IOS APPLICATIONS TESTING

The stage of testing or QA (Quality Assurance) is the most important in the process of creating any application, since it allows you to get a reliable and stable product.

The main task of validation is to find possible problems, as well as whether the functionality of the application is consistent with its purpose, business goals and customer requirements.

One of the main requirements for iOS apps concerns their compatibility with all types of Apple devices and operating system versions. The prerequisites for the operation of the program are the security of data and personal information of users, the correct display of all interface elements and forms, the correct performance of functions.

In order for the application to work without failures, at the initial stage, testing takes place on a simulator, and its final debugging – on real devices.

There are four main problems that testing identifies and helps solve:

• functional errors;
• usability errors;
• display errors on various devices and screens;
• speed of work.

Based on this data, you can form an approximate test checklist that most applications pass:

• Functional errors

First of all, experts check whether the application performs certain functions that are specified in the specification and dictated by business processes. All the main elements are tested: user interface, security level, use cases, logic of screen transitions, correct operation of all buttons, fields and application installation process, options for interacting with social networks, etc.

• Ability to make in-app purchases (In-App Purchase)

The software tests the functionality of the software under various Apple ID settings and settings, different types of access, billing usage, purchase items and prices, auto-renewable products (such as subscriptions), and so on.

• Usability errors

This QA phase is aimed at validating the product’s suitability for its application and identifying errors related to the usability of the application.

A usability test includes checking the following aspects:

• correct passage of user scripts;
• clarity of navigation;
• completeness and availability of content;
• compliance with key performance indicators.

It also determines whether the interface structure is suitable for the business goals, whether the product makes the right impression on customers, etc.

• Display errors

In order to avoid problems related to the operation of the program on various devices and screens, testing of compatibility and adaptability is carried out. This allows you to understand whether the application is displayed correctly on all Apple gadgets and whether it is compatible with different versions of the OS.

• Collapse / Expand

When minimized, the application should temporarily suspend, and when expanded, it should continue to function. This property is especially important for games, as it allows the user to minimize the application at any time and then return to it without losing progress.

• Work speed

High speed is important for most applications, so this point is a must for QA. The developers strive to optimize the functionality in such a way as to eliminate the delays that form the overall response time.

Also subject to verification are: the time the application was installed on the device, the display of the icon, title and splash screen at startup, screen orientation (portrait / landscape), sending push notifications, etc.

The types of testing include: systemic, UI / UX, modular, integration, and regression.

Automation tools are often used to simplify verification and save time. They allow you to quickly and efficiently detect errors in the operation of applications, as well as problems related to their performance.

There are several important advantages of automated testing of iOS applications:

• can be performed on multiple devices, which significantly reduces time;
• increases the productivity of validation and reduces software development costs;
• helps to get results quickly;
• the ability to cover multiple locales.

One of the automation tools is TestComplete, a platform that allows you to create scripted or manually written tests, and also be used to automatically identify and log errors.

The AVADA MEDIA team provides design and professional testing services for iOS applications for business. The company’s approach includes a full range of development processes – from consultation to full product implementation and market promotion. Our specialists use various methods and testing methods that are directly related to the purpose of the product and the customer’s requirements:

• Functional testing

All the main elements of the application are checked: user interface, database, security level, API, performance metrics and other characteristics.

• Usability testing

This type of verification helps specialists understand whether the structure and interface of the application meet the goals, how easy and understandable it is for users to interact with it, whether the product makes the right impression on the target audience, which elements attract attention in the first place, etc.

• Interface testing

All interface elements are tested, including menus, dialog boxes, toolbars, buttons, images, list controls, and input fields.

• Compatibility testing

Experts check whether the application is compatible with different versions of the operating system and whether it works correctly on different devices.

• Performance testing

The stability of the application is checked, the maximum load that it can withstand is determined, its capabilities are assessed in various configurations of the environment, and the potential for scaling is considered.

During the QA phase, our technicians use all Apple devices, from early models to the latest, in order to debug and optimize the product.

When launching and testing our iOS applications on a device, we must take into account the specifics, set of functions, business goals and the wishes of the customer. In our work, our team uses automation tools that can significantly save time, and modern practices for identifying software vulnerabilities.