Mobile Application Testing Process Explained

Quality assurance (QA) is critical to delivering brilliant customer experiences. However, with a plethora of testing types and methods, testing a mobile application for release can be overwhelming. 

We’ve outlined the essential mobile application testing process below to get you through it.

The Role of Agile and Continuous Integration in App Testing

According to an Atlassian survey, 80-90% of DevOps teams today use Agile methods, significantly impacting QA. 

Agile development demands faster and more frequent testing from QA teams. Due to the typical 10-day sprint cycle, mobile app testing is integrated throughout the development lifecycle.

QA teams must prepare test cases concurrently with development, ensuring testing can be executed quickly at the end of the sprint. 

Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) further influence application testing, allowing QA to test code in smaller, continuous updates rather than all at once. 

This iterative approach enables testing portions of features within a sprint and performing end-to-end testing before a release.

These trends necessitate faster and more efficient mobile application testing, emphasizing the need for a strategic testing process to maintain pace and quality.

How To Test Mobile Applications?

Here are the steps to test mobile applications:

1. Test Scope & Coverage

Begin by determining the specific features and functionality to be tested. Define the testing scope, including functional, usability, compatibility, performance, and security testing. 

Key areas to focus on include:

• Sign-up and log-in processes
• Performance across various network connections
• Layout compatibility on different screen sizes

Additionally, consider app interactions, type (Native, Mobile-web, Hybrid), front-end vs. back-end testing, and network compatibility.

Identify Testing Locations

For applications with a global user base, localization testing is essential. This ensures the app functions correctly in various locations and languages, beyond basic translation, avoiding common cultural and language issues.

Decide Device Coverage

Determine the devices and operating systems for testing. Leading companies often test over 24 device-OS combinations before a release. Consider:

• Supported operating systems
• Earliest relevant OS versions
• Popular devices among your target audience

2. Plan Mobile App Tests

Develop a detailed action plan for testing, specifying who will execute the tests and on what timeline. Prepare test suites by writing test cases or automated test scripts.

Manual vs. Automated Testing

Integrate both automated and manual testing, as each has distinct advantages. Automated testing is effective for repetitive tasks and stable code, while manual testing is crucial for real-world scenarios.

Write Test Cases

Create manual test cases and automated test scripts, either in-house or with a QA partner.

Identify Testing Approach / Partner

Decide between in-house testing and using a crowdsourced QA company. Crowdsourced testing can provide scalable, high-quality testing with testers who resemble your end users.

3. Execute App Testing

Execute the test cases and scripts according to your test scope and release schedule. For example, using continuous integration (CI), nightly builds can be sent to a device farm for automated tests and to a QA platform for manual testing by real users.

4. Track and Manage Defects

Post-test run, manage and prioritize defects effectively:

Use project management tools like JIRA to track defects.

5. Review

Review the entire testing process upon completion. Document:

• Devices and OS versions tested
• Overview of tests performed and major defects identified
• Number of tests passed and failed

Provide a final recommendation on whether the application meets all acceptance criteria and is ready for release.

Example Test Plan For Mobile App

Here are the two example test plans for mobile apps:

Test Plan 1: MyFitness App

The objective is to ensure that MyFitness offers a seamless user experience for tracking workouts, setting fitness goals, and monitoring progress.

Manual Testing Approach

Scenario Creation

1. User registration and login

2. Setting fitness goals

3. Logging workouts (e.g., running, cycling, weightlifting)

4. Syncing with wearable devices

5. Viewing workout history and progress

6. Receiving notifications and reminders

7. Interacting with the community feature (posting updates, commenting on others’ posts)

8. Accessing premium features (if applicable)

Test Case Design

For the “Logging a workout” scenario, the steps could be:

1. Log in to the app.

2. Navigate to the workout logging section.

3. Select the type of workout (e.g., running).

4. Enter workout details (e.g., duration, distance, calories burned).

5. Save the workout.

6. Confirm that the workout appears in the workout history.

7. Sync the workout data with a connected wearable device.

8. Verify that the data is correctly displayed on both the app and the wearable device.

Execution

Testers simulate the actions of real users, following the steps outlined in the test cases and documenting their observations.

Feedback Collection

After testing, feedback from testers is consolidated, covering issues faced, suggestions for improvement, and any inconsistencies observed.

Automated Testing Approach

Tool Selection

Given that MyFitness is developed for both iOS and Android, Appium is an ideal choice for cross-platform automated testing. Appium supports testing both native and hybrid mobile applications.

Script Writing

Scripts should be written for repetitive tasks and critical user paths. For example, the entire process of logging a workout and syncing with a wearable device can be scripted to ensure that any changes in the app do not disrupt functionality.

Execution

Automated tests are scheduled to run during off-peak hours to ensure that changes made during the day do not introduce new issues.

Analysis

After each test run, results are analyzed. Failures are flagged for immediate attention, ensuring that the development team can address them promptly.

Test Plan 2: HealthCare+ App

The objective is to ensure that HealthCare+ provides a reliable and user-friendly platform for booking doctor appointments, accessing medical records, and receiving medication notifications.

Manual Mobile Application Testing Approach

Scenario Creation

1. User registration and login

2. Searching for doctors by specialty

3. Booking an appointment

4. Receiving appointment confirmations and reminders

5. Accessing medical records

6. Adding and managing family members’ profiles

7. Viewing and editing user profile information

8. Interacting with the chat support feature

Test Case Design

For the “Booking an appointment” scenario, the steps could be:

1. Log in to the app.

2. Navigate to the doctor search section.

3. Select a specialty (e.g., cardiology).

4. Choose a doctor from the list.

5. View the doctor’s profile and availability.

6. Select a date and time for the appointment.

7. Confirm the appointment booking.

8. Verify that the appointment appears in the user’s appointment history.

9. Receive a confirmation notification.

Execution

Testers simulate the actions of real users, following the steps outlined in the test cases and documenting their observations.

Feedback Collection

After testing, feedback from testers is consolidated, covering issues faced, suggestions for improvement, and any inconsistencies observed.

Automated Mobile Application Testing Approach

Tool Selection

Considering that HealthCare+ is developed for both iOS and Android, TestComplete is suitable for automated testing. TestComplete supports functional UI testing and can handle both native and hybrid mobile applications.

Script Writing

Scripts should be written for repetitive tasks and critical user paths. For instance, the entire process of booking an appointment and receiving notifications can be scripted to ensure that any changes in the app do not affect functionality.

Execution

Automated tests are scheduled to run during off-peak hours to ensure that changes made during the day do not introduce new issues.

Analysis

After each test run, results are analyzed. Failures are flagged for immediate attention, ensuring that the development team can address them promptly.

Conclusion

If you’ve read this far, you’ve probably gleaned that mobile application testing in an agile environment can be challenging. Succeeding requires strategizing, planning, and tailoring these steps to your mobile app.

If you need help elevating your mobile app testing, partner with Testlio, a leading QA software testing company. Founded in 2012, Testlio has grown to employ over 190 full-time professionals and a network of over 10,000 vetted freelancers. Today, we provide a full suite of testing services across 600k+ devices worldwide and operate in over 150 countries, with testers speaking over 100 languages. 

Ready to test? Our dedicated testing professionals are here to help. Schedule a call to learn more about Testlio’s world-class managed app testing services.