10-Step Mobile App Testing Strategy

Mobile apps are a huge part of daily life, whether it’s gaming, banking, or fitness, there’s an app for just about everything. Data shows that in 2023, the app market was valued at $228.9 billion, and its projected growth could reach around 14.3% between 2024 and 2030. Users expect apps to be fast, reliable, and easy to use. A buggy or slow app can quickly damage a brand’s reputation and make users go away.

That’s why having a solid mobile app testing strategy is crucial. Launching a successful mobile app takes more than just great design—it requires rigorous testing to make sure it works seamlessly for every user. Our 10-step checklist covers everything you need to create an effective mobile app testing strategy, from defining your testing goals and ensuring cross-platform compatibility to checking performance, security, and accessibility. We’ll walk you through each essential step, including handling interruptions, testing for different locations and languages, and gathering valuable user feedback through beta testing. Follow our checklist as your go-to guide for building a mobile app that’s not only functional, but a joy to use.

Step 1: Define testing scope and objectives

First things first, figure out what you’re testing and why. If you don’t have a clear idea, you’ll either spend too much time on the wrong things or miss something crucial. By planning out your testing scope and goals from the start, you’ll keep everything organized and focused on what matters. Here’s what you should keep in mind:

Focus on core features and functions

Make sure key features, like logging in, making payments, or basic navigation work. If key features are broken, the whole user experience will fall apart.

Consider platforms, OS versions, and devices

Take into consideration who’s using your mobile app, and what devices or operating systems they are on. Whether it’s iOS or Android, smartphones or wearable devices, you need to know the most popular setups your users have and make sure to test those.

Choose your testing types

Think about your approach and the type of testing you will use for mobile app testing. Here are some testing types you will most likely need to include as part of your mobile app testing strategy: 

• Functional testing: Does everything actually work?
• Usability testing: Is the app easy to use?
• Performance testing: Can it handle load and stress?
• Security testing: Are there any security gaps?
• Compatibility testing: Does it work across different devices?

Prioritize tests based on risk

Some features are more critical than others. Things like payment systems or new, complicated functionality should be your top priority for testing. Focus on the high-risk areas first.

Define success criteria 

Before you even start, decide what success looks like. Is it about passing all test cases? Zero major bugs? Make sure you know when you can call it “done.”

Combine automation and manual testing

Test automation is great for repetitive stuff like regression testing, but for things like usability, manual testing is key because human experience really matters.

Allocate resources and tools

Do you have what you need? Sometimes real devices are a must, other times emulators are more convenient. Tools like Appium, Katalon, or TestFlight can help with testing, and systems like JIRA help you track all the testing.

By having a clear plan and a well-defined scope, you’ll make the whole testing process smoother and more efficient, hitting the important tasks without wasting time.

Step 2: Check cross-platform compatibility

Users expect mobile apps to work flawlessly, regardless of the device they’re using. Achieving cross-platform compatibility means ensuring your app looks and feels great on any device. Here’s what to focus on when testing for cross-platform compatibility:

Device and OS fragmentation

Android has a huge variety of devices and OS versions, while iOS is more consistent but still has its quirks. Test on popular devices and don’t forget those older OS versions that some users still rely on.

UI and display consistency

Screen sizes vary widely. A button that looks great on a small screen might be misaligned on a larger one. Make sure to test across different screen sizes for a polished look.

Platform-specific guidelines

Stick to Android's Material Design and iOS's Human Interface Guidelines to help your app feel at home on each platform.

Hardware differences

Android and iOS devices come with unique hardware features, like back buttons or Face ID. Ensure your app adapts to these differences without issues.

Network and carrier testing

Check how your app performs on slower networks and when users lose signal. Different carriers can also impact performance, so be sure to test for that.

Performance optimization

Your app should run smoothly on both high-end and low-end devices. Test on older models to ensure it’s not draining battery life or lagging.

