Mobile Testing

Mobile Testing

When testing mobile applications:

1. DEFINE device coverage matrix (Tier 1: 60%, Tier 2: 30%, Tier 3: 10%)
2. TEST platform differences (iOS ≠ Android: back button, permissions, UI)
3. VALIDATE touch gestures (tap, swipe, pinch, long-press)
4. TEST mobile-specific scenarios (offline, low battery, interruptions)
5. USE real devices for critical paths, emulators for fast feedback

Quick Mobile Checklist:

• Test on latest iOS + Android flagship devices
• Test offline mode and network transitions
• Verify push notifications work
• Test gesture interactions (swipe, pinch)
• Check permissions flow (camera, location, notifications)

Critical Success Factors:

• Emulators for 80% of testing, real devices for 20% critical paths
• Test on devices your users actually use (analytics)
• Device fragmentation is Android's biggest challenge

Quick Reference Card

When to Use

• Native app development (iOS/Android)
• Hybrid apps (React Native, Flutter)
• Mobile web / PWAs
• App store submission preparation

iOS vs Android Differences

| Aspect | iOS | Android | |--------|-----|---------| | OS Versions | 2-3 supported | 10+ in use | | Devices | ~40 models | 1000+ variants | | Back Button | Gesture/nav | Hardware/software | | Permissions | Single prompt | Runtime granular | | App Store | Strict review | Google Play + sideload |

Device Coverage Tiers

| Tier | Coverage | Devices | |------|----------|---------| | Tier 1 | 60% users | iPhone 15, Galaxy S24, iPad | | Tier 2 | 30% users | iPhone 14/13, Pixel 8 | | Tier 3 | 10% users | Older devices, other manufacturers |

---

Mobile-Specific Scenarios

// Offline mode testing
test('app works offline', async () => {
  await driver.toggleAirplaneMode();

  await driver.findElement('view-saved-items').click();
  const items = await driver.findElements('saved-item');
  expect(items.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);

  const banner = await driver.findElement('offline-banner');
  expect(banner.getText()).toContain('No internet');

  await driver.toggleAirplaneMode(); // Restore
});

// Location testing
test('location-based features', async () => {
  await driver.setGeoLocation({
    latitude: 37.7749,
    longitude: -122.4194,
    altitude: 0
  });

  const stores = await driver.findElement('stores-list');
  expect(stores.getText()).toContain('San Francisco');
});

// Permission testing (Android)
test('camera permission flow', async () => {
  await driver.findElement('take-photo').click();

  // Handle permission dialog
  await driver.findElement(
    'com.android.packageinstaller:id/permission_allow_button'
  ).click();

  expect(await driver.findElement('camera-view')).toBeDefined();
});

---

Agent-Driven Mobile Testing

// Cross-platform mobile testing
await Task("Mobile Test Suite", {
  platforms: ['iOS', 'Android'],
  deviceTiers: [1, 2],
  tests: 'regression-suite',
  parallelDevices: 5,
  deviceFarm: 'browserstack'
}, "qe-test-executor");

// Device farm integration
await Task("Device Farm Execution", {
  service: 'browserstack',
  devices: [
    'iPhone 15 - iOS 17',
    'Samsung Galaxy S24 - Android 14'
  ],
  recordVideo: true,
  captureNetworkLogs: true
}, "qe-test-executor");

---

Agent Coordination Hints

Memory Namespace

aqe/mobile-testing/
├── device-matrix/*      - Device coverage strategy
├── platform-tests/*     - iOS/Android specific tests
├── gesture-library/*    - Reusable gesture patterns
└── performance/*        - Mobile performance metrics

Fleet Coordination

const mobileFleet = await FleetManager.coordinate({
  strategy: 'mobile-testing',
  agents: [
    'qe-test-executor',       // Cross-platform execution
    'qe-performance-tester',  // Mobile performance
    'qe-visual-tester'        // Screen size validation
  ],
  topology: 'parallel'
});

---

Related Skills

• [accessibility-testing](../accessibility-testing/) - VoiceOver, TalkBack
• [performance-testing](../performance-testing/) - Mobile performance
• [compatibility-testing](../compatibility-testing/) - Device compatibility

---

Remember

Test on real devices for critical flows. Emulators catch 80% of bugs but real devices are needed for actual performance, sensor behavior, and platform quirks.

With Agents: qe-test-executor orchestrates testing across device farms, manages platform differences, and tests 10+ devices in parallel.

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: proffesor-for-testing
• Source: proffesor-for-testing/agentic-qe
• License: MIT
• Homepage: https://agentic-qe.dev/

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.