Guide and Smart Strategies To Test Android Apps 2023

Used by millions of people, the Android operating system remains one of the leaders in the world of modern devices and gadgets. In 2022, the number of Android users reached 3.2 billion. What is more, Android significantly dominates in global market share, being responsible for over 70% of all smartphone users. 

The number of apps designed for this operating system is already enormous but is still growing. But how to test Android app on mobile? In this post, you will discover the list of the best practices in Android testing and much more. 

Top Advantages of Android Over iPhones (iOS Devices)

One of the main reasons for Android’s incredible popularity is that, unlike iOS, it is an open-source platform with more freedom for customization. You can adjust your device according to your needs, use countless applications, download videos, edit documents, pay for your purchases, and complete plenty of other daily tasks with your smartphone. 

Among the other Android benefits, there are:

• Price. The devices based on this operating system are much more affordable than their iOS analogs. 
• Hardware choices. When it comes to looking for a new iOS device, there are usually just a few smartphones to choose from. If you explore the market of Android devices, you will be amazed by the wide assortment of producers, models, hardware, and features available.
• USB type C. Most Android devices have a standard USB type, so you don’t need to worry about charging your smartphone or connecting it to other devices. iOS gadgets can’t boast of having such a convenient USB. 
• Widgets. Android’s widgets are more advanced and capable than those created for iOS. In addition, they usually require less scrolling and are easier to use. 
• Expandable memory. Most smartphones support removable memory cards, so users can effortlessly adjust the memory storage according to their needs.
• Third-party apps. Not only can you download apps from Google Play Store, but you can also use any third-party applications on your smartphone. 

Why Do You Need to Test Android Apps?

Android application testing is a must-do step in the development process of any app for this type of operating system. The reason is that any digital product should be precisely checked from different aspects before it reaches its target audience to ensure its quality and meet user expectations. 

All users wish to have an app of excellent quality with no bugs or issues. If your product fails to meet the users’ requirements, it will drastically lose its popularity and make your company receive lower incomes than expected. In other words, you can see a decreasing user-retention with less users. Moreover, bugs and other app imperfections might significantly damage your company’s reputation. 

Continuous testing helps to ensure that the app meets the market requirements and standards, and is ready for release and distribution.  

It is also important to note that the earlier you start testing, the more successful app you will likely create. Detecting and fixing issues in the early stages of development is easier and more cost-effective. 

Testing Types For Android Apps

Android app testing is not only about checking user stories and the product’s interface. As a rule, the Android testing strategy includes the following list of testing types:

• Functional. First of all, it is crucial to make sure your application meets all the basic software requirements. 
• Installation. Is it possible to successfully install an app? Is it working as expected after downloading and installation? This type of testing is developed to check this. 
• Performance. Performance testing is executed to double-check whether the digital product meets the required performance. 
• Android UI testing. This QA process is connected with checking a bunch of various features, including the product’s load time, navigation functions, and other critical parameters. 
• Compatibility. Will your application be successfully installed and used on various iOS versions and smartphone models? A compatibility test is a must for a full check-up of any Android application. 
• Security. Does your app have any vulnerabilities? Are there any weak points that require significant improvement? It’s important to get the answer before it reaches the hands of the real customers.
• Interrupt. Testing how your app will interact with other Android applications is another necessary test of the quality assurance process. For example, what if the user answers a call when using your app? What if the smartphone’s battery starts to dry out? Interrupt tests help to detect any issues related to using your digital product in different environments and conditions. 

Why Is Testing Android Apps More Challenging Than iOS Apps?

The main reason is that the number of Android-based smartphones is overwhelming. The operating system is widely used by numerous producers, while smartphones come with different features and functionality. 

However, the developing company should still ensure the app is working well with the most popular device alternatives, as well as the different quality devices (high-end, mid, and lower-cost smartphones and tablets). 

It is also worth mentioning that Android devices have different screen sizes. So, your app should perform in an equally excellent way on various screens (responsive testing). The versions of operating systems used by Android customers are also extremely diverse because Android doesn’t force its users to upgrade to the freshest OS versions. 

Android Testing Best Practices

How to test Android app in the most effective way? Here is a list of solutions that should be taken into account when managing the app’s quality assurance process.  

Use Crowdtesting

Crowdtesting remains the most effective, fastest, flexible, and budget-friendly alternative to testing Android apps. It allows you to hire as many QA professionals for any period as needed, check your digital product on a large variety of devices, operating systems versions, and locations (different geographies). What is more, you will get an unbiased opinion about your app. 

Connectivity

What if your digital product fails to install on the part of Android devices? This issue is a common thing for many apps. Moreover, your app might fail to work properly in a particular environment. 

Device Selection

The most important thing about testing an Android app is to check its performance on various devices, versions of operating systems, and other parameters. However, using such a huge number of smartphones for testing might become a true challenge for even the biggest companies. 

Different Scenarios

Test your Android app for different scenarios, including normal use, edge cases, and error handling.  

Regression testing

Regularly perform regression testing to ensure that previously fixed issues have not been repeated and that new changes do not cause new problems. You should have a team of testers with various devices and operating system be ready to test the app whenever new changes are implemented. 

How Ubertesters Can Help To Test Your App

With Ubertesters, you can enjoy receiving plenty of benefits when testing your application:

• Large testing pool: The easiest way to test your Android digital product on a large variety of real smartphones with different versions of operating systems and all in real-world scenarios.
• Geographic spread. You can check your app’s performance in any location globally and in any language. This approach allows the detection of most location-based issues. 
• Faster testing: by using crowd testing, you may get parallel testing, which can speed up the testing process and help to identify and resolve found issues quickly.  
• Full-scale testing can be launched at any stage of the software development process. 
• Scalability. You can independently choose the number of devices you would like to take part in your product’s testing. 
• The most advanced testing tools. Crowdtesting is not only about hiring professional testers but also about using the most modern testing tools. 
• Unbiased opinion of QA experts. This information brought by a fresh perspective of new users will help you bring your application to a higher level and attract more users.
• Advanced reports. With understandable reports, it is easier to identify bugs and fix them. 

Summary 

Android remains one of the leading operating systems that is used in various types of devices, including smartphones, tablets, e-readers, and different gadgets. However, with a wide range of Android versions and devices available, testing is becoming more complicated. 

The reason is that it is crucial to test any application on a maximum number of devices and locations to make sure the digital product works well on different localizations, resolutions, versions of the operating system, screen sizes, and other essential parameters. 

Ubertesters offers top-quality crowdtesting services to various types of digital products and all kinds of Android-based devices. You can check your app’s performance on both the most modern devices and older versions. It’s easy to test your application’s performance in real-life environments and benefit from using a large testing pool, as well as improve your digital product on any part of the development process. 

Want to explore even more about our advantages? Contact us at sales@ubertesters.com for more information.