ship quality applications, businesses should utilize both kinds of testing software.
If you are in the process of developing a minimum viable product (MVP), the key is to find methods that will deliver quality output while scaling back on cost and time-to-market. This blog post will shed light on manual and automated testing and when to use them to drive results.
Automated vs Manual Mobile App Testing: Which Is Better?
Automated testing tools are the most efficient way to ensure that an app will function properly, but it is worthwhile to test apps manually as well. Here is a guide to help you know which testing method to use when developing your app.
Automated Mobile App Testing
When developing an app, testers need to be sure that its features work seamlessly so that the app can function as advertised. Automated testing tools are ideal for this purpose, as they can run through a large number of test cases quickly to ensure that the app functions as designed. Automated testing tools are also good for finding bugs, as they can run through a large number of test cases quickly to ensure that the app functions as designed. It is important to note that automated tools cannot be used to test all features of an app, and they should not replace manual testing. Instead, the two types of testing should be used together.
Manual Mobile App Testing
Manual testing provides a more detailed view of how an app works and how it will impact the user experience. Manual testing allows testers to test interactions directly and make decisions based on these interactions. For example, a tester examining an app’s user interface might notice that the background color is very bright and difficult to read, which could negatively impact user experience. Other issues that can be found using manual testing include unexpected behavior of a feature, even if the feature works as planned, and performance issues.
Which One Should You Use?
The answer depends on the development stage of the app. Automated testing should be used during the early stages of the development process to ensure that the app functions as expected. It is fine to use automated testing tools during all stages of development, but the tests should be updated as the app is updated to ensure that the app continues to function as expected.
Manual testing should be done after automated testing is completed because manual testing provides deeper insight into the app. Manual testing also allows the tester to test for issues not found by tests automation.
Conclusion
The best way to ensure that an app will function properly is to use both automated and manual testing. While automated testing tools can automatically test for features that are essential to the functioning of the app, manual testing allows testers to test for other elements that are outside of the scope of automation.
Let Codoid help you find the best automated and manual testing tools for your app development. Codoid is an industry leader in QA. We don’t say this just to brag; we say this because it is our passion to help guide and lead the Quality Assurance community. Our brilliant team of engineers loves to attend and speak at: software testing meetup groups, forums, Software Quality Assurance events, and Automation testing conferences. Work with a reliable automation testing company, and give us a call today!
by admin | Nov 23, 2021 | Mobile App Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
Do you believe in the myth that every test case or scenario can be automated completely and effectively, and that manual testing is no longer necessary? If you don’t, that’s good news. But if you do believe in that myth, it’s time to reassess your approach towards software quality. Not all test cases or scenarios can be automated properly, and at times though automation is possible to achieve, it will not be the right path for you because of factors like ROI, repeatability, and so on. We know for a fact that manual testing is still an irreplaceable and integral part of software testing that one has to master to attain maximum quality. It has been instrumental in helping us deliver the best Mobile Testing Services to our clients. So we have curated this blog by covering the various effective manual mobile-app testing strategies we have been using over the years.
Let’s lay a roadmap first and then work around the other aspects that one should concentrate on to perform effective manual mobile-app testing. You might have the greatest tool in your hand, but it will be of much use if you don’t use it correctly. Likewise, we should know when to use manual testing and when to use automation. The very first step would be to create an effective plan, and you should know the possible resources you can use to fulfill your vision.
Develop a Plan:
You have to understand the app very well to know what tests have to be run and where automation has to be used. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind.
- What makes manual testing stand apart from automation is the manual tester who is in control. Only a real human will be able to identify the usability issues in the app. Ultimately, it is not about passing a test that sees if the app is user-friendly, it is about if the app feels user-friendly.
- Exploratory testing is another approach where the tester at the helm plays a more significant role in comparison. The intuition and domain knowledge of the tester will be able to guide them through effective tests. This type of testing is almost impossible to achieve with automation.
- Make sure to analyze your test cases and see if it has to be run only once or if it has to be run multiple times. If it has to be run just once or twice and doesn’t consume much time, there is no point in spending extra effort to automate the process.
- Localization and Internationalization make the app more accessible across the globe. Manual tests can be preferred here as when different languages are used, the UI might be affected by the change in font and word lengths.
