A2A Santa isn’t real, same for “best practices”.

iOS means both iPhone and iPad. If currently only iPads are supported, testing for various iPhone resolutions does not make sense.

Imagine an app which is supposed to work inside hospitals or clinics only. For apps to be used on the go testing for various connectivity options makes sense. For app supposed to work only with hospital Wi-Fi network testing other connectivity options does not make sense, it would be a waste of time and money.

Imagine a client who pays you for an app to be released in 2 months. You may not have time for many “best practices” — it’s just best for your client to get their precious app to the app store ASAP.

What you definitely need to know are Apple restrictions and Apple HIG — Human Interface Guidelines, as if you won’t follow them, your app may be rejected.

Hi there!
Excellent question—testing iOS apps before release is critical to ensuring a seamless user experience. Here's a brief summary of the most effective methods:

Effective Methods for Testing iOS Apps

• Functional Testing
  Check that the app's functionalities work as expected across all iOS versions and devices.
• Performance Testing
  Evaluate app speed, responsiveness, and stability under a variety of scenarios, including high user traffic.
• Usability Testing
  Check the app's user interface and navigation to ensure an easy experience.
• Compatibility Testing
  Test the app on a variety of iOS devices and screen sizes to ensure smooth compatibility.
• Automation Testing
  Use technologies like XCTest or TestGrid to automate repetitive test cases and receive faster responses.

Thorough testing helps detect and resolve issues early on, resulting in a high-quality app launch!

Testing iPhone apps on a device is a crucial part of the development process, ensuring that your application performs as expected and delivers a high-quality user experience. There are several methods for testing iPhone apps, each serving different purposes and offering various advantages. Here's an elaborate overview:

1. Manual Testing

Device Testing

• Physical Device: Install the app directly onto a physical iPhone device. This allows developers to experience the app in real-world conditions, testing its performance, usability, and responsiveness.
• Steps:Provisioning: Ensure the device is provisioned for development. This typically involves creating an App ID and provisioning profile in the Apple Developer portal.Xcode Deployment: Connect the device to a Mac, open Xcode, select the device from the list, and use the Run button to install the app.Test Scenarios: Manually execute test cases by interacting with the app, including checking for user interface (UI) issues, functionality, and performance.

Ad-Hoc Testing

• Distribution: For testing with a larger group of users, an ad-hoc distribution allows the app to be installed on up to 100 devices per year.
• Steps:Provisioning Profile: Create an ad-hoc provisioning profile with the UUIDs of the test devices.App Distribution: Distribute the app via a link or email, often using platforms like TestFlight or third-party services.

2. Automated Testing

Unit Testing

• Purpose: Tests individual components or units of code to ensure they work correctly in isolation.
• Tools: Use XCTest framework within Xcode for writing and running unit tests.
• Steps:Write Test Cases: Create test cases in Xcode that validate specific functionalities.Run Tests: Execute tests within Xcode to check for code correctness.

UI Testing

• Purpose: Validates the user interface and interactions to ensure the app behaves as expected from the user's perspective.
• Tools: XCTest framework with XCUITest for automating UI tests.
• Steps:Create UI Test Cases: Write tests that simulate user interactions such as taps, swipes, and input.Run Tests: Execute these tests to verify that the UI responds correctly.

Integration Testing

• Purpose: Tests the interaction between various components of the app to ensure they work together as expected.
• Tools: XCTest framework or third-party tools like Appium.
• Steps:Design Integration Tests: Create test scenarios that involve multiple components or services.Execute and Validate: Run these tests and check for correct data flow and interactions.

3. Beta Testing

TestFlight

• Purpose: Allows developers to distribute their app to a larger group of testers before it goes live on the App Store.
• Features: Provides feedback collection, crash reporting, and version management.
• Steps:Upload App: Submit the app build to TestFlight through App Store Connect.Invite Testers: Invite internal or external testers via email or a public link.Collect Feedback: Gather feedback and crash reports from testers to identify issues.

4. Performance Testing

Instruments

• Purpose: Measures various performance metrics such as memory usage, CPU usage, and network activity.
• Tools: Xcode Instruments tool for detailed performance analysis.
• Steps:Run Instruments: Launch Instruments from Xcode and select appropriate templates for performance testing.Analyze Data: Collect and analyze performance data to identify bottlenecks or issues.

5. User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

End-User Testing

• Purpose: Validates the app's functionality and user experience from the perspective of the end-users.
• Steps:Define User Scenarios: Outline realistic use cases that end-users will encounter.Conduct Testing: Have real users perform these scenarios on the app and gather their feedback.

6. Regression Testing

Post-Update Testing

• Purpose: Ensures that recent code changes or updates haven't introduced new bugs or broken existing functionality.
• Steps:Update App: Apply code changes or updates.Run Regression Tests: Execute previously created tests to confirm that existing features still work as expected.

7. Security Testing

Vulnerability Assessment

• Purpose: Identifies and mitigates security vulnerabilities within the app.
• Tools: Static code analysis tools, dynamic analysis tools, and penetration testing.
• Steps:Analyze Code: Use tools to scan for vulnerabilities in the app’s code.Conduct Penetration Tests: Simulate attacks to identify potential security issues.

8. Accessibility Testing

Compliance Testing

• Purpose: Ensures that the app is usable by people with disabilities and complies with accessibility standards.
• Tools: Xcode's accessibility inspector and third-party tools like Axe.
• Steps:Audit Accessibility Features: Check for support of VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, and other accessibility features.Test Compliance: Verify compliance with accessibility guidelines and standards.

Each of these testing methods plays a vital role in ensuring that your iPhone app is robust, reliable, and ready for deployment. Combining these approaches provides a comprehensive testing strategy that addresses various aspects of app quality and user experience.

We all know testing an iOS application is different from testing an Android application. We have had quite a lot of frustrating experiences when it comes to iOS Testing and had to apply progressive methods to solve these issues.

For User Interface Testing:

1. Using KIF - (Keep It Functional) an iOS integration test framework, designed for Objective-C, which also works well in Swift projects. It runs on a Unit Test target, which runs together with the main application as a unique structure allowing the network stub to work smoothly.
2. Attaching a mini HTTP server to UI Automation tests. This allows the main application to make real network requests. We used the HTTP server to config and pointed to our test server.

We preferred HTTP over KIF because it is pure Swift and used more by developers within the community.

For Unit Testing:

Using Swift brought us some problems with Apple’s Unit Testing. As the language was designed to be safe, proper readwrite reflection was not yet supported and there was no way to modify your program at runtime. This posed a major obstacle for us in Apple Unit Testing.

To deal with the mocking issue, we adopted Dependency Injection practice. This design pattern makes testing possible without the use of any framework at all, which is also compatible with Swift. Dependency Injection has made Unit Testing become more fluent thanks to its versatility to replicate the behaviour of the original class.

SOLID principles (Single responsibility, Open-closed, Liskov substitution, Interface segregation and Dependency inversion) can also be an element that make iOS unit testing much easier. Following this principle was a way to write clean services that fully support tests. Besides, The Clean Architecture was applied as the main architectural pattern so our project could scale to any level while the modules were decoupling. This helped to prevent the overloading of the system due to the increasing number of third-party services being added to the project. Many people claim that The Clean Architecture is only suitable for a big project because it is complicated and it breaks the project structure into many different layers. However, with our experience, we can confirm that it works for all projects and on any scale.

There are several effective methods for testing iOS apps before release:

1. Manual testing: This involves manually testing the app's features and functionality to ensure that they work as expected. This method is time-consuming but can be effective in identifying issues and bugs.
2. Automated testing: This involves using software tools to automate the testing process. Automated testing can be faster and more efficient than manual testing, but it requires some technical expertise to set up and run.
3. Unit testing: This involves testing individual components or modules of the app to ensure that they work correctly. Unit testing is a valuable method for detecting bugs and issues early in the development process.
4. Integration testing: This involves testing how different components or modules of the app work together to ensure that they are integrated correctly. Integration testing can help identify issues that may arise when different parts of the app are combined.
5. User acceptance testing: This involves testing the app with actual users to ensure that it meets their expectations and works as intended. User acceptance testing can provide valuable feedback on the app's usability and user experience.
6. Beta testing: This involves releasing a beta version of the app to a limited group of users to get feedback on its performance and functionality. Beta testing can help identify issues and bugs that may not have been caught during earlier testing phases.

It's important to use a combination of these testing methods to ensure that the app is thoroughly tested before release. This can help ensure that the app works as intended and provides a positive user experience.

Before an iPhone app is officially released, beta testing is a crucial step in the development process that allows developers to get input from actual users and find and repair bugs.

A step-by-step tutorial for beta testing an iPhone app is provided below:

• Prepare the App for Beta Testing:

Make sure your program is error-free and completely working. Beta testing is used to improve user experience and find little flaws rather than to address core problems. For the beta test, create a version of the app with a specific build number.

