Did you know that before the iPhone's launch, Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, initially opposed third-party apps? He later compromised, leading to the birth of the iPhone App Store in 2008. Initially offering 500 apps, the store grew to 2.24 million apps and games by 2023.
In-app purchases surpassed paid apps, becoming a major income source for Apple, making the Apple App Store the major player in in-app consumer spending.
Developers are pressured to deliver high-functionality and quality mobile apps as their demand increases. However, the persistent threat of bugs can undermine their efforts. Therefore, rigorous mobile app testing is crucial to ensure optimal performance and meet user expectations. Keep reading to learn about 5 iOS app testing tools to help you deliver a high-quality app that users will download and enjoy!
“iOS app testing” refers to validating the functionality of iOS apps on Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, or iOS Simulators. This is crucial to ensure that they meet the expectations of end-users, in addition to the functional specifications of the app and any legal expectations which may govern app behavior.
Since iOS is exclusively designed for Apple devices, and its applications can only be installed on Apple hardware, it is important to conduct iOS app testing thoroughly. Despite the time invested in iOS app development, bugs can pose significant challenges, such as application crashes, incompatibility with iOS versions, security vulnerabilities, and memory leaks.
iOS testing tools refer to software programs, frameworks, or libraries specifically designed to test the performance and functionality of iOS applications. These tools make it easier to create test scripts, measure performance, and emulate user interactions, automating the testing process for iOS applications. They also ensure that iOS applications meet end-users needs by using different testing techniques, such as unit, integration, acceptance, and functional testing, to ensure they behave as expected.
iOS app testing can be executed through manual or automated approaches. While manual testing involves human testers exploring app features and functionality, it is prone to errors and time-consuming. Automated iOS app testing, on the other hand, leverages iOS testing tools to execute test scripts, mimicking user interactions and scenarios. Automation enhances efficiency, automates repetitive tasks, and enables reliable testing, covering UI testing, performance testing, and compatibility testing.
Now that you know what to look for in beta testing tools, let's move on to the selected few:
Global App Testing is a crowdtesting company with a diverse "crowd" of over 90,000 testers to test applications. This extensive crowd provides a variety of software versions, devices, environments, and global locations, allowing you to conduct thorough testing under different conditions. Clients can specify test conditions or seek consultation on preferred device distribution, capitalizing on the scalability of our crowd for a competitive advantage.
GAT's mobile app testing ensures a seamless user experience by testing with real users on real devices, eliminating fragmentation issues. With testers in 190+ countries, extensive device/OS/network coverage, and testing for both native web apps and mobile browsers, we address potential problems before they impact your customers.
Global testing
Comprehensive coverage
Flexible testing
Quality improvement
User satisfaction
Customized testing
Insightful data
Release acceleration
Integration capabilities
Functional testing toolset
Appium is a collaborative open-source project and its associated software ecosystem that claims to simplify UI automation across various platforms.
Appium argues that while many platforms have their own UI automation tools, these are often platform-specific, requiring specialized knowledge, specific programming language expertise, and dedicated toolchains. This tool strives to unify these disparate automation technologies under a stable interface accessible through popular programming languages like Java, Python, Ruby, JS, and more.
Appium uses the JSON wire protocol when interacting with iOS devices. Specifically, it utilizes Apple's UIAutomation API to engage with user interface elements, facilitating automated testing on iOS devices. The bootstrap.js file acts as a TCP server transmitting test commands to execute actions on iOS devices via Apple's UIAutomation API framework.
Server functionality
Integration with TestNG
Built-in UI Automator
Multi-language support
Code reusability
Back-end control
No app modification is needed
Flexible testing environments
Cross-platform compatibility
Real-time monitoring
Parallel execution
Mobot is an automated testing tool tailored for iOS app developers. This tool claims to revolutionize the testing landscape with its innovative use of mechanical robots, which offers iOS developers a more accurate, realistic, and efficient approach to application testing.
Mobot operates through mechanical robots, offering a distinctive approach to testing iOS applications. These robots automate test cases by replicating genuine user interactions, including tapping, swiping, and rotating, mimicking real-world user engagement. In contrast to conventional tools reliant on emulators and virtual devices, Mobot uses physical robots, providing a testing environment that accurately emulates real-world conditions. Particularly adept at handling complex or challenging scenarios, Mobot argues to be a valuable tool for iOS app testing.
Efficient testing processes
Robot-powered testing
Realistic mobile experience testing
Accurate simulation of user interactions
Wide device and OS coverage
Bugfender is a cloud-hosted remote logging tool designed to identify and address bugs proactively, preventing them from reaching end-users. Beyond traditional crash reporting, Bugfender offers real-time remote access to application logs for both mobile and web platforms, catering to users worldwide.
For app developers familiar with the challenge of locating and replicating bugs specific to individual users, Bugfender provides a solution. It ensures visibility into the user experience across various devices, even in offline scenarios. By granting remote access to comprehensive application logs, Bugfender enables efficient resolution of issues, contributing to customer satisfaction and resolution.
NSLog or Custom log
Turn iOS device logs on and off
Offline support
iOS log organization
Customized developer notifications
Detailed iOS device info
Tags & log levels
GDPR compliance
Crash reporting
Detox is a JavaScript-based mobile testing framework used to test applications built with React Native. Wix Engineering, a collaborative partner with React Native, developed this framework.
Detox provides end-to-end testing, covering user interactions and overall functionality. Providing specific code (APIs) and tools, Detox ensures app behavior aligns with quality standards.
Test execution
Versatile testing environments
Cross-platform testing
Asynchronous operation detection
Integration and compatibility
CI platform support
Let's take a look at some of the best practices you should follow and features to look for in an iOS app testing tool:
Test on various iOS devices, considering different screen sizes and resolutions. Include older and newer iOS versions to ensure compatibility across a broad user base.
Prioritize testing on physical iOS devices rather than relying solely on simulators to provide a more accurate representation of real-world user experiences.
Assess the app's performance under various conditions, including network speeds and device resources.
Conducting comprehensive security testing to identify any vulnerabilities and ensure that the application complies with Apple's security guidelines is essential.
Evaluate the app's user interface for consistency, clarity, and adherence to Apple's Human Interface Guidelines (HIG). Check for any issues related to third-party libraries or frameworks used in the app.
Test the app in different languages and regions to ensure proper localization. Verify that date formats, currencies, and cultural considerations are appropriately handled.
Implement automated testing for repetitive and critical test scenarios to increase efficiency.
Regularly perform regression testing after each update or code change to prevent unintended side effects.
Check for memory leaks and excessive memory usage that could lead to app crashes. Optimize memory management to enhance the app's overall stability.
Test the app's behavior under different network conditions, including Wi-Fi and cellular data.
Evaluate the app's accessibility features, ensuring it is usable by individuals with disabilities. Conduct testing with VoiceOver and other accessibility tools to guarantee compliance with accessibility standards.
Ensure that the app complies with Apple's App Store guidelines to prevent rejections during the submission process. Verify that all required metadata, screenshots, and app descriptions are accurate and appropriate.
Thorough iOS app testing can help identify and overcome these challenges, ensuring the app meets quality standards, enhances user experience, and aligns with app development guidelines. Choosing the best iOS app testing tools depends on your preferences, budget, and skill set.
Still, Global App Testing ticks all the boxes above if we could be biased. So, sign up, and let's arrange a discovery call!
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