33 Essential Mobile Testing Interview Questions for 2024: Ace Your Next Interview

Pragya Yadav

The global mobile application market is expected to grow to a whopping $407.31 billion by 2026. This considerable growth will have a massive contribution from the software developers and testers. Undoubtedly, the mobile testing job market will grow fastest to match the expectations.

This article has curated the top 33 mobile testing interview questions for staying ahead in your career in 2024.

Mobile Testing Interview Questions for Beginners

1. What is the difference between mobile testing and mobile application testing?

Mobile device testing focuses on the device itself, such as the device’s performance, durability, battery life, network connectivity, screen sensitivity, camera quality, audio quality, and other hardware features. Other physical attributes to check are weight, size, screen resolution, memory capacity, processor performance, button functionality, and sensor accuracy. It is targeted at manufacturers and developers of mobile devices.

Mobile application testing focuses on verifying mobile apps’ functionality, usability, and consistency. This includes testing for app crashes, mobile device features (like GPS, camera, etc.) integration, and compatibility with different operating systems and device models. It is essential for mobile app developers and businesses.

2. What are the different types of mobile applications?

There are three types of mobile applications:

• Native Applications: They are developed specifically for a particular mobile operating system and written in languages that the platform accepts (e.g., Swift and Objective-C for iOS apps and Kotlin or Java for Android apps).
  Disadvantage: If you want to build and maintain apps for both iOS and Android, you need to create two different apps in two different code bases.
• Web Applications: They are websites optimized to look and feel like native apps. They are accessed through the mobile device’s web browser using a URL. They are easier to build and maintain than native apps since they use a common codebase across multiple platforms.
  Disadvantage: They are typically slower than native apps and can’t use device utilities. They also need an internet connection to work and can’t utilize the device’s hardware to the same extent as native apps.
• Hybrid Applications: They are an amalgamation of both native and web applications. The application’s core is written using web technologies (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript), which are then encapsulated within a native app. Developers can write code once and still accommodate multiple platforms.
  Disadvantage: Hybrid apps might still be slower compared to native apps and might not have smooth UI.

3. What are the different challenges with mobile testing that you have faced?

• Expansive Device Types: Covering a vast spectrum of devices having different screen sizes, resolutions, hardware, OS, and processing.
• Thorough UI and UX Testing: Test the app’s good user experience across devices with different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations.
• Finding Performance Issues: Testing for app performance, such as load times, speed, responsiveness, etc.
• Managing Security Issues and Breaches: Handling sensitive user data and maintaining security/compliance is challenging.
• Getting Approvals: Sometimes, the guidelines/requirements of the app store approval are challenging to fulfill.
• Integration Testing: Various hardware/software components like GPS, camera, APIs, and third-party solutions are integrated with mobiles. Thorough integration testing is challenging to complete in shorter sprints.
• Setting Up Automation Testing: Creating automated tests that work across different devices and platforms is complex, costly, and requires many resources.
• Compliance Requirements: Missing any legal and regulatory requirements specific to mobile apps during testing can result in legal actions and losing users.

4. What are the differences between mobile testing and desktop testing?

Mobile testing deals with applications functioning correctly across a wide range of mobile devices with various screen sizes, operating systems, and hardware configurations. It handles challenges unique to mobile devices, such as network conditions, touch interfaces, and battery usage.

Read here about mobile testing in detail.

On the other hand, desktop testing is generally more uniform, dealing with larger screens, more stable network connections, and higher processing ability. These applications run on a desktop computer or laptop and are installed locally rather than being accessed through a web browser or as a mobile app.

Learn more about desktop testing.

Additionally, mobile testing often includes considerations for mobile-specific functionalities like location services and sensor usage, which are less common in desktop testing.

5. Name the mobile testing tools that you know about.

Mention the mobile testing tools you have worked on and have adequate knowledge of since there may be more questions based on your answer.

Read here the top 10 tools for mobile testing.

6. Why emulators are used in mobile testing?

They are software tools that mimic the hardware and software of mobile devices. They help testers to simulate various devices and operating systems on their computers. This is particularly useful in the early stages of development and testing. Since it enables quick and cost-effective testing without setting up physical devices.

