Mobile app users always expect great performance, which is why the development of applications that have no ‘bugs’ and other issues is the key to success in rapidly developing this kind of application. It is a crucial step to check the usability and performance of an app before it is deployed to various smart devices and networks.
However, it is essential to note that there are peculiar errors in tester approaches to development, bugs, and performance, as well as security that may hamper the success of an application.
This time, we’re going to have a deep look at the top 10 most frequent mobile app testing errors as well as suggestions for how to avoid them.
Mobile App Testing Background
Mobile app testing entails a set of processes that are intended to determine the suitability, workability, and reliability of applications in the mobile environment. It confirms that the app is effectively meeting the necessary features and quality in its execution by the end user.
There are several types of testing that are used while testing the mobile apps. These are functional testing, performance testing, usability testing, and security testing. Each type targets various aspects of the app; it covers the need to minimize risks and guarantee its stability and convenience.
Top 10 Most Common Mobile App Testing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
1. Insufficient Test Coverage
Mistake
This can be seen when the core functionalities of the product or service are emphasized while disregarding other potential uses of the product or service. This often results in hidden bugs and problems that may cause problems with the proper functioning of the app and inconvenience the users.
How to Avoid
- There is a need to prepare a detailed test plan with regard to the various aspects of the app that should be tested.
- Test cases should be prioritized based on the risk involved and the impact on the users.
- Change the test plan to correspond to new changes in the app to develop new features and functionalities as well.
2. Ignoring Cross-Platform Testing
Mistake
Lack of testing the app on all platforms (e.g.- Android and iOS) and may lead to platform-specific issues not being discovered.
How to Avoid
- It is important to test the app across multiple devices and operating systems to know whether the app is compatible with the different devices.
- Use cross-platform testing tools such as Appium, Xamarin Test Cloud, or others that may be available.
- Keep copies of devices in your device lab or opt for cloud testing services for a range of devices.
| Device group | Example devices | Why include it |
|---|---|---|
| Current flagship | Latest iPhone, Samsung Galaxy S series | Most engaged, highest-spending users |
| Popular mid-range | Samsung Galaxy A series, Google Pixel a series | Largest share of Android users in many markets |
| Older or low-memory | Devices 3–4 years old with 3–4 GB RAM | Reveals crashes, slow starts and memory issues |
| Tablets and foldables | iPad, Galaxy Z Fold | Layout and orientation changes |
| OS versions | Current and two previous major versions | Permission and API behaviour differs between versions |
3. Neglecting Performance Testing
Mistake
Failing to take into consideration how the app behaves under different conditions, among them are several users using the same app at the same time, limited network access, decreased responsiveness, or actual crashes of the app.
How to Avoid
- Perform load and stress testing to determine how the app operates under pressure from a large number of users reaching a peak usage rate.
- Test applications in various networking scenarios, particularly when these conditions are low bandwidth.
The two possible strategies, which align well with Henshbos focused objectives, include-
- Efficient code utilization in software applications
- The allocation of resources in a way that facilitates the achievement of optimal system efficiency.
| Network condition | What to check |
|---|---|
| Fast Wi-Fi | Baseline speed and behaviour |
| Slow 3G or congested 4G | Loading states, timeouts, image sizes |
| Switching Wi-Fi to mobile data | Uploads and payments resume or fail safely |
| Airplane mode mid-action | Clear offline message, no lost user input |
| High latency (500 ms+) | No duplicate submissions from repeated taps |
4. Skipping Usability Testing
Mistake
This problem consists in overemphasizing the technical side while underplaying the aesthetic aspect, which often results in an overly complex and difficult-to-navigate design.
How to Avoid
- User testing should be conducted in order to get feedback as to how users of the app perceive the interface and functionality of the new app.
- Collect opinions and reactions of the users to the appearance and navigation on the utilized app.
- The ideas and suggestions made by the user have to be put into practice to make the experience as comfortable as possible.
5. Lack of Security Testing
Mistake
Not testing the app for security flaws; these flaws can cause leakage of user information and subsequent loss of the customer’s data.
How to Avoid
- Conduct a security audit with a view of establishing areas of weakness and potential risks.
- Ensure you encrypt the data and use secure methods of authenticating the users whenever they are inputting their details into the system.
- It is important to be up to date about the current security practices and trends in order to protect the app.
6. Not Testing for Localization
Mistake
Not considering testing that might involve other languages and regions, can lead to such problems as improper formatting and lack of understanding of some cultural references.
How to Avoid
- For instance, using the global variable Locale, test the provided application under different locales and languages to confirm its global functionality.
- The formatting for dates, currency, and text should be consistent with the international region needed for a specific purpose.
- This involves verifying any translation or adapting to cultural differences to ensure that the experience as a user is as fluent as desired.
For example, a single price label can expose several localisation bugs at once: 1,299.00 in English, 1.299,00 in German, a currency symbol that should appear after the number in French, and a German button label that is 40% longer than the English one and gets cut off.
