10 Checklists for Testing Your Mobile Apps

“Now, mobile apps are considered as the most attractive stuffs for the youth as well as old. It has made our life much active and easier than before. Apps include a variety of requirements like day-to-day useful apps, entertainment apps, games and basic apps etc. Top smart operating systems like Android, iOS and Windows are in the industry to provide platforms for the users to use these useful apps from respective app stores. The number of mobile apps is increasing significantly yet consistently in the past few years; the number has reached at around 1.5 million each for Android and iOS. The huge population of mobile apps is creating a competitive environment for the mobile app developers to build better and more useful apps to attract respective target audience. Quality apps can only be achieved with quality testing i.e. the success pillar for any application. Hence, there is a potential terror among the mobile app testers who strive for quality testing. For quality testing, here are a few checklists for mobile app testers.”

Functional testing: This is the basic yet most important testing process that must be performed by the tester without any failure. Moreover, the tester needs to test each and every module of the mobile app to find if there is any bug or error in the application. He must consider every aspect of the application and he must ensure that, all the modules are working perfectly fine in every type of situations. All the modules should behave in a normal and expected manner without any failure.

Interrupt testing: This is yet another testing process that has been highly used with the embedded system development projects and now it is widely used for mobile app testing. While designing a smart app, the developer must ensure that its app works fine in different unexpected situations. Situations like incoming call, SMS arrival, Low power condition, Sleep mode, and Airplane mode etc. can interrupt your app’s regular behaviour. To tackle these situations, the application must be smart enough to understand and feel these conditions. Then, the app should behave in a different approach so that, there is no hampering to the user’s data inside the app like User’s Score, Highest score, Last transaction, and other related information should not vanish. It is the task of the mobile app tester to ensure that, such types of interrupts are properly handled by the mobile app itself.

Performance testing: Who doesn’t care about performance? Especially when an app is running under many constraints like memory constraints (both RAM and ROM), Bandwidth issue, hardware limitations and operating system limitations (multitasking issue) etc. Hence, we must gift an app to the end user that can run absolutely smoothly under these constraints and this can only be achieved with high performance mobile apps. The app should be optimized from every angle like efficient cache management, improved use of local storage on the browser, light weight graphics, animations etc. Here the tester needs to check if there is anything that makes the application load and run slowly. He should also test if there is any unnecessary server communication that makes the app run slower than expected.

Platform specific testing: There are many platforms like Android, iOS and Windows etc. The app should be either platform specific or cross-platform compatible. And as per its category, the tester should test the app to ensure its working in those platforms. Suppose an app is designed for Android and iOS, then the tester must check if the app works fine on those platforms without imparting any bad experience to the end user. This is usually performed by testing if OS-specific libraries (JS and CSS files) are called in proper time or not.

Version specific testing: Apps are usually built for multiple versions i.e. the latest version along with few previous versions. But, is the app working fine in all these versions? That is the concern of the mobile app tester. The app tester must ensure proper behaviour of the app in all these versions for which the app is built. Considerations like app functionality, app size and app look and feel must be tested to ensure that, the app is working fine in all these versions of Android or iOS or Windows operating system.

Device specific testing: Operating System like iOS is device specific i.e. it runs only on iPhones and iPads. So, the app must work perfectly fine on those devices. Usually, iPhones and iPads have less RAM as compared to Android devices of that cost; still iOS runs extremely smooth on those devices due to highly optimized core inside. So, users demand similar user experience in their apps too. For that, the iOS apps must be optimized enough to work smoothly with those devices and it’s the assignment for the tester to ensure the same. A Similar case happens with other device testers as well for other platforms.

Network specific testing: We can’t ignore the importance of networks in any Smartphone; because, Smartphone needs mobile networks to perform different app tasks that deliberately use the internet APIs. So, in that situation the tester must check if the internet API is executed perfectly fine without any issue. Moreover, it’s the duty of the mobile app tester to ensure if the app behaves properly when there is no internet connectivity or very low signal i.e. the app should give alert messages like “There is No/Low internet connection!” or similar symbols to the user.

