How to test mobile application step by step?

Organised testing of a mobile application begins with strategy development and team building. Picking your testing devices and specifying the kinds of tests (functional, performance, security, etc.) come next. Make thorough test cases, run different tests (functional, performance, usability, etc.), and incorporate user input on a regular basis to improve the program. A thorough 10-step procedure that efficiently leads you through each stage is described in our blog.

How long does it take to test a mobile app?

Depending on the intricacy, breadth, and resources available, testing a mobile app can take a very different amount of time. While more thorough testing for bigger, feature-rich apps could take several months, a basic round of testing for a tiny app might take a few weeks. The secret is to give yourself enough time for extensive testing so that, before to launch, the app satisfies all performance, usability, and security requirements.

What is mobile application testing?

The procedure of evaluating a mobile application for consistency, usability, and operation across different devices, operating systems, and network settings is known as mobile application testing. It attempts to guarantee faultless operation, a pleasant user experience, and good performance from the app. Testing addresses many areas like installation, functionality, performance, security, and more and can be done manually or using automated technologies.

What is the right testing strategy for mobile apps?

Mobile app testing done correctly combines automated and manual testing to cover every facet of the app's performance and usefulness. Using various testing techniques including functional, performance, security, and usability testing, selecting the right tools and devices, and setting precise goals and test cases are all part of a thorough approach. To guarantee comprehensive coverage and successful testing results, the approach has to be modified according to the particular requirements of the app and the intended audience.

Step-by-Step Guide: Mobile App Testing Process

Posted On: 16 May 2024

Releasing a perfect app is very important in this competitive world. And one of the most crucial tasks is to conduct thorough mobile app testing. There are many factors like functionality, features and many more for testing elements.

This blog will elaborate on steps for mobile app testing, which can help you integrate with your testing strategy for successful app usage.

Read this blog to know

Step 1 – Prepare Your Strategy
Step 2 – Build Your Test Team
Step 3 – Choose a Testing Device
Step 4 – Define the Testing Type
Step 5 – Define the Test Cases
Step 6 – Perform Functional Testing
Step 7 – Perform Usability Testing
Step 8 – Perform Performance Testing
Step 9 – Perform Security Testing
Step 10 – Generate and Analyze Reports

Step 1 - Prepare Your Strategy

For a successful app development, a strategic plan is necessary. With each step a perfect process can be fixed. How to create a good test plan?

Begin with drafting your app goals, it gives a clear picture of the main function elements and the required outcome.
Next, understand the concept of app aligning with user requirements. It will influence the entire testing strategy and help draft the list of the key features.
It is time to draft the scope of testing.
- What elements will you be testing?
- How Comprehensive will the testing cycle be?
- How about the testing efforts?
Finally, you can finish the test plan by choosing the right mobile testing tools and strategies that align with defined objectives.

Step 2 - Build Your Test Team

It is time to get your test team together when your plan is ready. Having an experienced and skilled team that can match the program’s complexity and risks is a blessing. Consider the following pointers while making your choice.

Functionalities: Understanding the software features and functions helps with basic operations and deals the complex integrations.
Performance Expectations: Your app needs to meet the performance standards. Load testing is the best way to analyze the network’s behavior under different stress and load conditions.
Device Compatability: Determine the interactions between software and your gadgets. They need to function with several screen sizes and hardware.
UI/UX Design: Constant assessing and improving the user interface provides the top notch user experience focusing on responsiveness, navigation, and aesthetics.

Step 3 - Choose a Testing Device

You must choose between emulators, simulators, and real devices for your testing process.

Emulators: They mimic the software and hardware of a mobile device on your computer. These are used in the initial stages for quick app functionalities. But they cannot mimic the features like gestures, camera functionality, GPS, and gyroscope.
Simulators: They replicate similarly to emulators, excluding the hardware. Simulators can mimic the internal behavior of devices but only for the software processes. These are introduced in the application layer testing.
Real Devices: It gives the most accurate results and enables understanding the app’s behavior in real operational conditions.

Step 4 - Define the Testing Type

For a better understanding of app functionality across Android and IOS, it is essential to have a comprehensive testing process.

Automated Mobile App Testing

Automating your testing process enables a consistent and continuous evaluation. The testing process can be implemented around the clock without needing manual intervention. It is essential for routine checks and testing types like functional, regression, and many more.

Manual Mobile App Testing

Where automation testing is efficient, manual testing deals with complex issues where automated test creation is challenging. The hands-on approach evaluates the app's operations in real-world scenarios. But with the drawback of taking maximum time and resources.

