Let’s see the different types of mobile app testing – functional, performance, usability, security, localization, installation, compatibility, and device testing.
If McDonald’s managed like a software company, 1 out of every 100 Big Macs would give you food poisoning, and the response would be, ‘We’re sorry, here’s a coupon for two more.’ – Mark Minasi.
It signals a mobile app developer tells lies when he said- the app tested and it’s bug-free. It’s unrealistic to anticipate that there’s a bug-free app kind of thing that exists. Well, it’s the role of mobile app testers to make the app better and succeed where others fail.
Presently, no company can afford to ignore the importance of testing else the end users most likely show ignorance to test the app either. It’s clear that beyond business mobile app needs, the app must function and perform on all the devices and OSs as expected.
Different types of mobile app testing
The mobile app testing is the only way to guarantee the development of an app that’s the replica of what business desire and ensures a positive customer experience.
Functional app testing
The testing ensures that the app is functioning as it’s intended. The testing aims to check the app flow and the purpose and identify the functionalities meeting specifications and industry standards or not.
Functional testing comprises unit testing and integration testing. Under unit testing, just a part of code, or the smallest function of the app tested individually to identify the flaws and ensure it functions as expected. Post-unit testing, the integration testing is performed, where all the individual functions are combined and tested as a whole. Top to bottom, bottom to up, and hybrid approaches are employed to find the error accurately under integration testing.
Performance testing
The testing checks the app’s performance, speed, stability, and responsiveness under different workloads. It focuses on locating and eliminating all the processes that negatively impact the app performance before the app goes live. The testing ensures that the app meets all the performance objectives through load testing, stress testing, soak testing, spike testing, and volume testing.
The load testing verifies whether the app can handle the defined number of users simultaneously. The stress test checks the app stability under heavy workload to know the point where the app breaks. The soak testing tests the performance level sustained over a long time for a given activity. The spike testing defines the system behavior when unexpected variations sin users witnessed. The volume testing checks the app performance against mammoths of data in the database.
Usability testing
The testing checks the UX that the app delivers based on its intuitiveness and ease of use. Mainly, it includes the identification of bugs and other issues that create confusion and interfere with the customer experience. This feedback is gathered straight from the customers to make the app stay synced with end-users.
The best practice to execute usability testing includes- setup usability test scripts, creation of usability questionnaire, integration of usability questionnaire, and then analyze the user’s feedback to gain actionable insights and enhance user experience.
Security testing
Most of the users deter to install a mobile app due to security issues. Even the main reason behind maximum app uninstallations is a security threat. It’s damn essential to ensure that apps are free from vulnerabilities, malware, and trojan horses.
Various types of security testing done to identify and fix the weakness and loose points that may result in fraudulent activities.
Vulnerability scanning on hardware, networks, and software scans the points where the fraudsters can exploit the system and hack the data. Penetration testing identifies and determines unauthorized access to the system if anyone attempts. Security auditing evaluates the risk level against industry standards and security scanning scans and provides the solution to the weak points.
Localization testing
The multilingual, currency conversion into local currency and adherence to local regulations and compliances makes the app usable and accessible across the globe. Besides, the UI design and graphical elements need to be in sync with the culture and deliver the wow experience to the users of different nations and cultures. It’s a sign that the app must adapt to the region.
That’s where localization testing helps. It includes testing whether the app is fully localized or not in terms of the local currency, text, UI, meeting regulations, and time zone date and time preferences. However, it’s tricky to conduct localization testing as it requires access to local resources that can test the app.
Installation testing
You succeeded in making the users download the app, but during installation, if it crashes or does not perform as expected, then users give no second thought before uninstalling them. That’s where installation testing, that’s also referred to as implementation testing, comes into the picture.
It checks whether the installation and uninstallation processes are performing without any interruption or not. Additionally, the installation of the updates is also verified to ensure the updates would install on the user’s phone in the future flawlessly.
Compatibility testing
It makes sure the app can run impeccably on the multitude of devices, operating systems, network conditions, and distinct hardware specifications.
It includes device compatibility testing for various screen sizes, resolution, and storage; mobile OS and their versions compatibility testing against iOS, Android, and Windows versions; browser compatibility testing for Google, Firefox, Safari, and others; network performance testing like- varying bandwidth, speed, and capacity; hardware compatibility testing for different hardware configurations.
Mobile device testing
No mobile app testing is complete without testing the app performance on devices with different hardware and software qualities. Testing the app for various hardware and software combinations is all-important.
Under the umbrella- NFC capability is checked to identify the mobile enables NFC payments or not. The biometric sensors are verified to ensure the types of biometric authentication are possible. The geo-data from mobile devices is validated to make certain location-based services provide real-time information. The mobile interruption testing reveals how mobile app reacts during low battery, notifications, incoming phone calls, and app updates.
Takeaway
The mobile apps were never perfect and won’t get perfect. However, it’s not a license to always miss ingredients in the app. Don’t worry. The mobile app testing comes to the rescue.
The problem is not that testing is the bottleneck. The problem is that you don’t know what’s in the bottle. That’s a problem that testing addresses. — Michael Bolton.
Never ignore the importance of app testing. Otherwise, you bin the app that you certainly don’t want to. The eight types of mobile app testing- functional testing, usability testing, performance testing, security testing, installation testing, mobile device testing, compatibility testing, and localization testing help in launching the app- that’s bug-free and lets you cook the recipe of success. All the best!
