11 Top Mobile App Testing Challenges

Mobiles have indeed become the lifelines of the current generation. According to Statista 7.4 billion people globally use mobile phones.

With such a large segment of people leveraging the capabilities of mobile phones for day-to-day needs, it has become a necessity for businesses to offer their services and make them compatible with mobile phones.

Launching websites have become the second priority for businesses and they now prefer to launch their mobile app even before launching their website.

But providing mobile solutions is a little challenging considering the numerous devices, screen sizes, platforms, networks, etc. available for people to use.

A minor bug, significantly delayed loading screen, or a UI inconsistency can lead to: 

• Higher app uninstalls—Data reflects that 90% of all app users leave the app if it performs poorly. 
• Negative feedback received—Only a few 1-star ratings in the app stores could damage your brand’s reputation.
• Lost revenue opportunities—53% of mobile users are willing to abort a purchase when a mobile app is hampered with bugs and slowness.

Here are the top Mobile App Testing Challenges testers face:

1. User Experience & Performance Issues

Challenge:

• User Experience (UX) is the most important aspect that determines whether an app will be a hit or not. If there’s a delay of just a few seconds or if there’s a complex interface, it could lead to high bounce rates and negative app reviews.
• Consumers may switch to another app because it does not meet the performance requirements, such as slow loading times, application crashes, and unresponsive functions.
• The study reveals that 88% of users are less likely to return after a bad experience with the app.

Solution:

Conduct Usability Testing

• Try out tools like Hotjar, Crazy Egg, or UserTesting to get the actual voice of the customers when designing the app navigation, ease of use, and the entire user experience. 
• You may use heatmaps and session recording to extract meaningful users’ pain points.

Perform Performance Testing

• Use tools like JMeter, LoadRunner, and Apache Benchmark to stress test the application to the max level.

Optimize UI/UX Design

• Conduct A/B testing to decipher which elements of the UI are more attractive and drive higher engagement. 
• Make sure that the application is responsive and able to maintain a consistent experience no matter what devices or screen sizes are used by customers. 

Automate Performance Monitoring

• Carry out the performance monitoring process with tools such as Firebase Performance Monitoring or New Relic, which detect any errors occurring on real-time web servers.

2. Device Fragmentation & Screen Sizes

Challenge:

• The mobile device market is highly fragmented, with thousands of devices that have different screen sizes, resolutions, and aspect ratios. 
• For example, an app that works perfectly on a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 might not look properly displayed on a 6.8-inch Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. 
• Device fragmentation is also relevant to the operating systems. An app tested on iOS 17 may not perform good on iOS 15 or any other older versions of Android.

Solution:

Implement Responsive Design

• Use CSS media queries and flexible layouts to ensure that the app adapts to different screen sizes and orientations on different phones.
• Maintain UI consistency with the help of Google’s Material Design and Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines. 

Cross-Device Testing

• Utilize cross-device testing tools to test the app across diverse devices and screen sizes.
• These tools give access to emulators without the need to maintain a physical device lab.

Prioritize Device Coverage

• Analyze the data of the target audience by means of analytics tools, like Google Analytics or Mixpanel, to find the most popular devices and OS versions that are used by your users.
• Focus on the use of top-performing models, and, in case of need, add the less popular types of devices.

3. Display & Touchscreen Challenges

Challenge:

• Modern smartphones come with advanced display technologies like Dynamic AMOLED, Retina Display, and HDR10+ that come in different resolutions and pixel densities.
• To test touchscreen interactions are more complex than traditional inputs, requiring testing for gestures such as a tap, swipe, pinch, and zoom.
• The presence of haptic feedback and multi-touch capabilities also needs validation to ensure consistency and good user experience.

Solution:

Test Display Compatibility

• You should test UI elements scaling on different resolutions and PPI (Pixels Per Inch).
• Use emulator/simulator tools to test basic display features, but we always validate it on real devices for accuracy.

Touch Event Testing

• Automate using tools like Appium, Espresso, and XCUITest to simulate touch actions and touch-based gesture testing. 
• Testing scenarios should include multi-touch features such as pinch-to-zoom and drag-and-drop interactions.

Adapt for Advanced Features

• Make sure the app allows haptic feedback and advanced gesture recognition in devices that will offer these features.
• Validate gesture recognition speed and accuracy under different conditions, such as with a screen protector or in wet conditions.

4. Shorter Time-to-Market Pressures

Challenge:

• The mobile app development cycle is fast-paced. Businesses want rapid releases as they want to stay competitive. 
• On many occasions, the attempt to meet the deadlines ends up in inadequate testing, which in turn leads to bugs being produced in the projects. 
• Frequent feature updates and hotfixes put additional strain on QA teams.

