Mobile apps are important for today’s enterprises as they continue to be the major business enablers. It is critically important that these mobile apps should function seamlessly at all times. Typically, these mobile apps should be tested for their functionality, usability, accessibility, consistency, performance, etc. Evidently, mobile app testing plays an important role in the overall mobile app development process. Mobile app testing helps identify various types of bugs that affect the functionality, security, and reliability of apps to ensure a seamless experience (UX). It is important to note that today’s end-users access mobile apps on various devices that differ in hardware configuration, operating systems (OS), browsers, etc. Thus, testing the mobile apps on various mobile testing devices is essential before releasing them to the market.

Broad classification of mobile testing devices

Mobile apps are tested using various types of mobile testing devices by analyzing application behavior, functionality, user interface, and many other factors. As mobile devices differ by hardware configuration, OS, screen resolution, etc., it is evident that what works on one type of mobile device might not work on another mobile device. Therefore, to ensure the consistent behavior of apps on different mobile devices, it is essential to test them using various mobile device solutions. These mobile testing devices solutions are broadly classified as Real Devices and Virtual Devices

What are real devices?

Real devices are the various models of actual handsets used by the end-users. Testing teams have access to a couple of devices of different versions. To test the functioning and behavioral patterns, the mobile testing team tests the apps on a range of mobile devices such as iOS, Android, Blackberry, Tablet, iPads, etc. The results generated by real-device testing are accurate, but there is a higher cost involved with their purchase. Also, as the devices get updated from time to time and new devices are launched frequently in the market, it is difficult for testing teams to test mobile apps on all real devices. Thus, to overcome this challenge, testers use virtual devices. But, specifically, there are certain use cases where only real devices can be used for testing, including push notifications, real-time messages, GPS data, etc.

What are virtual devices?

Virtual devices are software programs that mimic an actual smartphone device’s important features and nature. These virtual devices help testers run the application and understand how an application would work on real devices. The virtual testing devices are broadly classified into emulators and simulators.

What is an emulator in mobile testing?

Emulators are software programs that create virtual devices on a computer. They are used to mimic the target device’s hardware and software on the workstation. It works on machine language that the processor understands and translates to the language used by the system through a binary translation process. The two most widely used types of emulators in mobile testing are android emulators and iOS emulators.

What are simulators in mobile testing?

Simulators are virtual testing software that can only mimic mobile devices’ software characteristics and configurations. They are made for iOS devices, i.e., iPhone and iPad. The iOS simulator mimics the iOS and runs the required application within the environment by taking charge of the computer’s operating system. But, to run the iOS simulator, testers need to work on MacOS as the iOS simulator needs Apple’s native Cocoa API, which is essential for the GUI, runtime, and many other operations. It sometimes challenges testers as they have to either work on MacBook or virtualize MacOS on their existing systems.

Major differences between real and virtual testing devices

Emulator vs. Simulator-based testing

How to decide when to test on real and virtual devices?

Real devices can be used for critical scenarios and in situations like memory leaks, high CPU usage, latency, and while having network issues that might fail when tested with virtual devices. Virtual devices can be used for testing the functionality and user interface as they give good results, and these devices are much cheaper than real devices. Moreover, these virtual devices can be set up with any configuration, and many instances can be created from them. Real devices testing comes with a cost, and automation testing on these devices requires additional effort, while cloud solutions can be used for testing as they provide numerous real devices on the cloud.

Mobile testing types to be performed on real and virtual devices

Installation testing:

This testing method involves a check on whether the application can be successfully installed, uninstalled, updated, or not. This test ensures that applications work as expected after they are installed.

Compatibility testing:

This test is performed to check the compatibility of the app on various devices varying in platforms, OS, browsers, etc. Testers use various types of real devices, emulators, and simulators to check the compatibility of an app on the maximum possible device forms.

Functional testing:

This test is performed to verify the functional aspects of an app. It ensures that the app functions well and works as expected. There are a variety of functional tests conducted on applications such as unit tests, integration tests, system tests, acceptance tests, alpha tests, beta tests, etc.

Usability testing:

The main aim of usability testing is to ensure the user-friendliness of an app. A set of end-users test the app, and their responses are recorded further to be evaluated to improve the mobile app’s usability.

Performance testing:

This test aims to eliminate performance bottlenecks from the app before it goes live, and it ensures that the application meets the performance objectives. This testing method checks the application’s speed, responsiveness, and stability under varying user loads, fluctuating networks, etc.

Security testing:

The main aim of security testing is to ensure that the application is free from vulnerabilities and security loopholes. Various types of security checks are performed in this testing method, such as vulnerability tests, penetration tests, security scanning, security auditing, etc.

Localization testing:

This testing ensures that the application meets the language and cultural requirements of a particular region. This test ensures that proper time zone, i.e., date & time formats, are included in the app, local currency, text, and user interface are used, and local regulations are included based on the geographical region.

Storage testing:

The main aim of this test is to ensure that the application’s data is stored in the right format and right directory. This testing method checks that sufficient apps are available on disk so that the app does not terminate unexpectedly.