Emulators are ideal for initial functional and feature testing, as they can rapidly replicate different environments and conditions. However, they can not entirely replace physical device testing. This is especially true for real-world user actions/interactions, battery usage, and device-specific hardware performance.

Read ‘The 9 Leading Android Emulators for PCs in 2023‘.

7. What are the differences between emulators and simulators?

Read here: Comparing iOS Emulators/Simulators with Real iOS Devices.

8. What is the importance of a test plan in mobile testing?

• Testing Scope and Objectives: Outlines what needs to be tested.
• Resource Allocation: Efficient use of resources across various testing environments (different devices, OS versions, network conditions).
• Guides Testing Approach: Establishes the methodology for testing- manual and automated testing, real devices, emulators/simulators.
• Defines Pass/Fail Criteria: Clearly defines the criteria for a passed or failed test.
• Monitors Progress: Helps monitor the testing process to stay within timelines and budgets.
• Identify Risks: Helps identify potential risks and then plans good mitigation strategies.
• Achieves Comprehensive Coverage: All essential components of the mobile application are tested with good coverage.

Here is a complete guide for test planning.

Intermediate Mobile Testing Interview Questions

9. What strategy do you follow for testing a mobile application?

I begin with a thorough understanding of the application’s requirements and user demographics to align the testing strategy with user needs and business goals.

• Requirement Analysis: This involves understanding the app’s functionality, target audience, and key performance indicators.
• Device and OS Selection: Based on the target audience, I select a range of devices and operating systems.
• Test Planning: A detailed test plan that includes the scope, types of testing to be performed, resources needed, timeline, and risk assessment is created.
• Select Types of Testing: There can be functional, usability, performance, regression, security, compatibility, localization, manual, and automated testing required. Testing types to be conducted are decided based on the project requirement.

Here is an in-depth article about various functional testing types.

• Continuous Testing and Integration: If the project follows Agile or DevOps methodologies (which is a norm now), I incorporate continuous testing into the development cycle.
• Monitoring and Feedback: To identify and fix issues that are not covered in test cases, monitoring and user/developer feedback are used.
• Reporting and Documentation: Keeping detailed records of test cases, results, bugs, and fixes for analysis and improvement.

Read here: Mobile Web Testing: Strategies, Tools, and Best Practices.

10. How do you perform compatibility testing of mobile apps?

Compatibility testing for mobile apps involves testing that the app functions as intended across various devices, operating systems, screen sizes, and resolutions. To do this, I first define the range of devices and OS versions the app targets based on market data and user demographics. I use a combination of real devices and emulators to cover this broad range.

Automated testing tools are used, especially if many devices are to be tested. I focus on testing critical functionalities, UI elements, and performance areas across different environments.

Read more about cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility testing.

11. What is the importance of usability testing during mobile testing?

It directly impacts user satisfaction, engagement, and market growth. We make sure that the mobile app is intuitive, easy to navigate, and provides a positive UX (user experience). Using usability testing, we can identify and rectify any issues related to the app’s design and functionality from a user’s perspective. Such as assessing the ease of use, understanding UI elements, and checking that the app effectively meets the intended user needs.

12. What do you know about cloud-based mobile testing?

Cloud-based mobile testing involves using cloud services to test mobile applications. It provides access to many mobile devices, operating systems, and network environments over the cloud, eliminating the need for physical device labs. It also supports remote testing and team collaboration. It easily integrates with CI/CD pipelines for automated testing. Cloud-based mobile testing provides more test coverage, faster time-to-market, and adapts well to agile and DevOps methodologies.

You can choose from many infrastructure providers based on your device/platform requirements and budget.

Here are the DevOps testing tools that you should know about.

13. How do you test different mobile screen resolutions and sizes?

Explain the testing areas below to provide an overview of your experience.

• Device Emulators and Simulators: Using emulators and simulators to test the application on different screen sizes and resolutions.
• Real Device Testing: Testing on real devices to get an accurate sense of the app’s look and feel on different screens.
• Responsive Design Testing: This ensures that the layout, images, buttons, and other UI elements adjust correctly to different screen sizes.
• Breakpoint Testing: To identify and test critical breakpoints where the app’s layout changes to adapt to different screen resolutions.
• Automated Testing Tools: For efficiency, I use automated testing tools that can simulate a variety of screen sizes and resolutions.
• Visual Inspection: Manual and automated visual inspections to check for UI elements alignment, readability, and potential distortions or clipping on different screens.
• User Interface Guidelines Compliance: I ensure the app adheres to the UI guidelines provided by major platforms like iOS and Android.
• Checking the Performance: Besides the layout, testing performance aspects like loading times and memory usage as well on different devices is important.