Real device testing

While tools like Appium are great for quick tests, don’t overlook real device testing. Simulators can miss important issues.

By keeping these points in mind, you’ll ensure your mobile app delivers a smooth and reliable experience across all platforms.

Step 3: Perform functional testing

Alright, let’s dive into functional testing. This is where you ensure your app does what it’s supposed to do. It’s all about checking if everything behaves as it should, no matter the situation. You want to avoid bugs that could ruin the user experience during simple tasks.

Here’s how to get started with functional testing for mobile apps:

Test core features

First, make sure the most essential features of your mobile app are working like a charm—things like logging in, the search option, and making a payment. These functions need to run smoothly on every device and OS you’re targeting.

Look at input and data handling

Test how your app handles user input, whether it’s filling out forms or searching for content. You want to ensure it reacts appropriately, returns accurate results, and shows useful error messages when something goes wrong.

Check integration with other systems

Integration testing assesses how well your mobile app connects to other systems, like payment gateways or social media logins. You have to ensure that your mobile app can be integrated with other systems and still work flawlessly. 

Assess error handling

Mistakes happen, whether it’s bad data, a lost connection, or something unexpected. Your mobile app should handle these situations gracefully. Does it provide a helpful error message? Can it recover without crashing? Make sure it's ready to tackle the unexpected.

Evaluate syncing across devices

If your app runs on multiple devices, you’ll want to test how it syncs data between them. Users expect to be able to switch from their phones to their tablets and pick up right where they left off. Ensure that the experience is smooth and easy.

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Step 4: Focus on visual design and accessibility

A well-designed mobile app should be visually appealing, intuitive, easy to navigate, and accessible to all users—even those with disabilities. Here’s what to keep in mind when testing the visual design and accessibility of your mobile app:

Consistent user interface (UI)

Users expect a cohesive look and feel across all screens of your app. This means keeping colors, fonts, buttons, and overall design consistent. If things look too different from screen to screen, it can confuse users and create a frustrating experience.

Touch-friendly design

Remember, users are tapping with their fingers, not clicking with a mouse. Buttons should be big enough and spaced out to prevent accidental presses. Small buttons or elements that are too close together can be a real headache.

Accessibility support

Everyone uses mobile apps differently, and some people rely on assistive technologies, like screen readers to be able to use mobile apps efficiently. Make sure your mobile app complies with digital accessibility requirements, follows best accessibility practices, and is compatible with various assistive technologies. 

Support for text scaling

Some users prefer larger text to make reading easier. Test how your mobile app behaves when users increase the font size. You want the layout to adjust smoothly without any glitches.

With visual design and accessibility in mind during testing, your mobile app won’t just look great, it’ll be usable by everyone. Essentially, a better user experience leads to happier users and more positive reviews.

Step 5: Carry out performance testing

Nobody wants to deal with a slow or crash-prone mobile app, right? By carrying out different types of performance testing, you can ensure your app can handle everything from a surge in users to heavy data loads and even unstable network conditions. Here are the key areas to focus on when running performance tests on mobile apps:

Stress testing

Stress testing is where you push your app to the limit and get answers to questions like what happens when many users log in at the same time or when you upload large files. Stress testing helps you identify the breaking points and optimize performance before it slows down or crashes.

You might be interested in: Using ChatGPT for Generating Test Data in Stress and Load Testing

Load testing

While stress testing pushes your app beyond its limits, load testing checks how well your app handles expected traffic. Be prepared for sudden traffic spikes, like during sales or events, to ensure your app stays reliable and doesn’t crash under pressure.

Battery and data usage testing

Battery and data usage testing assesses how much memory, CPU, and battery your mobile app consumes. If it drains batteries or consumes mobile data quickly, users will look for solutions in another app. Test on both low-end and high-end devices to ensure your app runs smoothly without overloading.

Network conditions

Not everyone has perfect Wi-Fi all the time, so it’s crucial to test your app under various network conditions. How does it perform on a slow network or when users go offline? Make sure it’s still functional across different scenarios.