User Interface (UI) testing:

This test aims to ensure that the application’s GUI meets all the required specifications. This test involves checking the UI of an app across various types of devices differing in screen size, resolution, etc., to ensure it provides the same UX across devices.

Conclusion

The need for high-quality mobile apps is rising, and it is essential to leverage effective mobile app testing to enable seamless UX. Testers should ensure mobile app testing using emulators, simulators, and real devices to reap the significant benfits of each mobile testing solution. Testers also need to ensure that they properly plan the test coverage, application under test, and mobile automation testing tools to maximize the benefits of mobile app testing while performing on different devices. Businesses can leverage mobile testing for flawless and reliable mobile apps from a next-gen QA and independent software testing services provider.

How can TestingXperts (Tx) help?

TestingXperts, with its advanced mobile test lab, extensive expertise in mobile testing engagements, and breadth of experience in the right mobile automation testing, ensures that the mobile testing is thorough and cost-effective. Our mobile testing Lab has 250+ physical and unlimited cloud-based devices from leading brands and the ability to test with various network carriers on 2G, 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi. Tx provides end-to-end mobile testing services, including functional, security, performance, compatibility, usability, and test automation across different devices, models, networks, operating systems, browsers, and locations.

Tx has also partnered with Sofy, the No. 1 AI-powered no-code quality automation platform, and established Tx-Device Hub powered by Sofy. This device lab contains a vast library of devices that allows QA Teams to test their apps on hundreds of devices before a release, ensuring a great user experience and the ability to release features within hours with high confidence. Get in touch with our mobile testing experts to know more.

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Major Mobile Testing Practices CXOs Must Adopt

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Contents 1. Mobile applications Testing 2. What are the types of Mobile App testing? 3. What are the pros and cons of Mobile App testing? 4. Major Segments where Mobile apps are leading the business arena 5. Mobile App Testing Trends 6. Conclusion

Mobile Applications Testing

Moreover, in today’s technological era with hypersensitive customers all around, mobile app quality matters the most as the market is very competitive; the user experience is critical as well as the performance of the app.

Typically, mobile apps that don’t deliver excellent experience tend to get negative ratings, thus affecting their overall reputation and downloads. Hence, it is important for all businesses to get high performing apps through effective mobile app testing.

It is interesting to note that the mobile application testing services market is valued at $13.3 B by 2026 and it is anticipated to witness significant revenue growth during 2016 and 2026. A recent study published by an eminent market research analyst envisages that the mobile app testing services market would record an impressive 19.5% value CAGR between the forecast period (2016 to 2026). This growth is expected to be primarily driven by an increasing number of applications and the effective need to improve mobile app quality.

What are the types of Mobile App testing?

Functional Testing:

This method of mobile app testing ensures to validate the functionality of the app and verifies whether the app functionality is according to the requirements or not.

Performance Testing:

This method of testing is referred to determine the app’s resource consumption, stability, and operability under various conditions.

Usability Testing:

Usability testing helps to determine the application’s behaviour to user operations. This method helps to ensure whether the app is providing a positive user experience or not.

Compatibility Testing:

This method of testing is performed to verify the performance of the software across devices such as mobile, networks, and platforms.

Security Testing:

This method of testing helps to analyze the data leakage risks and find the possible gaps that can influence cyberattacks or unauthorized access for sensitive information.

Localization Testing:

This method of testing is performed to ensure that the app is responding with respect to the language and culture of the target users. This is one of the important test practice to maintain your business standards globally.

What are the pros and cons of Mobile App testing?

The pros and cons of mobile app testing under manual testing are:

Benefits of Manual Testing: 

– The testing practice is cost-effective in a shorter-term period.

– Manual testing is more flexible; and provides a simulation for the user-actions.

Disadvantages of Manual Testing:

– With the manual process, it is difficult to reuse the test cases.

– The process to run the test cases is much slower.

– The test cases of Manual testing cannot be executed manually.

The pros and cons of mobile app testing under test automation are:

Benefits of Test Automation:  

– The tool is cost-effective for a longer period of time.

– Test cases are processed faster.

– The test cases can be reused.

– The test results are easier to share.

Disadvantages of Test Automation:

– The tools used for test automation may have certain limitations.

– The tools have a probability of less efficiency to maintain user-friendliness.

Major Segments where Mobile apps are leading the business arena:

– M-commerce apps

– Messaging platform apps

– Voice recognition apps

– Banking transaction apps

– Online shopping apps

– Finance apps

– Travel destination apps

– Healthcare apps

– Pharma apps

– Fitness apps integrated with smart wearable devices

Henceforth, all businesses continue to understand the criticality behind testing mobile applications and the need to keep an eye on the dynamic trends this segment is undergoing. These key insights help businesses to achieve full business potential while procuring effective mobile apps.

