Did you know that iOS and Android accounted for 99.3% of mobile operating systems globally in the fourth quarter of 2023? From social networking to online shopping, smartphone applications have changed our routines and behaviors in different ways. As a result, maintaining the quality and stability of mobile applications has become a critical responsibility for developers, which is why effective mobile app testing is a must-do! However, there are other factors to consider when comparing Android vs. iOS. So, to further understand the issue, let’s look at the differences between iOS and Android app testing.
Differences Between Android and iOS in Mobile App Testing
- System Type: Open or Closed
Google’s open-source Android operating system uses Linux OS. It is renowned for being flexible and customizable, enabling developers to modify the OS to suit their requirements. On the other hand, the source code of Apple’s closed-source, proprietary iOS platform is not publicly available.
Since Android is easier to use than iOS and has an open-source platform, developers choose it for sophisticated testing of mobile apps.
- Device Types and the Number of Devices
Testing a mobile app is dependent on the devices you want to use for the test. The variety of devices from different manufacturers that vary in size, screen resolution, form factors, and hardware specifications presents a difficulty for Android.
As iOS devices are all made by Apple, mobile app testing is made more accessible because there are fewer varieties of devices and standard screen resolutions.
- OS Updates
Android devices can run earlier OS versions. Therefore, not all devices have the same OS version. Android testers must dedicate extra time to provide a consistent experience across all Android devices.
iOS devices receive OS upgrades concurrently and have fewer versions, which simplifies app testing.
- App Security
Older Android versions do not receive the latest safety upgrades or built-in protection, making them more susceptible to hacking. The Google Play Store also includes tools that allow users to see and modify the source code of an app’s APK. Android app developers and testers must take extra precautions to guarantee that their app code is safe and free of harmful threats.
iOS is well-known for its powerful security measures, and the closed-source architecture makes it more difficult for hackers to launch hostile assaults on iOS devices. As a result, testers do not have to devote much effort to verify that their app’s security is adequate.
- App Availability
The Google Play Store offers a more developer-friendly environment but has a less stringent app approval process compared to the Apple App Store. Developers need to be extra diligent in securing their apps to avoid potential security issues, as Google may not detect these vulnerabilities before the app is published.
Conversely, the Apple App Store enforces strict review guidelines. iOS developers must invest additional time in thorough mobile app testing to ensure their app meets Apple’s rigorous inspection standards.
Comparing Testing Strategies for iOS and Android Applications
| Aspect | iOS Testing | Android Testing |
| Development Environment | Xcode (IDE) | Android Studio (IDE) |
| Programming Languages | Swift, Objective-C | Java, Kotlin |
| Testing Frameworks | XCTest, XCUITest | JUnit, Espresso, UI Automator |
| Unit Testing | XCTest framework supports unit testing for Swift and Objective-C | JUnit is commonly used for unit testing |
| UI Testing | XCUITest for UI testing of user interactions and UI elements | Espresso for UI testing, UI Automator for cross-app testing |
| Mocking | OCMock, Cuckoo | Mockito, MockK |
| Integration Testing | XCTest with additional frameworks or tools | Instrumented tests with Espresso or other tools |
| Performance Testing | Instruments (part of Xcode) | Android Profiler in Android Studio |
| Manual Testing | TestFlight (Apple’s beta testing service) | Google Play Console’s internal test track |
| Automated Testing Tools | Xcode’s built-in tool, Appium, for cross-platform testing | Appium, Detox for React Native, Firebase Test Lab |
| Continuous Integration | Jenkins, Travis CI, Bitrise with Xcode integration | Jenkins, Travis CI, CircleCI with Gradle or Maven integration |
| Cross-Platform Testing | Appium for cross-platform testing | Appium, Detox for React Native, Flutter driver |
| Debugging Tools | Xcode debugger, LLDB | Android Studio debugger, Logcat |
| Code Coverage | Xcode’s built-in coverage tools | JaCoCo, Android Studio’s built-in tools |
| Beta Testing | TestFlight, HockeyApp | Google Play Console, Firebase App Distribution |
| App Store Testing | Apple’s App Store review process | Google Play Store review process |
| Error Tracking | Crashlytics (via Firebase) | Firebase Crashlytics, Sentry |
| Version Fragmentation | Less fragmentation; updates are more controlled | There is more significant fragmentation; many devices and OS versions to test |
OS and Android Testing Tools
- You can test Android and iOS mobile apps through three primary methods:
- Emulators
- Simulators
- Real Devices (recommended)
Let’s explore each of these methods to help you choose the best approach for your needs.
Emulators and Simulators
Emulators and simulators are virtual tools that replicate the OS and hardware configurations of physical devices, offering developers a way to test their applications without needing the actual hardware.
Android Emulators:
- Android Studio Emulator: Integrated within the Android Studio IDE, this emulator lets developers simulate various devices and Android API levels.
- Genymotion: A cross-platform Android emulator that supports testing on a wide array of virtual devices.
- BlueStacks: A popular Android emulator for Windows and Mac that allows users to run Android apps on desktop computers.
iOS Simulators:
- Xcode Simulator: Built into the Xcode IDE, this simulator enables developers to test their iOS apps on different devices and operating systems within the same development environment.
- iPadian: A third-party iOS simulator for Windows that allows users to run iOS apps on their PCs.
However, to identify hardware-specific issues and gain an accurate representation of user experience, you must test the apps on real mobile devices. Performance testing is essential, as emulators may not fully reflect the performance characteristics of actual devices due to varying hardware configurations. Therefore, testing on real devices is always recommended.
Real Devices
Testing mobile apps on real phones and tablets is crucial, as it provides insights into how your app impacts battery life, memory usage, and compatibility with the device’s processors—factors that computer simulations may not accurately reflect.
You have the option to set up your device lab, though it can be quite costly, or you can use more efficient solutions like the Pcloudy infrastructure platform. Pcloudy offers access to test on real mobile devices, either on the cloud or on-premises, depending on your project’s testing needs.
Conclusion
In summary, mobile app testing for Android and iOS necessitates customized approaches because of differences in system types, device diversity, and user expectations. QA teams must take these variations into account to ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable, and optimized mobile applications that meet the specific needs of each platform.