• Enroll in the Apple Developer Program:

To distribute your app to external testers, you need to be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program as an organization or an individual.

• Obtain Testers:

Identify a group of testers who correspond to your intended market. Through Test Flight (Apple's beta testing platform), you can organize a public beta test or invite friends, family, and coworkers.

• Test Flight Beta Testing:

TestFlight is Apple's platform for beta testing iOS apps. It allows you to distribute the app to external testers.

• Upload your app to TestFlight using App Store Connect, Apple's developer portal.

Invite testers by providing their email addresses or Apple IDs. They will receive an email invitation with instructions to download the TestFlight app and join the beta test.

• Feedback Collection:

Encourage testers to provide feedback on their experience using the app. You can set up feedback channels like email or use Test Flight's built-in feedback feature. Be clear about what kind of feedback you are looking for, whether it's related to bugs, usability, design, or specific features.

• App Updates and Iterations:

Based on the feedback received, make necessary improvements to the app. Iterate through the beta testing process by providing updated builds with bug fixes and new features as you progress.

• Monitor App Performance:

Keep track of crash reports and other analytics to identify any issues that may arise during beta testing.

• End the Beta Test:

Once you feel the app is stable and ready for release, you can either end the beta test or continue to gather feedback if needed.

• Submit the App to the App Store:

You can submit your app to the App Store for evaluation and official release after successfully completing beta testing and making any necessary adjustments.

Beta testing is an iterative process, keep that in mind. In order to make sure the program is as polished and bug-free as possible before it is released to the general public, it is not unusual to conduct many rounds of beta testing. 

Mobile app performance testing ensures that your app performs well under various conditions, providing a seamless user experience. Here are some best practices:

1. Define Clear Performance Metrics

• Response Time: Ensure quick load times and smooth interactions.
• Throughput: Evaluate the number of requests per second the app can handle.
• Error Rate: Track crashes, failures, and error messages.
• Battery Consumption: Minimize excessive battery drain.
• Memory Usage: Avoid memory leaks that can slow down or crash the app.
• Network Latency: Test performance under different network conditions (3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi).

2. Test Under Real-World Conditions

• Network Variability: Simulate poor connectivity, packet loss, and different bandwidth levels.
• Device Fragmentation: Test on different devices (low-end to high-end) and OS versions.
• Background Apps: Measure performance when multiple apps run simultaneously.
• Geo-location Factors: Evaluate performance in different regions.

3. Perform Different Types of Performance Testing

• Load Testing: Determine how the app behaves under expected user load.
• Stress Testing: Push the app to extreme limits to identify breaking points.
• Scalability Testing: Assess the app’s ability to handle increasing traffic.
• Soak Testing: Run the app for long periods to detect memory leaks.
• Spike Testing: Evaluate how the app handles sudden traffic spikes.

4. Automate Performance Testing

• Use tools like HeadSpin, JMeter, Gatling, Appium, and Google Firebase Test Lab to automate performance testing for consistent and repeatable results.

5. Monitor App Performance Continuously

• Implement real-time monitoring using tools like HeadSpin, New Relic, Dynatrace, or Firebase Performance Monitoring.
• Analyze logs, crashes, and response times regularly.

6. Optimize Code and Resources

• Minimize API calls and optimize database queries.
• Compress images, reduce app size, and use caching mechanisms.
• Use efficient coding practices to reduce CPU and memory consumption.

7. Conduct Regression Testing

• Ensure new updates don’t degrade performance.
• Automate regression performance tests for every app release.

8. Test for Security and Compliance

• Ensure data encryption, API security, and compliance with industry standards (GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS).
• Test against potential security vulnerabilities that may impact performance.

9. Gather User Feedback

• Use A/B testing and collect real user performance data through analytics tools.
• Optimize based on user experience metrics.

10. Iterate and Improve

• Continuously test, monitor, and optimize to improve performance over time.

Note: If you want more information around mobile app performance testing, the following resources can help:

• https://www.netguru.com/blog/mobile-app-performance-testing
• https://www.headspin.io/blog/mobile-application-performance-testing
• https://circleci.com/blog/continuous-performance-testing-for-mobile-apps/
• https://abstracta.us/blog/performance-testing/complete-guide-to-mobile-app-performance-testing/

I've tried several different approaches to marketing Appweavers birding apps. They're definitely niche products, and our paid app is not an impulse buy, but there is a surprisingly large audience for natural history topics - who doesn't like nature?

Below is my personal experience and may not translate for your apps.

1. Print Advertising

Good for brand awareness but doesn't drive downloads. There are several national birding mags (US) and you couldn't get a more targeted audience, but it's expensive. Unless you have the budget to run ads in the same publication every month, don't bother.

2. Social Media (Twitter, Facebook - I haven't tried Google+ Pages yet)

Definitely works to generate buzz, and it's a must for staying clued in to user needs, but doesn't correlate directly with downloads. SM is a cost-of-doing business today, but I suspect you have to get fairly sophisticated (i.e. expensive) to drive downloads.

3. Social Media Advertising

I've had very good results with Facebook CPM ads. However, I used these to drive Facebook Page Likes, not to drive downloads, which takes us back to #2. I have tried Facebook ads with a direct link to iTunes, but it got very expensive and didn't produce great results.

4. Direct Marketing

I haven't done any traditional direct marketing (snail mail) but I recently started a newsletter and early results look very good. Saw a big spike in sales after the first newsletter went out. I'll be doing these monthly, so will be interesting to see how it works over time. I suspect, given the demographic for Appweavers apps, that snail mail direct marketing would work well and I will be trying this in the future.

5. Online Reviews (blogs, review sites)

This really depends on the outlet. If the blog or review site has the same target audience as you have for your apps, it can work well. I've been surprised by how many web page hits are driven by an esoteric blog. If you can get a good review from review sites like 148Apps it will definitely boost sales.

6. Press Coverage (traditional PR)

Probably one of the biggest drivers of downloads. If you can get coverage in a major publication (NYT, WSJ, LA Times, etc.) it will work wonders. The coverage doesn't even need to be specific to your app. You might be quoted in a story about another topic. But a good mention will get direct attention from readers of the publication and bloggers will often pick up the piece and link to it.

7. Trade Shows

I exhibited at MacWorld last year and it was well-worth the cost. Trade shows are a magnet for the press, increasing your chances of #6, and it gives you an unparalleled opportunity to talk to real users and get feedback. This, and #2, should be used to improve your product design to make certain you are creating relevant and remarkable apps (per Marco's answer). I saw a big spike in downloads from MacWorld.

8. App Store Optimization

The number one driver of downloads, in my experience, is visibility in the App Store. Getting featured is great, but getting into the search results when users are browsing for apps is better. To do this you need to understand what keywords users are searching for when they look for apps. Apple doesn't give you any insight into this, but you can create a Google Adwords account and look for high ranking keywords in your topic area. This will tell you the common terms used in Google searches. You can then use these terms in the keywords section when you submit your app. One thing to note is that you can only set the keywords when you submit a new binary. So do your homework up front, as you won't be able to adjust keywords until your next release. An approach I've seen others use is to have a lot of similar apps covering a broad spectrum of keywords. This almost guarantees that one of your apps will turn up in a user search. Another way to optimize App Store search results is by putting high ranking keywords in your app name. I haven't tried this, but will be doing it in future releases. I can see that it works well for my competitors!

That's my 2¢. As always, ymmv.

Effective mobile app testing requires a strategic approach and adherence to best practices to ensure apps are reliable, user-friendly, and perform well under real-world conditions. Here are some key best practices for mobile app testing:

1. Test on Real Devices

• Why: Emulators and simulators are useful for early development testing, but they cannot replicate real-world conditions like hardware limitations, network issues, or battery life.
• Best Practice: Use a mix of emulators and real devices. For comprehensive testing, real-device cloud platforms (like HeadSpin) can help by providing access to various devices without needing to manage them in-house.

2. Cover a Wide Range of Devices and OS Versions

• Why: Mobile devices differ widely in screen sizes, operating system versions, and hardware capabilities, which can all impact the app’s behavior.
• Best Practice: Prioritize testing on popular devices and OS versions for your user base, but include a range of less common devices to ensure broader compatibility. Use market analytics to identify the most widely used devices and OS versions among your target audience.

3. Consider Network Conditions

• Why: Users may access the app under different network conditions, such as 3G, 4G, 5G, or Wi-Fi, which can affect performance and functionality.
• Best Practice: Test your app under various network speeds and simulate conditions like weak signals, switching between networks, or even network disconnections. This helps evaluate the app's resilience and responsiveness.

4. Perform Functional Testing on Core Features

• Why: Functional testing ensures that all features work as expected and that the app performs core tasks accurately and reliably.
• Best Practice: Prioritize functional testing on core features (e.g., login, payment, notifications). Test positive scenarios (correct inputs) and negative scenarios (incorrect inputs, empty fields, etc.) to ensure consistent app behavior.