14. Why do we require security testing in mobile apps?

Mobile apps often access, store, and transmit sensitive user data such as financial information, location, identities, medical records, etc. It’s necessary to protect this data against unauthorized access, breaches, and other security threats. Security testing helps identify vulnerabilities within the app, such as weak encryption, insecure data storage, or susceptibility to attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.

Through security testing, the app complies with data protection regulations, maintains user trust, and safeguards the app’s integrity and reputation in the marketplace.

15. How do you perform performance testing on mobile applications?

Performance testing is all about making sure the app is fast, responsive, and stable, no matter what we throw at it. I start by figuring out what is most important to measure – things like how quickly the app loads, how fast it responds, and resource usage.

Then, I use specialized tools to simulate different user loads and network conditions. ensuring the app performs well under both normal and peak usage scenarios. I also test on a variety of devices with different hardware specifications to ensure consistent performance across all supported devices. By doing all this, I can spot any trouble areas where the app might slow down or stumble. The end goal? To make sure our app runs smoothly and efficiently under all circumstances.

16. What is the role of A/B testing in mobile application development?

A/B testing in mobile application development is a method used to compare two versions of an app or a feature within the app to determine which one performs better in terms of user engagement and satisfaction. It involves showing the two variants (A and B) to different segments of users and analyzing the data to see which version leads to better outcomes. A/B testing is required for making data-driven decisions in the development process.

You can explain with the below example:

Scenario: An entertainment and news agency wants to increase the number of subscribers to its weekly newsletter.

Objective: To determine whether changing the color of the ‘Subscribe Today’ button affects customer engagement and conversion rates.

Implementation:

• Original Version (A): The original page features a ‘Subscribe Today’ button in blue, which is as per the website’s color scheme.
• Modified Version (B): The company creates a variation B where the ‘Subscribe Today’ button is changed to a bright green color.

Test Execution: The company directs 50% of its traffic to the original version (A) and the remaining 50% to the modified version (B). All other elements of the page, images, and layout remain the same.

Result: The company tracks key metrics such as the number of clicks on the ‘Subscribe Today’ button, the overall conversion rate (percentage of visitors who do not unsubscribe later), and any changes in user behavior. After the testing period, the data reveals that Version B (with the green ‘Subscribe Today’ button) had a 15% higher click-through rate and a 10% increase in conversions compared to Version A.

17. How do you handle frequent updates during mobile testing?

During Continuous Integration (CI) and testing, the testing pipeline is automated to quickly test new builds, quickly as soon as the new code is pushed into the repository. Robust and flexible test cases that can quickly adapt to changes are set up.

After each update, I focus on regression testing to check that the new code changes have not caused any harm to the existing functionalities. Tracking all changes in logs and communicating closely with the development team to understand the implications of each update is followed.

Know more about Continuous Testing.

18. How do you test push notifications on mobile?

We can first check that the mobile app correctly registers for notifications and receives them. This involves sending notifications in both foreground and background states. We should test on different devices/OS versions to ensure compatibility. Check for the correct display of notification content such as title, message, and any other custom data if present.

We should verify successful user interaction with the notification. For example, open the app, perform a specific action, and check that the app responds appropriately.

Use the below example to answer this question:

Example:

Test Case Title: Verify Receipt and Display of Push Notifications

Test Steps:

Step 1: Send a push notification from the server/backend to the specific device/user.

Step 2: Observe the app’s behavior in different states:

1. When the app is running in the foreground.
2. When the app is running in the background.
3. When the app is not actively running (closed).

Expected Results:

• The push notification should be received in all app states.
• When the app is in the foreground, the notification may be displayed as an in-app banner or alert (per app design).
• When the app is in the background or not running, the notification should appear in the device’s notification area.
• The notification should display the correct content (title, message, etc.) as intended.

