Types of Mobile App Testing & Why Test on Real Devices

Nobody wants to release a problematic app to customers. It increases the time to remediate issues, limits the app’s profitability, and impacts the customer experience.

Ensuring that the app functions properly on all platforms requires thorough testing, and there’s simply no substitute for testing on actual devices. Real device testing allows developers to identify bugs and other problems they might otherwise have missed.

This is particularly important for testing native and hybrid apps on mobile devices. Developers can test their Android, Apple, and Ionic apps under real-world conditions to ensure that they are truly ready for market.

Types of Mobile App Testing

Mobile device app testing falls into six broad categories.

• Functional testing helps ensure that the app’s functionality meets the specified requirements.
• Memory testing determines how much memory the app uses on mobile devices, which typically have less memory than computers.
• Performance testing determines how well the application performs on each type of device and over various network connections.
• Usability testing looks at the app from the user’s perspective to determine if the interface is effective and efficient and provides a positive user experience.
• Installation testing is used to ensure that the app is easy to install and that the update process is smooth.
• Interruption testing checks for how the app responds to other device functions, such as incoming calls and text messages and low battery warnings.

Live Mobile App Testing on Real Devices

Real device testing facilitates all of these testing functions. It provides insight into how the app performs under real-world conditions, with native device features and various types of network connectivity.

Perhaps most importantly, it allows testers to interact with the app using natural gestures, such as tap, swipe, and scroll. Testers use the same devices that customers will use, so they have a better feel for the user experience.

Difference Between iOS and Android Testing

Manufacturers recommend real device testing for mobile applications. Operating systems, device internals, application settings, and features are very different on Apple and Android devices. Among Apple products, there are iOS and macOS devices and different models and versions. By some estimates, there are more than 24,000 unique Android devices, so developers will have to choose which versions they will use for testing.

Test Ionic Apps on Real Devices

Testing applications developed within the Ionic Framework poses unique challenges. Although it’s possible to test the app in a browser or emulator during development, it should eventually be tested on a real device. Ionic Framework documentation provides tips for testing on Apple and Android products.

How Enconnex Can Help

Managing a plethora of real devices can create headaches for app testers. That’s why Enconnex developed a line of racks and cabinets for real device testing with the capacity to house up to 400 devices securely in a standard-footprint unit. These racks and cabinets can be integrated into the data center or used to design an efficient lab environment.

Durable yet lightweight, Enconnex real device testing racks cabinets are available in sizes from 6U to 52U and in shielded and non-shielded configurations. Key features include:

• Up to 27 fans to effectively dissipate heat.
• Sliding shelves for easy device access.
• Customizable I/O panels.
• A wide range of cable management options.

Enconnex can also design custom solutions to meet specific requirements. Our experienced experts can provide advice on testing environment design, rack elevations, and Wi-Fi setup. Give us a call to learn how you can optimize real device testing.