5. Automate Regression Tests

• Why: Automation speeds up the testing process and makes it feasible to run frequent regression tests as the app is updated.
• Best Practice: Use tools like Appium, Espresso, or XCUITest to automate repeatable and time-consuming tests, such as login workflows, form submissions, and navigation. For larger apps, set up automated test suites to run on every build to catch regressions early.

6. Test for Battery and Resource Usage

• Why: High battery consumption, excessive CPU usage, or memory leaks can frustrate users and lead to uninstalls.
• Best Practice: Use tools like Android Studio Profiler or Xcode Instruments to monitor battery usage, memory consumption, and CPU usage while the app is running. Test for long periods and in the background to check for resource management issues.

7. Ensure Usability and Accessibility

• Why: Usability testing is critical to creating a user-friendly app, and accessibility testing ensures the app can be used by people with disabilities.
• Best Practice: Conduct usability testing with real users and use tools like Google Accessibility Scanner or VoiceOver (iOS) to test for accessibility. Pay attention to navigation, font sizes, contrast, button sizes, and support for screen readers.

8. Validate User Experience in Different Orientations

• Why: Many users will switch between portrait and landscape modes, so your app should display and function properly in both.
• Best Practice: Test the app in both orientations across different devices, especially for media-heavy applications. Ensure no UI elements are hidden, stretched, or misaligned during orientation changes.

9. Perform Security Testing

• Why: Security is essential for protecting user data and meeting compliance requirements.
• Best Practice: Test for vulnerabilities like insecure storage, weak encryption, and improper session handling. Validate that sensitive data is protected, and look out for security flaws in integrations with APIs or external services.

10. Conduct Localization Testing (if Applicable)

• Why: Localization ensures the app works for users in different languages, regions, and cultural contexts.
• Best Practice: Test the app in all supported languages and regions. Check for text overflows, formatting issues, date/time formats, and cultural nuances that may affect usability or understanding.

11. Include Interrupt Testing

• Why: Mobile apps must handle interruptions gracefully, such as incoming calls, notifications, low battery warnings, or app-switching.
• Best Practice: Test how the app handles interruptions by simulating calls, texts, notifications, and switching to other apps. Check if the app resumes correctly without loss of data or functionality.

12. Test Offline Functionality (if Applicable)

• Why: Many users may access the app in offline mode or areas with spotty connectivity.
• Best Practice: Test the app's offline capabilities, such as caching data, offline storage, and retry mechanisms. Ensure the app functions smoothly when going offline and that data syncs correctly when back online.

13. Conduct Performance Testing under Real-World Scenarios

• Why: Users expect fast response times and smooth performance.
• Best Practice: Test app loading times, navigation speed, and response to user inputs. Run stress and load tests, simulating a high number of users or complex workflows. Tools like JMeter (for backend performance) and LoadNinja (for frontend load testing) are helpful here.

14. Implement Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Testing (CT)

• Why: CI/CD ensures that code changes are tested regularly, leading to faster releases and fewer production issues.
• Best Practice: Integrate testing into the CI pipeline using tools like Jenkins or GitLab CI, allowing automated tests to run on every code change. Continuous testing in CI/CD helps identify and resolve issues earlier in the development lifecycle.

15. Thoroughly Document Test Cases and Results

• Why: Documentation helps maintain consistency, enables knowledge sharing, and provides a reference for debugging and future testing.
• Best Practice: Use test management tools like TestRail, Zephyr, or JIRA to organize test cases, log results, and track test coverage. Document edge cases and any unexpected issues for future reference.

Summary of Best Practices

Following these best practices can lead to a more robust, user-friendly, and reliable mobile app. Testing on real devices, prioritizing usability and performance, and using automation where possible are fundamental to delivering a successful app experience. Additionally, attention to aspects like offline functionality, accessibility, and localization broadens an app's accessibility and appeal, ensuring it performs well in various conditions.

Mobile app performance testing ensures that apps run smoothly under various conditions, delivering an optimal user experience. Here are some best practices for effective performance testing of mobile apps:

1. Define Clear Performance Objectives

• Set measurable goals for performance metrics like app load time, response time, CPU and memory usage, network consumption, and battery drain.
• Define acceptable benchmarks based on the app’s use case. For instance, a banking app might need a lower response time than a gaming app.

2. Identify Real-World Scenarios and User Conditions

• Simulate actual user scenarios to evaluate performance under realistic conditions. This includes testing the app while users perform actions such as login, scrolling, and interacting with media.
• Consider different environments like online and offline mode, various network speeds (3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi), and fluctuating signal strengths.

3. Test on a Range of Devices

• Mobile device fragmentation (differences in operating systems, screen sizes, hardware) is crucial in performance testing.
• Test on a representative set of devices, covering low-end, mid-range, and high-end devices. Using cloud device farms like HeadSpin or AWS Device Farm allows you to access a wider range of devices without needing a physical device library.

4. Use Both Real Devices and Emulators

• Real devices provide accurate results for metrics like CPU, memory, and battery usage, which are essential for understanding real-world performance.
• Emulators are helpful in the early stages of development, but they can’t fully replicate conditions like hardware performance, network fluctuations, and battery behavior.

5. Monitor Resource Usage

• Track CPU, memory, battery consumption, and data usage as the app performs various tasks.
• Ensure that resource consumption remains within acceptable limits to avoid draining the device’s battery or using excessive mobile data. Tools like Android Profiler (Android Studio), Instruments (Xcode), and HeadSpin can provide insights into resource usage.

6. Simulate Network Conditions and Test Responsiveness

• Test the app’s performance under different network conditions, such as 3G, 4G, and even 2G speeds, as well as poor connectivity and intermittent connections.
• Tools like Network Link Conditioner (iOS) or Charles Proxy can help emulate varying network conditions to assess how the app handles slow and unstable connections.

7. Evaluate App Startup and Load Times

• First impressions are crucial. Measure the time the app takes to launch and load key features.
• A good rule of thumb is to keep the app startup time under 2 seconds to avoid frustrating users. Track loading times for individual screens or heavy content, like media, using tools such as XCUITest or Appium.

8. Conduct Stress Testing

• Stress test the app by pushing it to its limits, such as simulating heavy user traffic or running multiple processes concurrently.
• This will help identify memory leaks, app crashes, and stability issues under peak loads. Tools like JMeter and K6 can be used to create stress-testing scenarios.

9. Monitor and Minimize Battery Usage

• High battery consumption can lead to uninstalls, especially for apps used frequently. Monitor the app’s battery impact and optimize for lower consumption.
• Test battery usage on real devices during extensive use scenarios. Track battery drain using tools like Battery Historian for Android and Xcode Instruments for iOS.

10. Assess Application Responsiveness and UI Performance

• Evaluate how quickly the app responds to user interactions, such as taps, swipes, and scrolling. Any delays or lags in response can negatively impact the user experience.
• Use UI testing tools like XCUITest and Appium to simulate user interactions and measure response times.

11. Implement Backend and API Performance Testing

• For apps that depend on APIs or backend services, test the speed and reliability of server responses, API call efficiency, and data load times.
• Use tools like Postman, JMeter, or K6 to test API performance under different loads. Ensure efficient database queries, optimized payloads, and caching strategies to improve API response times.

12. Run Tests in Background and Multi-App Environments

• Test app performance when running in the background, as well as with multiple apps open, to understand how it handles multitasking.
• Evaluate if the app can effectively save state, resume seamlessly, and minimize resource consumption when it’s not actively in use.

13. Evaluate Performance for App Updates

• Frequent app updates can affect performance. Test the app after updates to ensure that new features or fixes do not introduce performance issues.
• Implement regression testing for critical flows after each update to ensure consistent performance across versions.

14. Monitor Crash and Error Reports

• Track crashes and errors using crash analytics tools like Crashlytics (Firebase) or Sentry. Identify high-frequency crash locations and scenarios to prioritize fixing them.
• Regular monitoring of error logs helps in spotting issues early and improving app stability over time.

15. Incorporate Performance Testing in CI/CD Pipelines

• Automate performance testing to run in your CI/CD pipeline. This helps catch performance issues early in development.
• Use performance tests in the pre-production environment to simulate real-world loads before deploying to production.

16. Collect and Analyze User Feedback Post-Launch

• Monitor user feedback and reviews to identify performance issues that may have been missed during testing. Users often report problems with speed, crashes, and other performance issues.
• Use analytics tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Firebase Analytics to track real-world performance data and user behavior to identify areas for optimization.

Summary of Best Practices

1. Set clear performance goals and real-world testing scenarios.
2. Test across diverse devices and iOS/Android versions, prioritizing real devices.
3. Monitor CPU, memory, and battery usage to reduce resource consumption.
4. Simulate network conditions and optimize for different speeds.
5. Track app startup and loading times to minimize delays.
6. Conduct stress and responsiveness tests for peak load scenarios.
7. Evaluate backend and API performance for connected applications.