- Black-box tests that are done during the early stages of development will also benefit from manual tests. If frequent changes are being made to the app, then implementing automation can become cumbersome due to the constant changes you’d have to make to your test scripts.
- If you are tasked with checking the compatibility of the app across different devices, then manual testing will also come in handy as there will be many test cases or scenarios that aren’t repetitive.
Types of Mobile Apps
Your test strategy must also consider the types of mobile app that is being tested. There are 3 basic categories that we would have to know about, and they are,
- Native Apps – They are applications designed specifically to work on a specific platform like iOS or Android.
- Web Apps – They are actually a responsive version of the website that can work on mobiles through a browser instead of installing the application. So they are independent of the platform.
- Hybrid Apps – As the name suggests, it is a combination of both the above types. They do have traits of a web app, but it is ultimately merged with a native app that makes it possible to be downloaded onto the phone.
Use a Wide-Range of Devices
Now let’s take a closer look at how you can combat one of the biggest challenges when it comes to testing mobile apps (i.e.) the wide range of different mobile phones that are available.
Major players in the arena have their flagship mobile launches once a year, but they also launch mid-range and budget options at more frequent intervals and these are the models that are mostly used by the people. Apart from the fresh launches, people would also be using the older versions and the app must work well with that as well.
When it comes to software, they are primarily split into iOS and Android. Android is further split into brand-specific skins like OneUI, ColorUI, and so on. Hardware options are also innumerable as Apple has started using their own M1 chips, whereas Samsung has its own line of chips (i.e.) the Exynos and also have the Snapdragon variants. Mediatek chipsets are also becoming prevalent. We could keep going if we list all the variations in the devices. Now let’s progress move on to the solution.
Cloud-Based Solutions
Purchasing every single device in the market is not a possible solution. So it is more practical to opt for cloud-based solutions like BrowserStack that gives you a wide range of real Android and iOS devices that you can test with. It is also not that complicated as you can just upload the apk or ipa file of your application and choose the device and software version you want and begin testing as though the device is with you. If you are looking for a list of the best Cloud Testing Platforms that will suit your needs, don’t miss out on our blog where we have covered this topic in-depth.
So we can basically test the application on every single device that is available on the platform. But just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. Even with the right tools, it is important to use an approach that identifies the devices you should use to test your app. Here are a few tips to keep in your mind.
- Do proper research to identify the most widely used mobile variants in the market.
- Make sure to use mobile devices with different screen resolutions and sizes.
- Identify the target audience of your app and look for data that shows the type of devices used by them.
- Your device selection should cover the various OS options available in the market. We have already discussed the different variations in Android. So make sure it is not chosen as plain Android and iOS.
- The same applies to the hardware aspects and the various features like compatibility, memory size, connectivity, and so which vary from device to device.
Emulators
A more cost-effective way would be to use emulators that mimic the actual devices instead of using the actual devices. But the reduced cost does demand additional time and effort. The reason is that you would have to download emulators of all the devices you want to test with. The other major disadvantage is the reliability issue as emulators will not be able to mimic the real-world scenarios that might happen in the real device. In fact, you won’t even be able to perform basic gestures like pinch, swipe, long press, and so on. Network operations also can’t be tested in emulators.
But as stated earlier, emulators can be used if you are on a tight budget as there are various open-source options. Since emulators will be in your local machine, they will be better in terms of speed and function without the latency that can be seen at times with cloud-based options. You could go with emulators if you have very basic testing needs or if you will use them only during the early stages of development. If not, it is better to choose one from the list.
Proper Documentation
Documentation is a very crucial aspect of software testing itself. But when it comes to manual mobile app testing, make sure you create a well-defined click path. A detailed click path doesn’t just avoid any confusion while testing, it also optimizes the time needed for each test session. Once the bug is fixed, you can refer to the documentation to recreate the scenario and find out if the bug has been fixed or not. Since every single detail matters, ensure you write down everything important you have observed while testing without leaving out any data. Documentation shouldn’t feel like the end of a conversation that is written for the sake of it. As one of the best Manual Testing Companies, we always focus on our documentation in all projects and have seen good results every single time.
Beta Testing Phase
This is pretty much an add-on phase of testing that you can use to make sure no oversight issues get through to the final release. Nowadays we have a higher number of people volunteering to beta testing programs to try out the new features of an existing app or to test a new app itself. Since the beta users will not be software testers, you will be able to get a real-world preview of how good your app is. So make sure to identify people who resemble your target audience and not random people as the results may be misleading.
