Globally, mobile device usage has exploded in the past few decades. Statista ‘s prediction shows that smartphone users in 2040 will exceed 1.5 billion. It is easy to imagine the mobile testing challenges the backend team will face in the future.
The demand for mobile apps has increased worldwide due to the explosion of mobile devices. Large organizations have invested heavily in the mobile app testing domain. Mobile devices or smartphones have become a part of everyday life and will remain so. Apps are the only way to perform all of the functions a smartphone can do.
Fragmentation has become challenging for testers and developers because of the growing number of mobile OS-browser combinations. Adopting solutions for mobile testing can be vital, especially when end users are hyper-aware of what they want.
This article will examine the top challenges faced by technical teams worldwide when testing mobile apps and what their perfect solutions can be.
So, let’s dive into it!
Mobile App Testing Challenges In 2023
1) Device fragmentation
When we talk about device fragmentation, the number of devices running an application at any time increases yearly. It can pose a significant compatibility issue.
It can be a major compatibility problem, as testing teams must ensure that these apps can not only run on different operating systems, such as Android, iOS, Windows, etc., but also across various versions of the same operating system (such iOS 5.X and 6.X).
It can pose a significant compatibility issue since testing teams must ensure these applications can be deployed across different operating systems (like Android, iOS, Windows, etc.).
One of the best things to overcome this problem is using cloud-based mobile app testing solutions. The cloud-based mobile app testing interface makes it easier to:
- Uploading the app in a single click
- Monitoring and tracking the quality of the app
- Using various Android emulators and iOS simulators to test the app
- Rely on a cloud-based interface for speedy delivery of the app
2) Smartphones having Different Screen Sizes
Globally, companies design smartphones with a variety of screen specifications. Multiple model variants are available with different screen sizes and resolutions to appeal to a wider range of customers. Apps must be created for every new screen size and resolution released.
Screen size impacts how applications will look and behave across different devices. This is one of the most difficult challenges in mobile app testing, as developers are now focusing on the adaptability to different mobile screens.
It is important to resize the apps to fit different screen sizes and to adjust to various resolutions. It may be easier to achieve this if an application has been thoroughly tested.
3) Different Types Of Mobile Apps
Mobile app development can help you increase brand visibility, attract new customers, and improve the user experience of your current customers. Let’s look at three types of mobile applications: hybrid, web, and native.
i) Native Apps: Native applications are mobile apps built specifically for a specific operating system. Apps built for iOS will not run on Android or any other OS. Native applications are faster, have better phone features, and are more efficient. Mobile app testing ensures that these qualities are maintained, and all features work with the native interface of the device.
ii) Web Apps: Web apps are similar to native apps except that users do not need to download them. These apps are not downloaded but embedded in the websites users access via mobile web browsers.
So, web apps should perform well on all devices. Testing teams must thoroughly test the app across various devices to ensure this. This is a lengthy process, but it is crucial because if the app doesn’t work on some devices, it can significantly impact a company’s business revenue.
iii) Hybrid Apps: Hybrid apps combine the best of web apps and native apps. These are web apps that look like native applications. These apps are easy to maintain and load quickly. Mobile app testing teams ensure hybrid applications stay on certain devices. All features of hybrid applications are available across all operating systems that support them.
The technical teams face different challenges for each type of mobile app. Concatenation increases the complexity, making it an overall cumbersome task. Automating regression testing can ease stress when it comes to testing mobile applications.
4) Mobile Network Bandwidth Issues
Testing mobile network bandwidth is an important part of testing mobile apps. The backend team is responsible for ensuring that mobile apps are fast. That’s not all. A program that needs help to deliver faster results will also need better data communication.
A mobile app that has yet to be tested and optimized for the bandwidth of different users may lag when exchanging information with the server. The testing team must test apps and websites on different networks to determine their response times. The process will be much more efficient, and the app will last longer.
5) Seamless User Experience
The success of an app depends on the creativeness, context-specificity, and clarity of its user interface. Having all the features an application needs can make it slow and bulky. The application may also work exceptionally well on certain devices but not others.
It would be inconsistent and could prevent users from switching devices as needed. These things reduce the user experience. Consumers need to be patient enough to understand the testing and deadlines of developers.
The mobile app testing team always races against the clock and other factors to ensure the user experience does not suffer. Ensuring the user experience is not compromised can be challenging unless a cloud-based testing strategy has been implemented.
