Best Practices for Testing Cross-Platform Mobile Applications

The advanced tools have made it easier for the businesses to create cross-platform mobile applications by leveraging a single code. The developers can further use the specialized tools to update the application quickly across multiple devices and platforms. However, it is also significant for the business to customize applications for each platform to boost its usability and the UX. Similarly, the business must test the cross-platform mobile applications thoroughly and effectively to make it popular and profitable in the long run.

Best Practices for Cross-Platform Mobile App Testing

Define the Functional Requirements of the App Clearly

To identify all the flaws and defects in the application, the quality assurance professionals must clearly understand its functional requirements. The clearly defined functional requirements help businesses to test the application effectively across multiple platforms, networks and devices. Businesses must prepare a comprehensive list of functional requirements of the application and share it with the testers from the very beginning. This list will make it easier for the testers to identify the expected bugs in the application by testing the application in most appropriate scenarios.

Follow Guidelines of Each Mobile Platform

Every mobile platform requires application developers to follow certain set of guidelines. So, each business must follow the standards recommended by each mobile platform on functionality, content and UI (user interface) design. When the application complies with these guidelines, it will run seamlessly on the mobile platform. Businesses need to ensure that both the developers and the testers know the guidelines recommended by each targeted mobile platform. The understanding will help the professionals to test the application on each platform according to the standards and regulations.

Maintain Balance between Real Devices and Simulators

While testing a cross platform mobile application, no business can afford to invest in a variety of mobile devices powered by major mobile platforms. Thus, businesses use emulators and simulators to test mobile applications without spending huge. But, businesses should also remember that emulators and simulators don’t provide 100% reliable results. Hence, it must create a test laboratory containing both, the real devices and emulators. It is also vital for the project manager to split the tests between real devices and emulators. For example, emulators can be used for performing integration and unit testing. On the other hand, testers must use real devices to conduct device profiling and performance, regression, security and compatibility testing.

Select the Right Testing Tools

No business can actually rely on manual testing to assess a cross platform mobile application effectively. It is important for the businesses to set up test labs with the right test automation tools. Each business has to opt from the several cross platform mobile applications testing tools including Squish, MonkeyTalk, MobileCloud and more. Most of these tools are cloud based, and assess applications through cross platform scripts. But businesses must also remember that each of these tools has its own strengths and shortcomings. Therefore, it must pick the right tool (and framework) according to the specific requirements of the project. A business can also think over investing in testing tools that shore up multiple targeted mobile platforms.

Test the App in Real-User Conditions

To assess the functionality, UI and performance of a mobile application, the testers must test it in various conditions and environments. It is also important for the business to explore ways to test the cross platform mobile application in real user conditions. Businesses also have a number of options to test mobile application in real user conditions. For example, it can facilitate field testing to make it easier for the testers to test the application in various conditions and under different network speeds. Similarly, businesses can also opt for crowd sourced testing to get the applications tested by the real users across different platforms, conditions and devices.

It is also imperative for the business to make and implement custom testing strategies for each cross platform mobile application. The comprehensive strategy makes it easier for the quality assurance professionals to assess the application thoroughly across different devices and platforms according to the specific objectives and requirements of the business.

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