Conclusion
We hope you have a clear understanding of how you can effectively test your mobile apps by taking the manual approach. There is simply no option as good as manual testing when it comes to usability and accessibility testing. So using the above-discussed strategies, we believe that you will be able to perform quality manual mobile-app testing.
by admin | Nov 12, 2021 | Mobile App Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
Today’s trend in technology is the use of mobile devices. The reason for this is because a smartphone can do the same things a computer can. This is why many companies resort to developing mobile applications to expand their operations. While it’s a sensible choice, not everyone succeeds in this endeavor.
A mobile application may have a successful launch, but its maintenance can make or break it. For this reason, proper app testing must be conducted first to set the parameters of how an app will be maintained.
In this article, we list down eight reasons app testing is vital to the mobile app development process. Read on below to learn more.
#1 – Implements Quality Assurance
Similar to most products, quality assurance applies to mobile apps too. After all, you don’t make a mobile app and rush immediately to launch—you’ll want to make sure that everything is working properly for it to succeed.
#2 – Helps with Revenue Generation
There’s no doubt that the growing need for smartphones only means that apps must be well-developed. For companies, this only means one thing: to capitalize on mobile apps and generate more revenue.
App testing will assist you in developing strategies to allocate resources for activities such as branding, development, and marketing up to the final launch of the app. When done right, you will maximize your profit.
#3 – Improves User Interface
An excellent user interface can bring in more users, so it has to be user-friendly. Some pointers to take note of when making a user interface design are:
- Easy navigation
- Fast load times
- Includes a search feature
- Simple design
As long as these four are present, your user interface will be good, making it easier to use your app.
#4 – Guides with Update Releases
You might think that your app is already perfect, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, there will come a time when the app’s functionality is considered outdated. For this reason, updates to maintain the app’s functionality will be released.
It’s not even just functionality because other improvements are also included with updates, such as increased security. App testing ensures that updates will work for all devices, and it will also give you time to evaluate what can be improved.
#5 – Reduces Risks for Your Business
It’s estimated that mobile apps from more prominent companies cost somewhere between $100,000 to $500,000 to develop. With that amount of money, you definitely don’t want it to go to waste.
Through app testing, you will know the risks that will pose a threat to your mobile app. These issues are mitigated because you can detect problems earlier.
#6 – Helps Establish Your Brand
Many businesses functioning through apps must always look for ways that will distinguish them from the competition. App testing will help implement recommendations and feedback from test users, allowing more users to enjoy using the app.
#7 – Attracts More Users
If your mobile app is tested, it’s a guarantee that they’ll use it for their comfort. With a solid user base, you can attract more users to your app whenever your loyal users recommend the app to people they know. Referrals trying out your app because of its positive reputation is an added bonus.
#8 – Ensures Compatibility Across Various Devices
The number of smartphones being manufactured each year is rising. Because of this, compatibility between devices must be prioritized. App testing ensures that the app can function without issues regardless of whether the device is Android or Apple.
Conclusion
App testing is a critical part of the mobile app development process that must not be skipped or rushed in any way. If you don’t conduct app testing, you’re setting yourself up for failure because it won’t do users any good, leading you to lose business.
Codoid offers top-quality mobile app testing services to make sure that your mobile app functions correctly. A mobile app must always help solve a user’s needs, and an incomplete app won’t do that. Contact us today to learn more!
by admin | Nov 5, 2021 | Mobile App Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
An application crash is a developer’s worst nightmare. Even though it happens to everyone, it could be unbearable for your users and may cost you financial damages. Recurring crashes lead to more uninstalls; therefore, it’s great that there are numerous techniques to avoid them during mobile app testing. To accomplish this, your program must consistently provide a good user experience.
To ensure the stability of your application, first, identify the primary sources of crashes and devise methods to avoid them. Here’s how you can prevent app crashes by testing your app’s stability:
Memory and Processing Management
Memory difficulties are a leading cause of software crashes because not all users own high-end tablets and smartphones. As a result, your software must perform its intended functions while maintaining memory management.
To proceed, take caution not to utilize too much RAM. When possible, make use of your cache. Determine which parts of your software consume the most data or have the most complex data structures, and make sure they are all required.