19. Tell me about the importance of accessibility testing during mobile testing.

It tests that the app is usable by people with a wide range of abilities, including those who are differently-abled. This type of testing is required to test how the app is in terms of navigation and readability for users with physical challenges, such as visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive. It’s about compliance with legal standards and inclusivity, expanding the app’s reach, and providing an equitable user experience for all.

Read here how to build an ADA-compliant app.

20. What is your approach to testing e-commerce mobile apps?

I thoroughly understand the e-commerce platform’s business goals, user journeys, and technical specifications. Functional, usability, performance, security, compatibility, payment gateway integration, regression, mobile-specific testing (push notifications, QR code scanning), and user feedback incorporation are performed to achieve good quality and UX.

Read here for more about e-commerce testing.

21. What are the challenges in testing streaming services on mobile?

We must test streaming quality across different network conditions (like 3G, 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi). Users expect consistent performance irrespective of network variability.

Compatibility testing is necessary due to the broad range of mobile devices, each with different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware capabilities.

Buffering and latency are top areas to test for so that there is minimal lag and smooth playback. Testing should check the app’s handling of interruptions like calls or notifications and its impact on streaming continuity. Battery consumption and data usage optimization are also important, as streaming services can significantly impact these. Content security and DRM (Digital Rights Management) compliance is essential to protect against unauthorized access or piracy.

22. How do you ensure data privacy during mobile testing?

I start by encrypting sensitive user data to prevent unauthorized access or breaches. Data protection regulations like GDPR or CCPA should be followed throughout the testing process. A secure test environment requires isolation from live environments to avoid accidental data leaks.

Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments are conducted to correct potential privacy risks. Limited data access to authorized personnel only and regular training on the latest data privacy practices and protocols are helpful.

Mobile Testing Interview Questions for Experienced

23. What is your approach to test automation in mobile testing?

I start by identifying test cases that are repetitive and time-consuming as prime candidates for automation. Then, a combination of testing tools like Appium, Selenium, etc., depending on the app’s platform and requirements, is used.

The next task is to integrate automated testing into the CI/CD pipeline to ensure tests are run automatically with each build, with continuous maintenance and update of test scripts. I make sure that the automation scripts are modular, reusable, and easy to maintain. This involves using data-driven and keyword-driven approaches to make the scripts more adaptable to changes in the app.

A balanced use of automated and manual testing is maintained, especially for exploratory, usability, and ad-hoc scenarios. I regularly review and update the automation strategy and test cases with my team.

24. How do you ensure the scalability of mobile apps?

I conduct performance testing under various load conditions to assess how the app handles increased user traffic and data processing. This includes load testing to evaluate the app’s behavior under expected user loads and stress testing to determine its limits.

Scalability testing specifically measures the app’s capacity to scale up/down in response to increased workload, like adding more users or transactions. This involves gradually increasing the load and monitoring the app’s performance and resource usage.

Cloud-based testing environments simulate a wide range of user scenarios and device configurations. Automated testing runs these tests quickly and efficiently at scale, ensuring consistent test coverage as the app grows.

Read here in detail about test scalability.

25. Why is Continuous Integration important in mobile app testing?

Continuous Integration (CI) is a real game-changer in detecting issues early, enhancing the quality of our code, and speeding up getting our apps out there. It is all about frequently adding new or updated code. This happens several times a day and is tested immediately in a shared space. This rapid cycle helps spot and fix any hitches in integration. Things move fast here, and with constant updates in operating systems and various phone models, it is required.

CI is also a big contributor to automated tests. This means we can make sure any new updates play nicely with what we already have (that’s our regression testing). That’s incredibly important when considering a whole spectrum of devices and operating system versions.

Everyone stays on the same page, boosting team communication and ensuring our app development is hitting the mark with users’ needs. Know in detail What is CI/CD?

26. What are the challenges in testing IoT-based mobile applications?

• Huge Range of Devices: There’s the challenge of device diversity and interoperability, as IoT involves various devices and sensors with different specifications and communication protocols. Ensuring the mobile app functions correctly with all these devices is crucial.
• Critical Performance Testing: Another challenge is network connectivity and performance testing. IoT devices often rely on different network technologies (like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or cellular networks), and testing how the app performs under varying network conditions is essential.
• Security and Privacy Testing: They are also more complex due to the sensitive nature of data collected and transmitted by IoT devices. It’s critical to ensure robust security protocols to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access.
• UI and UX Testing: User interface and experience testing for IoT apps can be challenging, as these apps often need to present complex data in a user-friendly manner.
• Handling Scalability: Top concern, as IoT systems may need to handle many devices and a massive amount of data.