6) Mobile App Security
Security concerns are the biggest roadblocks for mobile app testers. LambdaTest, a cloud-based app testing tool for mobile apps, is secure. However, app developers still face several security concerns.
Access To Cache: Access to the cache is easier on mobile devices. Mobile devices are more vulnerable to breaches because accessing the cache is easier. Mobile applications can be used by malicious programs to access private data if they are not built and tested properly.
Poor Encryption: Encryptions are the first barrier between users’ data and malicious sources. Mobile applications with poor or no encryption can be attractive to hackers. In the first half of 2020, data breaches revealed 36 million records. Developers must create apps with more robust encryption code, and the testing team will ensure the encryption works properly.
This is a very important part of mobile app testing, as the teams involved must run all the possible test cases to verify that the application works from the encryption side.
LambdaTest is a cloud-based, cross-device test solution that’s GDPR compliant and ISO 27001, CCPA and SOC2 compatible. It can help QA testers run their tests in the cloud, ensuring accuracy and proximity to user conditions.
7) Strict Deadlines
The demands of users are sometimes too much, and companies have to work on a tight schedule to deliver applications. Other requirements keep testing and development teams on their toes, including bug fixes and upgrades. This requires mobile app testing to be fast and constant.
Testing teams often find themselves in a bind when it comes time to meet deadlines due to the complexity of mobile app testing, which involves testing on both mobile emulators and simulations, as well as on physical devices. The strict schedules often make it hard for the technical team.
8) Heavy Battery Usage
Testing mobile apps involves testing battery consumption. Testing a diverse app on any device without draining its battery is difficult. In the past few years, there has been a rise in battery-intensive apps. Mobile manufacturing companies worldwide began to provide stronger batteries to combat this problem.
Users will be unhappy if apps are still draining their battery. Testing apps to ensure they do not draw power is a significant challenge in mobile app testing. To ensure an excellent user experience, it is vital to minimize battery drain.
9) Various App Testing Tools
Cloud-based mobile testing tools are available in a variety of sizes and styles. They’re not all the same. There are different tools for testing the various types of apps. Some only test Android applications, and others check iOS. Platforms and tools are available to test all types of applications.
They can be helpful, but they also complicate the process. Technical teams may need help to choose the best platform for testing most apps. Subscribing for the various paid software packages can be expensive, and relying on free tools can lead to data breaches or results below par.
Solutions To Overcome Mobile App Testing Challenges In 2023
Testing mobile apps can be difficult due to the lack of devices that are suitable for testing. Here are some solutions that will help you overcome these challenges.
1) Make Use Of Mobile Emulators (Android & iOS)
It is common to use emulators for mobile app testing. They are quick and inexpensive but only sometimes produce reliable results. An emulator’s purpose is to run software without installing it on real devices. Installing the mobile app emulators on your development computer allows you to run any test on the emulator without installing the software on a device.
Mobile emulators are not a replacement for real devices. However, they can be used to run initial tests and avoid the complexity of dealing with hardware and operating system differences.
Remember that emulators cannot replicate all of the features on a real device. It includes touch gestures, accelerometers, etc. Knowing the simulator vs. emulator differences in depth is best before deciding.
2) Leverage Cloud-Based Platform
Creating an infrastructure for companies with strict app testing demands. A physical lab with mobile devices of different specifications and a cloud-based app testing system for mobile apps can be a powerful combination.
LambdaTest is a cloud-based AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that allows you to test your mobile app across multiple real browsers and devices. LambdaTest offers a variety of Android emulators, iOS simulators, and a real device cloud to help you develop and test apps. You can also upload your app’s APK, App, or ZIP files with just one click from the LambdaTest platform.
3) Make Use of Standard Protocols
To reduce the complexity of testing mobile apps, it is important to adhere to the protocols common to all devices.
It can be features such as GPS, camera, and audio. Prioritizing internalization and localization testing can help users better operate their apps, regardless of where or what they’re doing.
After the standard tests have been performed, specific tests for the operating system and its various versions can be carried out.
Conclusion: Mobile App Testing Challenges
This article was written to give a comprehensive view of the biggest challenges faced by technical teams worldwide when testing mobile apps.
In addition, we have tried to examine the most important solutions for dealing with these issues. Readers should remember, however, that every challenge is unique for the team who experiences it.
It is, therefore, best to continue investigating and seek help whenever necessary. We’ve also seen how cloud-based tools for mobile app testing, like LambdaTest, can help us overcome the challenges associated with mobile app testing.
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