The radical transition of the business landscape has created a new set of challenges. Customers want to reach businesses as quickly as they can to avail products and services according to their needs. Businesses that are successful in reaching their customers faster than others could enjoy a competitive advantage in their respective markets. The growing popularity of mobile app testing trends marks a significant highlight for the digital transformation of businesses. What is the most effective way for enterprises to promptly communicate with their customers quickly?
The most common response to this inquiry would point you in the direction of smartphone applications. In 2022 alone, the total number of mobile app downloads worldwide amounted to 255 billion. However, the biggest challenge of mobile apps is user retention. Therefore, mobile app testing is an important requirement for businesses that want to improve user engagement with their mobile apps.
Evolution of Testing Trends Over the Years
The ongoing transformation in mobile app testing practices is a direct response to the increasing smartphone user base, which has currently surpassed 6.3 billion worldwide. Moreover, the majority of smartphone users prefer using mobile applications over browsing websites. However, 94% of users remove mobile apps after 30 days of installation. Furthermore, only 25% of users who download a mobile application revisit it following their initial day of engagement.
Therefore, mobile testing trends have been gaining momentum, with almost 79% of companies claiming to increase spending on mobile app testing. Interestingly, the trends for mobile application testing have evolved over the years from continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines to scriptless testing. Testing trends for mobile apps also include the adoption of artificial intelligence and the use of the cloud for testing mobile apps.
Mobile app testing services include the process of verifying that a particular mobile app or website functions according to desired specifications and meets the expectations of users. Mobile app testing helps in determining whether a particular app could meet the expectations in technical and business goals. As the ecosystem of mobile apps grows bigger, it is important to look at the latest trends in mobile application testing to understand the opportunities and challenges for mobile app testing. Let us learn about the significance of trends in the domain of mobile app testing for 2023 and how you can leverage the most promising trends to your benefit.
The Importance of Staying Updated with Trends
The world might have over 7 billion smartphone users by the end of 2023. It implies that the number of mobile app downloads would also increase. However, the success of mobile apps depends on how they perform according to business goals and technical requirements. The hype around mobile application testing trends 2023 has been increasing as they define new courses of action for mobile testing. Simultaneously, understanding the ways in which trends in mobile app testing and quality assurance contribute to the efficacy of app testing is crucial. Below, we delve into why keeping abreast of the newest tendencies in mobile app testing is beneficial.
1. Rapid technological advancements
The rise of innovative technological advancements such as AI and data science presents new opportunities for transforming mobile app testing. Sticking to the old tools for mobile app testing not only makes the testing procedure difficult but also leaves room for discrepancies. For example, cloud app testing could encourage collaboration among members of the testing and QA team on a specific solution without increasing the cost of resources.
2. Consumer expectations and demand for quality
The most prominent highlight in mobile app testing trends 2023 reveals that customers don’t stay with a mobile app for long. Lower retention rates of mobile apps call for familiarizing with the latest trends in mobile testing to understand what customers expect. Mobile apps must deliver quality user experiences to ensure customer retention. The latest trends in mobile app testing, such as the use of AI and data analytics, could help in cost reduction.
Also Read: Top 10 Challenges Faced in Mobile Application Testing
3. Competitive advantage in the app market
The mobile app market is gradually becoming more crowded. If you want your mobile app to stand out in the market, then you need to stay updated with the latest trends. Failure to adopt the latest trends in mobile app testing could pull you back in terms of competitiveness. With a clear understanding of the new trends in mobile app testing, you should look for technologies and practices that improve mobile app testing results and help you deliver high-quality apps to the market.
Best Mobile Application Testing Trends in 2023
1. Shift Towards Automation
Automated testing has emerged as one of the powerful mobility testing trends in the field of mobile app development. It has been a notable trend for years, with no indications of diminishing anytime soon. As a matter of fact, almost 97% of QA professionals use test automation. On top of it, more QA professionals want to increase their efforts in test automation in the future.