Stability and crash reporting

Nothing is more frustrating than an app that crashes unexpectedly. Stability testing helps catch those annoying bugs. Make sure you’re logging crashes and have a system in place to report them to help developers fix issues quickly.

Automation and monitoring

Automate as many performance tests as you can, like simulating multiple users or different network conditions, using automation tools like JMeter or Loadero. And don’t forget to monitor your app after release, real-world usage can uncover performance issues that testing might miss. Keep an eye on user feedback and app analytics for any red flags.

By thoroughly testing your mobile app’s performance, you’ll ensure it’s fast, stable, and efficient, no matter the circumstances. A smooth-running app keeps users engaged and coming back for more.

Step 6: Invest in security testing

Security is a big deal when it comes to mobile apps. Users share all kinds of personal and confidential data, like credit card details, and passwords, so ensuring your app is secure is a top priority. Security testing is all about spotting vulnerabilities and keeping user data safe. Here’s what to keep in mind with security testing:

Data encryption

First up, you need to encrypt sensitive data. This means using SSL/TLS for data flying across the internet and encrypting anything stored on the device. You definitely don’t want anyone snooping around on personal info, right?

Authentication and authorization

Look at security protocols in place when it comes to user authentication and authorization. How do users log in—is a strong password or two-factor authentication required? Also, make sure users can only access what they’re meant to, no unauthorized peeking allowed!

Vulnerability scanning

Run scans to catch vulnerabilities like SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS). The earlier you find vulnerabilities, the better. Vulnerability scanning will help you patch things up before anyone can take advantage of them.

API testing

API testing is important to confirm that connections between your app and other backend or third-party services are secure. Use authentication tokens, and be cautious about what data you expose. Always validate incoming data to steer clear of security issues.

Penetration testing

Consider bringing in a team or using tools to simulate attacks on your mobile app. Penetration testing gives you a clear look at where vulnerabilities might be lurking and lets you fix those issues before anyone else finds them.

Prioritizing security testing isn’t just about keeping data safe; it’s about building trust. When users know your app is secure, they’re more likely to stick around. And that’s the goal, right?

Step 7: Perform interruption testing

Your mobile app needs to be able to handle any interruptions that might appear—like calls, texts, and notifications—without crashing. Interruption testing is all about making sure your app stays stable even when users get distracted. Here are the main aspects of the mobile app that interruption testing assesses:

Incoming calls

What happens when a call comes in? Your mobile app should pause gracefully, allowing the user to answer the call and then return right to where they left off without losing any progress.

Notifications

When a notification pops up, does your app handle it smoothly? It should minimize or pause, and then seamlessly return to the same spot afterward without any setbacks.

Multitasking & app switching

Users often switch between apps while using their phone. Make sure your app can handle the back-and-forth without reloading or losing any data. A smooth transition is key.

Low memory & background processes

If the mobile device is running low on memory or your app is working in the background, it should save everything properly so users don’t lose anything important. Nobody wants to deal with unexpected data loss.

Edge cases

Don’t forget to test for the unexpected, like losing your internet connection, the battery dying, or any other surprises. Your app should handle these situations like a pro.

Interruption testing ensures your mobile app can keep up with real life. If users know they can jump in and out without any problems, they’re more likely to continue using your app.

Step 8: Location and language testing

Your mobile app should work for users no matter where they are or what language they speak. That’s where location and language testing comes in. This type of testing is all about making sure your app is user-friendly and understandable for everyone. Here’s what to focus on when performing location and language testing:

Geolocation features

If your app relies on location (think maps or local recommendations), make sure to test it in different regions. It should show accurate data, adjust for time zones, and use the right currency or local details to feel relevant.

Language localization

App translations should feel natural and fit the culture. Test each language thoroughly to ensure the text fits the screen properly while keeping the original meaning intact.