Both the testing types need to be balanced, choose the right automated testing tool to overcome the struggles in complex scenario testing.

Step 5 - Define the Test Cases

There are different test cases for testing each element. You need clear test cases to help you test the element to get the operation results.

Functionality Test Cases: It covers all the basic functionalities like user authentication, account setup, and navigation through the app.
Feature Specific Test Cases: This test case focuses more on specific features like scheduling.
UI/UX Test Cases: It is more about testing the visual elements and interactions for assessing the user interface and user experience

Step 6 - Perform Functional Testing

Functional testing is a crucial phase in your testing program where you verify that all user flows and app features operate according to your specifications.

Test Area	Test Action	Expected Outcome
Installation	Install the app on different mobile interfaces.	The app installs without errors, and operations work successfully.
Interface Functionality	Interact with links and buttons on different pages.	All interactive elements respond and perform according to their expected actions.
Notifications and Alerts	Send and receive push notifications in different app states.	Notifications are delivered and displayed correctly, with accurate content.
Transaction Integrity	Perform transactions, such as purchases or data submissions.	Transactions are completed successfully without errors or data loss.
Accessibility for Visual Impairments	Test the app with screen readers and adjust visual settings.	The app is navigable and usable for users with visual impairments.
General Accessibility	Verify interactive elements for ease of use by people with various disabilities.	All features are accessible, ensuring usability for people with motor impairments, hearing loss, etc.

Step 7 - Perform Usability Testing

You need to ensure the app provides a flawless user experience and makes it easy to navigate while meeting user expectations.

Test Area	Test Action	Expected Outcome
Navigation	Test the ease of moving through different sections of the app.	Users can navigate the app intuitively and efficiently.
User Interface	Assess the visual appeal and responsiveness of UI elements.	The UI is visually appealing and responsive across devices.
User Feedback	Collect feedback from real users about their experience.	Users provide positive feedback on usability and overall experience.
Accessibility	Ensure the app is accessible to users with disabilities.	The app meets accessibility standards and is usable by all users.
Error Handling	Check how the app handles errors and provides feedback to users.	Errors are managed gracefully, with clear and helpful user messages.

Step 8 - Perform Performance Testing

Ensure the app performs well under various conditions, including loads, network speeds, and stress scenarios.

Test Area	Test Action	Expected Outcome
Load Testing	Simulate multiple users accessing the app simultaneously.	The app maintains performance and responsiveness under load.
Stress Testing	Push the app beyond its normal operational capacity.	The app remains stable and recovers gracefully from high-stress conditions.
Network Testing	Test the app on different network conditions (e.g., 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi).	The app functions efficiently across various network speeds and conditions.
Battery Consumption	Monitor the app’s battery usage over extended periods.	The app uses the battery efficiently without excessive drain.
Memory Usage	Track the app’s memory consumption during normal and intensive use.	The app manages memory effectively, avoiding leaks or crashes.

Step 9 - Perform Security Testing

Identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities within the app to protect user data and privacy.

Test Area	Test Action	Expected Outcome
Authentication and Authorization	Test login mechanisms and access controls.	Secure authentication processes and appropriate access restrictions.
Data Encryption	Verify data encryption during storage and transmission.	All sensitive data is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.
Input Validation	Test for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, XSS, etc.	Inputs are properly validated to prevent security breaches.
Session Management	Evaluate session handling and expiration policies.	Sessions are managed securely, with proper expiration and protection against hijacking.
Vulnerability Scanning	Use automated tools to scan for known vulnerabilities.	The app is free of common security vulnerabilities.

Step 10 - Generate and Analyze Reports

After completing the testing phases, the next crucial step is to compile and analyze the results in comprehensive reports. These reports are vital for assessing the testing process's effectiveness and informing subsequent development and optimization efforts.

Conclusion

A well-structured testing program is indispensable, especially when developing applications under tight deadlines. Moreover, routine testing at various stages of the development cycle is a sound practice regardless of time constraints. Early and continuous testing allows for the timely identification and rectification of bugs, ensuring necessary adjustments are made without jeopardizing the project timeline.

ACCELQ - no code mobile test automation tool, can streamline your testing process effectively. We have reliable and innovative solutions to help developers and testers with the testing process. It enables them to focus more on creating user experience-based features rather than investing their time in testing all the time.

Suma Ganji

Senior Content Writer

Expertly navigating technical and UX writing, she crafts captivating content that hits the mark every time. With a keen SEO understanding, her work consistently resonates with readers while securing prime online visibility. When the day's work ends, you'll find her immersed in literary escapades in her quaint book house.