The boom of mobile technology has set a new range of challenges in the software testing platform. Mobile apps are now part of smart life and are not limited to mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones. Mobile apps are now incorporated into cars, TVs, watches, and even home appliances. Hence, these apps must be ready rock solid through testing before releasing them in the market. The complex functionalities associated with today’s mobile applications on diverse platforms present unique testing strategies’ unique challenges. But statistics show that there are many real-time challenges for perfect testing of mobile applications, such as –

– 18% of companies do not have enough time to test mobile apps

– 65% do not have the right tools.

– 52% cite lack of devices

Real-time challenges in Mobile apps testing

1. A huge number of mobile devices with variations of user interfaces

Since the inception of Android 1.0, almost 500m Android devices have been launched on the market. On the other side, the iOS number is 220m. There are Windows and Blackberry too. Moreover, these apps run on different operating systems and devices manufactured by different companies with entirely distinct features like different kinds of keypads, screen resolutions, screen sizes, CPUs, etc. This brings different user interfaces as well, with specific guidelines and rules. Here the layout of elements and usage is checked while publishing the app in the market as part of the verification process. Any non-compliance can lead to a delay in the launch, which increases the cost of development and testing.

Hence, it is challenging to predict whether a thoroughly tested app will behave in the 100% same manner in all devices.

2. Numerous OS platforms and versions

When you consider cross-platform testing for mobile apps, you will encounter a complicated matrix in OS versions and platforms. An application can be deployed on any platform, raising a pertaining question on compatibility issues. It needs testing on different operating systems like Android, iOS, Windows, Blackberry, and different versions for each OS.

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3. Network connections and user mobility

Many mobile apps are directly related to the bandwidth and availability of networks. In this case, you need to make sure the data is available even if your device is offline. For example, a user can save his boarding pass on the booking app, and later, he may be out of network coverage area during boarding and unable to show his boarding pass. Then there is no usability of such an app. Furthermore, an app can work perfectly in the QA environment, but it may take time to respond in real-time. And if the user is not happy with the response, they will delete it and choose some other similar app available in the market. Hence, bandwidth and load testing are essential and cannot be done using a simulator or emulators; instead, it needs a mobile testing lab or cloud environment.

4. The trend towards shift left testing

With the emerging trend of Agile development, there is an increasing demand for shift left testing mobile apps in earlier development stages. Here comes the need for an automation mobile testing tool to expedite regression testing.

5. User Experience and App Performance

A mobile application’s success mostly depends on great user experience, innovative presentation, pre-defined and contextually appropriate user interface. This is such a sensitive area that a delay of a second can impact the user experience. Consequently, it will interrupt their performance and preference for the app. To provide a seamless user experience, it is of utmost importance that the mobile app is free of any error or fault. Not to mention, the user experience is directly related to business revenue. This is the only parameter based on which a user grades a mobile application. Simultaneously, many users choose an application based on previous grades and reviews of the application. So, any kind of fault or error in the app or poor user experience can lead to business failure. Hence, it is a challenging area of mobile application testing.

6. Touch Screen

We have almost forgotten those old keypads based mobile phones. It is an era of smartphones that are necessarily touchscreen mobiles. Here the touchscreens enable input data and display. So, the signs or signals that create an indication for the data input are critical in the testing process. Thus, the touch screen testing needs to be more stable and intricate.

7. Context Awareness

Context is a challenging point in mobile application testing because it is the context that can extend or limit the function of mobile applications with data. Hence, it demands new and innovative testing approaches. The unique challenge is that the application can be with different data in different contexts—this, no doubt, a critical challenge in the testing process from start to end. Additionally, what will be the usage pattern that depends on the nature of smartphones.

8. Stringent timeline to market the App

With the increased competition in the market, there is a stringent timeline for the application published. This also causes a lot of challenges in the testing of mobile apps. This is because it needs proper requirement analysis, design, development, and lastly, testing. Here testing is closely linked with various development stages.

9. Security Issues

Now, most of the applications are cloud-based. If managed through a private cloud, then applications are more secure than those managed by the public cloud. Hence, a secure private cloud is more appropriate to provide access to testing teams. There is no chance of data breaches whatsoever.

10. Localization

Localization is a key area through which a business can penetrate the market through mobile apps. Hence, stress should be given to localization testing to increase app users across the globe.

11. Skilled talent

Most of the credibility of the mobile app lies in its look and feel. Hence, mobile app testers should not only run the automation tool but rather be introspective on the app’s UI features as well.

12. Availability of apps

Since mobile testing is in an early stage till today, there are limited tools available in the market. Moreover, it is tough to choose the one based on the specific testing strategy.

13. Dependency on a single device for testing

Different stages of testing might depend on different testers. Furthermore, testers may depend on the same mobile device for testing. This creates a kind of dependency where at a time, only one user can use the mobile device, and until he finishes the work, the other tester cannot start his work. It is more problematic if the testers are working across continents. Hence, it eats up time. And if we try to involve more devices, it will incur more costs.

14. More set up for Device-Based Testing Approach

In the device-based testing approach, we need a laboratory set up for testing, which needs to purchase actual mobile devices. Not to mention, this is a costly affair than is done by the emulation method. Additionally, this requires verification of device-dependent functions and along with related QoS parameters. However, to pace up with the rapidly changing mobile devices and platforms, this method must have to cope.

Conclusion

It is a well-known fact that it is impossible to cover all the aspects of mobile application testing. But to overcome challenges, testers can accept a mix and match approach. They can consider most real-time scenarios. In this context, the Crowdsourced testing platform successfully helps clients overcome the key challenge areas, as mentioned above. With a Crowdsourced offering, you can encounter most of the real-time mobile application testing challenges within the specified timeline.