Automated Android App Testing: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Automated Android app testing is a process that tests all the elements of a mobile app across various devices, internet connections, and operating systems. The demand for Android applications is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.3% between 2024 and 2030 as a result of the increasing use of smartphones. Because of this increase in demand, developers are now concentrating on making Android apps that are bug-free, feature-rich, and easy to use. 

Android app testing has become crucial to ensuring a seamless user experience and all required functionality. Due to the wide range of platforms, devices, network connections, carriers, and security considerations, testing mobile apps may be very challenging. When performing manual mobile testing, it’s simple to forget important details. Automated Android app testing is really helpful in this situation. Read this definitive guide as we talk about automated Android app testing, benefits, and best practices for Android app testing.

What is Android Automation Testing?

Android Automation app testing is a process that tests various functionalities of Android apps to improve efficiency, accuracy, and speed. It entails testing the app for factors such as performance, features, scalability, security, and accessibility.

Android automation testing is done through Android testing tools. These are the specialized software and frameworks that test these apps on various devices and for various situations like bad connectivity, unexpected crashes, and downtime.

The software records every user action and leaves feedback with errors and fixes. Furthermore, it tests for reliability under pressed situations like low internet connectivity, large user load, or network failure.

Manual vs. Automated Mobile App Testing

Manual testing is a human-driven app testing process where the human testers interact with every feature of the app without making use of any scripts or software. Imagine doing the recurring tasks and testing the minute details with no mistakes. This sounds challenging! That’s why automated app testing outshines manual mobile app testing. Refer to the table below to understand the startling difference between two testing types:

Comparison Table: Manual Testing vs. Automated Testing

The table above is evidence of why automated Android testing is a better option than manual app testing. Manual testing relies on human judgment and is great for nuanced testing, while automated testing is faster, more reliable, and suited for repetitive tasks.

Some QA testers also recommend using both methods in tandem to get the best of both worlds.

Benefits of Automated Android App Testing

Automated app testing brings a variety of benefits to testers, ensuring that mobile applications offer a flawless user experience. Here are the advantages of automated app testing:

• Cost efficiency: Automated testing is more budget-friendly as it minimizes the reliance on human resources. It detects errors during the development phase, which is far more cost-effective than finding them later. It also saves time since scripts can be created and tests can be executed quickly.
• Faster app development: By catching bugs early, testers can work alongside developers to fix issues. Automated testing for Android apps can identify all errors in one go, so there’s no need for repeated testing.
• Reduced chances of errors: Since humans can make mistakes, manual testing is often less reliable. Testing tools for Android apps help pinpoint and correct potential errors, glitches, and inconsistencies in the application.
• Faster test coverage: Automated tools for Android mobile applications can efficiently execute complex scenarios that are difficult to test manually. In a shorter time frame, testers can run extensive test cases to validate app functionality.
• Improved app security: These automated testing tools are better equipped to assess vulnerabilities in apps and identify bottlenecks. Some tools perform in-depth security testing to protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorized

How to Perform Automated Android App Testing Step-by-Step?

Next, let’s explore the mindful steps to perform automated Android app testing.

Step 1: Set Up Automation Goals

The first step is to set out the automation goals. Decide what you want to achieve through automation.

Just like app development, app testing is an inevitable step in checking for various elements of mobile apps. Know whether you want to test the app’s functionality, performance, or user interface. Or if you want to test every aspect of your app?

Ask these questions while you set out these goals:

• Will this automation testing save me time?
• Does this automation testing help improve my performance, reliability, and app quality?

The best practice is to create a list of goals and checklists to ensure that you don’t miss any goals. Move ahead with the test cases for which the answer is yes.

Step 2: Planning Test Cases

After setting out the goals, the next step is to use and plan the test cases. Keep in mind that test case planning is not a process to end your product development cycle, but rather a part of the Agile process.

Identify the different scenarios and functionalities of your app that need to be tested. Consider some criteria or create a chart for planning. For automation testing to take place, the test cases should satisfy these criteria:

• Repetitive tasks or long processes
• Subject to more human error
• Involves less use of manual intervention and more time-consuming
• High error chance
• Difficult to measure

Conversely, if the test case involves subjective feedback, is open to multiple steps, and is more exploratory, it is not a viable choice for performing automation. The tests that need to be run once are not a good choice for automation testing for Android apps.