Mobile App Testing Trends:

1. Performance Testing to shift towards Performance Engineering (PE):

Mobile apps UX is the key to success and it is necessary to shift from Performance Testing to Performance Engineering to enhance UX. Moreover, PE focuses more on the intricate app architecture and implementation criticalities that ensures to deliver a preferred app which meets all the underlying performance specifications. It also ensures reduced costs and quicker return on investment (ROI).

2. Security Testing to Take an Uptrend:

With a lot of cyber-attacks ramping the cyberspace and it seems to be a similar situation even with mobile apps security; Mobile app security testing is likely to take an uptrend with so many latest functional/ manual testing or automation tools in the market. Such automated mobile app testing ensures businesses are having threat-free mobile apps. Eventually, secured mobile apps are bound to improve the business outlook of enterprises and promise to deliver good ROI.

3. Growing Demand for Automated Voice (Voice First App) Testing:

The Automated Voice Testing (AVT) has been there in the industry for some time now, and this approach primarily uses a speech recognition engine to automatically control the device conversationally as a human user would perform it. It is interesting to note that such an approach is both device and platform agnostic, as the automation of tests is done at voice level. Such automated tests can be executed on any kind of voice app running on any device which derives a lot of significance for the end-users.

4. M-Commerce App Testing on High Demand:

Undoubtedly, along with e-commerce, mobile commerce has also become essential for modern businesses. Today, most businesses continue to launch customized mobile commerce apps to generate more sales and stand up in the competition. Customers, continue to use the trending purchase options such as e-wallets and other digital pay channels. Zoom in the usage of these m-commerce apps has made it critical for these apps to be tested thoroughly. They should be tested for their UX, performance, and security, else it adversely affects customer loyalty.

5. Device (5G Devices) Integration Testing to lead the path:

Today’s market is flooded with handsets having different configurations, operating systems, screen sizes, and with unique dimensions. These different variations require software testing to be automated and the usage of new test automation frameworks is likely to rule the world of automated mobile app testing.

6. Cloud-Based Mobile App Testing to Trigger:

Mobile cloud platforms enable testers to assess the application’s look, feel and performance across multiple devices without buying any extra devices or hardware. Testers can make good use of these cloud platforms to create a customized testing environment that helps to work with a good number of real-time devices connected to the network. Thus, cloud testing is more in demand currently and investing in such mobile cloud platforms helps organizations to reduce their costs and save time.

7. IoT Testing to be high in Demand:

It is interesting to know that many organizations continue to adopt Internet of Things (IoT) as this has a huge impact on the development of modern web and mobile applications. Businesses continue to build mobile apps that can be smoothly integrated with various connected devices. At the same time, users will expect these apps and technologies to perform flawlessly. Hence, mobile app testers will have to assess the performance and functionality of the app, in addition to checking its performance with other connected devices while testing them.

8. The dominance of Open Source Automation Tools:

Open source tools are extremely flexible and fundamentally support the testing of all kinds of mobile apps i.e. android and iOS, Windows and Hybrid apps. Besides, most of the open-source tools include the code libraries for any programming language and are easily customizable to modifications in the technological landscape. Hence, the usage of these tools is more towards implementing test automation initiatives.

9. Adoption of AI and ML in Mobile App Testing:

Every segment of today’s innovation has AI and ML around its corner. Evidently, the usage of ML has revolutionized the global mobile application testing scenario by enhancing the processes and workflows of the testing cycle. It continues to contribute towards the predictive analytics of test cases and with log analytics, helps identify automated test cases. New ML algorithms are sure to rule the world of testing in the near future and eventually will deliver quality @ speed.

10. Impact of 5G in Mobile app testing

By using the 5G network in mobile app testing, the focus will be on areas such as walk tests, signal diffraction, mm-Wave signal proportion etc. Mobile app developers will be able to obtain 5G testbeds to conduct design validation. The impact of 5G will be connected through a blend of 5G and legacy networks. This mixed network environment needs to go through ample testing in order to understand mobile app interaction and performance across various settings.

11. Impact of DevOps in Mobile app testing:

The role of DevOps is to speed up the entire mobile app development and testing process. Developers and testers must work unitedly for full-fledged app development and deployment process.

Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) being a core part of DevOps, there has to be solutions for certain key points of mobile app testing, through which CI and CD can be measured. Some of the important points to ponder upon are as follows:

1. Deployment frequency and number of tests executed (against each regression)
2. Calculating the percentage in-line with failures vs successful tests
3. What is the exact timeline for the mobile app to get published?
4. Does automation works really well or manual testing needs to be implemented

Conclusion

As the consumer expectations continue to soar high for mobile app user interface and performance aspects, organizations must adapt and deliver them effective apps to stay ahead in the competition. With immense and constant upgradations in the technologies and with the range of mobile devices in the market, it eventually signifies the need for an effective mobile app testing strategy and testing process with a primary focus to shorten the mobile app delivery. Hence, the choice of right mobile app testing tools and mobile app testing services plays a significant role in achieving a high performing mobile app. Connect with our Mobile testing experts to discuss more.

The post 9 Dynamic Trends to Lead Mobile App Testing in 2023 first appeared on TestingXperts.