What are the Motives and Goals of Mobile App Testing?

Mobile devices are evolving and becoming more sophisticated and diverse in terms of features and functions. Many applications that were originally designed for the desktop or web environment have now been ported to mobile devices.

Testing mobile applications is becoming another testing specialization. Until recently, testing games or testing software downloaded from the Google Play store was not considered crucial. Today, due to the high business value, testing has become important for companies developing mobile software.

Although mobile applications have limited computing resources, they are expected to be as flexible and reliable as traditional applications. One of the best indicators of quality to help determine whether a mobile application is agile and reliable is the so-called Mobile App Testing.

The goal is also to determine the performance of the application and perform various tests to determine the effectiveness of the mobile application. Testing determines whether the application can be successfully downloaded to the device, is functional on the device, and communicates properly with the back-end infrastructure.

Although the Mobile App Testing process is based on traditional testing methods, mobile application testing can be categorized into several types:

• Usability testing

This type includes testing the visualization of the text against the selected language, navigation between different screens, verification of functionality, both online and offline. Testing also includes checking the feedback from the mobile operating system, for example – there must be a notification message for each download of an application.

• Compatibility Testing

Here you test the operation of the application on different devices, different versions of the operating system, screen size, resolution.

• Interface Testing

Here, every screen, every button, text input is validated, and the overall interface of the application is generally checked.

• Testing Services  

This excludes the possibility for the application to play the role of a server, checks whether a service does not take too much time to load and whether it can not be used offline. The possibilities for the failure of service are also checked.

• Low-Level Resource Testing

Checks for excessive memory usage, uncleaned temporary files, local database overgrowth, and application-generated garbage.

• Performance Testing

This type includes checks to change server connections from WiFi to 2G / 3G or vice versa, code optimization for CPU cycle, battery consumption, memory leak, GPS check, Camera, etc.

• Operational Testing

This type tests whether the backup works properly, whether all running processes and memories are saved when the battery drops. The possibility of losing information as a result of updating to a newer version is tested, as well as the reaction of the application in case the user receives a call, message, alarm. The usability of the battery is also checked.

• Security Testing

This includes techniques for encrypting/decrypting sensitive data, checking for multi-user support, checking access to files saved by external users, and possible malware breaches.

The importance of mobile app testing before launching them for public use should not be underestimated. A mobile application that contains bugs and problems can damage not only the business but also the reputation of the organization.

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Aik Designs

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