Additionally, you can also profile your program to find memory leaks. As you structure network inquiries to avoid overburdening the device, craft methods and strategies to save memory and prepare a list of what to keep and what to delete.
Error Surveillance
Once you’ve identified errors and problems, you can rectify them. And when it comes to fixing app breakdowns and issues, you must go above and beyond. One method is to monitor the performance of the Internet Information Server and look for flaws.
For example, if a user’s WiFi connection goes down during a file transfer, you can notify them via a communication channel. When failures occur as a result of unexpected app behavior, you’ll need crash detection tools in your mobile app testing kit.
App Compatibility Testing
To test your program or app, use as many platforms, devices, manufacturers, and generations as possible. You can use this method to determine your compatibility. The majority, if not all, of devices and platforms are supported.
You must, however, be mindful of your limitations. Comprehensive mobile app testing will ensure that your app is compatible with a wide range of devices and will aid you in finding and addressing flaws before its release.
Activate Offline Use
Continuous network connectivity issues can harm your application system and may lead to a bad reputation. Users may be dissatisfied if they need your program but cannot access it due to a lack of internet access.
By employing a local data store such as Google Room, you can create an app that functions flawlessly offline. The application’s offline mode can help you prevent crashes and freezes caused by a sluggish internet connection.
However, early testing of mobile apps on slow networks may reveal weaknesses, preventing software from becoming inoperable on all networks. So, make it a point to check if the program works on unreliable networks.
Conclusion
While not all accidents are avoidable, those that are can be corrected quickly. This notion applies to developing applications as well. To put it simply, one of the most effective ways to learn about and fix your crashes is to use crash reporting tools. As you gather data and further broaden your knowledge, you’ll be able to create an app that is efficient and useful to your users.
Are you looking for mobile app testing services? Codoid is a forerunner in quality assurance comprising a team that guides and leads the community. For your assurance, our brilliant engineers attend meetup groups, forums, software quality assurance events, and automated testing conferences on a regular basis. Get in touch with us today!
by admin | Nov 4, 2021 | Mobile App Testing, Blog, Latest Post |
Appium is a great choice if you are on the lookout for open source tools to automate mobile applications. Be it native, web, or hybrid applications, Appium will be able to automate it. In addition to that, it has cross-platform support across Android, iOS, and Windows as well. Last but not the least, its support for multiple programming languages like C#, Python, Java, Ruby, PHP, JavaScript with node.js, and so on. As a leading QA company, Appium has been always been our go-to tool in many of our projects. So in this Appium guide, we will be giving you a thorough walkthrough of how you can run tests on real devices using Appium. Let’s take a look at a few other advantages that Appium has to offer before we proceed further.
Advantages of Appium
- Appium is an open-source tool that is very easy to install. Reinstallation of the application is also not needed when there are any small changes that have to be made.
- Appium doesn’t require any application source code or library.
- It has an active and helpful community.
- Unlike other testing tools, you wouldn’t have to include any additional agents in your app for making it compatible with Appium for automation. It will test the same app that will be uploaded to the App or Play Store.
- Beyond testing the mobile apps from Android and iOS, it can also be used to test windows desktop applications.
- Parallel execution of test scripts can be achieved by using Appium.
Prerequisites for using Appium
Now in this Appium Guide, let’s take a look at few of the prerequisite you’ll be needing in order to get Appium up and running. You would have to install the following,
- Java (JDK)
- Android Studio
- Additional Android SDK tools
- Appium jar file
- Appium Desktop Client
- Eclipse IDE for Java
Note: Node.js and NPM will be there by default whenever the Appium server is installed. It is not required to install node.js and NPM separately as would be already included in the current version of Appium.
Appium Guide to install Appium with Node.js
Step 1: Check if node.js is installed on your system by entering the below-mentioned code in Command prompt. Step 1 isn’t the only step where we have mentioned the codes. So make sure to use the appropriate codes we have highlighted in the command prompt.
node --version
npm –version
Step 2: Download the node.js installer
Step 3: Run the installer & install node.js & npm
Step 4: Check if node.js & npm are installed.
