Mobile application is a powerful business tool in any industry. It is hard to imagine a more beneficial way for customers to satisfy their needs and make money for business owners. For example, the latest research for 2021 has shown that mobile apps positively affect customers’ decisions to purchase. It has also demonstrated that SME (small and medium entrepreneurs) businesses could stabilize their position and even increase earnings during the pandemic.

A high-quality app is essential to be competitive in the market. With a convenient and stable application, users can become leads and then a customer. On the other hand, they can simply forget about your company after a first unsuccessful experience. So let’s figure out the mobile application testing process: what types exist and what practices are the best for efficient testing.

Types of mobile application testing

Mobile application testing includes 10 types. Each has its own specific features that are better not to forget about to achieve a full-fledged result — a flawless app. After finishing this article, you can visit the TestFort blog to find more information to improve workflow and product quality.

Installation testing

The installation stage of any app must go without a hitch for users so that they keep using it. If there are any problems with installing or updates, it can become a critical moment of losing leads. So a software testing agency has to ensure that this stage performs well under different conditions.

Storage testing

Ensure that mobile app data downloads and stores on different devices. The size of any app mustn’t exceed the storage size so as not to crowd out the rest of the applications on the smartphone.

Functional testing

Testing the full performance of all functions is the main task of testing. Each feature should work quickly, not interrupt the execution process, and not contradict each other. All integrated features must match the original design.

Performance testing

This type implies checking the performance of an application under different load levels. The speed, responsiveness, performance, scalability, and stability of the application must comply with the regulations. Each barrier to full functioning must be identified and removed as soon as possible.

Usability testing

QA teams, test engineers, and others collect information from end-users of an application as part of testing. Users suggest improvements and changes that could make the user experience more enjoyable. Based on this data, measures are taken to improve the product.

Compatibility testing

At this stage, testers verify the compatibility of the application with the device. This means that all system requirements must match both the product and the platform. Also, the QA team tests the compatibility with other applications that might work in tandem with the product. For example, when users switch from an application to a messenger app or Internet payment.

Security testing

This process of testing a mobile application identifies problems with data integrity and storage. It also checks the security of the application for a mobile device. The security system must be thought out to the details so that there is no possibility of hacking or obtaining personal dates.

To help improve mobile application security testing, there are a number of tools that are worth investing in to help strengthen the overall security of the app. There are a number of factors to consider when picking this security testing tool that will help you pick the right one.

Firstly, ensure the security testing tool isn’t hard to install and that it integrates easily with mobile developers and operating systems. Real-time bot protection should also be active too as bots tend to be the main cause of threats to the system. A mobile app security testing tool shouldn’t slow down the apps they’re protecting, meaning they need to be low memory and use very little CPU.

Localization testing

Local adaptation of the application is significant; this point should not require extra effort from the user to not exhaust them. It takes to ensure the app includes the correct date/time formats as well as local currency, language, and local regulations as appropriate for an individual region so that users can access an application worldwide.

Best practices for a flawless result

The complex of software testing steps can lead a company to successful interaction with the audience. Testing a mobile application taking into account all the details minimizes unnecessary expenses for correcting critical errors. On the contrary, a good application becomes one of the primary sources of business profit.

As a result, the risks of losing users due to a non-working or defective application are reduced. Indeed, after unsuccessful cases, users rarely give a second chance to the program; few are willing to spend the effort to reinstall the application or write reviews and wait for them to be taken into account. So we are glad to share the best mobile testing practices to get better with challenges.

Gather information

Gathering information about the product is essential before running tests. QA engineers must understand the architecture of an application, its functionality, and the approaching environment. 

Consult with the development team and product owner about product features and testing expectations.

Run tests on actual devices

Use only actual devices for testing that most customers use for the time of testing. It takes research to find out what devices are the most popular among the target audience. Test only on real smartphones/mobile gadgets to get a relevant result.

Choose the method

According to the information gained, plan the testing and determine an optimal testing method for each stage: manual or automated. 

Remember that automated testing is reasonable in covering more tasks in less time, but this is not applicable for testing visual parts of the product (UI/UX). 

Pay attention to UI/UX

The QA team must ensure that a mobile app is convenient for end-users. The interface should be intuitive for any new user: advanced or beginner. 

It is also essential for mobile applications to meet the requirements of the platforms on which they are placed. For example, the App Store has its own UI guidelines that all the set apps must follow to get on the Apple platform.

Functional testing is a must

It is imperative to make sure that the application’s appearance on different devices matches the desired result. Nevertheless, the most important thing is the functionality, which must be impeccable.

Make sure you meet all specifications and run cross-platform compatibility tests. Conduct functional bugs tests and fix them before the application is released.

Care about details

The QA team shouldn’t take the app separately from the real world. It is worth thinking about external factors that can affect the performance of the product. It is best to include specific conditions in your test plan. 

For example, these conditions may be different on users’ devices: device settings, location (it is worth taking into account different cultures), battery power, etc. Also, various notifications, calls, messages can interrupt the application.

Maintain the quality 

After the product is designed and tested under various conditions, the application is released to the market. Do not forget that this is not the end of the work. 

From time to time, you need to make sure that the application works on all versions and updates of the OS. Each time after the integration of new features, it is necessary to retest and fix new bugs.

To Sum Up: things to keep in mind

The essence of all mobile devices is the same, but each brand and model has different characteristics and system requirements. This is one of the most challenging but most important stages of testing – to consider every detail and create an intelligent system that runs smoothly. A quality assurance (QA) blog can help with knowledge but will not solve the puzzle.

Quality assurance challenges don’t have to intimidate product owners. Outsourcing QA companies are highly qualified and experienced in working with various mobile applications: from the healthcare system to businesses that provide goods and services. It is also recommended to save this article, which can be used by testers, management, developers, and designers as a checklist.