RTL languages

For languages that read right-to-left, like Arabic or Hebrew, check that the interface adjusts correctly. Text, buttons, and icons should flip seamlessly without breaking the layout.

Local formats

Different regions have their own ways of displaying dates, currency, and units of measurement. Make sure your app automatically switches to the correct format based on where the user is located.

By testing your app for location and language, you’re making it more user-friendly and improving the overall user experience. That’s the key to creating a truly global app experience.

Step 9: Use automated testing

Manually testing every feature of your app can become a pain sometimes, and let’s be honest, it’s easy to miss things. That’s where automated testing comes into play. It speeds up the process, catches bugs quicker, and handles all the repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on what counts. Here’s why you need automated testing as part of your mobile app testing strategy:

Speed and efficiency

Automated tests are much faster than manual tests. Once you’ve set them up, automated tests handle repetitive tasks, like ensuring core features still work after updates. This will save you a lot of time, especially when rolling out new features or fixing bugs.

Regression testing safety net

Every time you tweak or add something to your app, there’s always the risk that something else might break. Automated testing is perfect for regression tests, making sure your new code doesn’t accidentally disrupt features that were working just fine before.

Continuous testing

With automated testing, you can set it to run every time a new code is pushed. This means bugs get detected right away, giving your team the chance to fix them before they escalate into bigger issues.

Balance with manual testing

Not everything can or should be automated. While automation is fantastic for repetitive, logic-based tests, you’ll still need manual testing for things like design, usability, and anything requiring that human touch, like audio and video testing for video conferencing apps.

Essentially, automated testing speeds up repetitive tasks, cuts down on human error, and provides a solid safety net when it’s time to release updates. It’s efficient and accurate and lets you dive into the more exciting (and creative) parts of app development.

Step 10: Beta testing and user feedback

No matter how well you test internally, real users always manage to find something you didn’t expect. That’s why beta testing is crucial—it gives your app a real-world trial run before the official release. Here’s why it’s a game-changer for your mobile app testing strategy:

Real-world testing

When actual users get their hands on your app, you get to see how it performs outside the controlled environment. Beta testing reveals performance issues and bugs that internal testing might have missed, especially when it’s used on different devices under different conditions.

Honest user feedback

Your beta testers won’t hold back. They’ll tell you what’s working, what’s confusing, and what doesn’t quite hit the mark. This honest feedback is invaluable for fine-tuning your app.

Catching critical bugs

Even after all your internal testing, some bugs always show up only when real users start interacting with your app. Beta testing helps you catch these critical issues, giving you time to fix them before the full launch.

You might be interested in: Dogfooding: A Quick Guide to Internal Beta Testing

Building early excitement

Beta testing doesn’t just help with bugs, it’s also a great way to build some pre-launch hype. People love getting early access, and their positive experiences can create a buzz that boosts your app’s visibility before its official release.

Beta testing gives you essential real-world insights, helps you catch any bugs you missed, and lets you gather genuine feedback.

The bottom line

This 10-step mobile app testing strategy is all about making sure your app is reliable, easy to use, and ready for whatever the real world throws at it. Here’s a quick summary—start by figuring out what needs testing, and defining clear goals and scope. Make sure your app plays nice on both Android and iOS because cross-platform compatibility is a must. 

Functional testing will cover the basics, while visual design and accessibility checks will keep users engaged. Performance testing ensures your app can handle heavy loads, and security testing protects your users’ data. You should also test how your mobile app reacts to interruptions, like calls or messages. Additionally, don’t forget about location and language testing to make sure it works globally and caters to a global audience. 

Automation streamlines testing and helps with regression tests, while beta testing with real users gives you the feedback you need to make those last adjustments before launch. By following this mobile app testing strategy, you’re setting your app up for success in a competitive market.

Ready to improve your mobile app testing strategy? Contact us to learn how our mobile app testing services can set your app up for success from day one.