Native App Testing: Ensuring App Quality & Functionality
Mobile apps are the key to business success, accounting for a quarter of companies’ revenue, according to Kobiton research. However, 75% of companies report that slow app releases cost them over $100,000 annually, making efficient and timely app testing essential.
These statistics call for complete native app testing, which involves testing apps built specifically for a certain operating system. A native app test can not only identify defects and verify functionality but also speed up an app’s delivery by catching issues and resolving them early.
This article will explore the purpose and methodologies of native app testing, the different types of tests involved, and highlight critical factors for effective testing.
By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of how to ensure your app meets the highest quality and functionality standards.
What is Native App Testing?
A native app is software designed to run on a specific operating system (OS), such as iOS or Android. It is developed using platform-specific programming languages and tools, such as Swift or Objective-C for iOS and Java or Kotlin for Android.
Users can enjoy improved user experience with native apps, as they take full advantage of the device’s hardware and software features. The purpose of native app testing is to determine whether native applications work correctly on the platform for which they are intended, evaluating their functionality, performance, usability, and security.
Before the app is released to users, native app testing ensures that there are no bugs or crashes. The tests also verify that the app works well under various conditions, provides a smooth user experience, and is secure.
Types of Native Apps
iOS Apps
iOS apps are developed specifically for Apple’s iOS platform, using programming languages like Swift or Objective-C. They can be downloaded through the Apple App Store and are compatible with iPhones, iPads, and other iOS devices.
Android Apps
Android apps are developed for devices running the Android operating system using languages such as Java or Kotlin. Developed for Android smartphones and tablets, they are available on the Google Play Store.
Cross-Platform Native Apps
Cross-platform native apps are designed to work on multiple platforms (iOS and Android) using a single codebase. With programming languages like React Native and Flutter, developers can write code once and deploy it across different platforms, reducing development time and cost.
Key Testing Methodologies
Two primary testing methodologies are manual testing and automated testing, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
Manual Testing
Manual testing is performed by human testers who interact with the app to find bugs, usability issues, and other defects. Testers act as end-users and interact with the application to identify any unexpected behavior or bugs.
Manual testing is particularly useful for usability and user interface testing, where human judgment is crucial. Testers can adapt to different scenarios and test the app on various devices and operating systems.
However, manual testing can be time-consuming and repetitive, especially on multiple devices and OS versions.
Automated Testing
Automated testing automates the execution of test cases using tools and scripts. Common tools used for this purpose include Appium, Espresso, and XCUITest.
Automated tests are particularly beneficial for repetitive and regression testing tasks, as they provide consistent results and can be reused across different application versions. It is also suitable for large-scale testing and can handle complex test scenarios.
However, setting up automation frameworks and writing test scripts requires an initial investment of time and resources, and the test scripts need to be maintained and updated as the app evolves.
What Are Different Types of Native App Tests?
Testing native apps involves various methodologies to verify the app’s functionality, performance, and user experience. Each type of test focuses on different aspects of the app, from individual components to the overall user experience.
Here are some of the key types of native app tests:
Unit Testing
Unit testing involves testing individual components or functions of the app in isolation to ensure they work correctly. This type of testing is usually automated and helps catch bugs early in the development process.
The process makes sure that each component of the app performs as expected before it is integrated with the larger system.
Integration Testing
Integration testing verifies that different modules or services within the app work well together. It makes sure that different components work together.
This type of testing is crucial for identifying issues that may arise when different parts of the app are combined.
UI/UX Testing
UI/UX testing focuses on the app’s user interface and user experience. It involves checking the app’s design, layout, and navigation to ensure they are intuitive and user-friendly. This can be done manually or with automated tools.
Key factors include testing for screen orientation changes, responsiveness, and overall user satisfaction.
Performance Testing
Performance testing measures the app’s speed, responsiveness, and stability under various conditions. It includes load, stress, and endurance testing for smooth operation under heavy loads.
This type of testing helps identify performance bottlenecks and optimize the app for better performance.
Security Testing
During the security testing process, the app is screened for vulnerabilities and protected from malicious code. The process involves identifying potential security threats, such as data breaches and unauthorized access.
This type of testing is essential for maintaining user trust and complying with data protection regulations.
Usability Testing
Usability testing measures how easy and intuitive the app is for users. It involves observing real users as they interact with the app to identify any usability issues and gather feedback for improvements.
This type of testing helps ensure that the app meets user expectations and provides a positive user experience.
Key Factors to Consider When Testing Native Apps
When testing native apps, several critical factors must be considered to ensure the app’s quality, performance, and user experience. These factors help identify possible problems and ensure the app runs smoothly on different devices and operating systems.
Here are some of the key factors you should consider:
Should You Test on Multiple Devices?
Your app must be tested across a number of devices to ensure that it performs well on every device. Different devices have different screen sizes, resolutions, hardware capabilities, and operating system versions. These factors have a direct impact on the functionality of the app.
The more devices you test on, the more likely you are to identify and fix issues that may only appear on specific configurations, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for everyone.
Should You Test on Emulators, Real Devices, or Simulators?