1.1 Advantages of Automated Testing
- Faster execution
One of the most crucial benefits of automation for any system or process is improvement in speed. Automation can help expedite the mobile app testing process. A closer look at mobile app testing statistics reveals that manual testing might require 3 to 5 days to complete the testing procedure before release. On the other hand, around 45% of testers could leverage automated testing to complete the process in around 3 to 6 hours.
- Repeatable and consistent
Another crucial advantage of automation in mobile app testing is the fact that you can repeat the automated testing scripts. Since the instructions for automated testing are the same for every iteration, you can have a continuous process with consistency.
- Cost-effective in the long run
Rather than spending on the extensive resources required for manual testing, automated testing can provide different cost benefits. Most important of all, the benefits of automated testing ensure that you can capitalize on long-term benefits such as customer retention. On top of it, you don’t have to spend on an in-house team of manual testing professionals.
1.2 Popular Automation Tools
- Appium
Appium is a popular open-source automated testing tool suitable for testing native mobile applications scripted using Windows, iOS, and Android SDKs. It is a cross-platform testing framework with the advantage of flexibility to write test scripts for different platforms in various programming languages.
- Espresso
Espresso is another popular addition among testing frameworks that can help you capitalize on the benefits of automation. Created by Google, Espresso serves as an ideal tool for automating UI testing and black-box testing.
- XCTest
XCTest is a reliable framework for automated UI testing directly on iPhone or iPad without the need for coding expertise. It utilizes the WebDriver protocol alongside the XCTest testing framework by Apple to offer an easy-to-use automated testing framework.
2. Integration of AI and ML in Testing
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are the prominent additions to the latest app QA trends that can revolutionize mobile app testing. AI and ML could significantly transform various aspects of mobile app testing. QA professionals can use AI and machine learning for test automation, regression testing, prioritization of tests, and testing user experience.
2.1 Predictive Analysis
- Identifying potential areas of failure
The blend of AI, machine learning, and data analytics could help in analyzing massive volumes of testing data. It could lead to accurate detection of patterns for identifying potential areas of failure in comparison to manual testing. Predictive analytics can reduce the possibility of overlooking critical issues alongside ensuring reliable detection of bugs.
- Adapting tests based on historical data
AI and machine learning are powerful additions among the latest trends in QA testing for leveraging historical data. The technologies can help in the analysis of different patterns in the app code alongside ensuring a correlation between irregularities and historical data. As a result, AI and ML could help in adapting mobile app QA tests to historical data for detecting issues that may be missed in traditional testing.
2.2 Intelligent Test Generation
- Automated test case creation
Machine learning and AI could help in the automatic generation of test cases and scripts. AI and ML algorithms could help in the analysis of app behavior alongside user patterns for identifying potential test scenarios. Subsequently, QA and testing professionals can find different automated test cases that could save the time and effort of testers.
- Dynamic test adjustments
The foremost advantage of using AI and ML for mobile app testing is the assurance of dynamic test adjustments. Machine learning algorithms can use historical data for prioritizing test cases according to their impact on user experience or the possibility of failure.
3. Performance Testing in Real-World Conditions
Mobile app testing in controlled environments does not provide an accurate impression of their performance in real-world conditions. The popular mobile app testing statistics reveal that around 61% of users don’t visit an app again if they come across any issues in using the app. Therefore, it is important to test a mobile app in real-world conditions to determine its actual performance.
3.1 Network Conditions and Latency
- Testing on various network speeds
In most cases, mobile app testing in offices with stable network speeds leads to good results for app performance. On the other hand, testing mobile apps on different network speeds could help ensure smoother user experiences with faster loading times.
- Evaluating app’s response to disruptions
The review of mobile application testing trends in 2023 also shows the growing popularity of load, endurance, and stress testing. Performance testing of mobile apps under different real-world conditions with varying levels of environmental factors, user demand, and system resources can help in identifying how it can cope with disruptions. Such types of tests can help in identifying the limits of the mobile app performance.