node --version
npm --version
where node
where npm
Step 5: Install Appium with node.js
Step 6: Check if Appium has been installed
Step 7: Start Appium
Installing Appium with APPIUM DESKTOP CLIENT in Windows
Step 1: Download the Appium desktop client
http://appium.io/
https://github.com/appium/appium-desk
Step 2: Install the Appium desktop client
Step 3: Start Appium through the desktop client
Appium Guide to install Appium on MacOS
Step 1: Check if node is installed on your system
Step 2: Install node.js
https://nodejs.org/en/download/
https://brew.sh/
Step 3: Check if node is installed using these codes
Step 4: Install Appium
Step 5: Check if Appium is installed
Step 6: Use the below code to start appium
Installing Appium with Appium desktop client
Step 1: Download the Appium desktop client
http://appium.io/
https://github.com/appium/appium-desktop
Step 2: Double click on the .dmg file to install the Appium desktop client
Step 3: Start the Appium desktop client
To verify Appium’s installation and its dependencies
Install Appium-doctor as it is a tool used to verify Appium installation. We can install it by using npm as we’ve already installed node
npm install appium doctor -g
If you want to check the version of Appium doctor, use the following code
How to uninstall Appium
If you had installed through node.js, then use the below code,
If you had installed the Appium Desktop Client, then just delete the app
Appium Guide to connect a Real Android Mobile Device on Windows
Step 1: Download SDK tools
https://developer.android.com/studio
Step 2: Unzip the folder and then extract the platform-tools using the below code
sdkmanager “platform-tools” “platforms;android-28”
This command will extract the platform-tools
Step 3: Set the environment variables
ANDROID_HOME=location of SDK folder
Path: Append the path of the plaform_tools folder
Step 4: Check the command ‘adb devices’ in the command line
Step 5: Make the device ready
Enable developer mode to turn on ‘USB Debugging’
Step 6: Connect the real device to the computer using a USB cable.
Step 7: Run the below command
adb devices
adb = android debug bridge
Check if your device ID is displayed.
Appium Guide to Connect Real Android Device on macOS
To achieve this, you must have Java installed on your system, and the JAVA_HOME should be set in the environment variables command to check the Java –version. You should have also installed homebrew.
Step 1: Download the Android SDK
You can download it using this link directly and install it using the below-mentioned codes.
brew install android-sdk
brew cask install android-sdk
Step 2: Extract the platform-tools folder using the following command
sdkmanager “platform-tools” “platforms;android-28”
Step 3: Add environment variables
ANDROID_HOME = path of android-sdk folder
Path: Append the path of the platform-tools folder
export ANDROID_HOME=/usr/local/share/android-sdk
echo $ANDROID_HOME
export PATH="/usr/local/Caskroom/android-sdk/4333796/platform-tools:${PATH}"
Use the below code to set the environment variables permanently on the Mac system
If bash_profile does not exist
bash_profile
Press i and add the following
For setting the PATH for ANDROID_HOME
export ANDROID_HOME=/usr/local/share/android-sdk
For adding the platform tools to the PATH
PATH="/usr/local/Caskroom/android-sdk/4333796/platform-tools:${PATH}”
Press the ‘Esc’ key
Hit ‘Enter’
Now Android Home and Path have been set permanently.
echo $ANDROID_HOME
echo $PATH
You should be able to run the command ‘adb devices’ now.
Step 4: Same as Windows, make your mobile device ready for automation by enabling developer options and turning on the ‘USB Debugging’ option.
Step 5: Connect the real device with your computer system using a USB cable.
Step 6: Run the following command
Check if the Device ID is displayed
Running Your First Test on a Real Mobile Device
Step 1: Download Eclipse or any other IDE for Java
Step 2: Create a Java project
Step 3: Add the following libraries
1. Selenium Java
2. Appium Java client
https://mvnrepository.com/
Step 4: Connect your device and run the below command
Step 5: Start the Appium server either from the command line or using the Appium Desktop Client
Step 6: Add the code to start automation on your mobile device.
Set the desired capabilities and start the calculator application.
deviceName
udid
platformName
platformVersion
appPackage
appActivity
Step 7: Run and validate
Appium Test Case for Native Android App (Calculator)
Step 1: Download the ADT Eclipse plugin or download the ADT bundle separately
Step 2: Open Eclipse and Create a new Project >> Package >> Class
Step 3: Import the Selenium library and TestNG inside that new project.