8. Incorporate continuous performance testing into CI/CD workflows.

Following these best practices will help ensure your app provides a responsive, stable, and user-friendly experience on different devices and network conditions, ultimately leading to higher user satisfaction and retention.

Mobile application testing requires careful planning and execution to ensure a seamless user experience, functionality, performance, and security. Here are the best practices for mobile application testing:

1. Define Clear Objectives and Requirements

• Understand the app's purpose, features, and target audience.
• Define the scope of testing, including devices, platforms (iOS, Android), and testing types (functional, performance, security, etc.).

2. Test Early and Continuously

• Shift-Left Testing: Begin testing during the development phase to identify issues early.
• Incorporate testing into the CI/CD pipeline for continuous feedback.

3. Use Real Devices and Emulators

• Real Devices: Provide accurate testing for hardware-specific features, like sensors or GPS.
• Emulators/Simulators: Useful for initial testing and debugging but should not replace real device testing.
• Cloud Device Farms: Services like BrowserStack or HeadSpin offer access to multiple devices remotely.

4. Focus on Cross-Platform and Cross-Device Testing

• Test the app on a variety of devices with different OS versions, screen sizes, and hardware configurations.
• Ensure consistent performance and UI/UX across platforms.

5. Prioritize Functional Testing

• Validate core features such as login, navigation, and in-app purchases.
• Test edge cases and boundary conditions to uncover hidden bugs.

6. Automate Repetitive Tests

• Use automation tools like Appium, Espresso, or XCTest for repetitive tasks, such as regression testing.
• Focus manual testing efforts on exploratory, usability, and ad hoc testing.

7. Test for Performance Under Different Conditions

• Simulate various network conditions (e.g., Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, offline) to assess app performance.
• Test for scalability by simulating high user loads.
• Evaluate battery consumption, memory usage, and CPU utilization.

8. Validate Security

• Test for vulnerabilities like insecure data storage, weak authentication, and unauthorized access.
• Ensure compliance with security standards (e.g., OWASP Mobile Top 10) and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA).

9. Test for Localization and Global Compatibility

• Validate language translations, date formats, currencies, and cultural considerations for global users.
• Ensure seamless functionality in different regions and time zones.

10. Conduct Usability Testing

• Ensure the app is intuitive, responsive, and user-friendly.
• Collect feedback from real users through beta testing to identify UX issues.

11. Perform Compatibility Testing

• Check compatibility across a wide range of devices, OS versions, and third-party integrations.
• Test responsiveness in both portrait and landscape orientations.

12. Perform Regular Regression Testing

• After updates or bug fixes, ensure that existing functionality remains unaffected.
• Automate regression test cases to save time and maintain consistency.

13. Include Accessibility Testing

• Ensure compliance with accessibility guidelines (e.g., WCAG).
• Test for features like screen reader support, high-contrast modes, and alternative input methods.

14. Maintain Detailed Test Documentation

• Document test cases, scenarios, and results for better traceability and knowledge sharing.
• Use tools like Jira or TestRail to manage test cases and track defects.

15. Monitor Crash Reports and Analytics

• Use tools like Firebase Crashlytics or Flurry to track crashes and analyze app performance in real-world conditions.
• Address issues identified from production data promptly.

16. Test in Real-World Scenarios

• Simulate real-world conditions, such as low battery, interruptions (calls, notifications), and switching between apps.
• Test offline mode and app recovery post-interruption.

17. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

• Keep up with new testing tools, OS updates, and industry standards to maintain the app’s competitiveness.

8. Collaborate and Communicate

• Foster collaboration between QA, developers, and other stakeholders.
• Use bug-tracking and collaboration tools for efficient issue resolution.

19. Integrate Feedback Loops

• Continuously collect and integrate user feedback for improvement.
• Conduct post-launch testing to ensure app stability over time.

20. Perform Post-Release Testing

• Monitor app performance after deployment.
• Test updates and fixes thoroughly before rolling them out to users.

Conclusion

Following these best practices ensures that mobile applications are reliable, user-friendly, and high-performing. Combining manual testing for critical areas with automation for repetitive tasks, along with continuous testing and real-world validation, will help deliver a superior app experience.

Ensuring quality in mobile app testing is crucial for delivering a seamless user experience, especially as mobile technologies evolve rapidly. In 2024, the following best practices will help maintain high standards in mobile app testing:

1. Test Early and Continuously (Shift Left)

• Why: Starting testing early in the development lifecycle (Shift Left Testing) helps catch defects sooner, reducing the cost and effort of fixing them later.
• How: Integrate testing in the early stages of development, including writing automated tests during the development phase. Use unit tests to verify individual components, and include end-to-end tests in the CI/CD pipeline.
• Tools: Leverage tools like JUnit (Android), XCTest (iOS), and Appium to automate early testing and integrate with CI/CD pipelines like Jenkins, GitLab, or CircleCI.

2. Automate Where Feasible, But Balance with Manual Testing

• Why: Automation speeds up repetitive tests (such as regression tests) and provides faster feedback in continuous integration workflows. However, manual testing remains critical for usability and exploratory testing.
• How: Automate stable, repeatable tests, such as login functionalities, navigation flows, and API calls. Perform manual testing for areas like user experience (UI/UX), accessibility, and complex user flows.
• Tools: Use Appium, Espresso, XCUITest, or Selenium for automation, and combine with manual testing for exploratory, usability, and accessibility testing.

3. Leverage Real Devices for Accurate Testing

• Why: Emulators and simulators are helpful but can't fully replicate real-world conditions, like network fluctuations, battery drain, or device-specific hardware issues.
• How: Ensure testing on real devices with varied configurations (different models, screen sizes, OS versions, etc.). Use cloud-based real-device testing platforms for extensive device coverage without needing to maintain a physical device lab.
• Tools: Cloud testing platforms like HeadSpin, or Kobiton provide access to a wide range of real devices in different geographies.

4. Ensure Cross-Platform Compatibility

• Why: Users expect seamless performance across different devices and operating systems. Ensuring compatibility with multiple platforms helps avoid device-specific or OS-specific bugs.
• How: Conduct compatibility testing on different versions of Android and iOS, and different screen sizes. Test for both low-end and high-end devices to ensure a consistent user experience.
• Tools: Use Appium for cross-platform automation testing, along with cloud-based device farms for comprehensive compatibility testing.

5. Test in Real-World Network Conditions

• Why: Network conditions vary widely, and testing only on Wi-Fi or fast networks can result in overlooking performance issues for users on slower connections.
• How: Simulate different network conditions (3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, offline mode) to observe the app’s behavior under varying circumstances. Also, test for network interruptions, switching from Wi-Fi to cellular, and low connectivity scenarios.
• Tools: Use tools like Charles Proxy or Network Link Conditioner to simulate network conditions, or cloud platforms, which can replicate real-world networks.

6. Focus on Performance and Battery Efficiency

• Why: Performance issues, such as high battery consumption, memory leaks, slow load times, and excessive data usage, can lead to poor user experience and app uninstalls.
• How: Perform performance testing to measure app responsiveness, resource consumption, and scalability. Test the app’s performance under stress (high user load) and long-duration usage.
• Tools: Use tools like Firebase Performance Monitoring, HeadSpin, Perfetto (Android), Xcode Instruments (iOS), or JMeter to monitor performance, memory leaks, and battery usage.

7. Conduct Security Testing

• Why: Mobile apps are often targets for security breaches, especially apps handling sensitive data like banking, healthcare, and e-commerce. Ensuring data protection and secure communications is critical.
• How: Conduct security testing to identify vulnerabilities like insecure data storage, broken authentication, and weak encryption. Test for secure data handling, API security, and compliance with relevant security standards.
• Tools: Use tools like OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, or MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) to identify vulnerabilities, and test with security protocols like SSL/TLS for data protection.

8. Perform Usability and Accessibility Testing

• Why: Mobile users expect an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Accessibility testing ensures the app can be used by people with disabilities, aligning with regulations like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
• How: Conduct usability tests with real users to gather feedback on UI/UX design, ease of navigation, and app responsiveness. Test accessibility features like screen readers, text scaling, and contrast settings.
• Tools: Use tools like Accessibility Scanner (Android), VoiceOver (iOS), and Axe to ensure the app meets accessibility standards and provides a smooth user experience.

9. Use Data-Driven Testing

• Why: Data-driven testing helps cover more test cases by using different sets of input data for the same test scenario, ensuring better coverage.
• How: Implement data-driven testing in your test automation frameworks by using external data sources (CSV, Excel, databases) to run tests with different input data combinations.
• Tools: Popular automation frameworks like Appium, Espresso, JUnit, and TestNG support data-driven testing approaches.

