Importance of Mobile App Testing in 2016

Importance of Mobile App Testing

No system is reliable without proper testing for failures. Similarly you cannot launch a mobile application into the market without testing its performance or functionality. In present times, there’s a tough competition among the mobile application developers for making their application successful. The only way that’s possible is thorough testing to make the app bug free and provide a better user experience. Let’s discuss more about the importance of mobile app testing and different types of testing.

Almost everyone relies on their smartphones and tablets to communicate with the rest of the world. Mobile applications act as a medium for getting information; ordering food, clothes, books; marketing businesses or making online payments. All of such functionalities can fail if the app is not tested continually. Hence a robust app testing is required for any successful venture. It may take a few weeks to launch an app but it will only take a few seconds to frustrate the user with bugs and errors. That can prove detrimental for any business in terms of reputation and monetary returns. This can be checked with quality testing before deploying the app in the app store.

App testing requires out-of-the-box- thinking. One needs to ask” What would happen if I do this?” sort of questions. Such grilling would demand thinking and using the app like a user. In fact, you need to think of all the ways in which user can navigate through your app. Furthermore, testing in a ‘real world’ scenario is essential too. Answering questions like “What would happen if the app is interrupted by a call?” and “Can my app function well in case of low battery or extreme brightness?” will help one test the app in a better way. Basically, one should test the app in all possible platforms and under all possible circumstances.

There are various types of testing one must undertake while testing the app – Functionality Testing, Performance Testing, Memory Leakage Testing, Interrupt Testing and many more.

·       Memory Leakage Testing tests the memory (RAM) occupied by the app and memory management.

·       Interrupt testing is used to test the app during an interrupt- call, SMS or any other notification. The app needs to save the data at that stage and turn on functionalities like flight mode.

·       Usability Testing is used to test whether the app is working in the desired manner and whether it’s getting expected user response.

·       If you are using information like Geo-location or contact details in your app, then one needs to pass certification testing.

·       Security Testing means checking the app for vulnerabilities like hacking, session management, hacking and other security standards.

It’s understandable that the mobile app developers are more eager to launch the app and watch the downloads go up than testing it. But testing your app rigorously will avoid any functionality bugs and other issues after its roll-out. Eventually a tested app will gain better ratings, customer reviews and customer satisfaction. That means even more downloads.