Step 4: Now create a small test Program for ‘Calculator.app’ to add two numbers.
package src_Appium;
import java.net.MalformedURLException;
import java.net.URL;
import org.openqa.selenium.By;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver;
import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement;
//import org.openqa.selenium.remote.CapabilityType;
import org.openqa.selenium.remote.DesiredCapabilities;
import org.openqa.selenium.remote.RemoteWebDriver;
import org.testng.annotations.*;
public class Calculator {
WebDriver driver;
@BeforeClass
public void setUp() throws MalformedURLException{
//Set up desired capabilities and pass the Android app-activity and app-package to Appium
DesiredCapabilities capabilities = new DesiredCapabilities();
capabilities.setCapability("BROWSER_NAME", "Android");
capabilities.setCapability("VERSION", "4.4.2");
capabilities.setCapability("deviceName","Emulator");
capabilities.setCapability("platformName","Android");
capabilities.setCapability("appPackage", "com.android.calculator2");
// This package name of your app (you can get it from apk info app)
capabilities.setCapability("appActivity","com.android.calculator2.Calculator"); // This is Launcher activity of your app (you can get it from apk info app)
//Create RemoteWebDriver instance and connect to the Appium server
//It will launch the Calculator App in Android Device using the configurations specified in Desired Capabilities
driver = new RemoteWebDriver(new URL("https://127.0.0.1:4723/wd/hub"), capabilities);
}
@Test
public void testCal() throws Exception {
//locate the Text on the calculator by using By.name()
WebElement two=driver.findElement(By.name("2"));
two.click();
WebElement plus=driver.findElement(By.name("+"));
plus.click();
WebElement four=driver.findElement(By.name("4"));
four.click();
WebElement equalTo=driver.findElement(By.name("="));
equalTo.click();
//locate the edit box of the calculator by using By.tagName()
WebElement results=driver.findElement(By.tagName("EditText"));
//Check the calculated value on the edit box
assert results.getText().equals("6"):"Actual value is : "+results.getText()+" did not match with expected value: 6";
}
@AfterClass
public void teardown(){
//close the app
driver.quit();
}
}
Conclusion
So we have done a comprehensive coverage of everything that you would need to know in this Appium Guide like the advantages of Appium, the methods to install Appium on both Windows and macOS, and also saw how to connect a real device on both platforms and run a test. We hope you’ve found this blog to be informative. As one of the best mobile app testing services providers, we highly recommend Appium for your testing projects to get the best results.
by admin | Nov 3, 2021 | Mobile App Testing, Blog |
It is needless to say that the competition in the mobile app market is very high and that only the best of the best apps have a chance of not getting lost in this ocean. An idea or concept alone is never enough to make your app successful as Quality is a pivotal factor that will directly impact your app’s success. As a leading QA company, we have been the backbone of many successful app releases. So in this blog, we will be exploring the top 10 mobile app testing best practices that will make your app stand apart from the crowd. But before that, we have to take a closer look at why we need mobile app testing.
Why do we need mobile app testing?
Nowadays, a majority of people use their mobiles for a wide range of purposes like managing their business, making online payments, social media marketing, and so much more. So it is a simple case of supply and demand here. As our needs are increasing day-by-day, the number of mobile applications being developed also increases. But that is not the only reason, there is also a wide range of people who would use an app to make their business better or for any specific reason, but don’t use it as they feel that the applications fail to procure the worth they want or the application simply fails to serve their purpose.
But nobody sets out to make something that is bad, but how do certain apps never work as planned or even get released? Lack of versatile application testing has a major role to play for such a scenario. So if the user faces any issues in the application then they would either switch over to a similar application instead of wasting their time or stop using apps for that purpose. All these problems can be avoided by using these 10 mobile app testing best practices that will ensure quality.
1. Choose the right device to perform testing:
Before testing any mobile application, choosing the devices wisely will help us cover the maximum number of test cases and make the application a global success. Since we are surrounded by different devices that have different screen sizes, software versions, and so on, selecting the right devices for manual testing will be a pretty risky job. But trying to test the app on all the available devices is an impossible task. So the best idea here is to test the application in the most prominently used mobile devices in the world.
2. Test on real devices:
Testing on real devices will play a major role in ensuring the quality of the mobile application in real-world scenarios to provide the best user experience. Although there are numerous simulators and automated tests available to predict the software and hardware performance, testing on these simulators is not as trustworthy as testing on a physical device. Certain hardware features such as the specific chip settings, processing power, and device memory cannot be accounted for by a simulator. The use of real devices is required for completely testing the mobile app in terms of both hardware and software.