10. Implement Regression Testing for Frequent Updates

• Why: Frequent updates can introduce new bugs or affect existing features. Regression testing ensures that the new code doesn’t break the app’s core functionality.
• How: Create automated test suites for regression testing, especially for critical user flows like login, payment, and navigation. Perform smoke testing after each update to ensure major functionalities work.
• Tools: Use automated regression tools like Appium, TestComplete, or Katalon Studio to run regression tests efficiently.

11. Test Localization and Globalization

• Why: If your app supports multiple languages and regions, localization and globalization testing are crucial to ensure the app functions well in different locales, languages, and cultural settings.
• How: Ensure that text, currency, date formats, and layouts adapt correctly to different regions. Test for internationalization by switching languages, time zones, and regions.
• Tools: Tools like Crowdin, Lokalise, or manual testing with localized environments help ensure proper localization.

12. Monitor Crash Analytics and User Feedback

• Why: Even after release, it's essential to monitor real-world app performance. Crash logs and user feedback provide insights into post-deployment issues.
• How: Integrate crash analytics and monitoring tools into the app to capture crash data, performance bottlenecks, and usage patterns. Use user feedback to prioritize fixes and improvements.
• Tools: Use Firebase Crashlytics, Instabug, or Sentry for real-time crash monitoring and user feedback collection.

13. Adopt Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

• Why: CI/CD pipelines help deliver frequent app updates and ensure that every build is automatically tested. This reduces manual intervention and speeds up the delivery process.
• How: Integrate automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline to trigger tests with each new build. Implement continuous testing for various test types (unit, UI, regression) and ensure that broken builds are fixed immediately.
• Tools: Use CI/CD tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, or GitLab CI to automate the build and testing processes.

14. Test Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on Mobile

• Why: Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are gaining popularity because they offer app-like experiences on mobile browsers without requiring downloads. Testing PWAs ensures performance and functionality across different mobile browsers and devices.
• How: Test for mobile responsiveness, performance under different network conditions, and offline capabilities. Verify that the PWA works well across different browsers.
• Tools: Tools like Lighthouse help test the performance, responsiveness, and cross-browser functionality of PWAs.

Ensuring quality in mobile app testing is essential for a smooth, reliable, and user-friendly experience in 2024. With the rapid pace of mobile technology changes, adapting testing practices to stay current is key. Here are the best practices to follow:

1. Create a Comprehensive Testing Strategy

• Define Objectives and Scope: Identify the features, device configurations, and testing types needed (e.g., functional, performance, security).
• Prioritize Test Cases: Use risk-based testing to focus on critical features and high-impact areas to optimize testing resources.
• Early Planning: Begin testing considerations in the design phase to address potential issues early.

2. Automate Testing Wisely

• Automate Repetitive and Regression Tests: Automate tests that cover core functionalities, saving time on repetitive testing tasks.
• Choose the Right Tools: Use tools like Appium, XCUITest (iOS), and Espresso (Android) for UI automation. Consider cross-platform tools for broader test coverage.
• Balance Automation with Manual Testing: Focus automation on stable features and manual testing for exploratory testing, UX assessments, and new features.

3. Utilize Real Device Testing and Cloud Platforms

• Test on Real Devices: Emulators are helpful, but real devices provide more accurate testing, especially for network, battery, and hardware-specific behaviors.
• Leverage Cloud Device Farms: Use platforms like HeadSpin, BrowserStack, and Sauce Labs to test on a wide range of devices without owning each one.
• Geolocation Testing: Test on devices in multiple regions to verify that location-based features work correctly and comply with regional policies.

4. Integrate Testing into CI/CD Pipelines

• Automate Continuous Testing: Integrate automated testing in the CI/CD pipeline so that tests run on every code change, catching issues early.
• Fast Feedback Loop: Set up alerts for failed tests so the development team can quickly address issues before they escalate.
• Use Containers for Scalability: Containerized testing environments (e.g., Docker) can improve the scalability and consistency of test environments.

5. Emphasize Performance Testing Early

• Monitor Resource Usage: Test for CPU, memory, and battery consumption using tools like Android Profiler or Firebase Performance Monitoring to ensure the app doesn’t drain resources.
• Simulate Real-World Conditions: Test on various network speeds and high/low device storage scenarios to measure app responsiveness and reliability.
• Plan for Scalability: Simulate high user loads to identify performance bottlenecks and ensure the app can scale to handle peak loads.

6. Focus on Security Testing

• Data Privacy Compliance: With regulations like GDPR and CCPA, test for data privacy compliance, ensuring personal data is secure and appropriately managed.
• Vulnerability Scanning: Use tools like OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite to detect and address security vulnerabilities.
• Authentication Testing: Ensure secure authentication mechanisms, like multi-factor authentication (MFA), and test for weaknesses in authorization controls.

7. Prioritize User Experience (UX) and Accessibility Testing

• Conduct Usability Testing: Evaluate the app’s design and functionality for user-friendliness. Usability testing tools like UserTesting and Lookback help get feedback from real users.
• Accessibility Testing: Ensure that the app is accessible to users with disabilities by adhering to WCAG guidelines and testing with tools like Accessibility Scanner (Android) and VoiceOver (iOS).
• Collect Beta Feedback: Launch a beta version through Google Play or TestFlight to gather real-world user feedback and address issues before the public release.

8. Implement Robust Bug Tracking and Reporting

• Centralized Bug Tracking: Use tools like Jira, Bugzilla, or Asana to keep track of reported issues and progress, assigning priority levels based on severity.
• Capture Detailed Reports: Attach logs, screenshots, and device details to bug reports for easier troubleshooting.
• Regular Review Sessions: Host periodic meetings to review open issues, prioritize critical bugs, and ensure they are resolved efficiently.

9. Conduct Compatibility Testing Across Devices and OS Versions

• Device Fragmentation: Android and iOS both have multiple versions and screen sizes; ensure compatibility across the most popular configurations.
• Screen Sizes and Resolutions: Test UI scaling and layouts to ensure consistent experience across screens.
• Backward Compatibility: Test on older OS versions to ensure continued support for users with outdated devices, based on your app’s minimum OS requirements.

10. Enhance Testing with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

• Use AI-Based Testing Tools: Tools like Applitools and Testers(dot)AI use AI for visual testing, automatically detecting UI changes and anomalies.
• Smart Test Execution: AI can help prioritize test cases based on historical data, reducing redundant tests and improving efficiency.
• User Behavior Simulation: AI can simulate realistic user behavior, allowing for more accurate testing of user interactions and flows.

11. Regularly Update and Maintain Test Cases

• Keep Tests Current with Changes: Update test cases as features evolve or the app structure changes to prevent outdated tests from impacting reliability.
• Retire Obsolete Tests: Remove or revise tests that no longer apply to the app’s functionality or UI.
• Use Modular Test Design: Break down test cases into modular components that are easier to update and maintain.

12. Monitor Post-Release Performance and Gather Insights

• Crash and Error Monitoring: Use tools like Firebase Crashlytics and Sentry to track crashes and errors in real-time.
• Track User Analytics: Collect data on user behavior, feature usage, and engagement metrics to identify areas for improvement.
• Implement User Feedback Channels: Allow users to provide feedback directly within the app to continuously improve the app based on user insights.

By following these best practices, mobile development teams can deliver a high-quality app that performs well under real-world conditions, is secure, and meets users’ expectations. Staying agile and regularly updating testing practices with the latest tools and techniques will keep testing processes relevant and effective in the fast-evolving mobile landscape.

Testing mobile apps effectively requires a mix of tools that cover functionality, performance, security, and compatibility across various devices and operating systems. Here’s a curated list of recommended tools and resources for different types of mobile app testing:

1. Functional and UI Testing Tools

• Appium: An open-source automation tool that supports cross-platform mobile app testing for Android, iOS, and hybrid apps.
• XCUITest (iOS) & Espresso (Android): Official testing frameworks by Apple and Google for UI testing, providing fast, reliable UI validation for iOS and Android apps.
• HeadSpin: Supports functional and UI testing on real devices in the cloud, offering deep insights for performance monitoring alongside functional testing.
• TestProject: A free, cloud-based tool with integrations for Appium and Selenium, useful for cross-platform Android and iOS testing.
• Ranorex Studio: A commercial tool supporting cross-platform testing with a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface for both iOS and Android apps.

2. Performance Testing Tools

• Firebase Performance Monitoring: Google’s tool for tracking app performance issues like network latency and slow rendering, compatible with Android and iOS.
• Apache JMeter: Known for load testing, it can also be set up for mobile app performance testing by simulating HTTP requests to backend servers.
• HeadSpin: Provides extensive performance testing capabilities across devices and network conditions, giving insights into user journey analysis and application responsiveness.
• Neoload: Great for simulating heavy loads and assessing your app’s scalability and resource consumption under high-stress scenarios.