7. Poor Documentation
Mistake
Lack of clear documentation of test cases and results and therefore a lot of misunderstanding and many subsequent mistakes.
How to Avoid
- It is therefore important to keep detailed and organized test documentation that will help in tracking the progress and potential problems.
- Tools such as test management tools for tracking test cases and results are very helpful in making the process easier.
- It is also recommended to review and modify documentation on a regular basis in order to adapt to the changes in the app and testing process.
8. Relying Solely on Automated Testing
Mistake
Relying just on automated testing and ignoring manual testing, might result in interface and user experience problems.
How to Avoid
- To cover every facet of the software, mix automated and manual testing methods.
- Save time, use automated tests for regression and repetitive testing.
- Test exploratory and usability manually to guarantee a human viewpoint.
Automation is ideal for stable, repeated checks. Here is a short Appium test in JavaScript (WebdriverIO) that verifies login on a real or emulated device:
describe('Login', () => {
it('logs in with valid credentials', async () => {
await $('~email-input').setValue('tester@example.com');
await $('~password-input').setValue('Test@1234');
await $('~login-button').click();
const greeting = await $('~home-greeting');
await greeting.waitForDisplayed({ timeout: 10000 });
await expect(greeting).toHaveTextContaining('Welcome');
});
});
// "~" selects elements by accessibility ID, which also helps accessibility.9. Inconsistent Testing Environments
Mistake
Testing in erratic or non-representative settings can result in issues that go unnoticed and show up in the production environment.
How to Avoid
- For precise findings, standardize testing settings to resemble production settings.
- Replicate environments consistently with virtualization or containerization.
- Update and validate the testing environment often to correspond with the most recent production configuration.
10. Inadequate Bug Tracking
Mistake
Not keeping good track of and controlling found bugs, which results in unsolved problems and worsened app quality.
How to Avoid
- To effectively record and manage defects, put in place a strong bug-tracking system.
- Sort and rank bugs according to importance and severity to guarantee urgent fixes of important problems.
- Maintaining app quality requires consistent follow-up and resolution of reported issues.
Title: [Android] App crashes when rotating on the payment screen
App build: 3.8.1 (412)
Device / OS: Samsung Galaxy A54, Android 14
Network: 4G
Steps: 1. Add item to cart 2. Open payment screen
3. Rotate device to landscape
Expected: Screen re-lays out; card details are kept
Actual: App closes; card details lost on relaunch
Frequency: 3 of 3 attempts
Severity: Critical (blocks purchase)
Attachments: screen recording, crash logSuggestions and recommendations
- Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Put CI/CD pipelines into place to make code changes that are regularly integrated and to speed up the testing process.
- Beta Testing: Use beta testers to get input from the actual world and find problems that might not show up in a controlled testing setting.
- Awareness-Building: Continually educate your testing staff on the newest methods, technologies, and best practices for testing mobile apps.
User-Centric Approach: Give testing scenarios that most affect the user experience top priority and never forget the end user.
[ Mobile app pre-release checklist ]
- Critical journeys tested on the agreed device and OS matrix
- Slow, unstable and offline network conditions tested
- App start time, memory use and battery drain measured
- Interruptions tested: calls, notifications, backgrounding, rotation
- Permissions tested when granted, denied and revoked later
- Security checks done on storage, authentication and API traffic
- All supported languages and regional formats checked
- Automated regression green; exploratory session completed
- Open bugs triaged and release risk agreed
Conclusion
Delivering excellent, intuitive apps requires efficient mobile app testing. Development teams may improve their testing procedures dramatically by avoiding these typical errors and putting the offered fixes into practice. This guarantees a stable and strong app, which in the cutthroat app industry also increases user pleasure and success. Recall that the basis of a good digital experience is a tested app.
[ Key takeaways ]
- Plan coverage around risk and real usage, and update it as the app changes.
- Test on a device matrix built from your analytics, across Android and iOS.
- Check performance under poor networks, low memory and interruptions.
- Combine automated regression with manual usability and exploratory testing.
- Keep environments consistent and bug reports detailed so issues are fixed fast.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common mobile app testing mistakes?
Insufficient coverage, skipping cross-platform and performance testing, ignoring usability, security and localisation, poor documentation, relying only on automation, inconsistent environments and weak bug tracking.
How many devices should I test a mobile app on?
Enough to cover most of your users. Start with the devices and OS versions that make up the majority of your analytics, then add low-end devices and tablets, using a cloud device farm to extend coverage.
Are emulators enough for mobile testing?
Emulators are useful for early and automated testing, but real devices are needed to catch issues with performance, battery, sensors, cameras and network behaviour.
Which tools are used for mobile test automation?
Common choices include Appium for cross-platform tests, Espresso for Android, XCUITest for iOS, and cloud device farms such as BrowserStack or Sauce Labs.
How do you test a mobile app on a slow network?
Use network throttling in developer tools, device settings or network simulation tools to test slow, unstable and offline conditions, and confirm the app shows clear states and never loses user data.
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