Introduction: Testing Apps is Like Hosting a Block Party
On Christmas day, you decide to host a party. You have to handle people with different tastes, diet restrictions, and personalities, all while making sure everything runs smoothly. Likewise, testing mobile applications is a lot like that! You have to make sure the app is responsive on different devices, operating systems, and user behaviors, all while making sure the app delivers a flawless experience.
Manual testing is important for finding problems that only a person can see or feel. But it’s no walk in the park. Let’s discuss the challenges that testers face and how structured training can help them.
What Makes Mobile App Testing Unique?
Mobile apps are not just used—they are also lived. Individuals rely on them for various purposes such as shopping, employment, education, and socializing. Testing these apps manually requires juggling multiple factors, such as devices, operating systems, networks, and user preferences.
Example:
Make a dessert that everyone loves at a gathering. Some people want it less sweet, some need it gluten-free, and someone might demand extra chocolate. Likewise, testers must ensure that apps function seamlessly across all variations.
Challenges of Manual Testing for Mobile Applications
1. Device Fragmentation
With a diverse range of devices available in the market, each with distinct screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware configurations, ensuring compatibility is a significant undertaking.
Example:
An app may work perfectly on a high-end iPhone, but it might struggle on a budget Android phone due to limited processing power.
2. OS Compatibility
Mobile apps must run smoothly across different operating systems (e.g., Android, iOS) and their various versions.
Example:
An app designed for Android 12 might fail to load properly on Android 10 due to deprecated features.
3. Network Variability
Apps work on different networks, from fast Wi-Fi to slow 3G connections. Testing under these conditions makes sure the system is reliable.
Example:
A video streaming app may experience endless buffering on mobile data, but it will run smoothly on Wi-Fi.
4. Battery and Performance Testing
Users do not like that apps that drain battery life or slow down devices are instantly deleted by users.
Example:
Health apps might be useful, but if they use 20% of the battery in 10 minutes, users won’t stick around.
5. Usability Testing
Mobile apps must be intuitive and user-friendly, something that only a human tester can assess.
Example:
A navigation app may have a confusing interface, making it difficult for users to find the ‘Start Navigation’ button.
6. Frequent Updates
Mobile apps get updated often to add new things or fix problems. They need to be tested constantly to make sure nothing breaks.
Example:
An e-commerce application may introduce a new payment method, but the update may unintentionally break the existing cart functionality.
7. Globalization Testing
Apps for global audiences must work well in different languages, currencies, and regions.
Example:
An application may display dates in the MM/DD/YYYY format in the United States, however, it may fail to adapt to DD/MM/YYYY format for users in the United Kingdom.
8. Gestures and Touch Input
Touch gestures, such as swipes, pinches, and long presses, require human touch and precision.
Example:
Users might not be able to zoom correctly when they try a pinch gesture.
9. Interruptions and Background Behavior
Apps must handle interruptions like calls, notifications, or switching between apps without crashing, or else they will crash.
Example:
Playing music should pause during a call and resume when the call is over like Youtube app.
10. Third-Party Integrations
Many apps use APIs to do things like pay, share maps, or connect to social media. These connections can be complicated.
Example:
A ride-hailing application may not be able to redirect users after they have paid in a different manner.
How Training Prepares You for Mobile App Testing Challenges
Structured training programs teach you to:
- Understand Complex Scenarios: Learn how to check if a device is broken up, the network changes, and where there are differences.
- Master Tools and Techniques: Use tools like BrowserStack to test on different devices and JIRA to keep track of problems.
- Simulate Real-World Conditions: Practice situations like interruptions, performance problems, and security vulnerabilities.
Through hands-on experience, you will acquire the confidence and expertise necessary to confront the most challenging mobile application testing challenges.
Call-to-Action: Become a Skilled Mobile App Tester Today!
Want to master the art of mobile app testing? Join our manual testing or automated testing training programs to learn practical techniques, industry tools, and best practices.
Explore our courses today and take the first step toward a rewarding career in software testing!
Master Of Manual Testing Training Program