Resolution/Responsiveness testing: Mobile apps are consciously designed to run on multiple devices, screens and screen resolutions. It should behave in a normal way both in smartphones and in tablets; so the tester should test the app extensively in these devices with different resolutions. It’s nothing but the test of the responsiveness of the app which is extremely important in the current scenario.

User interface testing: This is the most important part of any mobile app development. The tester must ensure that, the app’s look and feel is as expected and should be engaging enough for the end user. It must have an attractive interface with interactive event driven objects on the app to make it popular among the users.

Reliability testing: Last but not the least; an app must work as expected in different situations including critical circumstances. The tester must check its behaviour with respect to changes in the environment. And in every case; it should work just like a normal app.

How to Secure Your Apps from Mobile Malware?

In today's world, smartphones and many other mobile devices are playing a significant role in how the people are communicating, getting entertained, networking, work, shopping, banking and so on. The amount of smartphones and other smart devices worldwide has grown drastically in recent times and thus has got the challenges as how to protect these smartphones and the other devices. Although security software is usually used over laptops and desktop computers, a great deal of smart mobile devices at present continue to be without security coverage and so are encountered with a new and increasing variety of mobile malware. Malware may possibly lead to data loss, data corruption, the unavailability of essential data and much more.

Mobile phone malware isn't the same as PC malware in which it does not spread randomly through unidentified sources or perhaps random phishing fraud emails. Rather, mobile malware gets installed from users that download and also install infected applications through an app store, perhaps from Apple’s or may be from different Android stores. The store gets convinced by the attacker that the application is genuine which functions as expected for it gets a group of fans. Right after, it starts the malicious behavior. Just like PC malware, the mobile apps developers of malicious software are only concerned for making money. There isn't any one-size-fits-all solution for the mobile security challenge; however, there are certain things you can do to secure your device and subsequently, your private details.

While it was reported mobile malware occurrences are reasonably low in total, McAfee Labs is observing the substantial rise in the mobile malware risk landscape. To protect from mobile malware as well as protect oneself and the data, there are some basic things that one should remember while purchasing or even downloading applications for smart mobile devices.

Malware in mobile devices is certainly not like the threat that is on Personal Computers, specifically Windows-based computers so far. Malware developers are certainly not seeking a challenge. They're going to make malware for all the platforms along with devices which have the largest pool(s) of possible victims, and the ones which are simplest to take advantage of. The first step in protecting your own is just to bear in mind that the threat is there.

Think before you decide to download. In the same manner it is sensible to read through a few Amazon product reviews before you buy a book, or perhaps a few Yelp reviews prior to testing out any new restaurant, it's a good idea to read through some of the reviews of any application before you decide to download. Overall recommendations support for any application is good, however, it is a lot better when you can find suggestions from the social networks, family and friends that you have confidence in, prior to downloading any application.

You cannot assume all 3rd party sources of applications can be harmful; however, the possibilities tend to be higher. For the platform such as iOS, you need to go from your option to jailbreak the device so that you can use applications which are not authorized by Apple. In case you have taken such serious steps, then you're maybe by now familiar with the potential risks involved too.

Android consumers are probably not as aware of the threat mainly because 3rd party application repositories tend to be normal for this platform. The most trusted way to obtain Android applications certainly is the recognized Google Android Market, or at the least an app store coming from a reliable source such as the Amazon App Store. In order to prevent suspicious apps, one should deselect for the Unknown sources feature within the Android Applications Settings.

Operating systems of mobile have sufficient security in position in which apps usually have got to ask for authorization to gain access to core features as well as services of a device. Look at the permissions which you are granting before you can simply touch and without knowing it properly accept them. Will a Sudoku app require accessibility of your contacts, location information, and camera function? While the mobile market expands, so as the malware developers pay attention and start to target, the security vendors are working hard and trying to stay a step ahead with the malware attacks through safety tools and software. These suggestions can certainly help you stay away from a number of possible threats, then again antimalware software can certainly help detect and recognize any sort of threats which might possibly slip past your protection.