3.2 Device and Platform Diversity
- Ensuring compatibility across devices
Another crucial factor in evaluating the performance of your mobile app in real-world conditions is compatibility. You need to make sure that your mobile app is accessible across all brands of smartphones and tablets. Most important of all, performance testing in real-world conditions across different devices helps in evaluating the user experience across all the devices.
- Adapting to new OS updates and features
Performance testing in real-world conditions also involves checking the capability of mobile apps to work with new OS updates and features. Apart from compatibility with popular mobile device OS such as Windows, Android, and iOS, the mobile app should perform well in terms of adapting to new OS features and updates. It is essential for providing better user experiences alongside ensuring the security of the app.
4. Increased Emphasis on Security Testing
Security testing has always been an integral aspect of the mobile app development lifecycle. A review of mobile app testing trends in 2023 would show that security testing is a major requirement for testing mobile apps. The growing usage of mobile apps implies that users have their personal and financial information on mobile apps. Hence, ensuring the security measures of your mobile application are thoroughly examined before its market launch is crucial.
4.1 Rising Threats
- Data breaches and malware
Mobile applications collect and store user information, including login details, personal data, and banking information. Improper security for data storage on your mobile app, such as a lack of proper database credentials or poor encryption of cookie storage, could lead to data breaches. In addition, popular mobility testing trends reveal that developers utilize open-source frameworks and libraries for streamlining code development. However, these third-party tools could serve as targets for hackers to inject malware into the mobile app.
- Importance of securing user data
The importance of security user data clearly points to the element of trust in a mobile app. Why would users trust a mobile app that presents risks of exposing their sensitive personal information? Apart from reducing the risk of losing reputation, mobile apps must emphasize the security of user data to avoid financial damage.
4.2 Common Vulnerabilities
- Inadequate encryption
The most common vulnerability for mobile app testing is the lack of effective encryption algorithms. On top of it, discrepancies in the encryption process could also allow hackers to access sensitive data from mobile apps. Inadequate encryption results in security vulnerabilities, including breaches of confidentiality and unauthorized access to proprietary information.
- Weak authentication processes
Insecure authentication processes also impose massive damage on mobile application security. Hackers can bypass the permission controls of a mobile app to access features that are tailored for high-level users. Weak authentication processes allow hackers to expand their attacks with disastrous consequences for the mobile app.
5. Continuous Testing and DevOps Integration
Continuous testing and DevOps integration are the other popular additions among latest trends in mobile application testing for professionals. The trends can observed can offer a distinct insights into the apps’ excellence and efficiency.
5.1 Continuous Integration (CI) & Continuous Deployment (CD)
- Faster feedback loops
Feedback loops serve as the ideal communication mechanism for validating feedback about the mobile app testing process. Faster feedback loops help in obtaining positive and negative feedback to feed back into the process. As a result, developers could speed up and improve the overall testing process.
- Ensuring consistent app quality
CI and CD in mobile app testing could help in introducing automation benefits directly in app development. The two terms can serve as the ideal solution for problems due to the integration of new code by ensuring consistency in app quality.
Also Read: Mobile App Testing Techniques: Ensuring App Excellence
5.2 Role of Testing in DevOps
- Automated testing pipelines
The best approach to understanding the significance of testing in DevOps involves a reflection on DevOps best practices. It is important to deploy automated tests earlier and frequently in the CI/CD pipeline. For example, you deploy automated UI tests in the production stage for proactive monitoring to identify user experience issues.
- Shift-left approach in testing
The shift-left approach in testing can also help in validating the role of testing in DevOps. The approach focuses on the identification and resolution of bugs in the mobile app in the earliest stages of the development process. Shift-left approach to mobile app testing not only improves software quality but also guarantees the reduction of time required for resolving issues that emerge later in the pipeline.
6. Focus on User Experience (UX) Testing
User Experience or UX testing, also known as mobile usability testing, is another notable trend in mobile app testing. It focuses on determining the experience of real users with a particular mobile application.
