The global mobile app market is booming, and testing strategies must evolve alongside it to meet consumer demands. Here are the new mobile app testing best practices to adopt in 2022.
In 2021, total global spending on mobile apps is estimated at $170 billion, a 19% increase from 2020. There were nearly 230 billion downloads of new apps. And this trend shows no signs of slowing down, given that the average time spent on our smartphones continues to rise, reaching 4 hours and 48 minutes in 2021—a 30% increase from 2019. According to the latest estimates, revenue from the mobile app market could even reach $613 billion by 2025. In short, if you want to grow your business, this is the market you need to target.
But consumer needs are also changing. And today, what they seek above all else is an optimal user experience. This means that the mobile apps they use must work flawlessly, run smoothly, and be secure. This demand is creating new requirements for functional testing, and below we’ll take a look at the latest trends to watch in this area.
Low-code and scriptless test automation is set to gain ground
Codeless automated testing is becoming a popular option for functional testing of mobile apps, as it allows non-technical users to design and automate their own test suites.
By enabling those who know your customers best to set up the right end-to-end tests, your technical teams can obtain more effective feedback on user experience issues.
Cloud Testing Will Continue to Dominate
The increase in mobile app traffic volume calls for new testing solutions, and cloud testing is well on its way to becoming THE testing method of choice. And for good reason: it allows you to test a mobile app on various platforms and devices without having to manage a large number of physical devices or virtual machines. What’s more, mobile app testing strategies that leverage the cloud are easy to implement, maintain, and scale, which is why they’re becoming increasingly popular. These cloud solutions can also be integrated with automation tools for greater efficiency.
Above all, the costs are lower and more efficient compared to a physical mobile device farm, which requires a great deal of maintenance and replacement to keep the actual physical devices up to date.
Security testing coverage will increase
With the looming threat of cyberattacks, users are increasingly reluctant to share their personal information—not to mention the potential damage a leak of confidential data can cause to a company. And unfortunately, these cyberattacks will continue to increase over the years. It is therefore imperative to invest in security features at every stage of the user experience—such as biometric recognition (facial, voice, or fingerprint), multi-factor authentication— while also increasing the frequency of security testing.
Accessibility testing will become increasingly important
Given that 15% of the world’s population—or 1.3 billion people—lives with a disability, according to the WHO, making mobile (and web) applications accessible to everyone has become a top priority. Beyond being a legal responsibility, accessibility improves the experience for all users, builds an inclusive brand image, and expands market reach.
The development of accessible web and mobile applications is becoming increasingly necessary, and accessibility testing is therefore more important than ever.
What do you think of these trends? Have you already incorporated them into your functional testing strategies? Do you think other trends will emerge, and if so, which ones? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments!