Solution:

Implement Agile Testing & Shift-Left Approach

• Use Agile and DevOps methodologies in order to append testing at the beginning of the development cycle.
• Shift-left testing ensures that any problems are detected early, thus reducing debugging time in the future.

Automate Testing with CI/CD Pipelines

• Leverage unique CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI to automatically execute test suites when code is pushed.
• Automate unit, integration, and regression tests to speed up testing without compromising quality.

Prioritize Testing Based on Risk Analysis

• Risk-Based Testing (RBT) is a better alternative to the risk-based testing approach. By trying RBT, you can focus solely on critical features first.
• For instance, if an eCommerce app introduces a new checkout feature, then it should be carefully tested thoroughly before non-critical UI updates.

Parallel Testing for Faster Execution

• Use cloud-based platforms (e.g., BrowserStack and Sauce Labs) that can now be run simultaneously on multiple devices.

5. Mobile App Security Issues

Challenge:

1. Mobile apps store a person’s valuable information and if they are the one, the hackers may attack. 
2. Common threats include: 

• Weak authentication mechanisms that are not strong enough, for example, password vulnerabilities.
• Data spillage via unprotected APIs.
• Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks on public WiFi networks.

Solution:

Conduct Regular Security Testing

• Perform penetration tests using the Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and Metasploit.
• Static and dynamic code analysis is used to identify the presence of security flaws.

Implement Strong Authentication & Encryption

• Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure login.
• Apply end-to-end encryption for sensitive user data, for example, payment details.

Secure API Communication

• Use OAuth 2.0 or JWT (JSON Web Tokens) to secure API authentication.
• Implement the certificate pinning to stop the MitM attacks.

Regular Security Audits & Compliance Testing

• Make sure that GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS (for financial apps) are compulsory.
• Plan to get regular security audits to identify potential risks of facing them in the future.

6. Lack of Access to Multiple Devices

Challenge:

• Mobile app testing requires a varied range of real devices to cover different brands, OS versions, and various hardware configurations.
• Buying physical devices for testing is way too expensive and impractical.
• Emulators don’t fully replicate real world conditions (e.g., GPS, sensors, battery usage).

Solution:

Use Cloud-Based Device Testing Platforms

• Companies like BrowserStack, AWS Device Farm, and Sauce Labs enable flexible access to tens of thousands of actual devices.
• Remote testing platforms are close to perfection since they don’t require a physical device facility.

Prioritize Testing Based on Market Share Data

• Using Google Analytics or Mixpanel, you can find the mostly used devices and OS versions in the market you are targeting.
• The first step is to direct resources towards the top 10 devices before moving on to other ones that are less common. 

Leverage a Hybrid Testing Approach

• Initial testing and debugging processes consist of using emulators and simulators.
• The final versions should be tested on real devices to catch edge-case bugs.

7. OS Fragmentation (Android, iOS, etc.)

Challenge:

• Mobile apps need to act correctly on different OS versions.
• Not only this, but just on Android, there are several operating system versions in active use, for instance, Android 10, 11, 12, and 13, and manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi come with their customized OS of different UI layers (One UI, OxygenOS, MIUI, etc.).
• Contrastingly, iOS users are quick in embracing the new versions, whereas the Android updates are a fragmented ecosystem due to multiple device types.

Solution:

Test on Multiple OS Versions Using Cloud-Based Platforms

• When it comes to looking for a solution, we do not need to have physical devices anymore. For instance, we can use AWS Device Farm or Sauce Labs for this purpose.
• In order to guarantee a user’s positive experience with our app, we need to make it work in old versions as well as in new ones (like iOS 15 and Android 10).

Implement OS-Specific Code Optimization

• Use feature flags that allow/disallow users to perform a certain action based on OS capabilities.
• Modify UI elements based on OS-specific guidelines, such as adding Material Design for Android and Human Interface Guidelines for iOS.

Run regression tests on each OS update

• The very next update might come with unexpected bugs.
• Frequently carry out the new automated regression testing in order to check and verify the app’s compatibility with the new releases right away.

8. Device Memory & Battery Optimization

Challenge:

• Mobile apps are the contenders for the limited device memory and heavy usage of battery.
• Applications that are heavy tend to drain the battery quickly, causing a flustered user, and eventually the application gets deleted.
• Background processes and high CPU usage are the two main issues of device slowdown and overheating.

Solution:

Optimize App Performance & Resource Usage

• Profiling apps such as Instruments and Android Profiler (Xcode and Android Studio, respectively) can be helpful in monitoring CPU, RAM, and battery usage.
• In addition, prioritize reducing the number of background services and limit unnecessary API requests.

Implement Energy-Efficient Code Practices

• Use the lazy loading technique to upload the data when needed.
• Optimize network requests to minimize the battery drain by combining requests (for instance, combining batch requests as opposed to individual API calls).