Mindfire Solutions’ Mobile App Testing practice comprises of a unique combination of skilled software engineering and testing teams with proven expertise in testing tools and methodologies to offer a wide range of testing solutions. We offer our services across all major Mobile Devices, Platforms, Domains and Operating Systems. If you want to develop a robust mobile app send in your requirements to sales at Mindfire Solutions dot com.

How to Simplify and Accelerate Mobile App Testing?

The increase in the number of mobile devices results in various difficulties for those on the way to build and deliver powerful mobile applications. To be a successful, organization some basic things that should think about in order to make use of efficient, effective and complete functional testing during the app development lifecycle. Conventional, manual testing, that is the standard for the desktop and for the web apps, just can't get you away from the difficulties of testing mobile applications.

The period for the mobile application and the user creates extraordinary challenges for the functional testing staff.

Mobile devices are transforming and growing at the rapid speed. You will find a large number of latest devices launched each year. Along with new screen dimensions, form factors, and also operating system versions, such variations usually lead to further problems to assess teams, as they can't match the rate of change.

In order to maintain the speed to ensure an active competitive surroundings, mobile application development should be fast, and speedy. Mobile teams have to design, build, test, and have to release software in quick intervals. It's not possible to maintain speed at the agile world for the mobile applications with conventional manual testing at the same time it is difficult in ensuring the correct coverage on functionality.

Poor app quality can harm the reputation of an organization and its particular brands. As the consumers give ratings as well as public reviews about applications, it will be difficult for not to deal with consumer analysis in case you release a poor application, and also the effect about negative reviews and also a low rated application could be disastrous.

Since mobile applications turn into more complicated as well as rely on new technologies, including location based, near field communication (NFC), real-time events, along with pop-ups, the testing gets to be more complex, either manually or with automatically testing.

In case your organization off-shores testing along with app build solutions, your testing teams need to have the capability to run remote tests which validate functionality on the local devices and the carriers. Or else, the experience for the local users can be very unlike compared to the test cases. Such issues which occur to mobile devices along with the applications generate a new-set of needs for the functional test teams.

While mobile app development brings on many challenges for the user, it provides great opportunities for the companies equipped with the appropriate tools. The following are few important measures to take the functional testing processes to the era of the app and give attention to the user.

Test mobile apps on real devices - To get an accurate perspective of the real user experience, one should test on the real devices. The device emulators and the simulators could be helpful in the beginning during the development and testing process, however, they will not give you the exact user experience such devices having unique features.

Make use of the cloud in order to host your testing reference devices - It is an important need for an enterprise solution. It's going to enable you to stay away from the complexity in procuring, maintaining, managing as well as updating your testing reference devices. Additionally it allows your testers to safely and securely test and also check your applications on real devices connected with live networks.

Automate mobile app testing - Manual testing to individual devices does not scale. To maintain speed with the agile development processes as well as the requirements of the fast-moving business, the test teams must have automated tools that enable to write a test once then run lots of tests over number of devices within the small period of time.

Test mobile apps using different network conditions - The behavior of any application could depend very much on network factors. This means that you must understand and manage network issues at the time you test apps. One should make use of service which tests devices functioning in live mobile networks, not simply Wi-Fi networks.

Take advantage of your current procedures and tools - Mobile applications need to leverage the high expenditures towards software quality processes, teams, tools and the policies. Do not recreate the wheel. Get the best method to expand your current software development lifecycle functions and take advantage of the existing resources in order to include the mobile apps.

To get rid of many problems, your company must have testing tools which are designed for unique needs of the mobile devices and the platforms. Mindfire Solutions’ Mobile App Testing practice comprises of a unique combination of skilled software engineering and testing teams with proven expertise in testing tools and methodologies to offer a wide range of testing solutions. We offer our services across all major Mobile Devices, Platforms, Domains and Operating Systems.