Most businesses nowadays build applications by targeting multiple mobile platforms to reach more users and get higher returns. So the developers need to ensure that a particular mobile app is delivering richer user experience across different platforms, devices and networks. The mobile app testing professionals also have to assess the functionality and performance of the apps thoroughly, but within a shorter amount of time. That is why; the seasoned testers refer to a mobile app testing checklist that clearly defines the requirements as well as the scope of their work. However, the mobile app testing checklist must include important points to assess the application effectively and thoroughly.

10 Points Checklist for Mobile App Testing

1) Targeted Mobile Platforms

Nowadays, most businesses develop apps by targeting several popular mobile operating systems including Android, iOS and Windows Phone. Further, they require the application to work flawlessly on different versions of the same mobile platform. So the checklist must clearly mention the targeted mobile platforms along with their specific versions. It will further help testers to assess the performance of the application on the targeted versions of different mobile operating systems.

2) Targeted Devices

A business can further develop the app by targeting smartphones, tablets, phablets and wearable devices powered by each mobile operating system. For instance, while developing an iOS app, the business can target iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The checklist must clearly convey the targeted devices to help QA professionals to adopt the right testing approach based on the screen size, screen resolutions and features of individual devices.

3) Access to Device Hardware

To deliver richer user experience, the modern mobile apps must access specific features of the device. For instance, the device hardware requirements of an app may include camera, microphone, memory and CPU. The hardware components of individual devices differ. For instance, the latest smartphone models come with higher screen resolution and better cameras. So the checklist must clearly mention the specific hardware requirements of the app to help testers to assess the compatibility of the app with each hardware component.

4) Usage of Hardware Features

Along with assessing the app’s hardware requirements, the QA professionals also need to focus on the usage of important hardware features like hardware keys, GPS, sensor and accelerator. For instance, a camera app has to use the device’s dedicated camera button, whereas a music app will use the device’s volume control keys. Likewise, a navigation app will stop functioning if the user disables GPS. Some apps even use specific sensors to gather information about temperature. So the checklist must clearly mention the hardware feature whose usage must be tested.

5) Customizing App for Individual Devices

As noted earlier, the screen size, resolution and features of mobile devices differ from one model to another. So many businesses want to customize the app for specific devices. For instance, a business may want the mobile app to deliver high quality graphics on tablets and phablets. Likewise, it may also make a HD version of the application available for the latest smartphones and tablets. The checklist must clearly convey the customization option to help testers to assess the user experience delivered by the device across different devices more accurately.

6) Orientation

Normally, the mobile applications are designed to work in portrait mode, whereas games are designed to work in landscape mode. However, the users may want to access the app in both landscape and portrait mode without any issues. There are always chances that UI bugs will emerge or the application will crash when the user switches from one mode to another. That is why; the checklist must clearly mention the landscape or portrait orientation specified by the client.

7) Network Connectivity

Nowadays, a user can access the mobile app with a variety of network connections including Wi-Fi, GPRS, 2G, 3G and 4G. But the network speed and connectivity fluctuate when the user is on the move. So the testers need to ensure that the app is delivering richer user experience despite the fluctuations in network connectivity. At the same time, they also need to ensure that the app displays the right message when there is no internet connection. That is why; the checklist need to mentions various types of network connectivity along with poor-connection and no-connection issues.

8) Interruptions

The flow of the application is always interrupted by several events. So the testers need to check how the application handles these events. For instance, the testers have to do Interruption Testing e.g. how the mobile application handles text messages, incoming calls, other notifications, low battery, inadequate memory, sleep mode, airplane mode, and home screen jump. Thus, the checklist must clearly mention the events that interrupt the application flow, and must be tested by the QA professionals.

9) Security

The credibility and popularity of a mobile app can be hugely impacted by security and data privacy issues. The testers must focus on all security issues to enable users to store their sensitive information and carry out mobile commerce transactions securely. So the checklist must clearly mention the security issues that testers must focus on while testing the applications. The checklist needs to mention the way user’s payment and credit card information is stored; if the network protocol is secure; does the app asks for the required permission; if it uses any security license or device ID; and does it authenticate the user before allowing him to access sensitive data.

10) User Experience

The user experience delivered by the app will have a direct impact on its popularity and profitability in the longer run. Often the user experience is impacted if the usage of a particular app affects the messages, inbox, album and similar content. That is why the checklist for mobile app testing must clearly convey the factors that must remain unaffected by the app usage. The testers must assess the app’s performance and scalability under varying resources. Likewise, they need to test the server side component used by the application by increasing the number of users many times.

It is always a good idea to categorize the points based on their group characteristics. For instance, you can group the checks related to the device, network, app, user interface, security, and app store. The categorization will help you to refer to a particular section of the checklist while assessing a specific aspect of the mobile app.