Step 3: Select Automation Framework

Once you have jotted down the test cases, choose the automation framework. The Android automation test app framework sets the rules to perform automation tests. These frameworks give you the best practice for creating your tests.

There are around six typical automation frameworks for Android mobile applications:

Linear Automation Framework:

 Also known as the record-and-playback framework, the tester doesn’t need to code to create specific functions. Instead, the steps are written in a sequential order and played back and forth. It is considered best for unit tests or simple applications.

Modular-Based Testing Framework: 

This framework involves testing small test cases or user scenarios. After breaking it down into smaller modules, a test script is created for each, and the scripts are then added in a hierarchical way.

Library Architecture Testing Framework:

This framework organizes related tasks into individual scripts, which are then grouped into functions. These functions are collected into a library. One of the primary advantages of this approach is its high level of reusability, making it efficient for repetitive testing tasks.

Data-Driven Testing Framework:

In this testing approach, the test input data and expected results are stored externally, such as in spreadsheets, databases, or CSV files. This separation of data from the test scripts not only saves time but also makes it easier to manage and update the data independently of the scripts.

Hybrid Testing Framework:

This framework combines elements from two or more other testing frameworks to create a versatile solution. It’s especially beneficial for agile teams, offering both flexibility and faster testing outcomes due to its adaptability to different testing needs.

Keyword-Driven Testing Framework:

This approach links external data with specific keywords. The software uses various test scripts to retrieve both the data and the corresponding keywords, which guides the execution of tests based on predefined keywords and data sets.

Step 4: Choose the Right Automation Testing Tool

Using automation solutions that complement your chosen framework is essential to optimizing your testing process. The effectiveness of creating, executing, and evaluating test scripts can be greatly increased with the use of these tools. The following automation technologies are frequently used to test Android apps:

• Appium: Appium is an open-source automation framework made specifically for testing mobile apps on Android and other platforms. It provides developers with flexibility in their testing process by supporting a number of programming languages, including Java, Python, JavaScript, and Ruby.
• Espresso: Google created the Espresso testing framework especially for Android applications. It facilitates the creation of automated tests that are UI-focused, dependable, and quick, guaranteeing that the app’s interface functions as intended in a variety of situations.
• Robotium: Robotium is another tool tailored for Android app testing, particularly suited for black-box and grey-box testing. It simulates user interactions like tapping on buttons or typing text, to test app functionality and responsiveness in real-world conditions

Step 5: Setting up Your Test Environment

Mobile app testing extends to various operating systems and hardware. Testing on each Android device and different Android versions can become difficult, but automated Android testing tools save time and effort. Tools like Android Studio automated testing offer real-device testing via cloud with different specifications, models, and Android versions.

Best Checklist for Android App Testing

Testers should create a checklist before starting mobile app testing. While some processes may vary depending on the complexity of the app, here’s a general checklist:

• Understand your app: Discuss with developers to learn the ins and outs of your developed app.
• Leverage testing tools: Read and understand the documentation of each testing tool.
• Stay updated: Keep up with the latest Android trends and user preferences.
• Create a test plan: Create a detailed SOP and well-laid plan for testing.
• Analyze the results: Create a detailed report of your findings.
• Perform tests regularly: Ensure tests are performed at regular intervals to identify new bugs.

Challenges in Automated Android App Testing

Automated Android testing comes with challenges, including:

• Device Density: With a vast range of Android devices, testing on each model can be difficult.
• Limits on Emulators: While emulators can test basic functionality, they fail to imitate touchscreen behavior and network conditions.
• Vulnerability issues: Some open-source tools may expose data to leaks. Opt for secure solutions with encryption.
• Writing test scripts: Writing scripts can be time-consuming and needs technical knowledge.

Why Choose Testers HUB for Automated Android Testing?

Testers HUB excels in automated Android testing. It offers real-device testing with a private device lab that supports over 50 devices and browsers. Features like scriptless testing and real-time device testing make it an efficient solution for large-scale testing.

Conclusion

Automated Android app testing is essential for ensuring quality, performance, and efficiency in modern mobile applications. By using automation testing tools for Android like Testers HUB, Appium, and Espresso, developers can streamline the testing process, improve test coverage, and identify bugs early in development. While automation is highly effective for repetitive tasks, it should be complemented with manual testing for complex scenarios. With the right tools and strategies, you can optimize your testing process, deliver high-quality apps faster, and enhance user satisfaction.