Test Battery Consumption Under Different Scenarios

• A low battery mode test could help you to evaluate a device’s performance under power-saving conditions.
• Use battery drain monitoring tools such as GSam Battery Monitor and AccuBattery.

9. Network Challenges & Latency Issues

Challenge:

• Mobile applications should handle network conditions ranging from quick 5G to the slowest 3G connections and still stay smooth.
• The data loss, app crashes, or session timeouts can be caused by network fluctuations (switching WiFi and cellular networks).
• Some users might access their apps in the regions with low bandwidth, where large data transmissions can seriously slow performance.

Solution:

Test Under Different Network Conditions

• Throttle network tools like BrowserStack, Network Link Conditioner (iOS), and Android Emulator to emulate slow connection and high-latency scenarios.
• Check the application performance on different network speeds (3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi, airplane mode, offline mode).

Implement Offline Mode & Smart Data Caching

• Allow the users to use some controls on their app when they are offline and synchronize the data when you make the connection.
• Optimize the APIs so that they make fewer unnecessary requests and make local caching more accessible.

Reduce Network Load & Optimize API Calls

• Implement lazy load for images, videos, and large assets.
• Use data compression techniques (Gzip, Brotli) to reduce payload size in API requests.
• Optimize the server response times to ensure quick mobile devices get the data. 

Simulate Real-World Network Transitions

• Check whether the network does not interrupt while switching scenarios (e.g., WiFi to 4G, 4G to 3G) and the app doesn’t crash or lose session data.
• Collect the performance data in real time with analytics tools like Firebase Performance Monitoring.

10. Regression Testing & Continuous Integration

Challenge:

• Every new feature, bug fix, or app update may cause unexpected issues in existing functionality.
• Regular code alterations make manual regression testing inefficient and time-consuming, which is why re-testing is needed to a larger extent.
• Several teams don’t have automation frameworks to get seamless CI/CD.

Solution:

Automate Regression Testing

• Use test-automation frameworks such as Selenium, Appium, Espresso (Android), and XCUITest (iOS) to streamline recurring tests.
• Explore the possibilities to introduce the scriptless automation tool to pace up the testing for non-technical testers.

Integrate Testing into CI/CD Pipelines

• Incorporate Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or Bitrise to guide tests after new code releases.
• Run automatic unit, integration, and UI tests that are being performed each time a code is committed to prevent defects early.

Prioritize Testing with Risk-Based Analysis

• Instead of testing every single feature in every update, try to see which parts have the greatest impact and test those first.

Run Parallel Testing for Faster Execution

• Use cloud services such as Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, and AWS Device Farm to test a software application on multiple platforms simultaneously.
• Parallel execution reduces testing time by 50-70%, ensuring faster releases.
• Parallel testing is helpful for reducing the release cycle time to 50-70% in relation to the traditional testing models.

11. Testing for Different User Environments (Localization & Accessibility)

Challenge:

• Mobile apps must support multiple languages, support multiple currencies, and incorporate various cultural preferences for different global audiences.
• User reporting decreases as the text is truncated, the translation is corrupted or the UI is misaligned.
• Another point to consider is the app usability for disabled people, ensuring compliance with ADA, WCAG and Section 508 standards.

Solution:

Implement Localization Testing

• Use tools like Lokalise, Crowdin, or Google Translate API for different versions of the app.
• Verify text expansion/contraction, RTL (Right-to-Left) language support, and the date/time format variations.

Conduct Accessibility Testing

• Make sure to follow the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) that allow access for all people.
• Let screen reader test tools such as NVDA (Windows), VoiceOver (iOS), and TalkBack (Android) to check if blind users are able to navigate the app properly.
• Colors, contrast ratio among text, text-to-speech, and keyboard navigation are the points that make the app usable for both blind and motor handicapped users.

Simulate Real-World User Environments

• Use VPNs, and GPS spoofing tools to test whether the app still behaves the same way when accessed via different locations.
• Checking for multi-currency payment options for eCommerce apps and adaptation of region-specific features (e.g., GDPR compliance in Europe).

Conclusion

There is immense competition in the digital world. There are multiple apps for the same purpose and hence to prove your supremacy you have to be better than the others. Even a small defect can make you lose the battle. Hence it is very important to perform an intricate round of testing so that no bugs are left out.

But with the highly dynamic nature of mobile technology, testing becomes very complex and challenging. Testers have to ensure that they test their applications for all available devices, networks, OS, etc. But it becomes very challenging for the testers to perform all-inclusive testing and that too in a limited period. Mobile app testing is not as simple as testing websites. But with the advancement in technologies, testers too have found solutions to these challenges to an extent. Automated mobile app testing, use of simulators, emulators are some of the solutions for these challenges.