The Importance of Testing iOS and Android Apps

In the field of iOS and Android app development, no matter how good you might be in writing codes, a successful app is one that effectively passes through a series of tests. If you examine mobile apps today, you will find they are much more than business apps. They are now in their golden era; they are progressive and hybrid in nature. In the world of technology, testing mobile apps has become critical, and if you overlook their importance, your app will be in deep trouble. 

Salient features of mobile application testing 

The following are some salient factors to note in the field of mobile app testing strategies-

1. Native apps-These apps are created for tablets and mobiles. 
2. Mobile web apps- They use different browsers for accessing sites on mobiles through wireless networks. 
3. Hybrid apps-They are a combination of web and native apps. 

What are the prime challenges of mobile app testing? 

If you compare mobile app testing, you will find it more difficult to test over desktop applications. The following are its key reasons-

1. The range of tablets and smartphones available today has multiple resolutions and screen sizes, coupled with different hardware configurations. 
2. Both iOS and Android platforms have several versions like Android 4.2. 4.4. 5.0,6.0.7.0 and above or iOS 9.3.5 or iOS 9.3.5 and higher.

Reasons for mobile testing 

The testing of mobile apps isincreasing everyday in the technological world. The most general problems detected in both native, mobile, and hybrid apps are issues in loading or slacks in performance, elements that do not respond, no response to problem resolutions, and more. These problems can be mitigated with tests before the app is launched into production. 

Smartphones have become indispensable in this technology-driven era today. Everyone uses an app or website that is mobile-friendly these days for their business. Besides the above, several startups are cropping up daily. A myriad of mobile apps is surfacing to cover their spaces on the Internet. For instance, some popular native apps are WhatsApp, Uber, Ola, Quick Ride, and others. 

When operating a business as an owner, you must have the sole objective of offering your customer the best experience along with other priorities. Qualified specialists from the esteemed company in the field of Salesforce Solutions,Flosum says that mobile app testing should be an imperial part of the iOS and Android app development process. Any major problem that the app faces can be resolved with tests. Moreover, it helps the business to launch the app in the market free from flaws. 

Given below are the key categories of testing mobile apps-

• Functional tests- Thisensures the app is functioning as per the specifications and requirements expected. 
• Performance tests- This test examines how the app behaves in the event of specific conditions.
• Interrupt testing- This evaluates the interruption during the performance of the app; they cover- 

1. Outgoing and incoming calls, MMS or SMS.
2. Incoming notifications from other apps.
3. Removal of battery.
4. Removal/insertion of the cable.
5. Media player being switched on and off.
6. Network Switching.

• Tests for usability-This test examines the guidelines laid down for the platform along with its convenience. 
• Installation tests-This is a major testing phase. It permits the examination of the installation compatibility of the app via multiple stores. It assesses the parameters of the app’s uninstallation process and updates. 

The following are some major factors that play a crucial role in the testing process of mobile apps- 

1. Mobile devices- The testing for mobile apps is an approach for testing devices. It is prudent to test the app for different operating systems and resolutions.
2. Mobile simulators- They play an important role in mobile app testing. These simulators are software apps that are created to function as the actual device. They are simple to incorporate and are an affordable option for testing apps. The tests are not interrupted with a simulator with network problems, and the process becomes better and faster. The developer is able to get complete access to understand how the mobile app behaves in the storage environment locally. It renders the easy app installation and boosts the time for its marketing. 
3. Tools for cloud testing- This is indeed a challenging task when it comes to mobile tests. It involves tests on several devices, versions, and operating systems present in the market. There are tests conducted on the functionality of the app so that it can operate with flaws on iOS and Android platforms. Configuring the different testing labs can be costly. It is here that popular testing tools should be embraced for you to get a perfect solution. They are designed to test apps for flaws, and they can address problems that cover reproducing issues on the device in real-time. 
4. Conditions for the network- It is indispensable for you to test mobile apps under different network conditions to ensure their behavior remains consistent with challenging network scenarios. 
5. Performance of the app- You can assess the performance of the app with automated testing for verifying how it works when you apply the volume of load and stress. 
6. Automated and manual test cycles- It is crucial for you to test both hybrid and native apps in automated and manual ways. You can quickly validate the bugs, issues, and business app failure with an automated regression suite for testing. 

The next thing you should keep in mind is the data you retain for the business. You need to analyze this data in order to make the right decisions for the business. Security testing of the app is crucial, and you should never ignore this step. You should resort to security testing to avoid fraud, stop viruses from entering the system, curb a malware infection, and last but not least, prevent hacking.  The security tests should cover vulnerability, hacking, authentication, authorization, and more. In short, mobile security testing is similar to protecting your back credentials – a step you should never ignore!