27. How do you test voice-integrations in mobile apps?

We test the voice recognition capability under various conditions, including different accents, speech patterns, and background noise levels, to ensure the app accurately captures and interprets spoken commands.

Conducting functionality testing to verify that the app correctly executes the commands it receives through voice input, covering a wide range of possible user commands helps. Compatibility testing is important to make sure that the voice integration works seamlessly across different devices and operating systems.

Usability testing to evaluate the ease of use and intuitiveness of voice interactions, ensuring they enhance the overall user experience. This includes testing the app’s responses for clarity and relevance.

I also include tests for how the app handles ambiguous/unknown commands, checking its ability to guide users gracefully in such scenarios.

28. What is your approach to testing AR/VR features in mobile apps?

The main point to remember is to focus on technical performance and user experience. I start with functionality testing to ensure that the AR/VR features work as intended, including accurate environment mapping and object placement for AR and immersive VR environments.

Performance testing is unavoidable, as AR/VR applications are quite resource-intensive. I assess how the app performs under different hardware conditions. Also, I pay special attention to frame rates, latency, and overall system stability.

Usability testing is another key component, where I evaluate the user interface and interaction design within the AR/VR environment. This includes assessing ease of navigation, intuitiveness of controls, and user comfort, especially for prolonged usage.

I also use compatibility testing to test the app’s functions well across various devices with different processing capabilities, camera qualities, and display resolutions.

There is always a strong emphasis on safety and privacy aspects. To evaluate that the app provides adequate user guidance to prevent physical accidents in AR scenarios and securely handles user data in VR environments.

29. How do you test maps and GIS during mobile testing?

I focus on both functional and user experience aspects. Functionally, I verify that map loading, zooming, and scrolling are smooth and accurate. This includes testing the accuracy of GIS data and ensuring that location tracking, waypoints, and geographic features are correctly displayed and updated in real time.

Conducting usability testing to see that map interfaces are user-friendly and intuitive, with clear icons and labels. Compatibility testing is important to check that maps render correctly across different devices and screen sizes.

For GPS apps, I test under various conditions, such as different urban and rural environments, to ensure reliable location tracking. Network condition testing is also done to see how the app’s map and GIS features perform under different connectivity scenarios.

The app should also adhere to privacy laws and guidelines, especially in handling user location data.

Read more in detail about testing GIS or maps.

30. How do you test mobile payment systems?

Mobile payment systems testing involves a razor-sharp, detailed, and security-focused approach. Starting with functional testing to validate all payment-related functionalities. This includes transactions, card storage, and payment processing, working as intended. Also, verifying integration with various payment gateways and methods like credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers is very important.

Security testing is unavoidable, where I rigorously test for vulnerabilities to prevent data breaches. Encryption of sensitive data like card details and compliance with industry standards like PCI DSS should be present.

Usability testing is also critical to ensure the payment process is user-friendly and intuitive. This minimizes the risk of user errors during transactions. The payment system should work seamlessly across devices, operating systems, and network conditions. It is verified through compatibility testing.

I also conduct stress testing to evaluate the system’s ability to handle high volumes of transactions simultaneously to test reliability and performance under peak loads.

The system should handle various scenarios gracefully, such as payment failures, refunds, and transaction notifications.

31. How do you perform risk-based testing in mobile testing?

For mobile applications, the approach is to prioritize test cases based on the potential risks and their impact on the app. We should first identify critical modules essential for the app’s operation. For example, user authentication, payment processing, or core business features.

To assess the risk associated with each functionality, consider factors like complexity, user interaction frequency, and the potential business impact of failure. High-risk areas receive the most attention in testing, ensuring thorough coverage.

We evaluate the likelihood of defects in various parts of the application, which might be based on historical data, the complexity of the code, or new features being introduced.

This approach helps in the efficient allocation of testing resources and time. And thereby help focus the efforts where they are most needed.