3. Doing early testing:
People’s greatest weakness is their lack of patience. As a result, we do not consider the consequences that will befall us in the future. So most companies develop their applications and release them into the real world without proper testing just to be early to the market. If a user encounters any problems with the application after it has been released, the user may post a negative review in the app store or play store. Or even worse the user might build a negative perception of your app or the company on the whole.
Starting your testing early is one of the best mobile app testing best practices as you can help avoid many more issues down the line. The earlier we start testing, the earlier we find the errors, and the earlier we fix those errors, the higher are the chances of gaining the user’s trust and winning him/her over with our application. Beyond quality, it can even reduce the overall cost of the development process as well.
4. Automate the process of mobile testing:
It’s always a good practice to automate the process of testing as a particular application may have n number of features and connections. The main advantage of doing automation testing is it ensures speed, accuracy, and code reusability, enabling you to quickly test and re-test different conditions. These are the immediate benefits, automation tests will also become cost-efficient in the long run. It is preferable to automate mobile security, performance, and functional testing. As a leading mobile app testing services provider, we have found automation to be a highly effective tool that can make your process extremely efficient.
5. Check App permissions:
We all know that privacy has become a primary concern for many of the users every time they start using a new application as users are very sensitive about the security of their data. Most applications do request data access permissions from their users based on the application context and it is almost unavoidable. But, we must ensure that the application requests only permissions that are required and that it does not request permissions that are not required. This is one of the more recent mobile app testing best practices that has caught on due to the growing awareness around the subject.
6. Test over multiple networks:
Apart from the lockdown situations we saw during this pandemic, users will not be situated in just one fixed place when using your map. In reality, they will constantly be on the move and might not have the same kind of network availability everywhere they go. The user could be solely reliant on mobile data which implies that the user could have any speed ranging from 2G to 5G. If not the user could use Wi-Fi connections at home or their workplace. To avoid any difficulties from the fluctuating network speeds, mobile app testers must confirm that the app works with a variety of network speeds and that it can handle the network changes. So testers must go around testing the app in different network conditions using different network providers.
7. Test the app’s interruption handling capability:
A mobile phone’s primary purpose is to make and receive calls and messages. Apart from that, your app is prone to face such interruptions as loss of network connection, alarms & reminders, other app notifications, and so on. A new unexpected interruption could cause the app to malfunction and create a bad experience for the end-user. There is also the possibility of uninstalling the application as a result of their disappointment. So to avoid all of these interruption concerns, testers must test based on the interruptions a user might encounter and determine whether your product functions properly.
8. Third-party integrations:
In today’s world, most of the applications rely on Third-party integrations to analyze the statistics, crash reports, notification services, and much more. APIs are used to provide these endless services to the target users. So testing third-party APIs or configurations has become a mobile app testing best practice that none can afford to avoid. But it also challenges test teams to switch between different devices during the span of the test scenario. These complex use cases raise the amount of work required to thoroughly evaluate the application, yet can’t be ignored.
9. Test for battery optimization:
Most mobile applications now consume a lot of battery power due to a large number of features in the application or due to its complexity as well. A few examples of such features are audio/video sharing or playback, geo-location tagging, sharing large amounts of data, and so on. Though we have phones that charge so much faster now, users still hate it when it drains as fast as well. If your app is the one that’s consuming a lot of power, then the user will most definitely end up uninstalling your app. To resolve these issues, testers should perform battery tests on all parts of the application and determine which part or feature of the application is consuming a large amount of battery. This will assist business owners in saving money and planning ahead of time to address those issues.
So make sure the user never has to choose between your app or better battery life as that is a contest very hard to win.
10. Test the app for global access:
It will always be a proud moment for any company when their application has been completely developed and released to the world. Yes, having a specific set of people as your target audience is a good option. But your app might find its own niche of users in places you never even imagined. So never miss out on making your app a global product that can be used anywhere. So testers should test different languages, currencies, interfaces, and so on.
Conclusion:
Testing your application is also as important as developing your application. Mobile app testing requires a robust and powerful testing strategy and we hope our list of the top 10 mobile app testing best practices will help you create such strategies. But there is so much more to effective testing than the best practices alone. So make sure to do your own research for the tools to use and so on.
