In short: 25% of mobile apps are used only once before being abandoned. This guide covers: >> Mistake #2: Not testing on enough different devices, >> Mistake #3: Not accounting for network variability, >> Mistake #4: Forgetting security testing, >> Mistake #5: Conducting usability testing too late.
Mobile app testing can be complex, but with proper preparation beforehand, you can avoid the pitfalls that can undermine your efforts. Read our article to find out how to avoid the most common mistakes in mobile app testing!
25% of mobile apps are used only once before being abandoned. Today’s users no longer tolerate bugs or performance issues. They demand an optimal user experience —and they’re in a position to do so, especiallysince there are currently millions of mobile apps and numerous alternatives in every category, allowing them to download a competitor’s app in just two clicks if they’re not satisfied. It is therefore essential to develop mobile apps that meet these requirements.
Above all, it’s essential to implement testing as early as possible—from development through to production and even beyond. However, with different operating systems (iOS, Android), different carriers, different smartphone models, and network connection issues, testing a mobile app can be complex. You can’t afford to make mistakes, so here are the 7 mistakes you should absolutely avoid when testing mobile apps.
>> Mistake #1: Testing a mobile app the same way you test a website
While some basic principles of software testing can be applied to mobile apps, a specific testing strategy is still necessary. And for good reason: there are many differences between a mobile app and a website or web app. Starting with the users, who behave differently. On mobile devices, users are on the go and seek immediacy and speed. As a result, the user experience (UX) is designed to meet these needs, and this must be taken into account. There are also features specific to mobile devices, such as voice assistants, fingerprint or facial recognition, and so on.
We must also take into account the types of applications (native, web, hybrid), phone models, operating systems, mobile carriers, the network, interruptions (push notifications, text messages, calls), storage, and so on. It is important to plan for all of this in advance, starting with the creation of the test specifications, so that nothing is overlooked that could directly impact the user experience.
>> Mistake #2: Not testing on enough different models
As we mentioned above, when testing a mobile app, it’s important to take into account the various models available. It’s indeed very important to test on a variety of mobile devices to ensure broader test coverage. But given the vast number of smartphone brands and models, this can quickly become a real challenge—and, above all, a financial drain. That’s why many technical teams choose not to test on multiple devices—a mistake.
One solution is cloud testing. This allows you to test a mobile app on various platforms and devices via the cloud, using different operating system versions, without having to manage a large number of physical devices or virtual machines. Costs are lower and more optimized compared to an on-premises device farm, which requires significant maintenance and frequent replacement to keep actual physical devices up to date. Not to mention the physical safety hazards this can pose—some phones can even catch fire (yes, that’s a true story)! What’s more, these cloud solutions can be integrated with automation tools for greater efficiency.
Keep in mind that while it’s a mistake not to test on enough different models, it’s also a mistake not to prioritize. You should prioritize devices based on analytics and data from real customers in order to test the mobile devices that best represent customer journeys.
>> Mistake #3: Failing to account for network variability
When it comes to mobile app testing, it’s important to set up test scenarios that account for variations in mobile networks. Signal strength varies from one location to another. You can quickly switch from 4G to an H+ network, or even to an H+ network. And with the arrival of 5G, this presents yet another challenge. Depending on the connection speed, you need to verify that the mobile app continues to perform well. To do this, you can use network emulators, which simulate different connection speeds.
>> Mistake #4: Forgetting to run security tests
Every day, we store a significant amount of data on our devices. And this is especially true for our smartphones, which we use to browse the internet, send messages, make calls, watch videos, check our bank accounts, and—for some of us—even make payments. Who hasn’t panicked when they’ve lost their phone or had it stolen?
But this information can also be leaked through other channels, particularly as a result of cyberattacks, which can sometimes cause serious damage—not only to users and the devices in question, but also to the company, which then loses credibility and trust . That is why it is important to remember to conduct regular mobile security tests.
>> Mistake #5: Conducting usability tests too late
One of the biggest mistakes to avoid when testing a mobile app is failing to conduct usability tests as early as possible in the process. User experience (UX) is critical for mobile apps. It’s the first impression users have of the app, and it must be flawless. Therefore, it’s essential to test it thoroughly by putting yourself in the user’s shoes —starting in the earliest stages of development—to ensure that all elements are in the right place, function and interact properly with one another, and behave in line with user expectations.
>> Mistake #6: Neglecting to automate mobile app testing
While mobile app testing may seem more complex than website or software testing, that doesn’t mean you should give up on automation. Although automating mobile app testing is more challenging than on web platforms, the emergence of code-free mobile testing tools makes it easier.
Above all, automated testing allows you to increase the scope and coverage of your tests and can save you valuable time. You simply need to prioritize which tests to automate, focusing on the easiest ones as well as the most repetitive ones, such as regression tests, unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests. On this topic, we recommend reading our article on the essential tests to automate for a mobile app.
Do you agree with these mistakes? Do you have any others to add? Feel free to share your expertise and opinions in the comments !
Further Reading
To see the solution in action, check out our functional tests.
FAQ
What are some common mistakes in mobile app testing?
Ignoring the diversity of devices and operating systems, testing only under ideal conditions, failing to account for degraded network conditions, ignoring OS updates, underestimating performance, and failing to automate repetitive tests.
Why test on multiple devices and operating systems?
Because mobile fragmentation is so widespread: a user journey that works on one device may fail on another. Multi-device coverage is essential.
Should we test under degraded network conditions?
Yes. Mobile users don't always have a strong connection. Testing on a slow or unstable network reveals issues that aren't apparent on Wi-Fi.
Why Automate Mobile Testing?
Because manually rerunning them on numerous devices is costly and prone to errors. Automation ensures consistency and comprehensive coverage.
How does Mr Suricate with mobile testing?
By automating mobile user flow testing across different devices, for both business teams and key accounts.
Take it a step further: mobile app testing.
