The Top Five Tests for Ensuring a Successful Mobile App Launch

The world is shifting towards mobility. Mobile development is witnessing a continuously increasing trend. With the constant release of numerous mobile apps every day, and with eyes eagerly seeking them, Mobile App Testing has gained immense importance.

There exist a multitude of intriguing challenges in the realm of mobile testing. The array of diverse screen sizes and platform versions makes it quite challenging for testers to achieve comprehensive test coverage within a limited timeframe, particularly right before the release. In such scenarios, it becomes paramount to adhere to the core principles that guarantee a successful launch.

Performance Testing

The poor performance of an application determines how quickly users will uninstall it. Many of us have experienced frustration due to our mobile phone's battery performance. Imagine the temptation you feel when you discover that an app is depleting your battery life.

Battery Examination

It is crucial to analyze battery usage when the app is active in both the foreground and background. Sometimes, unnecessary connections within an app result in excessive battery consumption. Even when the app is running in the background, certain processes may still be consuming more battery power.

Memory Evaluation

Each device allocates a specific amount of memory for an app. The app operates a background process called garbage collection (GC) to clear the heap memory, ensuring that the allocated memory space remains free and prevents out-of-memory crashes. Through memory analysis, testers can identify any potential memory leaks and determine if there is a risk of running out of memory.

Network Assessment

Heavy user requests on an app can lead to significant data consumption. Through network analysis, testers can identify duplicate content, inefficient utilization of data connections, and data consumption while the app is in the background. Failure to address and report these factors promptly may result in up to 50% additional data consumption.

Security Testing

Security is always a top concern, whether it's for mobile or web applications. Testers can perform several tests to ensure that an app is protected from vulnerabilities. Here are some essential security tests that a tester should conduct:

Data Storage

It is critical to store sensitive information/data in an encrypted form. Tools can be used to easily determine if the stored data is properly encrypted.

Brute Force Attack

A brute force attack is an automated process that involves systematically guessing a person's username, password, or credit card number. If there is no limit on the number of login attempts, the app is susceptible to brute-force attacks.

Required Permissions

Through reverse engineering, it can be determined whether an app is requesting unnecessary permissions. Unused permissions can potentially be exploited by other apps, posing a risk to the security of the app.

Authentication

Does your application use certificates? If there is no certificate being used, a default certificate may be employed for authentication, which can be easily hacked. In such cases, hackers can access the entire source code of the app, which could lead to the extraction of sensitive information.

Data Leakage

It is good practice not to print sensitive information in logs. After connecting the app with a log analyzer, anyone can view the information being printed in the logs. Usernames and passwords are often susceptible to extraction by reading the logs.

Functional Testing

Functional testing is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of an application based on the given business requirements. The "divide and conquer" strategy is often employed, where each module is tested individually, followed by integration testing. In addition to this approach, several other tests should be conducted:

Designed and Undesigned Tasks

During functional testing, testers typically focus on validating whether the application performs the designed tasks correctly. However, it is equally important to ensure that the application does not perform any undesired or unintended tasks that are not in line with the design.

Interruptions

Running applications must handle interruptions such as phone calls, notifications, text messages, or alarms appropriately. Failure to handle these interruptions properly can lead to crashes or unexpected behavior in the application.

Installation / Uninstallation / Reinstallation

The application should be installed to verify its compatibility with the hardware. After installation, the tester should uninstall the application and verify that all related components, such as local databases and directories, are properly removed. Reinstalling the app allows for revalidation of the installation process and confirms that everything functions as expected.

Usability and Accessibility Testing

Usability and accessibility are key factors in determining the success of an application. It is important to consider the different needs and preferences of end-users to ensure a positive user experience. Here are some aspects to consider during usability and accessibility testing:

Sign In & Sign Up using Social Media

Providing the option for users to sign in or sign up using their social media accounts can enhance the user experience by simplifying the registration process. It allows users to connect to the app quickly and easily.

Text Size and Color

Different mobile devices have varying screen sizes, and ensuring that the app's text size is readable across different devices is essential. Additionally, using different colors to distinguish important elements or indicate errors/warnings can help users identify and understand information more easily.

Gestures & Orientation

Most applications use common gestures, but if any complex gestures might not be obvious to users, it is important to provide clear instructions or tutorials within the app. Moreover, if the app supports both landscape and portrait orientations, it is crucial to ensure that the functionality remains consistent in both modes.

Crashes or ANR (App Not Responding)

Application crashes or instances when it becomes unresponsive (ANR) can frustrate users. Testing should cover edge cases and scenarios that could potentially crash the app, ensuring that the application remains stable and responsive even under challenging circumstances.

Platform and Device-Specific Testing

You're right that testing an application on different platforms and devices is crucial due to variations in screen size, hardware configurations, and operating systems. Here are some important points to consider:

Multiple Operating Systems (OS)

An application's behavior can differ across different versions of an operating system. The interaction between the app and the mobile OS may

OS Guidelines

Both iOS and Android have specific guidelines that app developers must follow. Non-compliance with these guidelines can result in app rejections from the respective app stores. It is essential to thoroughly test the app against these guidelines before submitting it to the app stores to ensure it meets the required standards.

Rooted / Jailbroken

Device Rooting (Android) or jailbreaking (iOS) refers to modifying the operating system to gain unauthorized access, install custom firmware, or use unapproved apps. Customizing the OS in this manner can introduce compatibility issues or security vulnerabilities. Testing the app on rooted/jailbroken devices helps identify and address any problems that may arise in such scenarios.

Device Fragmentation

Due to the wide range of screen sizes, resolutions, hardware configurations, and capabilities across devices, it is important to conduct testing on various devices. This ensures that the app's user interface is properly displayed on different screen sizes and that the app performs optimally across different hardware specifications.

Start QA Testing With WeTest

WeTest Quality Open Platform is the ultimate solution for all your mobile app testing needs. With the increasing demand for mobile apps, it is crucial to prioritize testing to guarantee a seamless user experience and avoid potential pitfalls. That's where WeTest comes in.

WeTest is the official one-stop testing service platform for developers, offering a comprehensive range of testing services. With our team of experts who have over ten years of experience in quality management, you can trust us to deliver the highest quality standards for your mobile app.

Our platform integrates cutting-edge tools such as automated testing, compatibility testing, functionality testing, remote device testing, performance testing, and security testing. We cover all testing stages of your mobile app throughout its entire life cycle, ensuring that every aspect is thoroughly tested and optimized.

By utilizing WeTest, you can identify and address any issues before your app reaches the hands of users. This guarantees a seamless user experience and helps you stand out in the highly competitive mobile market.

Don't wait any longer. Give WeTest a try for free today and start your journey towards a successful app launch.