Mobile Testing Services: Top Challenges and Best Practices

Timothy Joseph
Timothy Joseph | October 6, 2020

Mobile Testing Services: Top Challenges and Best Practices

Mobile testing is no longer optional. With mobile usage accounting for more than half of online traffic, millions of users see the phone as the end-all, be-all of web connectivity. That includes online browsing, internet gaming and mobile applications, such as your software product.

There’s no question that your development cycle needs to include mobile app test automation services. But how to make that can happen can leave any QA team puzzled.

For example, why are mobile testing services important? What are the common challenges in mobile testing? What are the most common mobile app tests? And what are the recommended best practices for mobile app security testing services?

Let’s explore what your QA team can expect from integrating mobile app testing services within your testing procedures, from QA challenges in mobile application testing to solutions on how to overcome those mobile app testing challenges.

Why Is Mobile App Testing Important?

In a mobile-first world, the user experience of your consumers matters. Whenever your mobile app renders incorrectly, freezes or crashes, it only takes one tap for your user to leave your software application.

Why give your consumers an excuse to abandon your mobile experience?

Mobile application testing services can allow your company to build a mobile application that’s both scalable and accessible across devices, be it mobile or desktop. Testing your application software regularly for usability, functionality and consistency ensures that your product is ready for market. And a market-ready mobile app is more likely to increase user engagement and customer loyalty.

So, how can you make mobile app testing services happen? You can grow your internal QA team with skilled mobile app testers, implement automated testing and onboard a mobile app testing company.

Whatever your approach to mobile app penetration testing services, there are several QA challenges in mobile application testing worth examining first.

What Are the Common Challenges in Mobile Application Testing?

Like any testing process, there’s bound to be issues for your development and QA teams to address. Fortunately, these common challenges in mobile testing also have solutions designed to keep your software application on course for an on-time market deployment. First understand these mobile app testing services challenges so that your mobile app security testing services can correct these issues quickly and painlessly.

  • Screen Sizes Variations

    • Problem: A constant release of new devices across mobile providers poses many mobile app testing challenges for QA teams. For example, one device may render your application UI flawlessly while another scrambles up the experience. And your mobile app is no longer responsive if it doesn’t offer consistent UX from device to device.

    • Solution: Your testers should plan on testing the mobile application across all varying sizes of the screen. That way, your QA team can confirm that the usage and layout elements function as expected for all users on any device. We recommend having all device types on standby so that your QA team can test the consumer experience in real time and in real life. A strong mobile app testing company executes mobile testing across all mobile devices. Your team can also apply multiple simulators to emulate the experience of all screen sizes, however this approach doesn’t always test in real time so results aren’t fully accurate.

  • Operating System Variety

    • Problem: Thousands of mobile devices are available in today’s market, showcasing different versions of OS. Take Android and iOS for example, both offer a variety of operating system versions depending on when the user upgrades or updates their device. This poses many mobile app testing challenges, as it can be difficult for testers to validate application software.

    • Solution: If your company can make the investment, create a mobile testing lab that allows your team to test across all operating systems. A well-established mobile app penetration testing services provider also has a mobile testing lab so that all tests they carry out on your behalf are carried out across all operating systems. This is especially important for validating the security of your product, since cybercriminals can use any OS version to attempt fraud. Your team also has the option of relying on simulators to emulate all operating systems, however this approach doesn’t always test in real time, so the results aren’t fully accurate.

  • Different Connection Types (2G, 4G, 5G)

    • Problem: Network connectivity impacts how well a mobile application behaves, especially when most connections today are wireless. And whenever users move around with their mobile device, they are likely to switch from network to network while still expecting a consistent user experience regardless of connection. Because mobile apps communicate with servers that are far away, this can pose many challenges in mobile testing. Testers must find a way through mobile testing services to verify that their app performs as strongly on 2G networks as for unlimited data plans.

    • Solution: A powerful mobile app test automation services provider guarantees that all tests are carried out across network types, including tests that switch from one network to another, tests that perform in offline mode and tests that switch between disconnection and reconnection. This testing approach can also be carried out by your internal team with the right resources and time structure in place within your development cycle.

  • Maintaining Secure Data

    • Problem: Security always presents QA challenges in mobile application testing. Passwords, bank account details, credit card information, sensitive personal data-all must be kept private and secure from cyberattacks. While developers keep security in mind when creating or updating the mobile app, your QA team must be vigilant in checking for any loophole that an unauthorized user may possibly discover.

    • Solution: Many companies choose to partner with a mobile app security testing services provider to ensure that all sensitive information is safe from data breaches. Your QA team can also develop thorough test cases that examine encryptions and algorithms used at every point, including vulnerability testing that assesses the strengths and weaknesses of your mobile application.

Common Mobile App Tests

Your QA team, and any external resources such as mobile testing service providers, should test the stability of the mobile app’s software system as well as its compatibility with mobile hardware across devices. Consider adding these types of common mobile app tests to your mobile application testing process.