3. Compatibility Testing Tools

• HeadSpin: Enables compatibility testing on real devices across various OS versions and device types, allowing you to test apps in real-world conditions and analyze performance across configurations.
• AWS Device Farm: Amazon’s cloud-based service with access to physical devices and emulators for Android and iOS apps.
• BrowserStack: Cloud-based service offering access to a wide variety of real devices for cross-platform compatibility testing on both Android and iOS.
• Sauce Labs: Provides cloud-based access to real and virtual devices, with comprehensive coverage of different operating systems, screen sizes, and device models.

4. Security Testing Tools

• OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy): An open-source security tool for identifying vulnerabilities in web and mobile applications. Great for penetration testing.
• Burp Suite: A powerful security testing tool that identifies vulnerabilities in mobile backends and web services.
• NowSecure: A mobile-specific security assessment tool providing in-depth security checks and compliance testing for both Android and iOS.
• MobSF (Mobile Security Framework): An open-source tool that automates static and dynamic security testing for Android, iOS, and Windows applications.

5. Usability and Accessibility Testing Tools

• UserTesting: Gathers real user feedback on usability, helping developers understand user preferences and improve user experience.
• Lookback: Records real users interacting with the app, providing insights into design and usability improvements.
• Accessibility Scanner (Android) & VoiceOver (iOS): Accessibility tools that check compliance with accessibility standards, ensuring your app is accessible to all users.

6. Continuous Integration and Continuous Testing Tools

• Jenkins: Widely used CI/CD tool that integrates with testing frameworks like Appium, Espresso, and XCUITest, automating testing in development pipelines.
• CircleCI: A CI/CD platform that supports mobile testing frameworks, allowing for automated testing across iOS and Android.
• Bitrise: A CI/CD platform specifically tailored for mobile development, with integrations for popular mobile testing frameworks and tools.

7. Bug Tracking and Test Management Tools

• Jira: A versatile issue-tracking tool for managing bug reports, tracking test progress, and prioritizing issues.
• TestRail: A test management tool that organizes test cases, tracks results, and manages test cycles, ideal for larger projects.
• qTest: A scalable test management solution that integrates with Jira, Jenkins, and Selenium, offering robust support for managing test cases and tracking bugs.

8. Visual Regression Testing Tools

• Applitools: Uses AI to identify UI changes and differences between app versions, making it ideal for visual testing across devices.
• Percy: A visual testing tool that integrates with CI pipelines to automate visual testing and catch UI changes during development.

9. Crash and Analytics Monitoring Tools

• Firebase Crashlytics: Real-time crash reporting tool for both Android and iOS, providing insights into crash causes and frequency.
• Sentry: Monitors crashes and errors across platforms, including mobile, web, and backend applications.
• Instabug: Provides in-app bug and crash reporting with additional user feedback features, making it helpful for both beta testing and post-release monitoring.

Tips for Selecting the Right Tools

• Match Tools with Your Technology Stack: Ensure the tools are compatible with your app’s development frameworks and languages.
• Budget and Resource Considerations: Choose tools that fit within your budget and match your team’s technical skills. Some tools are free or open-source, while others require licenses.
• Integrate with CI/CD Pipelines: To maximize efficiency, prioritize tools that support integration with CI/CD for automated testing.
• Emphasize User Feedback and Monitoring: Using tools like Crashlytics or Instabug allows you to capture real-world issues, helping with continuous improvement.

By using a combination of these tools, you can cover all critical aspects of mobile app testing, from functionality and performance to security and usability, ensuring your app delivers a smooth and reliable experience for users.

So here is how we do it at our office.

We use GitFlow in our development process. All code are pushed by our devs to the features branch. Once the code passes quality validation is carried out by the QA team the code is then merged with the develop branch.

We use a Code Integration Server that picks up the change at the develop branch and then upload it via the API to Test Flight. For the develop branch we ensure that the build is only sent to the internal development and testing teams. Once the app is tested internally, we push the code to the master branch. Changes made to the master branch are uploaded to Test Flight and then the client is notified.

This method ensures that developers can work on the same project at the same time and the delivery of the project to testers and the client is automated.

In the Agile development practices this is particularly useful as the client also can test and come back with feedback and comments.

All along comments, feedback and crash logs are collected via Test Flight and incorporated in the very next build.

Automating mobile application testing is a great way to ensure that your app performs well across different devices and environments. Here are some best practices for mobile app automation:

1. Test on Real Devices

• While emulators/simulators are convenient, testing on real devices gives you a true sense of how the app performs.
• Use cloud-based device farms (e.g., AWS Device Farm) to test on a wide range of devices.

2. Use the Right Testing Framework

• Appium: Open-source framework that supports multiple programming languages and platforms (iOS and Android).
• Espresso (Android) and XCUITest (iOS): Native testing frameworks for Android and iOS that integrate well with the IDEs.
• Flutter Driver: For testing Flutter-based mobile apps.
• Detox: End-to-end testing framework for React Native apps.

3. Start with Unit Tests

• Automate unit tests early to test individual components of the app in isolation.
• Use testing frameworks such as JUnit (Android) or XCTest (iOS).

4. Automate Functional Tests

• Functional testing ensures the app works as expected. Automate user interactions like clicks, swipes, typing, and verifying content.
• Use UI Automator (Android) or Espresso (Android), and XCUITest (iOS) for robust UI testing.

5. Automate Regression Testing

• Ensure that new code changes don’t break existing functionality.
• Set up a continuous integration (CI) pipeline with tools like Jenkins, GitLab CI, or CircleCI to run automated tests on every code commit.

6. Test for Different Screen Sizes and Resolutions

• Mobile apps should look and function properly on various screen sizes and resolutions.
• Use tools that allow testing across devices with different screen characteristics. HeadSpin can help you simulate app behavior on various devices and ensure your app is responsive and looks great on all screen sizes.

7. Test Network Conditions

• Mobile apps need to work under various network conditions (3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, no connection, etc.).
• Automate tests for network switching and interruptions using tools like Charles Proxy or Network Link Conditioner.

8. Test App Performance

• Ensure the app performs well even under heavy load or limited resources (memory, battery, etc.).
• Use tools like Appium, Xcode Instruments, or Android Profiler for performance testing.

9. Test for Battery Usage

• Mobile apps should be energy-efficient, especially if they run background tasks.
• Use tools like Battery Historian (Android) and Instruments (iOS) to measure battery consumption.

10. Simulate Real-World Scenarios

• Automate tests that simulate real user actions such as backgrounding the app, receiving push notifications, handling multiple apps in the background, etc.
• Use tools like Appium and XCUITest to automate these actions. HeadSpin can simulate real user environments and conditions, ensuring your app handles scenarios like network failures, interruptions, or device rotation smoothly.

11. Implement Parallel Testing

• Run tests across multiple devices and OS versions simultaneously to speed up testing and ensure compatibility across environments.
• Use CI tools with parallel test execution capabilities (e.g., Selenium Grid or HeadSpin). HeadSpin allows parallel execution of tests on real devices, improving test coverage across diverse devices and networks.

12. Incorporate Continuous Testing

• Automate tests to run continuously to get quick feedback, especially in Agile or DevOps environments.
• Integrate with CI/CD pipelines and tools to ensure tests are triggered with each build/deployment.

13. Manage Test Data Efficiently

• Use techniques like mocking or stubbing to manage test data, especially in cases where real data is not available or difficult to set up.
• Automate test data creation to ensure consistent and reliable tests.

14. Test App Security

• Automate security testing to identify vulnerabilities in your mobile app. Use tools like OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite.
• Test encryption, data storage, authentication, and data leakage vulnerabilities.

15. Monitor Tests and Debug Effectively

• Implement logging and reporting for test failures to make debugging easier.
• Use tools like Allure Reports or TestRail to manage test results and visualize the progress. HeadSpin offers detailed insights and logs to help monitor and debug issues in real-world conditions, improving the accuracy of your results.

By following these best practices, you can create a robust, scalable, and efficient mobile app testing strategy that helps improve the quality and performance of your app.

I have been working as mobile SDET for that last 2 years first at Urbanspoon and at GoDaddy (company) working on their iOS and Android app automation AND testing. These companies are by no means small or startups but our teams are pretty small, so these practices should apply.

1. Mobile app testing is hard, costly, time consuming and error prone. One solution doesn't fit all.
   
2. There are many solutions, products out there for automation, picking one takes time and experimentation. For frameworks you have Appium, Robotium, Calabash, espresso, for infrastructure you have local machines, real devices, emulators, for cloud providers - sauce labs, testdroid, perfecto etc, for CI jenkins, iOS CI server etc.
   
3. 95% of the functional bugs can be found on emulators/simulators but some won't.
4. Instrumentation of your apps is very important - once in production you have no control or visibility into the usage and problems your users are facing. Have some thing for crashes - crashlytics, crittercism etc, something for usage - GA, internal tools.
5. 80% of the production bugs happen in the API layers and are intermittent. Use something like Runscope to monitor your api health.
6. Automation can't replace exploratory/manual testing. The act of touching a device, in context of other apps is very different from automation. Think of automation as a tool that will free up your time to do more useful testing.
   

