As an app testing expert with over 10 years of experience spanning thousands of devices, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of robust mobile app testing.
Proper validation is the difference between a successful app that delights users, and a bug-ridden failure that gets immediately uninstalled. This guide will explore the make-or-break factors when selecting mobile testing tools.
Why Mobile App Testing Matters
Consider these statistics:
- 1.96 million apps in the Google Play Store as of Q1 2022, over 2 million available iOS apps. Your app needs to stand out.
- 61% of apps are abandoned after just one use.
- 60% of an app‘s installs happen in the first week. You only have one chance to get it right.
Your app exists in an extremely competitive environment. If quality is lacking upfront, users will instantly move on to the overflow of alternatives vying for their attention.
Robust mobile testing validates performance, usability and reliability across the exponentially growing combinations of mobile devices, OS versions, screen sizes, networks, carriers and real world conditions.
Without adequate testing, you are flying completely blind.
As your experienced guide, I aim to save you from these disastrous consequences!
The following sections cover the essential factors for choosing a testing platform that meets the unique needs of mobile. This draws from the nuanced testing methodology my team and I have crafted over years of shipping high quality, resilient apps at scale.
1. Validating Across Real Mobile Devices
Emulators and simulators have come a long way. But seasoned testing pros know these cannot replace validating on real devices, under real world mobile conditions.
Let‘s examine why this matters by looking at the scale and diversity of the actual mobile landscape your users will experience:
- Over 5 billion unique Android devices actively used worldwide
- 20 major Android OS platform versions currently in market
- Over 30 iOS versions still needing support
- At least 20 new premium device models released annually
- Dozens of device manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo with proprietary firmware
- Carriers actively limiting OS updates to retain customers
As you can see, the permutations of mobile devices, configurations and variables is astronomically more diverse than the desktop web. Testing complexities amplify tenfold.
Simulators cannot account for factors like:
- Cell signal strength
- Battery performance
- Slow memory on older devices
- Manufacturer/carrier specific firmware
- Popular device-locked apps like carrier messaging
Testing on real mobile devices eliminates unpleasant surprises down the road. It builds confidence that the app will function properly under diverse scenarios ranging from spotty networks to optimized latest generation phones.
My recommendation is choosing cloud testing solutions. These provide instant access to vast libraries of popular real devices – without the overhead of procuring and maintaining your own in-house lab.
Cloud emulation does have some narrow use cases where it delivers value. But serious mobile testing requires real devices, the more variety the better.
2. Integrations with CI/CD Pipelines
To compete today, you need to be continuously testing, monitoring and improving your app…
[Article continues with each major section expanded to provide additional depth and data]Conclusion: Now Go Make Some Great Apps!
With the right testing tools and framework in place upfront, you empower your team to deliver higher quality mobile apps faster. Leverage the methodology and recommendations I‘ve compiled in this guide to set a solid testing foundation.
Visit www.example.com to request a custom mobile testing blueprint session with me. Over the years I‘ve helped dozens of companies implement high velocity testing practices adapted to their specific needs. I‘d be delighted to guide you one-on-one as well.
When testing stops being a bottleneck, exciting innovation happens – now get out there and start building the next generation of awesome mobile experiences!
All the best,
[Your Name]
Principal App Testing Expert
