Are you affiliated with the mobile app testing industry? Consider the statistics below.
There are more than 6.84 billion smartphone users worldwide; the number is predicted to cross the 7-billion plus mark soon. Smartphone users spend approximately 88% of their time using various mobile apps. The expected revenue generated from mobile apps would be $935 billion in 2024, according to Statista.
However, there is also a dark side to this industry.
Keeping mobile app users engaged is the most common challenge developers face today. Research shows that more than 50% of installed apps are left unused. Similarly, the retention rate for Android apps drops from 22.6% on day one to 2.6% 30 days after download.
Poor user experience is the primary reason behind declining retention. The issue, however, can be resolved through rigorous app testing. With thousands of apps launched every day, manual app testing becomes impossible. Hence, automation becomes crucial to meet users’ needs and stay ahead.
This article explores mobile app testing automation in detail. We’ll look into different types of mobile testing, discuss their importance, and share common tools for mobile app testing automation.
Let’s get started.
An Overview of Mobile App Testing Automation
Mobile app testing automation is testing the performance of mobile apps through automated tools. It is a faster and easier method to identify and fix potential bugs in mobile apps. Automation speeds up the testing process and improves the accuracy of results.
Moreover, automating mobile app testing helps developers extend the test coverage to multiple platforms. Testers can analyze the behavior of mobile apps in different test scenarios.
Similarly, tools for mobile app testing automation pave the way for developing robust mobile apps. They validate the app’s usability and functionality and ensure users don’t face any technical issues while using these apps on their devices.
Types of Mobile Testing
Mobile app performance testing has two types: Manual testing and automated testing.
1. Manual Mobile App Testing
Manual mobile app performance testing is a time-consuming and slow process. In this method, developers manually test the app’s functionality and features. They create test scenarios to identify and fix errors and improve user experience.
However, the absence of automated tools makes manual testing less reliable. There are higher chances of human error. Moreover, scalability becomes more complicated with this labor-intensive approach to evaluate an app’s functionality.
2. Automated Mobile App Testing
Automated testing is the most reliable and widely used method to evaluate the functionalities of mobile apps. It uses cutting-edge testing tools and methodologies to test mobile apps on different devices.
Mobile app testing automation is the preferred choice of developers nowadays. It allows them to run multiple tests on various devices simultaneously. Besides, automation enables continuous testing of pre-written scripts. As a result, the testing time is significantly reduced while bringing accuracy to results.
Moreover, well-established mobile app development companies don’t have time to test each app manually. Hence, they opt for mobile app testing automation to save time and test apps across different components and frameworks.
With this approach, developers can focus on agile mobile app development and repair bugs early before the final product reaches the user.
Best Tools for Mobile App Testing Automation
Below are the four best tools for mobile app performance testing most recommended by the leading developers:
Google Expresso
Expresso is a well-known testing tool popular among native Android developers. Developed by Google, this open-source framework is ideal for UI testing Android apps. It allows developers to test the user interface of mobile apps in a stable testing environment.
Moreover, Expresso comes with a flexible and straightforward API. The only limitation is that it runs Android UI tests only. Hence, you can’t test iOS apps with this tool.
Key Features
- Best open-source framework for unit, UI, and black-box testing
- Compiles Android UI tests to APKs for better results
- Requires minimal programming skills to test Android apps
Appium
Appium is another open-source mobile app test automation framework. Developers like this tool because it allows them to test native, hybrid, and mobile web apps without discrepancies. In case of any problem, they can get detailed answers to their queries from Appium’s active community.
Unlike Espresso, Appium can test both Android and iOS apps. Besides, reusing test cases across different platforms becomes much easier with this tool.
Key Features
- Ideal for developers who have experience with Selenium
- Doesn’t require recompilation of codebase, apps, or frameworks
- Runs tests across various operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows, etc.
XCUI Test
XCUI Test is an iOS-specific test automation framework from Apple. It allows developers to create and run UI, performance, and unit tests for iOS applications. However, it doesn’t support Android apps.
Key Features
- Offers CI/CD integration support and recording options
- Allows developers to connect with third-party tools and frameworks
- Ideal for black-box testing of iOS applications.
Flutter
Flutter is one of the world’s leading tools for mobile app testing automation. Nearly 10% of mobile apps on the Play Store are built and tested with Flutter, according to TechAhead. It is also developed by Google; however, it can test both iOS and Android apps.
Key Features
- Offers sound null safety to minimize null reference exceptions
- Allows developers to amend the code and view results in real-time easily
- Can build user interfaces by using rich motion APIs and widgets
Benefits of Mobile App Testing Automation
Testing the performance of mobile apps is a fundamental stage in the development process. You must ensure your app is bug-free before it goes into the hands of end users. Additionally, manual app testing process has limitations in terms of reliability, speed, and accuracy.
Below are the top benefits of automating the mobile app performance testing:
1. Improved User Experience
Running mobile app tests through automated tools improves the accuracy of results. Developers can test the performance on different devices under various test environments. As a result, there is a minimum possibility of bugs, and the app improves user experience.
2. Faster Product Release
Automated tools for mobile app performance testing are powered with cutting-edge features. They speed up the testing process without compromising the credibility of output. Hence, companies can test multiple apps with automated platforms and release several products in less time.
3. Reusability of Automated Tests
Another unique advantage of mobile app testing automation is that developers can reuse the automated tests multiple times. There is no need to create a new test every time. If you have tested an app previously, you can use the same test for a similar app to save time.
Final Thoughts
Play Store and App Store are saturated with millions of mobile apps. Thousands of new apps are uploaded to these marketplaces daily. Yet, only those apps that satisfy their users and meet their requirements succeed.
Hence, mobile app testing automation becomes a crucial factor for the success of any mobile app. As a developer, you can automate tools to check if the mobile app works properly. The tools instantly identify any bugs or errors affecting the user experience. Once these bugs are fixed, you can launch your app in the market and get your desired results.
Automation saves time, simplifies app testing, and gives accurate results.