Specific advice for mobile automation:

1. Mocking is non-existant(not popular) in UI layers for mobile apps, so you can't do partial integration testing. Inevitably your automation looks a lot like doing the same actions over and over. eg: to get your filters screen you have to load the app -> do your search -> click on filters -> wait for filters screen-> then do your test.
2. The choice of language for automation need not be same as development platform but tests should be triggerable easily. Eg: I use ruby for automating Android(java) and Ios(objc/swift) but provide a command line way to invoke tests
3. Know for whom you are abstracting automation for. In my first project I made the mistake of taking the abstraction too high: cucumber tests ->Step defintions -> Page objects -> device specific locators. In the end I was the only consumer and it ended up more maintenance at each layer without much benefit.
4. Scheduled execution of tests is important. One should have a plan to put automation tests on scheduled runs before the apps hit app stores.
   

And please don't call us QA. We are elite developers who are just focused on quality.

Testing and debugging are critical and essential aspects of the software development lifecycle, ensuring that the software is reliable, performant, and with as few defects/bugs as possible.

Here are some best practices for both testing and debugging:

■ Testing Best Practices ■

● Plan and Document Tests ●

☆ Develop a comprehensive test plan that outlines the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of intended testing activities.

☆ Create detailed test cases with clear expected outcomes.

● Automate Testing ●

☆ Use automated testing tools and frameworks (e.g. Selenium for web applications, JUnit for Java, PyTest for Python, Postman for API) to run repetitive and regression tests.

☆ Integrate automated tests into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure they run on every code commit.

● Test Early and Often (Shift Left) ●

☆ Start testing as early as possible in the development cycle.

☆ Perform continuous testing to catch and fix bugs early.

● Use Different Types of Testing

☆ Unit Testing: Test individual units or components of the software.

☆ Integration Testing: Verify that different components work together.

☆ System Testing: Test the complete and integrated software system.

☆ User Acceptance Testing: Ensure the software meets business requirements and is ready for delivery.

☆ UI (User Interface) Testing

☆ Performance Testing: Check for speed, responsiveness, and stability under load.

☆ Security Testing: Identify vulnerabilities and ensure the software is secure.

● Code Coverage ●

☆ Use code coverage tools to measure the percentage of code tested.

☆ Aim for high code coverage, but understand that 100% coverage doesn't guarantee the absence of bugs.

● Test in Realistic Environments ●

☆ Test in environments that closely mimic production settings.

☆ Consider different operating systems, browsers, and devices if applicable.

● Prioritize Testing Based on Risk ●

☆ Focus on the most critical parts of the application where bugs can have the most significant impact.

● Use the technique of TDD (Test Driven Development) ●

■ Debugging Best Practices ■

● Reproduce the Bug ●

☆ Consistently reproduce the bug to understand under what conditions it occurs.

☆ Document the steps to reproduce the issue.

● Use Debugging Tools ●

☆ Utilize built-in debugging tools in your IDE or use standalone debuggers.

☆ Use breakpoints, watch variables, and step through the code to identify where things go wrong.

● Analyze Logs ●

☆ Review application and server logs to gather information about the bug.

☆ Use logging frameworks (e.g., Log4j for Java, logging module for Python) to create meaningful and informative log messages.

● Isolate the Problem ●

☆ Narrow down the code section where the bug is occurring.

☆ Use binary search techniques to quickly isolate the problematic code.

● Understand the Code ●

☆ Ensure you fully understand the code you are debugging.

☆ Read documentation and comments, and if necessary, ask colleagues for clarification.

● Write Tests for Bugs ●

☆When you identify a bug, write a test case that reproduces it.

☆ Fix the bug and then run the test to ensure it is resolved.

● Check for Common Issues ●

☆ Look for common issues such as off-by-one errors, null pointer dereferences, race conditions, and memory leaks.

● Keep the System Simple ●

☆ Apply the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle to make debugging easier.

☆ Refactor complex code to be more readable and maintainable.

● Use Version Control ●

☆ Use version control systems (e.g. Git) to track changes and understand the history of the code.

☆ Use features like bisecting to identify which commit introduced a bug.

● Collaborate with Others ●

☆ Pair programming and code reviews can help identify and fix bugs faster.

☆ Don’t hesitate to seek help from team members if you are stuck.

● Stay Calm and Patient ●

☆ Debugging can be a frustrating process. Stay calm, take breaks if needed, and approach the problem methodically.

■ Generally, using the established principles, methods and tools of the software development can improve the quality of the software and can reduce the number of their defects/bugs and therefore the effort for debugging!

I have derived some priority points which has to be carry forward during Mobile app testing specifically.

1. Network: QA need to focus on testing the mobile app with different network. For e.g. 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi etc

2. Device Compatibility: QA need to check if the app is working fine on different set of devices with different OS, Screen size etc.

3. Battery Usage: Battery consumed due to app will impact on its user experience. So, QA should check the amount of battery consumed by the app, and try to find the solution for it.

4. Localization: QA should check the app supported in different languages.

5. Security: For safety purpose, security testing should be done. As for any of the app like Banking, E-commerce it is very necessary.

6. Installation: Installation process is also the major thing to check as a QA. There are various ways to install and update the app. User can update as well as install app via APK file for Android and IPA file for iOS as well as from play store and iTunes. Same for different OS.

Testing mobile apps requires a mix of tools and resources to cover various aspects, from functional and performance testing to device compatibility and user experience. Here’s a list of recommended tools and resources categorized by purpose:

1. Automation Testing Tools

• Appium: Ideal for cross-platform testing on Android and iOS. Open-source and compatible with multiple programming languages.
• Espresso (Android): Google’s native UI testing framework for Android apps, integrated with Android Studio. Reliable for quick, efficient tests.
• XCUITest (iOS): Apple’s native testing framework for iOS apps, integrated with Xcode, perfect for reliable and fast tests on iOS devices.
• Detox: Best for React Native apps, enabling gray-box testing with support for both Android and iOS.
• Cypress: Primarily for web apps but increasingly popular for testing web components of hybrid mobile apps (e.g., in Ionic or Cordova).
• UI Automator: Android’s UI testing tool for testing apps across multiple apps on the device (e.g., verifying intents).

2. Device Testing Services (Real Device Testing)

• HeadSpin: Offers global real-device testing with AI-powered analytics to measure app performance across various devices and network conditions.
• AWS Device Farm: Amazon’s cloud service for testing on a variety of real Android and iOS devices.
• BrowserStack: Cloud-based access to a wide range of real devices with support for Appium, Espresso, XCUITest, and other frameworks.
• Sauce Labs: Provides cloud-based testing for mobile apps with support for Appium and other popular automation frameworks.

3. Performance Testing Tools

• Firebase Performance Monitoring: Google’s tool for tracking app performance on real user devices, measuring metrics like latency, load times, and network behavior.
• JMeter: Good for backend performance testing (e.g., APIs and server response times) that supports mobile app testing scenarios.
• Gatling: A performance testing tool for API load testing, useful for testing the backend services of mobile apps.
• Xcode Instruments: Built into Xcode, Instruments provide performance metrics like CPU, memory usage, and battery consumption for iOS apps.
• Android Profiler: Integrated into Android Studio, it offers CPU, memory, network, and battery usage profiling for Android apps.

4. Manual Testing Tools and Resources

• TestFlight (iOS): Apple’s beta testing tool that allows developers to distribute iOS builds to beta testers.
• Firebase App Distribution: Provides a quick way to share Android and iOS pre-release apps with testers.
• HockeyApp (now integrated into Visual Studio App Center): For distributing beta versions and gathering user feedback on both Android and iOS.
• Avo: A data quality platform to verify that event tracking in mobile apps is working as expected.

5. User Interface (UI) Testing and Usability Testing

• Lookback: Records user interactions for usability testing, allowing teams to observe users’ experiences in real-time or asynchronously.
• Maze: Offers usability testing with real users, including tools for click and heatmap tracking.
• Marvel: Prototyping tool that includes usability testing and collaborative design.
• Adobe XD: Offers prototyping and UI testing features, allowing you to get early feedback on app design and flow.

6. Crash Reporting and Monitoring

• Firebase Crashlytics: Provides real-time crash reporting for both Android and iOS apps, helping teams identify and fix stability issues.
• Sentry: Monitors app crashes and provides error-tracking features for both Android and iOS, with support for a wide range of frameworks.
• Instabug: Allows users to report bugs and crashes directly from the app with screenshots, annotations, and device data.

7. Analytics and User Behavior Tracking

• Google Analytics for Firebase: Tracks user behavior, engagement, and retention metrics for both Android and iOS.
• Mixpanel: Tracks user interactions and provides insights into app usage and retention.
• Amplitude: Provides insights into user behavior, funnel analysis, and cohort analysis for mobile apps.
• UXCam: User experience analysis tool that records in-app sessions, generating heatmaps and flow analysis to reveal behavioral patterns.

