Why & How Can You Do Manual Mobile Application Testing Like A Pro?

Manual mobile app testing is time-consuming for any QA expert in test automation and, just like every other human job, likely to errors and mistakes.

It would be a mistake, though, to say that all the test cases/ situations can be completely automated for test case management tools or the automation system would be a worthy choice every single time. Mobile usability tests, for example, and design testing are difficult to automate.

Manual mobile testing has its advantages in many use cases and even provides higher ROI in many scenarios. It operates hand and hand with automated testing and enables to fine-tune any part of the application if done perfectly.

First, let’s deep dive into the reasons why manual mobile testing is essential, why to perform, and when?

Manual Mobile Testing: Why & When to Perform?

When it comes to usability and first interactions, the manual evaluation process is irreplaceable. It provides you the kind of input/ feedback that the actual users may expect from you. Versatility and emulation of actual user behavior are the most important benefits of manual testing methods. But when is mobile manual testing relevant, and when is it easier to determine automatic testing? Here is a list of types of testing associate with mobile manual testing.

Testing one-time

It is not at all economical to write a script if you ever require to test an appropriate functionality just once or twice. It’s simpler to manually run the test and interpret the results of the activity/task that is not repeated.

Testing for Compatibility

It is possible to automate this sort of mobile testing. Usually, though, it is not a complicated task; it creates perfect sense to do it manually because manual app testing is further versatile and cost-effective. Verifying if the software is sensitive on actual devices with several OS models, screen sizes, and displays is also critical.

Testing Ad-hoc 

As there is no script or scenario that they will apply, all of these kinds of testing include the knowledge, imagination, and creativity of testers. In these circumstances, a competent QA engineer will foretell the potential actions an end-user may take to assure that the software operates smoothly.

Testing for UI & Usability 

How user-friendly and handy the app is, can only be held by humans. A skilled manual tester will quickly note even a small difference between the real look and sound of the software and the specification voted upon in the specifications. It can’t be performed by a computer.

Manual smartphone testing, on the flip side, is not the best option for: 

• Testing for regression (whereas automated testing through test case automation tools works optimally for this situation). 
• Function testing for large applications that require to be run regularly. 
• Testing load and output. 

A Comprehensive Method To Testing Mobile Apps Manually

Testing manually is often considered to be simply clicking on the mobile app and reporting mistakes arbitrarily. However, if you don’t have a precise schedule or framework, then simply just clicking around would consist of your manual mobile testing. Still, not having a proper schedule will do you no great as your mobile application will have a lot of defects when it is delivered to the market. So, you have to describe your action plan and recognize the route for achieving it in order to keep it under check. 

When manually evaluating/testing an app, here are the 5 main steps you need to follow.

Make a plan

This could appear intuitive, but you require to know specifically what to test in advance and how to decide it. Anything else, it’s going to be like racing around attempting to catch a bug in circles. A bug of several sorts. So, begin by analyzing your test plan and choosing the test cases that are most suitable for manual testing. Then arrange them according to what needs to be assessed(navigation, UI elements, interruptions, etc.). This will help you manage and maintain your manual test sessions as brief as possible. 

Some more steps you can take in test planning involve the identification of user stories that require more testing than others, improving test coverage for high priority user stories, etc. You can also build modules and test suites to correctly organize your test cases. All of this planning can be done easily with test case management tools.  

Highlight a Click Journey

Set down a comprehensive click path for every use situation/ case. Implementing exactly the same test on several machines will support you to maximize the time for each test session.

And once you find a flaw, you’ll be able to rapidly and accurately replicate it.

Testing on a variety of systems

On one smartphone/ device, an app will operate flawlessly but fail on another. That’s why working the same test on various actual devices with several choices for OS, hardware, and applications are the key. In contrast, some manufacturers are offering special UI modifications in the case of Android OS that can affect the application. Don’t panic, hundreds of mobile phones do not require to be stored in your office. Get full advantage of the cloud platform (AWS, GCP, etc.) where you can use real virtual hardware and choose the parameters you need to start manual testing.

Test again & again

In case the original bugs seem after code modification, complete all the steps in the very same series again. In order to ensure that resolving one problem did not break anything else, it is necessary to track all the manual testing evaluations.

Log Every Result

Be sure to write down all the information you’ve acquired so that once the bug has been repaired, you can quickly check the part again. You can use test case management tools to link defects with specifications and test case execution will implement end-to-end visibility.

Final Words

Manual testing is supreme when it correlates to smartphone usability and functionality. Still, repetitive work can begin to tiredness and result in missed bugs, especially when the same tests require to be run over and over again. For any test case, getting a comprehensive plan and a complete click path will assist you in implementing the same test on different platforms and, if caught, replicate bugs. 

TestUnity experts can help find the success of your attempts to boost mobile testing faster. Schedule a session with TestUnity experts to organize your testing methodology & steps before you begin manual testing.

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