6.1 Importance of Intuitive Design
- Retention and user satisfaction
The foremost reason to focus on UX testing is the fact that you need to retain users by giving them what they want. It should be highlighted that the majority of smartphone applications remain unused by users. You must have a mobile app with an engaging user interface that delivers the desired user experience to the target audience. With an intuitive design that responds to user’s requirements in seconds, you can improve user satisfaction.
- Meeting user expectations
The primary goal of UX testing focuses on creating an intuitive design that aligns with user expectations. It acts as a potent instrument for gauging users’ behavior within the app in real-time. As a result, you can find insights on the extent to which your mobile app meets user expectations.
6.2 Methods and Tools
- Heatmaps
Heatmaps are an exclusive tool for following new mobile app testing trends to ensure appealing user experiences. The mobile app heatmaps provide a visual representation of in-app interactions and engagement of users. Heatmaps use red or warmer colors to depict high user engagement, while cooler colors can indicate lower engagement.
- Session recordings
Mobile session recording also serves as an effective tool for understanding user behavior in mobile apps by using video replays. Session recordings can help in understanding the ways in which users interact with a mobile app to identify potential areas for improvement.
7. Adoption of Cloud-Based Testing
Cloud-based testing is the most popular trend in the world of mobile app testing. The most important reason to choose cloud-based testing is the fact that it helps you move beyond the limitations of local machines.
7.1 Benefits of Cloud Testing
- Scalability
Cloud-based testing of mobile apps can help testing teams in scaling up or scaling down the testing resources with speed and efficiency. Cloud-based testing can help in adding or removing testing resources according to QA requirements.
- Cost-effectiveness
Cloud-based mobile app testing does not require any investment in IT infrastructure and hardware. The testing process in the cloud can leverage rented resources, thereby making the process more cost-effective and cheaper.
- Cross-geographical testing
The most noticeable advantage of cloud-based testing of mobile apps is the assurance of testing across different time zones and locations. Testers can collaborate effectively on the cloud with real-time communication to ensure the best results.
7.2 Popular Cloud Testing Platforms
- Sauce Labs
Sauce Labs offers end-to-end mobile quality solutions with its dedicated and scalable test cloud. It can help in achieving the desired results for quality with features such as optimized mobile beta testing and extensive device coverage.
- BrowserStack
BrowserStack is also another cloud mobile testing platform that can help in testing your mobile apps across real mobile devices and in-demand operating systems. It does not impose the burden of installing and maintenance of an internal lab of virtual machines, emulators, and devices.
8. IoT Testing Focus
The role of IoT or the Internet of Things in enabling a broad range of modern applications for different industries calls for focusing on IoT testing for mobile apps. IoT devices operate on software that requires mobile app testing. The IoT testing focus on new mobile app qa trends would help in ensuring data security, performance optimization, and interoperability of IoT-based mobile apps. In addition, the focus on IoT testing would also help in improving app performance and scalability.
9. Scriptless Test Automation
Automation is obviously one of the top trends for mobile app testing. However, test automation for mobile apps does not have to depend on writing and executing test scripts for verifying functionality. Therefore, scriptless test automation has gained formidable improvement in mobile app testing. As a matter of fact, around 48% of participants in the World Quality Report 2021-22 stated that they would leverage scriptless automation for mobile app testing in future. The best advantage of scriptless test automation is the limited requirement of coding skills.
Error-Free Apps Await: Begin Your Mobile App Testing Journey!
The landscape of mobile app testing has evolved from manual tools to test automation. In addition, you can notice the impact of technologies such as AI, machine learning, and cloud-based testing on improving the speed and performance of mobile app testing. Adapting to new mobile app testing trends will not only help in improving the effectiveness of testing but also ensure a good product to release in the market. For example, scriptless test automation can help in testing mobile apps comprehensively without coding knowledge. On the other hand, AI and machine learning could help in understanding user behavior and identifying anomalies to create the perfect mobile app.
Trusted mobile app testing companies can help you understand the importance of new trends and identify the right alternatives. You should choose a mobile app testing service provider based on their reputation and achievements in delivering high-performance mobile apps.