8. Backend and API Testing

• Postman: Great for API testing, automating, and monitoring, making it ideal for testing the backend services of mobile apps.
• Swagger: API design and documentation tool with built-in API testing capabilities.
• Apigee: Google’s API management platform, which includes testing and monitoring features for APIs that support mobile apps.

9. Continuous Integration (CI) Tools

• Jenkins: Open-source CI tool with plugins for mobile automation tools like Appium, enabling automated test execution.
• GitHub Actions: Provides CI/CD support with integrations for mobile test automation.
• Bitrise: A CI/CD platform specifically designed for mobile apps with integrations for testing frameworks like Appium, Espresso, and XCUITest.
• CircleCI: A CI/CD service that supports iOS and Android, allowing teams to automate testing and deployments.

10. Test Management and Collaboration Tools

• JIRA: A popular tool for managing test cases, tracking bugs, and collaborating within Agile development teams.
• TestRail: Test case management software that integrates with CI/CD tools and offers a central place for managing test cases.
• Zephyr: A test management solution that integrates with JIRA for tracking tests, sprints, and progress.
• Confluence: Ideal for documentation and collaboration, making it easy to keep track of testing strategies, documentation, and reports.

Tips for Choosing and Using Testing Tools Effectively

1. Choose tools based on app requirements: For example, if cross-platform testing is a priority, Appium might be best. If performance monitoring is crucial, consider Firebase Performance Monitoring or Sentry.

2. Integrate with CI/CD pipelines: Use CI/CD tools like Bitrise or Jenkins to automate test runs, ensuring tests are performed consistently across builds.

3. Consider Cloud Device Farms for scalability: BrowserStack and AWS Device Farm enable scalable testing across a wide range of devices, which is invaluable for teams without access to many physical devices.

4. Focus on collaboration and reporting: Tools like TestRail and Confluence help keep track of test cases and results, improving communication within teams.

5. Monitor for crashes and analytics in production: Tools like Firebase Crashlytics and Mixpanel provide insights into app health and user behavior post-release, helping identify any issues impacting real users.

Using a mix of these tools can create a comprehensive testing environment that addresses functional, performance, usability, and compatibility testing needs for mobile applications.

From the top:

I’ll try to answer your question.

Here are a number of best practices that I wholeheartedly recommend when it comes time to do testing and debugging the implementation of the designs of your software. Please note that I’m assuming that you know how to prove your software correct, and that you take the time to do incremental proofs of each module in order to figure out any errors that may exist therein.

1. Use test driven development methodologies —- they can point out errors made in each unit as you go along, allowing you to correct your code and make it high quality.
2. Use source code scanning tools that can help you detect things like keystroke errors that do things like classic mistakes, such as if(variable = 0) instead of if(variable == 0), misplaced semicolons, syntax errors, commenting out code, have functionality such as lint for Unix systems, poor naming choices, and the like.
3. Test for errors in libraries that you’re using to get the job done, and take appropriate action.
4. When it comes the time to do integration testing, if at all possible, check to see if units have well documented information flow, have interfaces that interact in predictably positive ways, do step by step testing of intermodular behavior — and document it. Make sure that you take action to see if there are units missing or not included in the build, and if there’s something missing, notify the appropriate people.
5. When it comes to systems test, throw data at that code, and take correct action based on the results as they arise.
6. I hope that this answer is useful to you. If you liked it then please upvote it.

If you are looking at how to automate a mobile application, here is a brief:

There are different layers in any application, assuming there is an API layer, UI layer and DB layer here are some ways to automate them.

1. UI Layer and DB Layer go hand in hand - hence you can use uiautomator or Appuim for andriod and iOS considering they are native applications. You can also look at Perfecto Mobile, this is a company that hosts real devices on the Cloud and are available for testing - you can run automated tests using QTP/UFT.

2. API Layer - you can automate the service using Java for instance - basically you can send requests that the service supports and expect the correct response. Verification can be done in these lines.

Hope this helps.

Mobile app testing services require a structured approach to ensure apps perform seamlessly across various devices, operating systems, and environments. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Define Clear Objectives

• Purpose: Understand the app’s core functionality and user expectations.
• Testing Goals: Outline what needs to be tested (functionality, performance, security, etc.) to align testing with business objectives.

2. Test on Real Devices

• Emulators vs. Real Devices: While emulators can be useful for early testing, testing on real devices is crucial to understand how apps perform in actual conditions.
• Device Fragmentation: Ensure testing across a wide range of devices (different screen sizes, resolutions, and manufacturers) and operating system versions (iOS, Android).

3. Focus on User Experience (UX)

• Usability Testing: Check the app’s ease of use, navigation, and design. Ensure intuitive UX and seamless interactions.
• Responsiveness: Test the app for responsiveness to touch gestures (taps, swipes, zooms, etc.) and input speed.

4. Network and Connectivity Testing

• Varying Conditions: Simulate different network conditions (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi) and poor connectivity scenarios (flight mode, switching networks).
• Offline Testing: Check the app's functionality when offline or with intermittent network access.

5. Performance Testing

• Load Testing: Simulate multiple users accessing the app to test its stability and performance under high loads.
• App Launch Time: Measure how quickly the app starts and how long different processes take.
• Battery and Memory Usage: Monitor battery consumption, memory usage, and CPU consumption to ensure the app isn’t draining resources unnecessarily.

6. Security Testing

• Data Privacy: Test for data encryption, secure storage, and proper handling of sensitive information like personal data or payment details.
• Authentication: Ensure proper authentication mechanisms (like biometric login) and that sessions are managed securely.
• Penetration Testing: Simulate cyberattacks to identify potential vulnerabilities.

7. Automated and Manual Testing Balance

• Automated Testing: Use automation tools for repetitive and regression tests (UI, performance, functional). Automation can be efficient for testing across multiple devices and versions.
• Manual Testing: Focus manual testing on exploratory testing, usability, and areas where human judgment is crucial.

8. Regression Testing

• Continuous Testing: Whenever updates or changes are made, perform regression tests to ensure new code doesn’t break existing features.

9. Cross-Platform Testing

• Android vs. iOS: Test the app on both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring consistent functionality, performance, and UX across them.
• Hybrid Apps: For hybrid or cross-platform apps, ensure the app adapts well to both native environments.

10. App Store Compliance

• Guidelines: Ensure the app adheres to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store guidelines for performance, functionality, and security.
• App Store Testing: Check app behavior post-deployment on the stores, including how updates impact app functionality.

11. Accessibility Testing

• Inclusive Design: Test the app for accessibility features like screen readers, text size adjustment, and high-contrast modes.
• WCAG Compliance: Follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to ensure the app is usable by people with disabilities.

12. Crash and Bug Monitoring

• Crash Reports: Use crash reporting tools (like Firebase, Sentry) to monitor real-time crashes and bugs in the production environment.
• Crash Resilience: Test the app’s resilience under stress (e.g., low memory, unexpected shutdowns) and ensure smooth recovery.

13. Continuous Integration (CI) & Continuous Testing (CT)

• Automation in CI Pipeline: Integrate automated tests into the CI pipeline to catch bugs early in the development lifecycle.
• Version Control: Ensure the app is tested with every new build and update to maintain stability throughout development.

14. Localization and Globalization Testing

• Language Testing: Test the app in multiple languages, ensuring the app supports localizations (text expansion, language formats).
• Geolocation: Check how the app behaves with location-based services across different countries and time zones.

15. End-to-End Testing

• End-User Scenarios: Simulate real-life user scenarios (login, checkout, data input, etc.) to ensure the app performs smoothly across the user journey.
• API Integration: Ensure external services and APIs integrated into the app function properly.

16. Feedback Loops

• Beta Testing: Conduct beta testing with a group of real users to get feedback before a full launch.
• User Feedback: Continuously collect and act on user feedback to improve app performance and fix bugs that may not have been caught during testing.

By following these best practices, mobile app testing services can ensure comprehensive, reliable, and high-quality mobile app performance across various platforms and environments.

I have a very successful app in the App Store. And despite a couple of years of trying, we have yet to find an advertising method with a positive ROI.

App sales are hugely driven by rankings. If your app is 4.5 or 5 stars, you will make orders of magnitude more money than if the same app were 2 stars. This means a few things for app design and launch:

• Only do something if you're going to do a good job of it. If your app is 90% spectacular but 10% sucky, you will get killed in the reviews by users who are frustrated by the 10% sucky part.
• Good UX design is critical. If users can't figure out how to use the app, you'll again get killed in the ratings
• If you do release a buggy/flawed version, get it fixed ASAP. Like, stay up overnight to do it.

Bottom line: the idea and functionality of the app are important, but polish and user experience are even more important. Take the time to get it right the first time, watch reviews like a hawk, and address complaints and shortcomings quickly.