Over the past decade, global mobile phone usage has grown exponentially. In 2016, there were 3.6 billion smartphone users worldwide. And now, the number of smartphone users is projected to increase from 6.25 billion in 2021 to 7.6 billion by 2027, according to a report by Statista.
Today, countless mobile users rely heavily on their devices – particularly on their phone apps – to browse the internet, check social media, work, complete transactions, get medical help, and much more.
The rise in usage and lightning-fast creation of mobile apps generates a new prerequisite: rigorous testing before market release. And, as end users become increasingly mindful of user experience and efficacy, many mobile app testing concerns need to be resolved.
1. A multitude of devices
Device fragmentation is among the primary obstacles mobile app testers face. It means that an application runs equally well on multiple devices and operating system (OS) configurations.
Here, QA teams must test interoperability not only across multiple operating systems, such as Android or iOS, but also across various versions of the same operating system. This is a common issue with Android devices, as numerous third-party manufacturers sell their own “reskinned” variants of the OS.
2. A multitude of network configurations
Fragmentation is a problem, even though there are only a few network providers worldwide. While network emulators offer a fundamental level of testing, testing on actual networks is crucial. You can examine the impact of various WiFi speeds, 3G, or 4G networks on the app’s performance. How does it function when signal strength is weak? When switching from network to WiFi or the reverse, what happens?
Most important of all, how does the application function offline?
Examine how the app performs in terms of low-level resource consumption, data collection, multi-user assistance, and encryption.
3. Frequent device upgrades
Smartphone revenue increases yearly. Due to this, innumerable new mobile devices have been released to cope with this expansion. Developers must create applications that work without compatibility issues and operate without hiccups.
The device inventory for which apps must be tested is bloated with numerous models and disparate device configurations. This ever-increasing challenge cannot be entirely solved by simulators and emulators only. Testing on actual devices is an important advancement over emulators/simulators and must be conducted for all mobile app bug or issues.
4. Tight deadlines
Often, organizations will press for a go-to-market timetable that may not be realistic. For instance, the global social networking app Threads was created and released in just six months! Nevertheless, a mobile application Development company requires sufficient time for gathering specifications, planning, coding, and testing.
If evaluators don’t have enough time to complete the process, the testing phase will be severely impacted.
The way around this mobile app testing challenge is to plan ahead, assemble an effective team, and take help from a software testing service provider if you are under the pump.
5. Different aspect ratios and screen sizes
Like the operating system challenges associated with mobile testing, we must also contend with a range of screen sizes. This is used by mobile companies to attract more customers. Some – like the newer iPhones – even have on-screen features like the Dynamic Island, creating more problems.
Many people will ingest videos via mobile apps. Consequently, every mobile app must be tested to ensure compatibility across all display sizes. The application should ideally be designed with an adaptable layout. Ensure that the coding is responsive so that web-based mobile apps work with out any challenges.
6. Challenges around mobile app security
The app’s security is a developer’s or QA’s primary concern. With the rapid development of technology, security vulnerabilities have become more frequent. The security testing of any application requires extensive data collection and analysis. This can be problematic when compared to desktop applications, as mobile apps have variables such as facial recognition and user behavior tracking.
Exploratory testing can be a good solution, since the tester can put themselves in the user’s shoes and truly experience the mobile app. This can reveal risks like password vulnerabilities.
7. Frequently changing requirements
The specifications for mobile apps will continue to evolve due to emerging market research and growing competition. The company may desire a “Contact us” icon on the homepage on day one, but determine against it in just a week. Such situations will occur more often than you may imagine, but they may impede the testing process.
The only consolation is that most of these changes may be for the better, but this presents an enormous testing hurdle for mobile apps.
How do you approach this issue?: By using a dynamic app development approach, like agile testing, which can keep up with new feature introductions. A dedicated software testing company may also prove useful, as they will have the resources to quickly scale up or add an extra hand.
Wrapping up
Mobile app testing presents a unique set of challenges due to device fragmentation, network variability, and fiercely competitive market conditions. By following the tips shared in this article, you can overcome mobile app testing challenges and launch powerful, engaging, and profitable mobile applications.