  • Functional Testing

    Mobile functional testing verifies that each mobile app function works exactly as required. Your QA team and mobile application testing services provider should test the user flow throughout the application as well as features that impact each category of user. Functional testing should be able to confirm that the mobile app:

    • Installs and launches properly
    • Supports easy sign-up and log in for users
    • Upholds accurate functionality for text boxes, buttons, menus and icons
    • Correctly renders push notifications and appears when relevant
    • Executes any transaction or purchase seamlessly
  • Performance Testing

    This type of mobile testing reviews how well an application performs under various conditions. Your QA engineers and mobile app test automation services provider should execute tests that puts the mobile app under various forms of pressure in order to validate that it does not malfunction during non-optimal conditions. Performance testing should be able to verify the following for your mobile app:

    • Device performance, including battery consumption, memory consumption, installation and log-in time
    • Network performance, including pauses in receiving digital information and rendering features as well as any delays or errors
    • API/Server performance, including speed and formation of data transfer
    • Recovery capabilities, including built-in recovery functions and back-ups
  • Localization Testing

    Mobile localization testing confirms the reliability of features dependent on the geographical location of the mobile app. Your QA team or mobile testing services provider should execute test cases that examine how well the application adjusts to any localized needs and preferences. Localization testing should validate that:

    • Features are correctly placed within the mobile app
    • UI elements align with user’s culture, language and device accessibility
    • The mobile app enables commerce in local currency in order to adhere with local law and regulations
  • Security Testing

    This type of software testing is designed to uncover all vulnerabilities, risks and threats within the mobile application. Your QA team and mobile app penetration testing services provider should be able to identify all possible weaknesses or loopholes within the app during testing in order to prevent loss of sensitive data. Security testing should be able to validate that:

    • Legitimate encryption techniques are applied to secure private information
    • Access is only requested to the necessary services
    • User authentication executes appropriately before granting data access
    • Mobile app interacts with web services utilizing secure protocols
    • Data is stored locally on the mobile device using appropriate encryption
  • Usability Testing

    Mobile usability testing - also known as user experience testing - checks for the user friendliness of your mobile application. Your QA testers and mobile app testing services provider should create test scripts that examine the mobile app’s ease of use and intuitiveness so that every user experience is free of glitches and defects. Usability testing should confirm the following for your mobile application:

    • Visually appealing design and layout and design
    • Intuitiveness for all user cases
    • Quick response time, such as how quickly the app launches upon request

Mobile App Testing Best Practices

How can your QA engineers address and overcome all of these challenges in mobile testing? By following mobile app testing best practices, of course! Incorporate these methods within your mobile app testing process so that you can rely on defined solutions throughout the development cycle.

  1. Identify the Type of Application Being Tested: Are you testing a native mobile app designed for a specific OS? A web app compatible with all devices? A hybrid app that looks like native apps but performs like web apps?
  2. Test Across Multiple Platforms: Does your team plan to test your mobile app with emulators or simulators? Does your team have access to all devices relevant to your mobile application, be it through internal resources or relying on your mobile testing services provider?
  3. Use a Reliable Test Case Management System: Does your platform capture your test requirements? Assist in designing test cases? Map your test cases to your test requirements? Generate test execution reports upon demand?
  4. Leverage Internal Labs and the Cloud: Does your team have access to all devices essential for successful mobile testing? Can your team create processes that support cloud-based mobile testing services?
  5. Implement Reliable Defect Reporting: Do your QA testers and mobile app test automation service provider follow advanced testing techniques, such as concurrency testing and group testing? How quickly does your development team receive defect reports from your QA engineers? Do their defect reports reveal any notable patterns or consistencies?
  6. Utilize Framework-Driven Test Automation: Does your testing framework increase the productivity of your mobile app testing process? Does your tech stack support in-house scripts as well as cloud testing? Are your QA engineers comfortable with and skilled at executing automated tests?

Next Steps for Mobile Testing Services

The breakneck speed of progression is not likely to slow down-rather, it’s likely to escalate. Following these best practices can help your QA team prioritize your mobile testing approach based on your specific business needs so that your test cycles deliver accurate results and faster launch to market.


Does your team need more resources to make this happen? Choose to partner with a professional mobile app testing company like QASource. Our team of testing experts are skilled in mobile QA testing and automation testing. Let our QA engineers assist in executing all essential testing to ensure your mobile application continues to meet consumer expectations and safeguard customer data. Get in touch with a QASource expert today.

Looking for more information about mobile QA testing? Grab our free guide below!

Disclaimer

This publication is for informational purposes only, and nothing contained in it should be considered legal advice. We expressly disclaim any warranty or responsibility for damages arising out of this information and encourage you to consult with legal counsel regarding your specific needs. We do not undertake any duty to update previously posted materials.