Read a good article on Risk-based Testing (RBT).

32. What is your strategy to test large-scale mobile applications?

Start with understanding the application’s architecture and key functionalities and then identify critical areas for testing. Then, mainly, the below testing types are carried out depending on the app.

Scalability and Performance Testing: I focus on load and stress testing to test that the app can handle high user traffic and data processing without performance issues. This is done by simulating real-world scenarios with varying user loads.

Continuous Testing: Due to the scale, it is the best use case for automation testing. The repetitive and regression tests are automated to improve efficiency and coverage. Use automation testing and set up a CI/CD pipeline for continuous testing.

Compatibility Testing: Given the broad user base, the app is tested across various devices, operating systems, network conditions, etc.

Security Testing: I conduct thorough security testing, such as vulnerability scanning and penetration testing, to protect user data and meet regulatory standards.

User Experience (UX) Testing: Usability testing helps to test that the app remains user-friendly and intuitive for users, even with complex functionalities.

Beta Testing: Engaging real users in a beta test phase helps collect valuable user feedback. These real-world usage and scenarios may not be covered in test environments.

Monitoring and Analytics: Continuously tracking the app’s performance and user behavior in production helps resolve any live issues quickly without any impact.

33. Mention some best practices for handling mobile test data.

Data Masking: Personal testing data should be masked/encrypted to protect user privacy. Stick to data protection regulations like GDPR in handling and storing test data.

Use of Test Data Management Tools: Use test data management (TDM ) tools for creating, managing, maintaining, and disposing of test data quickly.

Data Segregation: Keep test data separate from production data to avoid any security breaches.

Close to Real Data Sets: Use data sets that closely mimic real-world data for more accurate testing results, but do not forget to mask the production data.

Maintain Test Data: Regularly update test data to reflect current user behaviors and scenarios.

Storage and Transmission: Ensure test data is stored and transmitted securely. Use encryption if necessary.

Test Data Disposal: Properly dispose of test data after use to prevent any unauthorized access or use.

Quick Tips for Your Mobile Testing Interview

Understand the Basics First: Be clear on fundamental concepts of mobile testing, types of mobile apps (native, web, hybrid), and testing methodologies.

Know the Automation Tools: Familiarize yourself with popular mobile testing tools like Appium, Selenium, etc. Be prepared to discuss why and how you use these tools.

Follow Latest Trends: Stay updated with the latest trends, such as the impact of new mobile OS versions, emerging mobile devices, and changes in testing approaches.

Use Real-World Scenarios: Discuss real-world scenarios you have worked on, challenges you faced, and how you resolved them successfully.

Discuss Test Cases and Strategies: Talk about how you design test cases and strategies. Particularly for different types of testing like functional, performance, security, and usability.

Gain Automation Knowledge: If the role involves test automation, discuss your experience with automation tools and scripting languages. Explain how you decide what to automate and what to test manually. Read an article about which tests should I automate first.

Security and Privacy Awareness: Understand the importance of security, especially with apps that handle sensitive user data.

Performance Testing Skills: Show your performance testing skills and the metrics you use to test an app. Read here about QA Testing KPIs.

Practice Your Soft Skills: Have examples that showcase your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

Attend Mock Interviews: Practice with mock interviews to build confidence.

Prepare Questions to Ask: Have a set of questions ready for the interviewer about the company, team, projects, or technologies they use. This shows your interest in working with them.

Review Your Work: Be ready to discuss specific projects or cases from your resume. Tell them about your role and contributions.

Show Adaptability: Show that you can handle fast-paced learning and changes in mobile testing.

Follow Continuous Learning: Express your commitment to continuous learning, results, and professional development.

Additional Resources:

• Mobile Testing Where You Should Start
• Mobile Testing Overview
• How to Build a Test Automation Framework
• What is DevTestOps?
• Essential QA Metrics to Improve Your Software Testing
• Top-24 QA Manager Interview Questions (+Answers)
• Top-30 Manual QA Interview Questions (+Answers)
• SDET Interview Questions: Your Key to Landing the Job
• Top-30 Automation Engineer Interview Questions (+Answers)
• Top 20+ Test Automation Certifications and Training Courses Guide for 2023