When it comes to testing, you have several options: emulators, real devices, and simulators. Emulators such as Android Emulator and Genymotion are software programs that mimic the hardware and software of a mobile device, making them useful for early-stage testing and simulating different device configurations and conditions.
Simulators such as the iOS Simulator and Ripple Emulator, which are similar to emulators but typically used for iOS devices, mimic the software environment of a device but not the hardware. They are faster and easier to use but may not accurately represent real-world performance.
On the other hand, real devices such as the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21 provide the most accurate results as they reflect actual user conditions. Testing on real devices helps identify issues related to hardware, network conditions, and real-world usage, making it an essential part of the testing process.
How To Select Which Real Device to Test On?
Selecting the right real devices for testing involves considering several factors. To ensure broad coverage, focus on devices that are popular among your target audience.
Check compatibility across a range of operating system versions. Additionally, consider device specifications such as screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware capabilities to ensure your app performs well on various configurations.
Finally, consider geographical regions and test on devices popular in areas where your app will be used to address any region-specific issues.
Should You Run Automated or Manual Tests?
The choice between automated and manual tests depends on your application’s specific needs. Automated testing is ideal for repetitive tasks, large-scale testing, and regression testing. It is faster and more efficient for ensuring the app performs well under various conditions.
However, manual testing is important for understanding the user experience and catching issues that automated tests might miss. It is particularly useful for exploratory testing, usability testing, and ad hoc testing.
A fused testing approach that combines both automated and manual testing can provide comprehensive coverage and ensure a high-quality app.
Strategies for Effective Compatibility Testing
An effective method for ensuring comprehensive coverage is to create a device matrix that outlines the devices and operating systems you need to test. Furthermore, integrating testing into your continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline helps catch compatibility issues early and often.
Finally, collecting feedback from real users can identify and address compatibility issues in real-world scenarios, ensuring your app meets user expectations.
How to Perform Native App Testing?
Performing native app testing involves a systematic approach to ensure that the app functions correctly, performs well, and provides a great user experience.
Let’s walk through these steps using the example of TravelBuddy, an app designed to help users plan trips, book flights and hotels, and explore travel guides.
Step 1: Understand the App
Start by understanding the TravelBuddy application. The app is designed to help users plan trips and book flights and hotels. Among the target audience are frequent travelers and vacation planners.
Step 2: Gather Clear Requirements and Designs
Collect detailed requirements and design documents for the application. This includes user stories like “As a user, I want to search for flights by destination and date” and design mockups showing the search interface and booking process.
Step 3: Identify Supported Versions and Platforms
Determine whether the TravelBuddy app will support iOS 14 and above and Android 10 and above. Focus on popular devices like the iPhone 12, Samsung Galaxy S21, and Google Pixel 5 to ensure broad compatibility.
Step 4: Assess App Behavior on Different Devices
Check how the app behaves on different devices. For example, test the flight search feature on an iPhone 12, ensuring the interface is responsive, and the search results load quickly. Repeat this on a Samsung Galaxy S21 to check for any device-specific issues.
Step 5: Address Localization
Since the app targets a global audience, it should be supported in multiple languages. Test the app in English, Spanish, and French. Verify that the content is correctly translated and that the layout adapts to different text lengths without breaking the design.
Step 6: Determine a Testing Strategy
Develop a testing strategy for the app. Plan to perform functional testing to verify booking features, performance testing to ensure the app handles high traffic, and security testing to protect user data. Use a mix of manual and automated tests to cover all aspects.
Step 7: Test Using Best Practices
Execute tests following best practices. Write clear test cases for flight booking, such as “Verify that users can search for flights by destination and date.” Prioritize critical functionalities like payment processing. Use tools like Appium for automated UI tests and JIRA for tracking issues.
Step 8: Promote and Implement Continuous Testing
Integrate continuous testing into the development process of TravelBuddy app. Set up automated tests to run after each code change, ensuring new features don’t introduce bugs. Use CI/CD tools like Jenkins to automate the testing pipeline, catch issues early, and maintain high quality.
Start Native App Testing with Testlio
When it comes to native app testing, partnering with a reliable testing service can make a significant difference. Testlio offers comprehensive services for native app testing, providing high-quality performance and user experience.
Here are some key aspects of their services:
- Device Coverage: Testlio tests across a wide range of devices and operating systems to ensure compatibility and performance on various platforms.
- Manual and Automated Testing: Testlio combines manual testing for real-world scenarios with automated testing for repetitive tasks, providing a balanced approach to quality assurance.
- Comprehensive Test Plans: Testlio develops detailed test plans that cover functional, usability, compatibility, performance, and security testing.
- Agile and CI/CD Integration: Testlio integrates with Agile development and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) pipelines, allowing for continuous testing throughout the development lifecycle.
- Global Testing Network: Testlio uses a global network of testers to perform localization testing, ensuring the app functions correctly in different regions and languages.
These services help ensure that native apps are thoroughly tested and ready for release, providing a smooth user experience.
Ready to start your native app testing process? Start native app testing with Testlio and see the difference it can make for your app.