Mobile Applications Testing –

A Big Challange

Mobile Applications Testing – A

Big Challange

The diversity in mobile devices and the operating systems on which they

run, pose severe challenges in the way of a fool proof testing of the

applications intended to run on these devices. Mobile application testing is a

niche testing process in which the applications or apps developed for mobile

devices are tested for their flawless functioning and performance. Mobile

Applications are easily downloadable in the various stores based on the

operating system platforms or they are pre-installed in the devices. These

have to be tested for various scenarios.

The Challenges Device Variation

The physical differences of various mobile devices are stark. The input

methods like touch or keypad and the different screen sizes create a big

challenge for testing. The Application behavior should remain the same when

the inputs are in different fashion and the outputs should be rendered

according to the display area.

Operating Systems

The multitude of Operating System platforms available like iOS, Android,

Windows Phone, Blackberry come with their own set of behaviors. Testing a

single application across multiple devices running on same or different

platforms poses a unique challenge for testers.

Mobile Network operators

The hundreds of mobile network operators follow their own standards for

communication; some well known like 2G, 3G, GSM and CDMA, while many

are less known. Each network operator uses a different kind network

infrastructure. Data transmission and interchange have to be tested under

all the circumstances.

Script

Developing a common test script for the various devices with different input

methods, displays and User Interfaces is very difficult. Many a times the

scripts for testing are platform based.

Types of Mobile Application Testing

These diversities pose severe challenges in front of the Testing Teams for

mobile applications. Mobile application testing proves to be more

complicated than web testing or Desktop Testing.

Functional Testing

To ensure functioning of the application as per the requirements chalked out

Tests the UI

Network Testing

Simulation of carrier Network and their testing

Tests voice and data quality and speed

Performance Testing

Checks performance in adverse scenarios like

Bad Network

Low Battery

Low Memory

User Traffic

Verifies Client & Server side performances

Interrupt Testing

Testing of Apps when an interrupt is faced

Incoming and Outgoing SMS , Calls, Notificaitons

Battery Removal

Cable Insertion and Removal for data transfer

Network outage and recovery

Media Player on/off

Device Power cycle

Usability testing

To test if the features of the application are relevant

User responses are the main criteria of this testing

Security Testing

Encryption Decryption Techniques testing

Data Access by unintended users

Mobile Applications testing has emerged as a niche technology in the recent

years and various testing tools available in the market lend a helping hand

to this field.